var arrayFacts = [ "Just 30 minutes of exercise can help protect against diabetes:

We all know we should exercise regularly, but here's inspiring news: Losing 15 pounds and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day can delay the onset of diabetes for up to 11 years, compared to 3 years for pre-diabetics taking medication.

Ongoing research shows time and again that a healthful diet and exercise are the best defenses against diabetes.", "Bouncing Builds Stronger Bones:

Did you know that you can keep your bones healthy with exercise? Impact exercises - those that incorporate changes in direction and speed - are the best at increasing bone strength.

Jumping rope, jogging, and step aerobics are among the most effective, and have been shown to increase bone density up to 3 percent. Walking regularly can also help prevent bone loss as you age.", "Exercise Beats Depression:

Multiple studies have shown that exercise is just as effective as anti-depressants to treat depression. After 3 months' of regular exercise nearly all subjects report an almost 50 percent drop in depressive symptoms - similar to changes felt in people who take medication.

While intense exercise had the greatest impact, just walking or even stretching can improve your mood. Exercise also eases stress and improves sleep - two triggers of depression.", "Stretching improves your workout:

Most people either skip stretching when exercising or don't do it properly. In addition to safeguarding your muscles from injury, stretching can actually improve your workout.

Stretching improves flexibility, which allows you to work your muscles through a wider range of motion, in turn making your workout more effective.

If you weight train, stretching can help you build strength faster, but improving circulation that helps repair torn tissue.", "Regularly replacing walking shoes can help prevent injury.

Even though they're broken in, your old running shoes could put you at risk for injury. When a shoe's support sole is worn out it ceases to adequately absorb shock, which means your feet and legs are taking unnecessary abuse.

The inner support may wear out faster than the soles, so replace your shoes every 3 to 6 months, even if they look like they're still in good shape.", "Black pepper, cinnamon, and tumeric can improve your health:

Better nutrition can be as easy as sprinkling flaxseed in your cereal - some of the best sources of disease-fighting compounds come from common household spices.

Black pepper aids digestion. Cinnamon helps prevent dangerous platelets from forming, and may even boost insulin sensitivity. Tumeric, which is commonly found in mustard, is loaded with cancer-fighting compounds.", "Bottled water isn't healthier:

People consume over 40 billion gallons of bottled water each year, paying more per unit than they do for gasoline. Evidence shows, however, that bottled water isn't any healthier than tap.

Mineral levels in most tap water are safe - even beneficial. The things to be concerned about are agricultural and industrial pollutants that have seeped into the water supply. You can remove them with a simple home filter such as Pur or Brita.", "Staying hydrated can be done without water:

You know that you need 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, right? Wrong - you need 8 glasses of fluid, which includes all the things you drink in a day.

...Provided that the beverage isn't a diuretic, like alcohol or coffee (though the jury's still out on this one), you can count your liquid consumption towards your daily total. Milk, juice, soda, tea, and soup all count. ", "Brussel sprouts are the ultimate cancer-fighter:

In the fight to prevent cancer your diet is one of your best allies. And the best addition to your diet is Brussel sprouts. The cause of the bitterness that makes them unappealing gets credit for their potency: Brussel sprouts, and other green cruciferous vegetables, are loaded with compounds called Isothiocyanates, which inhibit the growth of cancerous cells.

Other common sources of Isothiocyanates are cabbage, turnips, kale, and broccoli.", "Green Tea helps lower cholesterol.

The evidence that green tea is good for your health keeps pouring in: a Japanese study of more than 13,000 people has found that green tea lowers cholesterol. Just 1 cup a day has a significant effect.

In addition, green tea can improve the ratio of HDL (good) cholesterol to LDL (bad) cholesterol. If you don't like the brewed variety, look for chilled green tea, available in most supermarkets.", "Chocolate is good for your heart:

The rumors are true: Chocolate is a health food! Mounting evidence suggests that a modest intake of chocolate can help the body ward off heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. It's thanks to naturally occurring antioxidants and flavanols which help the body fight off disease. The highest amounts are found in dark chocolate and cocoa, which has the added benefit of serving less fat than the hard stuff.", "Good relationships are key to good heart health:

New research has shown that emotions can actually cause hardening of the arteries - a condition that may lead to heart disease.

