Intriguing title, eh?  I don’t have time to write a proper post today, although I am working on a couple of different, rather complicated (!) items, but I did want to post about a recent Mayo Clinic report on the benefits of guided imagery. You can read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/ythf5x An excerpt, which is practically the whole thing!: “Aristotle and Hippocrates believed in the power of images in the brain to enliven the heart and body. Today, research shows they were right. Guided imagery is helping patients use the full range of the body’s healing capacity […]. Guided imagery is more than listening to relaxing sounds. It’s a learning process to listen to someone’s voice, relax the breathing and consciously direct the ability to imagine. The effect of guided vivid imagery sends a message to the emotional control center of the brain. From there, the message is passed along to the body’s endocrine, immune and autonomic nervous systems. These systems influence a wide range of bodily functions, including heart and breathing rates and blood pressure.”

Guided imagery apparently can reduce side effects from conventional cancer treatments, reduce fear and anxiety before surgery and help manage stress and headaches. I have never heard of this technique. Has anyone tried it?

Celiac disease sufferers, have a look at this: http://tinyurl.com/ysrtex An excerpt: “Researchers have discovered a new structure for a key enzyme associated with celiac disease, a finding that could lead to the design of new medications for the common digestive disorder.” Hah!

And finally, wine-drinkers will certainly be interested in this Science Daily report: http://tinyurl.com/yqfn6s Basically, specific polyphenols found in the waste products from winemaking (fermented seeds and skins, which normally get tossed) may prevent tooth decay and, even more importantly, lessen “the ability of bacteria to cause life-threatening, systemic infections”? Hmmm. How about that?