Don't Worry, Be Happy!

An informative look at recent Holistic Fitness News

DR KAPLAN'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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Regular readers will know how strongly I advocate laughter and a cheerful disposition for good health. The physiological benefits of laughter have been described comprehensively in previous articles here. Now American scientists reckon that 'angry personalities' are more likely to get heart disease. Studies at Michigan University so convincingly showed that selfish, angry people tend to die younger than giving, helpful people that they are now recommending that all 'hostile' patients are referred for 'psychological treatment'.(Mike Tyson, I hope that you are reading this.)

Moon Madness

Well it seems that people really do go mad when the moon is full. However the eggheads think it's due to the silvery moonlight rather than any astronomical or astrological effect. Studies showed that during the full moon there was 100% increase in psychiatric admissions to hospital and a whopping 300% increase in murders. This is apparently due to a condition called 'lycanthropy' which is the psychotic belief that one has werewolf powers when the moon is full. Sounds loony to me - but who knows. If you think you turn into a werewolf when the moon is full, you really might want to warn others to stay clear of you for at least for your 'time of the month'!

Honey

Honey has always had a good name in alternative medical circles but this week it made a major comeback in mainstream medicine. Historically honey was used to treat burns by the ancient Egyptians and German military doctors in WWI used it to dress open wounds, presumably to stop infection. This anti-septic quality of honey was confirmed by Liverpool doctors in recent tests. Wounds that were infected with anti-biotic resistant bacteria seemed to respond to a simple dressing of honey! However you are warned NOT to use ordinary honey for this purpose. The men in white coasts say it has to be irradiated honey. (presumably so as not to cause further infection)

Homeopathic Tip of the Week

Homeopathy got the 'Randi' treatment this week on BBC's Horizon programme. One rather strange laboratory trial (my preference is for clinical trials) of an homeopathic-like substance failed to convince researchers and the magician James Randi (who offered a million pounds if it worked) that the substance had any effect. Fair enough as far as it goes. What isn't fair is to draw any conclusion about homeopathy in general from this. In an uncharacteristically dumbed down version of Horizon, homeopathy was disparaged. However it was good to see the Queen portrayed on the programme as a believer. In fact the Royal Family have used homeopathy since it's inception in the mid 19th century and the Queen has an official Royal homeopathic physician.

So my 'tip' for this week is for you to remember that the Royals who obviously can afford any medicine they want, have used homeopathy in conjunction with orthodox medicine for nearly 200 years. Why not do the same yourself and get the best of both worlds?

Dr Kaplan's personal website is: www.drkaplan.co.uk and his practice website is www.140harleystreet.co.uk and he can be contacted on (020) 7487 3416