Doctors observed couples as they talked about sensitive subjects, and found that hostility between partners was directly correlated to hardening of the arteries. Inversely, having good relationships can help speed a person's recovery after a heart attack.", "Red juice is better for your heart than red wine:

Ignore the hype: alcohol isn't the best heart-healthy beverage. Despite the research, the American Heart Association does not endorse alcohol consumption for heart health, and the ongoing studies are inconclusive.

What's not in question is juice's ability to keep your heart in shape. Grape, cranberry, pomegranate, and orange are all proven oxidant-fighters and artery-clearers.", "Eat regularly to cut calories:

You don't have to feel hungry to lose weight. Eating regularly throughout the day can actually decrease how much you consume. Researchers have found that scheduling three meals and three modest snacks into your day can help curb your appetite, and decrease your total calorie consumption.

Letting yourself go hungry backfires by making it harder to make healthful food choices and harder to stop eating once you're full.", "Control ADHD symptoms with diet:

New evidence suggests that the symptoms of ADHD can be aggravated by certain foods: wheat, dairy, citrus, eggs, and corn. Different kids may be more or less sensitive to one food than another, so it's a good idea to limit one at a time (check with your doctor first!).

A lack of essential fatty acids, like omega 3s found in fish, can also worsen ADHD symptoms.", "Boost Serotonin for Better Health:

Research has found that people with lower levels of serotonin - the 'feel good' chemical produced by the brain - are more likely to make poor health choices, such as smoking, drinking, and avoiding exercise. All these things increase a person's risk for heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, depression, and pre-diabetes.

You can boost serotonin levels naturally by getting just 30 minutes of exercise a day.", "Good oral hygiene is important to overall health:

Maintaining a healthy smile helps you ward off gum disease, but it also plays a role in your overall health. An unclean mouth is a conduit for bacteria to enter the body, and can increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and preterm labor.

Additionally, saliva tests can help monitor certain ailments, like osteoporosis, and in the future may be used instead of blood samples to test for disease.", "Antibiotics aren't always the right choice:

Despite fears that taking antibiotics unnecessarily leads to more resistant strains of bacteria, the over-prescription of antibiotics is still a trend. It's most common for upper respiratory ailments.

If your illness is unquestionably diagnosed as a bacterial infection, take your meds. But don't take antibiotics for a cold 'just in case.' Antibiotics attack healthy cells, too, and when used gratuitously can leave you more prone to infection.", "Music boosts your immune system:

Mozart may make us smarter, but when it comes to your health it's what you love that matters. Listening to your favorite music can improve your immune function, which in turn improves your overall health.

It's important that you like the music; it's the calming, happy effect that does the trick. Playing an instrument - even badly - is also beneficial.", "Improve your memory with acting:

Ever wonder how actors manage to memorize all those lines? They're actually using more parts of their brain during the learning process by associating their lines with emotions, people, or experiences, which in turn makes their lines easier to recall.

The next time you have to memorize something, tell yourself a story about it. Combining rote memorization with creativity will make it harder to forget.", "Sleep is the key to mastering a new skill:

It isn't just practice that makes perfect: A good night's sleep can help you hone new skills. During sleep your brain reactivates the neurons that were fired while you exercised a new skill.

This reactivation is a kind of rehearsal, and can actually improve your performance. These rehearsals in turn become memories, which are ready for you to use when you wake up. ", "Exercise boosts brain power:

Regular exercise can improve brain function up to 15 percent in adults, and children who get plenty of exercise consistently score better on tests. Exercise helps the brain grow new brain cells, and also increases oxygen flow to the brain, which literally helps you think.

Walking just 30 minutes, three times per week can improve concentration, abstract reasoning, and problem-solving skills.", "Positive thinking can keep you healthy:

Optimists enjoy better health than pessimists, and may even live longer. Research has shown that negative thinking increases one's risk of dying before the age of 65. In addition, pessimism increases the production of the stress hormone cortisol, a known contributor to weight gain.

Optimism, on the the hand, improves immune function, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.", "Relieve stress anywhere with this 5-minute exercise:

Taking 5 minutes to relieve stress can ward off illness. Stress increases your body's production of adrenaline, which in turn signals the brain to divert blood flow to your muscles and away from your organs.

