by Dean Ornish M.D. -
"When I reviewed the scientific literature, I was amazed to find what a powerful difference love and relationships make on the incidence of disease and premature death from virtually all causes. It may be hard to believe that something as simple as talking with friends, feeling close to your parents, sharing feelings openly, or making yourself vulnerable to others in order to enhance intimacy can make such a powerful difference in your health and well-being, but study after study indicates that they often do."
A comment on Dean Ornish's statement from James Kouzes and Barry Posner's book Encouraging the Heart: A Leader's Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others
"What Ornish refers to as love, others refer to as social support. Studies on social isolation, social support, and intimacy have been conducted across the United States and around the world. They've been done involving old, middle-aged, and young men and women. If you're interested - or if you're skeptical - we encourage you to review the evidence for yourself. It'll make you smile, and it'll make you weep."
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