There's been something funny going on at Loma Linda
University and there are two doctors right in the middle of
it. We're talking about Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan,
and they've been studying the effects of laughter on the
human immune system. To date, their published studies have
shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress
hormones, increases muscle range of motion, and boosts
immune system function. Laughter also triggers the release
of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces
a general sense of well-being. This exciting research was
featured in the September / October 1996 issue of the Humor
and Health Journal.
We all know that a good laugh leaves us feeling great. That
wonderful, euphoric, post-laugher feeling is a type of
"positive stress" that produces healthy and positive
emotions. After a good laugh, your immune system also seems
to "turn it up a notch".
Your body steps up production of natural killer cells that
attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and
tumor cells.
Your body activates more cancer fighting T cells.
Your body increases the antibodies that fight upper
respiratory tract insults and infections.
Your body produces more gamma interferon, an antiviral
protein that "turns on" the various parts of your immune
system.
Laughing is good exercise. It provides a workout for your
diaphragm and increases your body's ability to use oxygen
while it brings in positive emotions that can actually
reduce pain. In a study published in the Journal of Holistic
Nursing, patients were told "one-liners" after surgery and
before painful medication was administered. Those exposed to
humor perceived less pain when compared to the others.
So laugh hard, laugh often and give your body the benefit of
fruits and veggies every day. Have you tried The MannaFeast yet?
We call it one of The Healthiest Foods In The World because its a
potent combination of fruits, nuts, seeds, berries,
vegetables with enzymes and probiotics - convenient whole body, whole food nutrition in
each drink.
