Viewers of racy images on the internet could be putting their brain health at risk – as it can cause serious headaches, say Taiwanese neurologists.
Brain scans from a 40-year-old married man who regularly looked at such images showed activity in areas of the brain that are associated with pain, rather than those associated with sexual activity.
One theory is that in some people, viewing pornography triggers an increase in nerve sensitivity which in turn increases blood flow to the brain, causing pain.
Lorraine finds the perfect balance
She’s the queen of stress-free baking, rarely breaking a sweat when fashioning even the most decadent of sweet treats.
And celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale, 45, says her chilled persona is all down to a daily dose of meditation and weight-lifting.
‘I practise transcendental meditation,’ Lorraine, left, told The Mail on Sunday. ‘And mindfulness too.
‘It teaches me to let go of things I am powerless about.
‘But it’s taken me a long time to get here. I haven’t always been this balanced!’
She has also mastered the art of balance when it comes to her diet.
‘I don’t diet, I just watch my portion sizes,’ she says. ‘And I don’t deny myself anything.
‘I probably have a packet of crisps every day, because I love them.’
The chef, mother to 20-year-old Ella, offsets the treats with regular weight-lifting workouts.
‘It helps prevent the muscle loss that comes with ageing,’ she says.
A stethoscope… on your PHONE
The first digital stethoscope, which promises crystal-clear sound recordings of the heart and lungs, has been approved for medical use.
The 5cm device, left, known as Stethee, uses innovative audio-processing technology to record and measure sounds.
When attached to headphones or a mobile phone, it lets users listen directly to organ rhythms and flags up irregular readings.
The hand-held device is paired with an app, allowing medics to track vital signs over time.
It was developed by Australian engineers and surgeons and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The danger in ‘dry’ months
Survive Dry January and plan to continue this month to lose weight?
Well, take note: irregular drinkers have the same risk of obesity as people who drink alcohol four times a week, according to research.
Studies of more than 100,000 adults by the University of Loughborough showed that participants who drank twice a month were twice as likely to become obese as those who took alcohol four times each week.
Researchers concluded that it’s not increased frequency of alcohol consumption, but excessive volumes consumed in each drinking session that causes weight gain.
Researchers say: ‘Frequent but moderate drinking may be part of a healthy lifestyle.’