Over time this can increase your risk for digestive problems, immune, nervous system, and cardiovascular disorders. For quick relief, rest your fingertips on your forehead and breathe deeply for five minutes.", "Catching pre-diabetes early can prevent onset:

More and more Americans are developing pre-diabetes, a metabolic disorder and precursor to type 2 diabetes, but many people experience few or no signs. If you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, and get little exercise, ask your doctor if you should get tested.

Catching pre-diabetes early and following proper treatment can delay, and in some cases even prevent, the onset of type 2 diabetes.", "Vitamins E & C can reverse sun damage:

Approximately 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are sun-related, and getting sunburned even once raises your risk. Next time, forgo the aloe and use a skin cream containing vitamins E and C. Both are proven to help reverse the effects of sun damage.

Be especially wary of burns on the frequently exposed parts of your body, such as your face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of your hands.", "Knowing the Heimlich is part of home safety:

More people die of accidents in the home each year than die in car accidents; 42,000 of these deaths are food-related. Knowing the signs of choking alone could speed reaction time, and save lives.

Look for these signs: can't talk, cry, or cough, becomes agitated, grasps throat, possibly even faints. Even if you know the Heimlich, call 911 immediately.", "Safe bicycling prevents serious injury:

Bicycle accidents are the most common cause of serious injury in childhood, accounting for 415,000 injuries per year.

To reduce the risk of serious injury, make sure your child follows these rules: never ride on slippery or uneven surfaces, never ride after dark, and always wear a well-fitted bicycle helmet. Ride with your child, too, to demonstrate safe practices.", "How to use DEET safely:

During the summer months it sometimes becomes necessary to use a pesticide-based insect repellent such as DEET. DEET can be used safely in smaller doses, but here are come common mistakes that unnecessarily increase your exposure:

Mixing DEET with other skin creams, like sunblock or moisturizer;

rubbing DEET on sunburned skin;

accidentally applying clothing-only formulas to skin.

Always check the label before use.", "Leeches are good medicine after all:

Leeches and maggots are the first animals to be given official 'medical device' classification by the FDA, and with good reason.

Turns out our ancestors were right - leeches do have potent medicinal properties. In addition to removing excess blood from a wound, the leech's saliva contains a blood thinner that helps prevent blood clots after surgery.", "When X doesn't mark the spot

Nearly 200,000 legal claims have been filed against doctors for operating on the wrong side of the patient's body. Although that's alarming, there's an easy way to make sure it doesn't happen to you. Before surgery, write 'No' in permanent ink on the opposite side of the surgery site. Pre-operative care might wash off ink on the proper side.", "Having an afternoon tea break may reduce a woman's risk of ovarian cancer.

According to a study of more than 61,000 Swedish women, those who drank two or more cups of tea had up to a 46% less chance of developing ovarian cancer than non-tea drinkers. The study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Ovarian cancer rates dropped by 18% for every cup of tea consumed per day. Additional studies have also liked the consumption of tea to a reduced risk of developing other forms of cancer.", "High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) could be making Americans fat.

Everything from bread to catsup contains HFCS. How it came to be so prevalent in the American diet is a complex story of subsidies and government policies. However, the bottom line is that it is now cheap way for manufacturers to sweeten food.

The use of HFCS became widespread in the early 1980s. As its consumption has increased, so has the dramatic rise in obesity rates. The government estimates that the average person consumes about 63 pounds of HFCS a year. ", "Nearly 119 million adult Americans, or 65% of the population, are either overweight or obese.

Each year the percentage of overweight Americans continues to increase. For example, the number of obese adults went from 23.7% in 2003 to 24.5% in 2004.

Obesity is the major contributing factor in the development of many health problems, including heart disease. Nationwide, complications from excess weight lead to untold billions of dollars in healthcare costs, not to mention the years of life and enjoyment so many people lose. ", "Each year, more women die from heart disease then men.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America. Still, many women think of heart disease as a problem only for men. The number of women with cardiovascular disease has increased every year since 1984. In 2002, 493,623 women died of heart disease in the United States, compared to 433,825 men.", "More mainstream doctors are starting to endorse the ancient practice of Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that is done by putting thin needles into the skin at certain points. The idea is to improve the flow of energy throughout the body. Although Western medical researchers have not endorsed this idea of 'energy flow,' they do say acupuncture may reduce pain by encouraging the body to release chemicals that have calming effects.", "Laughter really may be the best medicine!

