New German research indicates that when musicians play together, they think together as well.
Study author Ulman Lindenberger of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin and his co-investigators looked at electrical activity in the brains of eight pairs of guitarists. They monitored patterns of brain waves as the musicians played a short jazz-fusion melody together up to 60 times, and published their findings in the journal BMC Neuroscience.
The study reported that the frontal and central regions of the guitarists’ brains synchronized to a high degree. But, more surprisingly, the temporal and parietal regions also showed significant synchronization in more than half of the pairs. These regions may be involved in simply enjoying the music, researchers suggested.
To my mind, this study highlights one of the great joys of playing music, one voiced by many musicians: a sense of self-transcendence. Playing music together creates a rare chance to step outside of ourselves and our small concerns and join our minds wholeheartedly with others in creating something no individual could make alone. Seen in this light, creating beautiful music is simply a wonderful byproduct of a larger reward – connecting deeply with other human beings.
Connecting With Others
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging has a vibrant, interactive community of like-minded thinkers. Join today and share your views, offer advice, get advice and support of your own, and even make new friends! Start your free trial now.
Not Enough Vitamin A and C May Increase Asthma Risk
British researchers recently reviewed 40 studies and concluded that individuals with asthma apparently don’t get enough of either vitamin A or vitamin C. This doesn’t mean that low levels of the two vitamins cause asthma. Instead, from their analysis of the pooled results of studies conducted between 1980 and 2007, University of Nottingham researchers reported that there’s a consistent association between the risk of asthma and low levels of vitamin C and, to a lesser extent, low levels of vitamin A. This contradicts findings from a study published last year that found no association between antioxidant vitamins and asthma risk. The Nottingham investigators found that people with severe asthma had levels of vitamin C reflecting only about half the recommended daily intake and that low circulating levels of “C” in the blood and low dietary intake of foods providing vitamin C were associated with a 12 percent increased risk of asthma. As for vitamin A, the average intake among asthma patients was 182 micrograms per day, less than a third of the recommended daily intake.
Are You Getting Enough A and C?
Find out - get your free, personalized supplement recommendation from the new and improved Vitamin Advisor! See what is suggested for you based on your health history - visit today, and take 15% off your first order!
Low GI Breakfast Helps Burn Fat
Want to get more out of your workout? You could try eating a breakfast of foods that rank low on the glycemic index (GI), a measurement of how easily the body converts carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar). Foods with a low GI ranking aren’t quickly metabolized to glucose. British researchers tested the effects of low vs. high glycemic index breakfasts in a small group (only eight) of sedentary young women in order to gauge the effect the meals had on fat oxidation during exercise. The low GI meal consisted of muesli, skim milk, apple juice, an apple, canned peaches and yogurt. The high GI breakfast included corn flakes, white bread, jam, skim milk, margarine and a carbonated glucose drink. Three hours after breakfast the women spent 60 minutes walking on a treadmill. After the low GI breakfast, they burned 55 percent more fat than they did after the high GI breakfast. Because this study was so small, more research is needed to confirm its findings. Results were published online in the March 25, Journal of Nutrition.
Nutrition Information Just for You
Dr. Weil’s Optimum Health Plan has a meal planner tool that takes into account your dietary needs. From breakfast to snacks, see what is suggested for you - visit today, take the free tour and get a recipe!
Have you seen the New and Improved Dr. Weil’s Vitamin Advisor? Now getting your free, personalized supplement recommendation is faster and simpler than ever. Plus you can chat with a Vitamin Advisor specialist, see details on each supplement, and personalize your order. Visit now and save 15% when you place your first order in April 2009!
Vegetable Quiche
This fresh vegetable "quiche" is made with a light, crispy potato crust and a filling of vegetables and herbs and spices. It makes a wonderful morning brunch or lunch or a simple dinner when served with a salad and a small, toasted baguette. If you should not be eating egg yolks, you can make it using only the egg whites.
View Recipe
Healthy Aging Tip
Courtesy of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging
Seasonal Foods: Strawberries. An excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, strawberries are full of antioxidants that can help promote heart and vision health, and protect against cancer and inflammatory diseases. Because pesticides are commonly used on conventionally grown varieties, you should use organically grown strawberries whenever possible.
Featured Discussion:
“How can I get over my dog’s death?” asks jules7.
We recently lost our 15 year old dog… We adopted a …rescue puppy over the weekend to add to our 13 year-old-dog and 3 year-old cat.
The new puppy is great, sweet, smart; however I seem to be having a hard time enjoying her without being reminded of the dog we lost. I thought I had "dealt" with this, but it seems getting the new puppy has brought all of these sad feelings back to the surface. Maybe I had not finished grieving…I would appreciate any advice on moving forward and being able to enjoy my new puppy.
Sponsor
RESPeRATE
High Blood Pressure? - Lower It Naturally
RESPeRATE is the world's first and only NON-DRUG medical device clinically proven to lower your blood pressure. Over 100,000 units have been sold and it is now the leading brand of proven non-drug hypertension treatment in the U.S.
What’s New
6th Annual Nutrition & Health Conference - Public Forum
Chicago May 10th, 2009
Come see Dr. Weil in Chicago on Sunday, May 10th for a discussion between today's top health, nutrition, and food authorities at this exciting public event! You're invited to be a part of the 6th annual Nutrition and Health Conference and to join Dr. Weil and a group of bestselling authors, health and nutrition experts, nutrition researchers and journalists for an exciting and informative discussion of what is "good" food - from the personal to the global. Our goal is to provide the general public with an understanding of how daily choices affect long-term health and well-being, and the information necessary to activate change, including the ins-and-outs of an optimum diet. Open to all.
6th Annual Nutrition & Health Conference - Health Care Professionals
Chicago, May 10-13, 2009
Expanding on the growing success of previous Nutrition and Health conferences, the 2009 meeting, co-directed by Dr. Andrew Weil, will assemble an outstanding faculty of internationally-known scientific researchers, skilled clinicians, innovative chefs, and best-selling authors whose work focuses on the interface between nutrition and healthful living. The course provides essential information for health professionals who address issues of food and nutrition in their clinical practices, including the latest research findings, practical recommendations for clinical care, and challenging discussions of public policy. Register today!
Seattle Theatre Group Presents Andrew Weil, M.D.
Seattle, Wash. June 6th, 2009 8:30 p.m
Seattle Theatre Group presents Andrew Weil, M.D., Live at The Paramount Theatre on Saturday, June 6 at 8:30pm for a discussion on Optimal Health. Open to all. Ticketing and registration information available here.
Dr. Weil at the Napa Fresh Aire Festival 2009
August, 28 - 30, 2009, Napa, California
Celebrate at the Napa Fresh Aire Festival with three days of empowering programs and activities that purify the body, educate the mind, and renew the spirit all in the beautiful setting of Napa, California. Join Dr. Weil, and world-renowned wellness and eco-conscious living experts for inspiring lectures and activities devoted to outdoor experiences, yoga, nutrition, fitness, eco-conscious awareness, meditation, wine tasting, music, and more. Learn more.
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Newsletters
