【明報專訊】不做運動和節食也能減肥？英國有心理專家指出，舒服地坐在椅上玩1小時腦力遊戲，如數獨、下棋或填字遊戲等，便可消耗90卡路里。
腦部訓練網站cannyminds.com研究員福斯特（Tim Forrester）說：「我們的大腦僅是為維持正常運作，每分鐘就需要消耗0.1卡路里，當我們從事諸如數獨等富挑戰性的遊戲，大腦每分鐘會消耗1.5卡路里。」
他解釋，大腦由數百萬個稱為神經元（neurons）的神經細胞組成。神經元負責向身體傳遞信息，它會從血液中抽取葡萄糖、卡路里及氧氣，來製造一 種名為「神經傳送素」（neurotransmitter）的化學物，以傳遞信息。因此，當人動腦筋玩數獨等高難度遊戲時，意味大腦將需要更多葡萄糖和卡 路里以製造「神經傳送素」，換言之便要消耗更多熱量。
一般來說，一塊朱古力曲奇有56卡路里，若玩1小時數獨可消耗90卡路里，理論上吃一塊餅乾，玩1小時數獨，便可將熱量抵消。
每日郵報
Fibrocystic change is a generalized term used to describe a variety of benign changes in the breast that affect both glandular and connective tissue. Symptoms of this condition are breast swelling or pain, as well as nodules, lumpiness, or nipple discharge. At least half of all women will be affected by fibrocystic changes at some point in their life. Women of childbearing age are affected most commonly, but women of all ages can develop fibrocystic changes. Most of these symptoms stop after menopause, unless hormone replacement therapy is used.
Many fibrocystic changes are a reflection of the response of breast tissue to monthly hormonal changes. Even though these changes are very common and are not life threatening, some of the symptoms are similar to those of breast cancer, so it is important to evaluate the cause of the symptoms to rule out the possibility of cancer. In addition, some fibrocystic changes may indicate that a woman has an increased risk of later developing breast cancer. A definitive diagnosis will lead to a better understanding of breast cancer risk and the appropriate screening programs for a woman to follow.
The severity of fibrocystic changes can be extremely variable; some women experience only minor discomfort, while others suffer severe symptoms. Although much research has gone into finding methods for treating these symptoms, little progress has been made in developing effective treatments. Some women have reported relief of symptoms by avoiding the use of caffeine, reducing salt intake or using diuretics (fluid pills), and taking vitamin supplements; however, studies to date have not clearly established the effectiveness of any of these methods.
Other specific forms of fibrocystic change are adenosis, cysts, epithelial hyperplasia, and fibrosis.