When you laugh, your stress levels instantly decrease and your blood flow can increase by as much as 20%. In new studies, diabetic patients who watched a funny video had lower blood sugar levels than those who watched a lecture.

Laughter also reduces the severity of allergic reactions, while boosting the immune system. Experts say a good laugh has even been shown to relax patients who are about to have surgery and decrease pain following the procedure.", "You can measure your arm to determine your shoe size.

It sounds crazy, but it's true. The length of your foot is almost exactly the same length as your forearm between your wrist and the inside of your elbow. If you don't believe it, lift your foot and see for yourself. You'll be amazed by the perfect fit.", "American moms are older now than any other time in history.

The reason is that women are waiting longer to have children. For instance, in 1970, the average age of a women giving birth for the first time was 21. Today is it closer to 27 years old.

Plus, more women between the ages of 35 and 44 are giving birth today. In fact, the birth rate for women aged 40 to 44 has increased by more than 50% just since 1990, largely because of fertility treatments.", "We are all seeing double more often - the birth of twins has skyrocketed!

Multiple births in the United States have increased by more than 400% in just the last 20 years. The reason is twofold. More older women are giving birth, and older women have a greater chance of having twins.

Plus, more women are getting pregnant with help from fertility treatments, which also dramatically increase the rate of twins. Interesting, the number of triplets and quads is actually decreasing as fertility treatments improve.", "Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States.

More than 15% of American children are overweight. Another 15% are on the verge of becoming overweight. In fact, health experts say for the first time, they are seeing young children with weight related health problems, including diabetes.

Parents often think their children will just 'grow out of it.' However, the reality is that two thirds of overweight kids end up becoming overweight adults.", "One in five women of childbearing age has levels of mercury in her body high enough to damage an unborn child!

A recent study by the University of North Carolina discovered the common factor among the women with high blood levels of mercury was that they ate poisoned fish. Mercury can damage the brain, kidney, and developing fetuses.

Coal power plants release mercury into the air. That mercury ends up in bodies of water, where it becomes a highly toxic substance. Fish ingest the mercury. If you eat the contaminated fish, you are directly consuming a toxic form of mercury.", "The air released from a sneeze can travel at speeds faster than 100mph!

Sneezing seems simple, but it is actually a fairly complicated process. Your body sneezes when something irritates the inside of the nose. The sneeze is your body's way of getting rid of whatever it is causing the problem.

When your nose senses the irritation, a message is sent to the brain, which then relays another message to all of the parts of your body that help you sneeze, including those in your chest, back, and abdomen.", "You have 28 bones in your head and they almost all serve one purpose.

The main job of the bones in the skull is to protect the brain. Together, these bones are called the cranium. Unlike other bones in the body, the bones in your skull never move.

There is only one exception, and that is the bone that makes up your lower jaw. This bone is called the mandible. If it did not move, you wouldn't be able to chew food or talk.", "One in three people will develop cancer at some point in their lives.

Fortunately, cancer is not the death sentence it once was. Currently, about two-thirds of people who are diagnosed with cancer are still alive five years later. That's a big improvement over the 1970s, when only half of those diagnosed made it to the five year point.

Although modern science has not been able to cure cancer as quickly as once hoped, earlier detection and better treatments have dramatically improved patients' prognosis.", "Babies in daycare are less likely to suffer from childhood leukemia.

A study of more than 11,000 children over 15 years found that infants who go to daycare or have frequent contact with other infants are much less likely to end up with leukemia.

Experts believe that early exposure to infections may build up the immune system of children who have a genetic defect that makes them more likely to develop the disease.", "Nearly 90% of all American will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

One way to reduce back pain is through aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise keeps you trim and it is a proven fact that excess weight can lead to back pain. Aerobic exercise also improves circulation, allowing your capillaries to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your back, promoting healing.

Plus, aerobic exercise is a proven pain killer. When your blood is pumping, your body starts to release endorphins, which block discomfort. ", "Your heart can create enough pressure to squirt blood at least 30 feet!

A strong heart is very powerful. It beats continuously with a pumping action. That pumping could blast blood 30 feet if your heart was not connected to arteries.

