It's hard to believe right now, but soon, summer will be right in front of you. And since a few extra pounds might be right "behind" you, this is good news, because apparently, people are less likely to binge in the sunlight because they feel more self-conscious.

The slimming hormone serotonin plays a role too. It gets a boost from the sun, you see, and just so happens to suppress appetite. Another sunny bonus: The sun kicks in a dose of vitamin D -- and there's no doubt most of us are lacking in this D-partment.

Get ready to head for your sun chair, my friends. It might just get keep you trim. Don't forget your sunscreen, though, because weight loss and a little extra vitamin D are not so valuable if skin cancer comes along for the ride.

Source

Day 3: Yesterday, my head ached all day. I was pretty cranky, too. That's fading, but today I just feel low, and tired, and honestly, like I want to crawl into bed and stay there the rest of the day.

I'm not a scientist, but my guess is that I was using sugar as a quick pick-me-up during the day, whenever my blood sugar or serotonin levels dropped. But beyond biology, there's something else going on here. I enjoyed sugar (a little too much, most days), and now it's gone. Luckily, I remember some advice I once got: If you're going to give something up you enjoy, whether it be sugar or cigarettes or whatever, replace it with something else that makes you happy.

In my case, exercise and a healthy diet will fix any blood sugar or serotonin issues I may be having. But I'm also taking time this week to indulge myself in other, non-food daily pleasures: a long walk with my dog, permission to sit down, reading a book instead of doing the dishes, and even a little shopping (but just a little!).

So you say chocolate is calling your name? You're not alone! From sugary sweets to salty treats, we all deal with cravings from time to time. Divine Caroline shares four reasons you might be having a craving:

• You're pregnant. It may seem like an old wives' tale or fodder for a TV sitcom, but many pregnant women do experience cravings. Jacki recently told us that Rebecca Romijn does.
• You're premenstrual. Women can crave certain foods just before their periods.
• You have low insulin levels. When your insulin level or blood sugar is low, your body will naturally crave foods to correct the imbalance.
• You have low serotonin. When you're stressed, your body may send out signals for something to ease the pain.
  

When you understand your cravings, you can take control and make wiser and healthier decisions.

Source

A recent study was attempting to determine a possible link between high levels of the brain chemical serotonin and aggression/anger. Instead, researchers stumbled upon an unexpected discovery.

In the study, mice were genetically engineered to overproduce serotonin. Most of the mice died at an early age because they were unable to regulate their body temperature and heart rate. The finding led researchers to believe that an overproduction of serotonin could be responsible for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS, otherwise known as crib death, is one of the most common causes of death in children between the ages of 1 and 12 months old.

The studies findings support previous research which linked SIDS to abnormal production of serotonin.

Source

I don't recommend the sort of happy meal you'd find at McDonald's and other fast food joints. But I do suggest you try some of the happy foods Redbook magazine features in its June 2008 issue. For the whole run-down -- there are 15 of them in all -- head on over to this site. For a little taste, keep on reading this post.

First, let me tell you why these foods are considered "happy." It's because they do more than fuel the body -- they help fight stress, fatigue, even the blues. They make us feel good. They make us feel, well, happy. And here they are.

Oatmeal: Ever met a dieter who is angry and tense all the time? It's likely a lack of carbohydrates causing such irritation. We need carbs. Not doughnut carbs, but carbs rich in fiber so the body absorbs them slowly and allows serotonin to flow steadily. Oatmeal fits the bill. So do whole-wheat pasta and beans.

Source

Many people believe that exercise and pain go hand-in-hand. And sometimes it's true -- after a good workout, your muscles and joints can be sore for days afterward. It's a good pain, a satisfying pain, but a pain nonetheless.

But you know, pain and exercise do go hand-in-hand, though not necessarily in the way you might think. Exercise has been shown help with pain, particularly of the chronic variety. I'm serious! If you're suffering from chronic pain, a workout routine could be the cure for what ails you. Or, if not the cure, at least a very good treatment.

According to this article from Johns Hopkins University, exercise can help with pain in several ways:

Source

More good news about dark chocolate, this time for those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

It seems dark chocolate, which contains a high cocoa content and no milk, can alleviate CFS symptoms like no other chocolate can. And this makes it a tried and true prescription for patients of this condition who are urged to consume moderate amounts of the dark stuff.

Researchers believe it's the polyphenols found in large quantities in dark chocolate that do the trick because they affect levels of serotonin in the brain. The chocolate doesn't seem to affect weight gain, though. Participants didn't put on any pounds during dark chocolate pilot studies.

I don't know about you but for those plagued by profound fatigue, this seems like one great recipe for relief!

