Gregory Chandler on Over Processed Chocolate

Studies have found that the benefits of chocolate decrease the more the cocoa is processed. Processing decreased the procyanidin levels in chocolate. For example, milk chocolate, which contains fewer cocoa solids, has low procyanidin levels. Baking chocolate and chocolate that has been alkalinized, also have lower procyandidin amounts.

The result is that dark chocolate is healthier than types of chocolate that have been subjected to more processing.

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on the Health Benefits of Chocolate

If you like chocolate, good news. Moderate chocolate consumption is a good thing. Chocolate is especially good if you eat the dark kind.

Antioxidant benefits: A number of studies show that dark chocolate with a high cocoa content packs a great antioxidant punch. Cocoa powder and chocolate are derived from beans that contain high levels of flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants. Cocoa itself has the highest content of an antioxidant called procyanidin. These antioxidants are believed to help fight cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

Research has shown that chocolate's antioxidant effects can also be good for your heart. In one study, people who ate dark chocolate with a high concentration of cocoa powder reported lower levels of negative LDL cholesterol, higher levels of good HDL cholesterol, and higher blood antioxidant levels.

Blood pressure benefits: Cocoa may also reduce blood clotting, similar to the effects of aspirin, and stabilize arterial plaque, which makes plaque less likely to travel through the bloodstream and cause a heart attack or stroke. But unlike aspirin, researchers believe that procyanidins can also increase production of nitric oxide, keeping arteries flexible and improving blood flow.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on Swimming

Late Summer is here and it is time to do some not so frequent physical activities.

Late week--being in vacation mode--I went swimming. I was reminded of the fact that swimming uses the muscles in a different manner than other cardiovascular activities.

My suggestion is to take in some swimming from time to time and use the body in a different manner.


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler on Summertime Salt Intake

This is the dead of summer. Please note that most people do not need to increase his or her salt (sodium) intake during the summertime. This is because most people already consume more salt than the body needs.

It is wise to consult with a nutritionist or medical doctor before consuming extra salt.

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler -- Docosahexaenoic Acid

Researchers have opined that healthy people with memory complaints and those with Alzheimer's disease both tend to have low levels of the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

In one study, 485 otherwise healthy adults aged at least 55, with impaired memory, took 900 mg of DHA per day or a placebo.

After six months, while the placebo group had not improved, those who had taken DHA had better memory and learning compared to the start of the study and made fewer errors on memory and learning tests compared to the placebo group.

Researchers also found that DHA levels had doubled in the DHA group, and memory improved as DHA levels increased.

Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law

GREGORY CHANDLER ON RED YEAST RICE

Red yeast rice provides helpful mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as proteins, amino acids and phytonutrients.

Recently, there has been some research that red yeast rice has cardiovascular benefits. More research needs to be conducted before red yeast rice is viewed as a worthwhile supplement for cardiovascular benefits.


Gregory Chandler