The heart is responsible for sending blood throughout your body, providing the oxygen and nutrients your organs and tissues need. The pumping action also carries away the waste that your body has to get rid of.", "Drinking coffee can reduce your risk of liver cancer.

It turns out drinking coffee has some benefits, including reducing the chance of developing liver cancer. People who drink coffee everyday have half the rate of a common form of liver cancer than those who don't drink it.

Japanese researchers also have found that the more coffee people drink, the lower their risk. It is not clear if decaffeinated coffee has the same effect.", "Want to know if someone is attracted to you? Look at their eyes.

Whenever we see someone we like, the pupils of our eyes dilate. In fact, they can expand as much as 45% when we are really attracted to someone. So if you want to know if someone likes you, just check out their pupils.

This involuntary and uncontrollable physiological response is a telltale sign. If they like you, their eyes will be trying to 'take in' as much of you as possible!", "Your body probably contains enough carbon to make 900 pencils!

Our bones and other tissues are full of all sorts of substances that we never think about. For instance, you contain enough sulphur to kill all of the fleas on an infested dog, enough potassium to fire a toy cannon, and enough phosphorus to make more than 2,000 matchstick heads.

And that's not all. If all of the water in your body leaked out, it would fill a ten gallon container.", "Loneliness is bad for the heart.

A new study shows that loneliness can increase your blood pressure almost as much as smoking or having a sedentary lifestyle! Researchers looked at people nearing retirement age. They found that feelings of social isolation can make blood pressure rise to levels associated with hypertension.

The study showed that loneliness was bad for the heart, no matter whether a person smoked, was overweight, or exercised. Other studies have shown that blood vessels also narrow in college students who are lonely.", "Smog isn't just bad for your lungs, it may also kill sperm.

A study of men living in Los Angeles, where smog is a big problem, showed that their sperm levels dropped as the amount of ozone in the air increased. The ozone in smog does not reach the testicles directly.

It appears that breathing in ozone can spark inflammatory reactions throughout the body, producing toxins in the blood that damage sperm. It's not known how much smog can lead to actual fertility problems.", "The color of your ear wax depends on your genetics.

Is your earwax light colored and dry or dark yellow and sticky? People of African and European decent have earwax that is brownish and oily.

However, people in East Asian usually don't make earwax at all. The gunk in their ears is really just dead skin and dirt. This dry debris is the result of a genetic mutation that developed long ago in Northeast Asia and then spread throughout the continent.", "Smoking pot really does fog your brain, even after you stop.

People who smoke marijuana over a long period of time are worse at learning and remembering things. In one study people who smoked pot for about 15 years had more difficulty recalling information and learning than people who had smoked marijuana for seven years.

It appears that long-term marijuana does not interfere with attention span. However, it makes learning new information that is received verbally more difficult.", "Women who smoke may be hurting their future grandchildren.

Children whose maternal grandmothers smoked while pregnant with their mothers have up to double the risk of developing childhood asthma. Researchers believe that smoking tobacco can alter genes in future generations.

In fact, a study from the Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles found that children had more of a chance of developing asthma if their grandmothers smoked than children whose mothers smoked while pregnant with them!", "In one square inch of skin, you have more than 100 sweat glands.

The skin is the body's largest organ. It works as a protective envelope by keeping our other organs safely inside our body, while keeping toxins outside.

That same one square inch of skin that holds 100 sweat glands also has more than 4 yards of nerve fibers, 1,300 nerve cells, 3 yards of blood vessels and more than three million cells!", "If you need a short-term memory boost, have a cup of coffee.

Coffee temporarily improves memory and speeds up the brain's reaction times by stimulating a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. Studies show that caffeine helps the brain with 'executive memory,' which is attention span, planning, and concentration.

In one study, people who had a cup of coffee were able to remember numbers from flashcards and could retain telephone numbers better than when they didn't have coffee However, the long-term effects of caffeine are not fully understood.", "Your brain has one hundred billion nerve cells!

The brain is by far the most complicated organ in the human body. It is in charge of controlling our every thought, action, memory, and feeling. Each nerve cell, or neuron, has the ability to make contact with thousands of others, thanks to tiny synapses.

