Happiness may be good for your health

SOURCE:  MedlinePlus -- Reuters Health Information

DATE:  January 2, 2008

EXCERPT:  "A happy heart just might be a healthier one as well, new research suggests. In a study of nearly 3,000 healthy British adults, lead by Dr. Andrew Steptoe of University College London, found that those who reported upbeat moods had lower levels of cortisol -- a "stress" hormone that, when chronically elevated, may contribute to high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and dampened immune function, among other problems.  ...  Among women, but not men, positive emotions were also related to lower levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin 6. The reason for the sex difference is not clear, according to the researchers."   more   (articles display for 30 days)

RELATED PUBMED LINK:

Steptoe A, O'Donnell K, Badrick E, Kumari M, Marmot M. Neuroendocrine and inflammatory factors associated with positive affect in healthy men and women: the Whitehall II study. Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Jan 1;167(1):96-102.