Consider This – Humor Battles Body’s ‘Radicals’

By From Our Press Services

Free radicals are the free-wheeling particles in the body said to cause aging, inflammation and cancer. To battle them, you are encouraged to consume vegetables and fruit and lather your skin with antioxidant creams.

A recent study points to an additional defense. Allure magazine says humor and happy thoughts also may help deflect the damage. At the Meikai University in Japan, researchers measured free radical scavenging capacity, or FRSC, in the saliva of 27 volunteers. The testing was done before, after and during the viewing of a half- hour television comedy. As they watched, the FRSC or defense mechanism rose by about 30 percent. In short, Allure says, the pleasure sensation boosted the protection.

On the other hand, boredom reduced it. So be sure it is a compelling comedy you haven’t seen.

Unparenting glorified

Perhaps you’ve decided parenthood isn’t for you. Jennifer L. Shawne has, and her humorous paperback, “Baby Not on Board” (Chronicle Books, $14.95), celebrates child-free living. Shawne’s response to the when-are-you-having-kids question: “When minivans are sexy and day care is free.”

For those who like OPCs (Other People’s Children), Shawne gives tips on being the cool aunt or uncle; for those who don’t, she suggests plopping Junior down in a litter box if you don’t want to be asked to babysit again. Most of the laughs come in conjunction with the witty illustrations by Anoushka Matus.

The book acknowledges that people decide not to have kids for different reasons, but this isn’t an intellectual study (for that, try “The Childless Revolution” by Madelyn Cain). Rather, Shawne glorifies the life of what she terms “unparents.” Once the no-baby decision has been made, she suggests throwing an “unbaby shower” with anti-kiddie movies , pink and blue cocktails in baby bottles and a stork pinata.

– From Our Press Services