Big Head Big Brain?

Have you ever wondered if people with big heads have big brains? Actually, they do.

Young people with wide heads tend to have higher IQs. Scientists say skull size is directly related to brain volume and mental ability.

And there's more good news for big heads, people with bigger skulls have better memories in old age. Researchers tested people age 70 to 80 with an IQ and memory test, and the ones with the largest head circumference scored much better. They even showed less degeneration three years later, and were at a lower risk of Alzheimer's.

Source: Prof. Grant Hurlburt, California State University

Male Menopause

It seems women don't have the market cornered anymore when it comes to the hot flashes, mood swings and other symptoms of menopause.

It's called male menopause, and up to 25 percent of men will experience it. It comes with age, and lower levels of testosterone, which usually starts declining around age 40. Treatment is available for male menopause, but it's not for everyone. Testosterone therapy can be really pricey and has it's risks. And it's not always the hormones that are to blame, stress and depression can have the same effect and need to be treated individually.

Source: Jed Diamond, author of "Surviving Male Menopause"

Word Of The Day

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a lot of work, but we found a few tricks that don't take much effort at all, and can actually extend the length and quality of your life:

Learn a word a day. Just pick one out of the dictionary, or have one emailed to you. But really learn it, and test yourself on it. People who do this have better memory and cognitive functions as they age.

Talk to strangers, or reconnect with someone you've lost touch with. Emotional connections can add years to your life, and even brief interactions help reduce disease-causing stress hormones.

Watch the birds, or a sunset, or another natural wonder for a few minutes each day. Contact with the natural world has real healing power and can actually boost our performance in other areas.