Our brains experience about a million new synapses every single second! Because the patterns of the synapses are always changing, it is impossible for any two brains to be alike.", "Your mother was right: Fish really is brain food!

Eating fish at least once a week may help keep your brain sharp as you age. A study of more than 4,000 senior citizens in Chicago found that almost all lost some cognitive ability as they grew older.

However, those who ate fish once a week had slower rate of decline. That means they had better memories and were able to think faster.Fish is full of omega-3 acids, which are important to brain function.", "It takes approximately 15 hours for the food you eat to go through the body's digestive process.

The digestion and absorption of food takes place in a muscular tube that would be about nine miles if you stretched it out!

The tract starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. After you take a bite of food, it stays in your stomach for about three to five hours. From there it moves on, spending up to 6 hours in the small intestines. The food matter that is not used by the body then makes its way to the colon for elimination.", "Women who are under stress are more likely to have miscarriages.

During periods of stress, the body releases the hormone coritsol. High levels of cortisol can cause miscarriages. In a study of poor women in rural Guatemala, those who had high coritsol levels where almost three times more likely to have a miscarriage.

Experts say pregnant women can help ensure the health of their unborn child by engaging in stress reducing exercises, such as gentle yoga and meditation.", "If you nervous about public speaking, it pays to have sex beforehand.

In a study from the University of Paisley in Great Britain, men and women kept diaries of how often they had intercourse. Participants were then asked to give public speeches and solve math problems out loud.

Those who had sex shortly before speaking in front of a group were much less stressed and their blood pressure returned to normal faster than those who did not have sex. ", "The way you fight with your spouse could make you more likely to have a heart attack.

Fighting causes stress for both men and women and that stress can lead to heart attacks. Interestingly, the triggers are different between the sexes.

Women have more of a chance of having a heart attack if fights with their husband are mean-spirited. However, men have a greater chance of having a heart attack when they try to control their hostile behavior. ", "Teens really are lazier than other age groups.

Studies show that the region of the brain associated with motivation is not as active in teens as adults. This part of the brain, called the right ventrial striatum, appears harder to stimulate in teens.

Scientists say it may explain why many teenagers have trouble achieving long-term goals and need larger incentives and rewards to complete required tasks. Researchers also believe this reduced brain activity makes teens more willing to engage in dangerous activities, such as drinking and driving.", "AIDS has now surpassed the Black Death on its way to becoming the worst pandemic in history.

More than 20 million people have died of AIDS worldwide. Unless some type of medical breakthrough slows its course, it is on track to claim 60 million lives by 2015.

The vast majority of the cases are in poor nations. In fact, 9 out of 10 people with the HIV virus that causes AIDS live in the developing world. In some South African towns, nearly half of all pregnant women are HIV positive.", "If you knew what was on your kitchen sponge, you would probably lose your appetite.

Sponges are breeding grounds for bacteria. In fact, experts say that most food poisoning in the home is due to dirty sponges. Even if your sponge looks clean, it is usually full of germs. When you wipe your counter, table, or appliances you are simply spreading those germs around.

If you have used your kitchen sponge longer than two or three days, it is probably already contaminated with millions of bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.", "If you have old carpets, get rid of them!

Carpets not only trap dust, they create it. As carpets wear down, their fibers break off and become airborne. This dust can irritate people with allergies.

Even worse, the airborne fibers can enter your heating system and burn in your furnace. If this happens, toxic gasses will be released into your home. That's not good for anyone. Therefore, old carpets should be replaced, even if you don't have allergies.", "Next time you have a headache, reach for the peppermint oil.

Studies show that peppermint can relieve headaches. In one study, subjects with headaches who had peppermint oil rubbed on their skin felt better faster than those who did not receive the treatment. The subjects also said they enjoyed the long-lasting cooling effect on their skin.

Other studies have shown that chewing on peppermint leaves can reduce stress levels and facilitate feelings of calmness.", "Even if you lose half of your liver, it can grow back in a matter of weeks.

The liver is the only organ in the human body that fully regenerate itself. This incredible organ has the ability to grow back after infections, trauma, surgery, and even chemical damage.

The liver is also the largest single internal organ in the body. In an average adult, the liver weighs about three pounds and is the size of a football. It can filter more than a liter of blood every minute.", "Wild blueberries may help the body fight cancer.

