Harvard: Chocolate Protects Against Alzheimer’s

Dark Chocolate and Cocoa

NewsMaxHealth.com: Here's some sweet health news for chocolate lovers: A daily dose of the sugary treat may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. That's the conclusion of new research at Harvard Medical School that found people who drank two cups of hot cocoa a day had improved memory and blood flow to the brain.

But the benefits only come from certain types of chocolate, which contain high levels of beneficial antioxidants, notes one of the nation's top Alzheimer's experts, Dr. Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and aging. It's also important to know that you can get too much of a good thing.

"I think it is healthy in moderation, that's the key because if you drink too much cocoa or eat too many chocolate bars you’re going to gain a lot of calories and that is not good for the brain," Dr. Small tells Newsmax Health. "In fact it's the dark chocolates that are particularly potent; milk chocolates have very little and white chocolate has almost none. So if you want the antioxidant boost, go for the dark chocolate."

Scientific research has found dark chocolates — and a host of other foods — contain powerful antioxidant flavonoids that are good for the brain, explains Dr. Small, director of the University of California-Los Angeles Longevity Center.

"As the brain ages, it undergoes wear and tear in what's called oxidative stress," he notes. "And these antioxidants in our foods actually protect the brain from that kind of aging wear and tear."

The latest Harvard study, published in a recent issue of the journal Neurology, found cocoa consumption boosts thinking and memory performance, as well as something called "neurovascular coupling" — where blood flow in the brain changes in response to brain activity — which plays a key role in Alzheimer’s and other mental-health conditions.

For the study, investigators recruited 60 seniors and asked them to drink two cups of hot cocoa a day for a month. Half drank cocoa high in antioxidants, while the others drank cocoa that had lower levels of the beneficial compounds.

At the end of the study, the team tested the participants' memory and thinking skills, and used ultrasound to measure neurovascular coupling in their brains as they completed mental tests. The results showed 18 of the 60 participants had impaired neurovascular coupling problems at the start of the study, but after drinking the high-potency coco, it had improved by 8.3 percent. They also scored better on memory tests.

Dr. Small notes that chocolate isn't the only source of antioxidants. Many vegetables and fruits — including strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables — are packed with the beneficial compounds.

"So there are many ways to get antioxidants in your diet and it’s a great idea to get more and more servings of fruits and vegetables," he says. "Most Americans don’t get enough."

At the same time, he also recommends cutting down on foods that have been shown to contribute to mental declines, including *milk and dairy products, **processed foods, and snacks loaded with refined sugar — such as chips, crackers, and pastries.

"It's okay to have them a little bit, but when we overdo it it's certainly not good for our brains and it's not good for our bodies," Dr. Small says.

Story continues here with Dr. Small on Video

*The human body loses the capacity to metabolize milk and dairy products beginning at age 3 and completely by age 17, so consuming milk and dairy does not help help with your calcium intake because our bodies no longer break it down into a form that our bodies can use.  So for many people it only adds weight and gives them digestion problems because they are lactose intolerant.

**Butter on the other hand, should really be considered more of a fat than a dairy product and should be the choice over margarine, a completely synthetic product.  Margarine is only one molecule away from plastic and many doctors feel it could be a contributor to many diseases and conditions, including AD.

***The list of processed foods is long but products made with artificial sweeteners, GMO foods, preservatives and flavor enhancers that you can’t pronounce, etc. should be avoided.

Related: 

1 in 3 Seniors Dies with Alzheimer's or Other Dementia 

When You Say ‘Enough’ To Giving In Home Care

Diagnosis & Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

Part One: Researchers race to beat scourge of aging

Part Three: Burden of illness often heaviest for caregivers

UCLA on Alzheimer's Disease - young or old should read

Alzheimer’s Disease - Caregiver Tips

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

Advances for Alzheimer's, Outside the Lab

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

Drinking Coffee Slashes Risk of Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Alzheimer’s Disease and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Pet Therapy

Animals Helping the Ailing, the Elderly, and the Young

Pets are way better than Therapy!

Low-Carb Diet May Slow Alzheimer’s Disease

Final Stages of Alzheimer’s

Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients

7 Alzheimer's Triggers by Dr. Blaylock – definitely worth listening to!!

Find Dementia Care

Games for Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Homes

Buttered Popcorn Flavoring Linked to Alzheimer’s

Stop Using 'Natural' Deodorants Until You Read This

Warning Signs: A New Test to Predict Alzheimer's

Super Spice Secrets: Can This Miracle Spice Stop Cancer, Alzheimer's and Arthritis?

