The Happy Planet Index attempts to rate countries based on their happiness. For 2009, Coasta Rica is number one in the world. The rating is based on two main facts: Costa Ricans report being highly satisfied with life and they have the second highest life expectancy (after Canada) of the major countries in the world. Overall, Latin America claimed 9 of the top 10 spots. The Happy Planet Index also considers environmental factors, which may explain the success of Latin America in the index, but something also tells me that life is more fun as you head south.

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You've probably seen (or regularly drink) energy shots. These tiny 5 ounce bottle contain a mix of caffeine, vitamins and other ingredients that are supposed to, well, give you energy. According to a New York Times article, the energy shot market is about $700 million and rising. These shots are expensive, but do they work?

Sure. If you put enough caffeine in a drink, it will keep you awake. Coffee drinkers have known that for years. Energy shots typically have plenty of caffeine to do the job. That part seems certain, as certain as your morning coffee. But the claims about the vitamins and other ingredients -- those are a bit shakier. Take the vitamin B that the energy shot makers add in. Yes, if you are vitamin B deficient then you are likely to suffer from fatigue and lack of energy; but the thing is that very few people are vitamin B deficient (vegetarians may be an exception if they aren't careful about nutrition). In other words, while it is true that certain B vitamins can give a person energy (if they are deficient), you probably don't need any extra.

So are energy shots worth it? At $3-4 each, they are expensive, but no more so than a fancy cup of coffee. They may have less sugar than a flavored latte. So, I guess if energy shots are your choice to get through your work or your day, it is just about the same as choosing coffee (my "energy beverage" of choice). Whatever works.

More on Coffee and Health

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For 20 years, researchers have been studying the effects of feeding monkeys a reduced calorie diet. In short, they give some monkeys about 30% fewer daily calories than others. The result? Healthy aging. In fact, the high cal monkeys were three times as likely to die from cancer, heart disease or diabetes. Basically, fewer calories means slower aging.

In the study, researchers led by Richard Weindruch at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, found that after 20 years of study, half the "high-cal" monkeys had died compared to 20% of the "low-cal" monkeys. The average life span for the monkeys in the study (rhesus monkeys) is 27 years. It seems calorie restirction works by fending off the diseases and problems of aging.

More on Calorie Restriction

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I'm sure you've heard of organ donation, where a person states that they would like their organs used for treatment and research after they have died. Now there is a new "gift" to be made after a person has died - pacemaker recycling. Think about it, there are thousands of dollars of high-tech equipment in some people's bodies. That equipment can be sterilized and reused. In fact, currently, pacemakers are removed by funeral directors before burial or cremation and just thrown away. Collecting these durable pieces of technology may create a huge opportunity to save lives in poor countries.

The programs aren't set up yet, but I'll keep watch and post a link when donation programs are established. i think this is a great idea.