New research shows that phenolic compounds in wild blueberries can slow the growth of cancer. Cancer begins when free radicals attack cells in the body, causing oxidative stress, or inflammation.

Wild blueberries appear to have the power to fight free radicals. There is also evidence that other compounds in blueberries block the growth of tumor cells. Wild blueberries have more antioxidant power per serving than most other fruits, including cranberries and even cultivated blueberries.", "More people have heart attacks on Mondays than any other day of the week.

Studies have shown that about 20% more people die from heart attacks on Mondays than on other days. Scientists theorize that this is due to several factors.

Heart attacks are more likely to occur after binge drinking, eating heavy meals, and strenuous physical exercise. These activities are common among people who 'live for the weekend.' When combined with the stress of returning to work, it becomes too much for some hearts to handle.", "Help your body repair itself by snacking on cherries.

Cherries are full of powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammatory reactions in the body, including those associated with headaches and aging. In fact, eating less than two dozen cherries can the same have the anti-inflamatory effect as taking ten aspirin!

Studies by the USDA have also concluded that cherries ease the symptoms osteoarthritis. Need another reason to eat cherries? They contain melatonin which helps you sleep better and feel more alert during the day.", "Not brushing and flossing your teeth makes you more likely to have a heart attack.

When you don't properly clean your teeth, bacteria accumulates on your gums and can enter your blood stream. Experts think that this harmful bacteria causes unseen inflammation, as your body fights to eliminate the toxins. Inflammation can lead to plaque deposits in the coronary arteries, causing heart disease.

In fact, people with gum disease due to poor dental hygiene are more than twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack.", "Couples who smoke around the time of conception are more likely to have to a girl.

Studies conducted in recent years show that male sperm die faster when exposed to chemicals found in cigarettes. That leaves the female sperm, or 'X' sperm, more likely to fertilize the egg.

However, don't use smoking as a way to try to conceive a female child. Couples who smoke not only have more long-term health risks, they also tend to have less sex and more reproductive problems.", "Kids who snore do worse in school than kids who sleep quietly.

A 2005 study from Hong Kong found that 23% of children who snored had bad grades compared to only 13% of kids who didn't snore. Kids who snored also had more behavioral problems.

Other studies have found that children who had bad grades in middle school were more likely to have snored when they were younger. Experts think they received less oxygen during sleep, which could have hampered proper development.", "About a quarter of us sneeze when exposed to bright light.

Nearly 25% of Americans are photic sneezers, meaning light makes them sneeze. Photic sneezing is something people inherit from their parents, but health experts still do not know much about it.

The sneezing is more likely to occur when people with the trait have just spent time in a dark environment. That's why some people sneeze as soon as they walk out of a dark movie theater into the sunshine.", "Stress is one of the most serious health problem in America.

Studies show that two-thirds of all visits to the doctor are due to stress-related symptoms or diseases. In fact, stress is linked to the top six causes of death in America: heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Stress also lowers the body's ability to fight off infections, making people who are stressed-out more likely to catch colds and other illnesses.", "Studies show that Americans are making their kids sick by keeping them too clean.

Researches say more people have allergies now than ever before, partly because of our obsession with cleanliness.

Children need to be exposed to germs in order to develop a strong immune system. For instance, kids who are exposed to dogs and cats during their first year of life have a much lower chance of developing allergies when they get older. Constant bathing and antibacterial soaps rob young children of the chance to develop their own defense system.", "Young babies cry a lot, but don't produce tears.

When babies are born, their tear ducts are not fully developed. They can not make tears until they are about six to eight weeks old.

That doesn't mean a baby's eyes are too dry. Infants make just enough moisture to keep the eyes coated, but not enough to produce tears when they are upset.", "Pucker up! Kissing can reduce tooth decay.

It sounds strange, but it's true! When you kiss someone, the movements of your mouth cause the production of more saliva. All of that extra saliva flushes your gums and teeth, removing plaque and bacteria that can lead to cavities.

If you want to protect your teeth this way, a little peck won't do it. You need a real 'make-out' session to boost saliva production.", "It is impossible to tickle yourself.

Your brain simply won't let you tickle yourself to the point of laughter.