The Secret; Care Givers are the ‘Silent’ Boss 

Alzheimer's patients follow different paths to a final debilitation

The Hoax at the Bottom of Autism and Alzheimer’s

Remember 'The Girls' - Views by Ann Hood

Alzheimer's: Tips to make holidays more enjoyable 

Pet Alzheimer's Disease - Is Your Dog or Cat Showing Signs?

Obamacare's Worst Feature? It's Wedded To 50-Year-Old Assumptions About Health And Insurance

Books 

The Healing Powers of Chocolate (Kindle)

Meals For Alzheimer's Patients: A Caregiver's Guide

The Alzheimer's Prevention Program: Keep Your Brain Healthy for the Rest of Your Life

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Eat Orange Fruits and Vegetables

If you have a family history of heart disease or cancer, you may find eating more orange colored foods to be beneficial to your health. A study suggested that by eating orange colored fruits and vegetables one is less likely to die of either of these two diseases. This is because orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots and pumpkin are “high in the anti-oxidant alpha-carotene”.

Asparagus -- Who knew ?

My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day.. She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week.
Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3 months.
 
THE ARTICLE:

Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, Asparagus for cancer 'printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: I am a
biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project We have accumulated a number of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:

Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a
schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2 , a successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he
was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable.

The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared..

He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin
looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of materia medica', edited in1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was > used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates! We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.. 

For the treatment , asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or
preservatives.

Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in 2-4 weeks.. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases. As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent.' Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups.

The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink.

As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer. 

Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth.. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and
in acting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good. It has
been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione , which is considered one of the body's most potent anti-carcinogens and antioxidants.

These are the colors that represent the different cancers.

The Root Cause of Cancer Almost Universally Ignored by Doctors...
Fifty years after the 'War on Cancer' began, it's clear we've lost the war. But YOU can win your own particular battle by knowing this underlying cause of cancer... 6 significant risk factors... 3 cancer advancements that can save your life (which you likely won't hear from your doctor)... and these 12 preventive tips for a cancer-free life...

Dark Chocolate Chases Wrinkles

Chocolate can help protect the skin from wrinkle-causing UV damage, but it's not the type typically found in heart-shaped boxes. It's a special dark chocolate that is high in flavanols, which means it's loaded with naturally occurring, beneficial antioxidant plant compounds.

Chocolate has been used medicinally for more than 3,000 years, variously used as a treatment for angina, dysentery, fevers, constipation, and a host of other illnesses. Modern medicine started taking chocolate seriously in 1997, when a Harvard professor discovered that high-flavanol cocoa relaxes the blood vessels, thereby acting as a protectant against heart disease and hypertension.

Now scientists at European Dermatology London say a few squares of high-flavanol chocolate a day helps prevent wrinkles caused by UV rays from the sun, and may even lower the risk of skin cancer. But they emphasized that it has to be high-flavanol chocolate. In a statement in the Daily Mail, the researchers said, "The main mechanism is likely to be the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. But conventional chocolate had no such effect."

Until recently, most health research with chocolate was done using unsweetened cocoa or specially formulated high-flavanol chocolate, since ordinary chocolate candy has had the flavanols removed because they have such a bitter taste. Companies like Mars and Nestle, however, now provide high-flavanol chocolate in highly palatable form. Mars, for example, markets Dove Dark, which is made with a proprietary, specially processed cocoa that is so high in antioxidants that it is used in medical research.

Flavanols are also found in green tea, red wine, and other foods and drinks. However, a 20 g portion (less than an ounce—.0705) of high flavanol chocolate contains roughly 660 mg of flavanols, while a serving of red wine contains about 160 mg and a serving of green tea contains only 47 mg.

Washington-based nutrition consultant Katherine Tallmadge recommends roughly an ounce a day of high-flavanol chocolate such as Dove Dark for health benefits. "Any more than that," she said in an article in the Washington Post, "and you're probably going to take in too many calories for weight control."

By Sylvia Booth Hubbard - Wednesday, February 10, 2010 7:56 AM

© 2010 Newsmax Health

Posted: True Health Is True Wealth

Popcorn May Help Prevent Cancer

Eating popcorn is good for you and may even help prevent cancer.

Scientists have long known that whole grains are heart-healthy, but a first-of-its-kind study from the University of Scranton found that popcorn, breakfast cereals, and other grain-based snack foods are packed with antioxidants called polyphenols.

Polyphenols in foods such as fruits, vegetables, wine, coffee, tea, berries, olives, and chocolate are thought to help reduce the risk of many diseases. They remove free radicals — the chemicals that can cause damage to cells and tissues — from the body.

Until now, no one knew that commercial cold and hot whole-wheat cereals and snack foods also were a good source of polyphenols. This is important for health because the average American diet consists of a high percentage of these foods.