Source

What excites you more -- chocolate or a passionate kiss? It's a purely subjective matter but technically speaking, the correct answer is chocolate. According to SELF Magazine, the sensation of chocolate melting on your tongue is physically more stimulating than a kiss. Here's what happens when you eat chocolate:

• The ingredients in chocolate trigger the release of serotonin and endorphins, which leads to a feeling of euphoria
  
• Theobromine and caffeine stimulate thought in the brain
• Your blood pressure and heart rate go up
• A chemical called anandamide triggers pleasure centers in the brain

So maybe the old saying about sex being better than chocolate is true? Still, kissing has a lot less calories than chocolate so if you're watching what you eat, stick to the kissing. What do you think?

Source

Just in time for spring gardening comes this headline: A recent study found that the bacteria Mycobacterium accae, commonly found in soil, increased serotonin levels in the brains of mice. A lack of serotonin is thought to cause depression in humans. Researchers became interested in the bacteria after cancer patients being treated with it began unexpectedly reporting lifted moods and better quality of life.

The study was small, but researchers hope to look into the connection between the bacteria, healthy immune systems and depression to find out if there would be benefit from developing treatment options from this or other kinds of bacteria. Gardeners already know that digging in the dirt and soaking up the springtime sunshine make them feel happy and rejuvenated, but as Dr. Chris Lowry -- lead author of this study -- says, "They (these studies) leave us wondering if we all shouldn't be spending more time playing in the dirt."

Source

You no longer have to feel guilty about indulging yourself in that massage. Scientific studies make it official -- getting a massage may improve your health.

Multiple studies have shown that massage reduces the amount of the stress hormone cortisol circulating in your body, and also raises the levels of "happy" hormones serotonin and dopamine. Those hormonal changes block pain receptors in your brain, bringing relief to those who suffer from such conditions as lower back pain, fibromyalgia, and other painful conditions. Not only that, because cortisol destroys your natural "killer cells," reducing the amounts of it in your body boosts your immune system and helps you ward off infections. Massage has also been found to fight insomnia, make you feel more alert, and ease the symptoms of PMS.

So go for that massage and know that you're not just indulging yourself with a little luxury, but doing your body good as well.

Source

Does dieting put you in a bad mood? (One of the main reasons people give for quitting their diet is because dieting makes them "depressed" or moody...it's true!) Take a look at the The Good Mood Diet, and see if you can't eat your way to happiness and good health.

The basis of the diet is that its carbohydrate-heavy meals and snacks boost serotonin levels. Serotonin relieves stress, makes dieters feel full, and gives a person a feeling of well-being. With most diets today depending on lean protein to help keep dieters' hunger at bay and help people lose weight, the Good Mood Diet takes its own road. The diet is divided into three phases. The first is meant to boost serotonin levels, while the second tapers off the high-carb foods to balance serotonin. The third maintains levels of the mood boosting hormone and whittles high-carb snacks down to one per day.

All carbs are not created equal, as we already know, and many of the carbs in the Good Mood Diet are derived from high-nutrient vegetables and fruits, though the diet's also includes daily snacks of low-fat crackers, pita bread, and other high-carb foods. I'd be interested to hear if any of That's Fit readers have tried this diet and if they got the results they were looking for. Anyone willing to share?

Source

We hear it all the time -- if you want to lose weight eat more protein. Have you ever wondered why? What is it about protein that helps us lose weight? Isn't a calorie just a calorie?

A calorie is just a calorie, it turns out, but eating protein helps you stay full longer. Experts believe that it makes the body more sensitive to leptin, the hormone that makes you feel hungry. Not only that, protein triggers the brain to make norepinephrine and dopamine, which give you energy and make you feel more alert. After eating a high-carb meal, on the other hand, the brain produces the calming chemical serotonin, which can make you feel tired and hungry for an energy fix.

Does that mean you shouldn't eat carbs? Not at all. Carbs are important fuel for your body, as are fats and protein. But what researchers found was that when they bumped a group of dieters' daily caloric intake of protein from the average 15% up to 30%, the dieters lost weight. They reported feeling more satisfied after meals and with less food. They didn't lose weight because they ate protein, they lost weight because they ate less calories. The protein helped them feel full for longer periods of time.

So enjoy your carbs and even a few healthy fats, but if you're trying to lose weight, try front-loading your meals with a little extra (5-10%) protein to keep hunger at bay. When choosing proteins, look for lean meats, fish, and beans as your primary sources. Now you know the secret power of protein!

Source

Here's one good reason to feel glad about packing a few extra pounds: a lower BMI is linked to higher rates of suicide. A study in Sweden found that the thinner a man was in early life, the more likely he was to commit suicide in later life, regardless of other factors, like socioeconomic status. It's not clear whether there is a link between the two factors, or nearly a correlation, although suicide is also linked to low levels of serotonin, and serotonin is increased by insulin resistance, which leads to weight gain. However, any links are only speculative.

Though nothing about the study is conclusive, it's still interesting. What do you think?

Source