Cutting Calories Boosts Memory

Thanks to the miracles of modern science we are all now, on average, living longer than ever before.Through their various discoveries scientists can keep our bodies going much longer and in the years ahead no doubt that time will be extended even more. However, as yet they have not discovered how to extend the life of the mind. As you become more elderly one of the first things you notice is that your memory is no longer able to recall things as quickly as it did when you were younger. You can walk from one room to another and have to stop and ask yourself what you came in for. What worries older people most of all is the prospect that they may contract Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Diabetes, Strokes or at least general dementia.
Now a team of German researchers are suggesting that cutting down the number of calories you eat by nearly a third can improve your memory. A test was carried out on 50 elderly volunteers and the study found there had been significant improvements in their memory, once their calorie intake had been reduced to this level. Similar tests carried out on animals in the past have also proved positive, but it is still not certain whether this would be the case in humans. However, a dietitian has warned that a reduction this severe could harm health unless care was taken. The precise mechanism which may deliver these benefits is still being investigated. Any breakthrough brought about by this, or any other research, that improves mind function, would be hugely reassuring to todays elderly population and even more reassuring for elderly populations of the future, who are likely to live much longer than us.

Today's Smile - Eve's Side Of The Story

Thanks to reader Roy Andrews for sending in today's funny story. No doubt our female readers will particularly appreciate it.

Eve's side of the story

After three weeks in the garden of Eden, God came to visit Eve. "So how is everything going?" enquired God."It's all so beautiful God" she replied. "The sunrise and sunsets are breathtaking, the smells, the sights, everything is wonderful, but I have just one problem. It is these breasts you have given me. The middle one pushes the other two out and I am constantly knocking them with my arms, catching them on branches and snagging them on bushes. They are a real pain" reported Eve. And Eve went on to tell God that, since many other parts of her body came in pairs, such as her limbs, eyes, ears etc.....she felt that having only two breasts might leave her body more "symmetrically balanced" as she put it. "That's a fair point" replied God. "But it was my first shot at this you know. I gave the animals six breasts, so I figured that you needed only three of those, but I see that you are right. I will fix it up right away." And God reached down, removed the middle breast and tossed it into the bushes. Three weeks passed and God once again visited Eve in the Garden of Eden." Well Eve, how is my favourite creation?" "Just fantastic" she replied. But for one oversight on your part. You see, all the animals are paired off. The ewe has a ram and the cow has her bull. All the animals have a mate except me... I feel so alone" God thought for a moment and said "you know, Eve, you are right. How could I have overlooked this? You do need a mate and I will immediately create a man from part of you. Now let's see............where did I put that useless tit?"

More on Eco-friendly Light Bulbs

Yesterday I wrote a somewhat flippant article on Eco-friendly light bulbs. Since then I have read a rather disturbing article on the same subject. Charities and eyesight specialists are calling on the government to halt its plans to phase out the traditional bulbs.
David Adams, spokesman for the Royal National College for the Blind, raised concerns about people with sight conditions who particularly rely on good lighting. He said most people did not have total loss of vision and would therefore want to make the most of what they have left. Interestingly, the government admitted there was a problem, pointing out alternatives were still available.
A spokesman for DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) also admitted that the new bulbs do not give off as much light as the old ones. The reason given was that the new type bulbs give off a diffused light. She also claimed that the price of bulbs will come down and the technology will improve. I suspect we shall be hearing a lot more about light bulbs in the near future.

There's More Than One Way To Coook A Haggis

Another Burns night has been and gone and the famous haggis has had its night of glory for another year. The legend of Robbie Burns is a powerful one and captures the imagination of the English as well as the Scots. Whilst haggis has always been the staple diet in Scotland, I suspect most English people probably only get to eat it once a year, during the Burns night celebrations. I am English and my wife is Irish but we have always celebrated Burns night, though probably not traditionally, with a haggis meal. Personally, I love haggis, but that has not always been the case. For many years we always boiled the haggis in the traditional way and I never found it particularly appetising. That all changed quite a few years ago when, one Burns night I decided to wrap the haggis in foil and roast it in the oven. The change in taste was amazing, so good in fact that occasionally we now have haggis at various other times of the year. Served with a thick gravy, to which a tablespoon of haggis, and a little drop of whiskey, has been added and accompanied by creamed potatoes, and some well peppered carrot and swede mash, it makes a great meal. No doubt any Scottish readers will be horrified at the thought of haggis being served in this way, but believe me it is delicious. Try it and see!