“Cereals, pasta, crackers and salty snacks constitute over 66 percent of whole grain intake in the U.S.” said Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton.

“Early researchers thought the fiber was the active ingredient for these benefits in whole grains — the reason why they may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary artery disease,” he said. “But recently, polyphenols emerged as potentially more important.”

“This is the first study to examine total phenol antioxidants in breakfast cereals and snacks,” Vinson said. “We found that, in fact, whole-grain products have comparable antioxidants per gram to fruits and vegetables.”

The study found that whole grains are very high in antioxidants, with the most antioxidants in cereals made with wheat, corn, oats, and rice, in descending order. Whole grain snacks have slightly lower levels than cereals.

Popcorn has the highest antioxidant level of all whole grain snack foods — more than five times higher than its nearest rival. Tortilla chips, for example, lagged far behind popcorn, with 10 times less antioxidants than popcorn.

Posted: True Health Is True Wealth

Chocolate - Dark Is The Key!

Think chocolate is one of the worst things for your skin? Think again. 

Skin expert, Dr. Amy Wechsler, has a recipe for hot chocolate that can make your skinglow. 

Dark Is Key
In one study, just 6 weeks of a daily dose of cocoa made skin smoother, better hydrated, and less sun sensitive. And 12 weeks did even more. All thanks to the skin-boosting antioxidants in cocoa, called flavonols. But it’s got to be dark chocolate, according to Wechsler. "Skip cocoa mixes, which don't have the same flavonol levels, and go for the real thing: dark, unadulterated cacao powder that contains 70 percent or more cacao," she writes in her new book,

Super Simple, Healthy Hot Cocoa
The secret to this easy recipe? Heat it slowly. Slow heat helps release the antioxidants. 

Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder with 70% or more cacao (such as Scharffen Berger natural cocoa powder or Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa)
2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup skim or low-fat milk

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently (do not let it boil), stirring frequently, until cocoa is just beginning to steam. Pour into a mug and enjoy. 

Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger. 

Some Healthy Food Choices for Your Skin and Body Choose Nutrients Supplied Vegetables  Spinach, leaf lettuce, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes Vitamin A (carotenoids) Tomatoes, bell peppers Vitamin C Fruits  Papayas, mangoes, cantaloupe Vitamin A (carotenoids) Oranges, grapefruits Vitamin C Other Foods  Fortified whole-grain cereals (check label) Vitamins B, D, zinc, selenium Nuts, sunflower seeds Vitamin E, zinc Salmon, tuna Vitamins D, E, calcium, omega-3 oils, selenium, protein Vegetable oil Vitamins D, E Low-fat milk Vitamin A (retinol), calcium, zinc, selenium Eggs Vitamins A (retinol), E, B, zinc Legumes, dried beans Vitamins B, zinc

Also:  FreeLife's Himalayan Goji Juice or Go-Chi

Source:  RealAge

Eat Right And Look Good

Five foods that fight the effects of aging.

If you plan to have great sex for the rest of your life, you want to look good doing it, right? Add a couple of servings a week of these fountain-of-youth foods.

Sunflower Seeds

These salty wonders have the highest natural vitamin E content of any food around. "Vitamin E is one of the most important nutrients around for looking younger," says Barry Swanson, Ph.D., a professor of food science at Washington State University. "No antioxidant is more effective at fighting the aging effects of free radicals."

Spinach and Beans

Researchers in Australia, Indonesia and Sweden studied the diets of 400 elderly men and women, and found that those who ate the most leafy green vegetables and beans had the fewest wrinkles. The reason? Spinach and beans are full of compounds that help prevent and repair wear and tear on your skin cells as you get older.

Grape Juice

Besides providing protection from heart attack and stroke, grape juice can also help keep your middle-aged skin from sagging. "Grapes are filled with antioxidant polyphenols that help to keep your skin flexible and elastic," says Swanson.

Sweet Potatoes

Overexposure to the sun is one of the primary reasons men age prematurely. But sweet potatoes may help to fight sun damage. European researchers recently found that pigments from beta-carotene-rich foods—like sweet potatoes and carrots—can build up in your skin, helping to prevent damage from ultraviolet rays.

Cheese



No wonder rats always look so young. "Cheese is one of the best foods you can eat for your teeth," says Matthew Messina, D.D.S., an American Dental Association spokesman. "It's a good source of calcium, to keep your teeth strong. Plus, eating cheese can lower the levels of bacteria in your mouth and keep your teeth clean and cavity-free," he says. Dr. Messina recommends eating at least two servings of block cheese every week.

Source: By Brian Good, Men's Health