When someone else tickles us, we feel a type of uneasiness or panic because we don't know exactly what is coming. However, when we try to tickle ourselves, a part of the brain called the cerebellum knows what to expect and prepares the body for the sensation. Since you can't fool your own cerebellum, you can't really tickle yourself.", "Human babies have almost 100 more bones than human adults.

A normal baby has 94 more bones than a normal adult. When infants come into the world, they have 300 bones. However, many of these bones are immature and undeveloped. As children grow, a lot of the bones fuse together, forming a single bone.

At some point between the ages of 17 and 21, the growth process ends and the bone fusion is complete, resulting in 206 bones.", "People who are right-handed live an average of nine years longer than lefties.

Studies show that mortality for right and left-handed people is the same until about age 33.

After that, two percent more right-handers survive each year than left handed people. No one is exactly sure why. However, there are theories that left-handed people have weaker immune systems due to genetics. Some experts say left-handed people are more likely to have fatal accidents because most machines are designed for right-handers.", "Pregnant women are more likely to have gum disease.

Oral tissues are sensitive to estrogen, which leads to an increased reaction to bacteria in the mouth. Pregnancy raises estrogen levels.

In studies comparing pregnant women to other women, pregnant women are much more likely to show signs of gum disease. Gum disease and cavities increase with each stage of pregnancy, reaching a maximum level in the eighth month.", "The average adult produces about half a liter of gas every day.

This gas is released with flatulence, or 'farting.' The average person farts 14 times a day.

We all create gas for two reasons: we swallow air that must be released and we eat food that our body has trouble breaking down. When our body cannot fully digest food, gas builds up in the intestines. That gas has to go somewhere, and you know where it goes.", "The number of cosmetic medical procedures in America has increased more than 222% since 1997.

Part of the reason for the huge increase since 1997 is the widespread use of Botox injections to combat wrinkles. Botox is the most frequently performed cosmetic procedure. Liposuction is the most common surgical procedure.

Other procedures that have increased dramatically in recent years include breast lifts, breast augmentation (implants), breast reductions, and tummy tucks. About 11.5 million people had some form of plastic surgery just in 2005.", "Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

Our eyes are designed to blink to spread fluid over the cornea, keeping it moist. However, the number of times we blink is not really determined by the dryness of our eyes. It is determined by genetics.

Women blink about twice as frequently as men. The rate is controlled by a mass of nerve cells between the base and outer substance of the brain. We all blink every two to ten seconds.", "You will have lost 105 pounds of skin by the time you are 70 years old.

Look at your skin. In about 27 days, you will have replaced all of it! Individual skin cells only last a week.

At any given time, your body is in the process of creating millions of new skin cells that will push up from under the epidermis and replace your existing skin. We shed about 600,000 particles of skin each year, adding up to about 1.5 pounds. That's 105 pounds by age 70!", "The number one cause of blindness in America is diabetes.

Diabetes is a common condition caused by high levels of blood sugar and a lack of insulin production.

The disease weakens blood vessels, including those found in the eye. Diabetes causes approximately 39,000 Americans to go blind each year. Sadly, doctors estimate that half of these cases could have been prevented with regular eye exams.", "Crash diets can make your hair fall out.

Normally, we all lose between 100 and 125 hairs on our head each day.

However, during crash dieting, the body is placed under stress and hair cells tend to shut down. This is a way for the body to redirect important resources elsewhere during a critical situation. In short, dieting makes the body think it is in danger of starving, so it conserves energy and less effort goes into preserving hair. ", "Children grow faster in the spring and summer than in fall and winter.

Periods of increased sunlight seems to make children grow faster, which explains increased growth during the spring and summer.

Swedish researchers found that when they gave children sun lamp treatments during winter months, they each grew an average of 1.5 centimeters more than a control group of children who did not get the light exposure. Still, children's bodies regulate growth and the other kids caught up later in the year.", "The average office worker touches 10 million bacteria a day.

Fax machines, copiers, and elevator buttons are covered in bacteria that can cause colds, flu, and intestinal diseases.

Your desk is probably even worse. Consider that food establishments with more than 700 bacteria per square inch are considered dangerously unclean. However, studies show that the average accountant's desk has more than 6,000 bacteria per square inch. Teachers have the dirtiest desks, with almost 18,000 per square inch."];