Chocolate Grey

You too, can be an Octogenarian

---

You're the life of the party
Outgoing people are 50 percent less likely to develop dementia, according to a recent study of more than 500 men and women age 78 and older from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Participants also described themselves as not easily stressed.

Researchers speculate that their more resilient brains may be due to lower levels of cortisol — studies show that oversecretion of this "stress hormone" can inhibit brain cells' communication. Science-backed ways to cut cortisol levels: Meditate, sip black tea, or take a nap.

You run for 40 minutes a day
Scientists in California found that middle-aged people who did just that — for a total of about 5 hours per week — lived longer and functioned better physically and cognitively as they got older; the researchers tracked runners and nonrunners for 21 years.

"What surprised us is that the runners didn't just get less heart disease — they also developed fewer cases of cancer, neurologic diseases, and infections," says study author Eliza Chakravarty, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. "Aerobic exercise keeps the immune system young." If you don't like to run, even 20 minutes a day of any activity that leaves you breathless can boost your health, she says.

You like raspberries in your oatmeal
Most Americans eat 14 to 17 g of fiber per day; add just 10 g and reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by 17 percent, according to a Netherlands study. Dietary fiber helps reduce total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity, and boost weight loss. One easy fix: Top your oatmeal (½ cup dry has 4 g fiber) with 1 cup of raspberries (8 g) and you get 12 g of fiber in just one meal. 

Try some of these other potent fiber-rich foods: ½ cup of 100 percent bran cereal (8.8 g), ½ cup of cooked lentils (7.8 g), ½ cup of cooked black beans (7.5 g), one medium sweet potato (4.8 g), one small pear (4.3 g). 

You feel 13 years younger than you are
That's what older people in good health said in a recent survey of more than 500 men and women age 70 and older. "Feeling youthful is linked to better health and a longer life," says researcher Jacqui Smith, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan. "It can improve optimism and motivation to overcome challenges, which helps reduce stress and boost your immune system and ultimately lowers your risk of disease."

Full Story

Gay-to-Straight? Forget about it!

---

NEW YORK - The American Psychological Association declared Wednesday that mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments.

Instead, the APA urged therapists to consider multiple options — that could range from celibacy to switching churches — for helping clients whose sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.

In a resolution adopted on a 125-to-4 vote by the APA’s governing council, and in a comprehensive report based on two years of research, the 150,000-member association put itself firmly on record in opposition of so-called “reparative therapy” which seeks to change sexual orientation.

No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the report, and some research suggests that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.

Breaking new ground
The APA had criticized reparative therapy in the past, but a six-member task force added weight to this position by examining 83 studies on sexual orientation change conducted since 1960. Its comprehensive report was endorsed by the APA’s governing council in Toronto, where the association’s annual meeting is being held this weekend.

The report breaks new ground in its detailed and nuanced assessment of how therapists should deal with gay clients struggling to remain loyal to a religious faith that disapproves of homosexuality. Full Story

Chocolate: The "Naked" Truth

---

According to David Wolfe, author of "Naked Chocolate: The Astounding Truth About the World’s Greatest Food," Chocolate in its natural state is the best form of magnesium, chromium and iron, which are the top three mineral deficiencies in the US. Wolfe, one of raw chocolate’s biggest advocates, also credits cacao with being extraordinarily high in vitamin C. Cacao also contains Omega 6 fatty acids and is one of the best sources of natural fiber. So doesn’t the average bar contain these things too? Not so much, explains Wolfe. When cacao is roasted it looses its vitamin C and its fiber is disturbed. Cooking cacao also destroys PEAs (phenyl ethylamine), the chemicals contained in chocolate that make us feel like we’re in love.

Raw chocolate also contains neurotransmitter modulating agents, which are chemicals that act as natural antidepressants. “They allow our neurotransmitters like seratonin to remain in our blood stream longer than usual,” explains Wolf. “This makes us younger. The more chocolate you eat, the longer you live.” His words are not wishful thinking. A Harvard study of 7841 healthy men found that those who ate chocolate did indeed live longer than those who abstained. It could be those antioxidants at work. According to Wolfe, raw cacao is the number one antioxidant food in the world — 30 times higher than red wine and 20 times higher than green tea.

And then there are those love chemicals, those PEAs. Wolfe believes that raw chocolate is not only a tasty way to improve your health and vitality, but that it’s also a path to healing and soothing your heart, increasing your sensuality and enhancing your love life. Not bad for a sweet treat. Sklaar’s words followed me as I snapped off another chunk of his Lacuma and Vanilla bar: “chocolate is a full experience.” Mmmmm. Hmmmmm.

Source

Swine Influenza (Flu)

---

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.

An investigation and response effort surrounding the outbreak of swine flu is ongoing.

CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support.

CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency’s response to this emerging health threat and yesterday the Secretary of the Department Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, declared a public health emergency in the United States. This will allow funds to be released to support the public health response. CDC’s goals during this public health emergency are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to assist health care providers, public health officials and the public in addressing the challenges posed by this newly identified influenza virus.

To this end, CDC has issued a number of interim guidance documents in the past 24 hours. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

DIETS DO NOT WORK!

Losing weight is far from simple. Yet the first words chronic dieters say are, "I know what I should do to lose weight - I just don't do it." These women believe diets are like baggy sweat pants - one size fits all - and that means either eating like a gnat or becoming an exercise addict to burn off every calorie.
True, this method can contribute to weight loss - but not for long. The pounds you lose will inevitably return - plus more - because you have barked up the wrong tree when it comes to shedding body fat.

Whether you want to lose 5 pounds or 50, you shouldn't think diet, denial or deprivation. DIETS DO NOT WORK. (If they did work, everyone who has ever been on a diet would be lean.) Denying or depriving yourself of your favorite foods also does not work.

So how do you lose weight without dieting? The solution is twofold:
1. Eat appropriate portions of whatever foods trigger your taste buds.
2. Eat to fuel your body - not for comfort, entertainment or diversion from life's burdens.

What follows: how we helped three women overcome the three worst dietary mistakes; and the five most-dangerous dietary land mines and how to sidestep them so they don't blow your diet.
- Full Story
- What Works!

Is There a Face-lift in Your Fridge?

The answer is "YES" if you follow Dr. Perricone's Three Day Nutritional Face Lift.

"To make it simple, follow this plan for three days. If you feel you need a change from all the salmon, you may substitute poultry or tofu - but remember the special essential fatty acids and antioxidants in salmon give skin a remarkable suppleness, radiance and youthful glow. To learn more, read The Perricone Promise, which contains a wonderful 28-Day Meal Plan with a wide variety of delicious foods as well as outstanding, yet easy to prepare recipes.

The promise of a visible difference in your looks in just three days may seem too good to be true. But if you eat the wrinkle-free way for even a short period of time, you will experience dramatic changes, not only in how you look, but how you feel. I recommend the Three Day Nutritional Face-lift™ as the perfect way to jumpstart the 28-Day Plan – this will allow you to see a drop in weight and visible results in your skin right away.

Three-Day Nutritional Face-lift™ aids in the elimination of puffiness, increases contours, firms jaw line, etc. You must eat salmon twice a day for the ideal effects of the DMAE, astaxanthin and the essential fatty acids in the salmon to take effect. This will increase radiance, glow and firmness to the skin. Wild Alaskan Salmon is far superior to farm-raised salmon. For convenient online access to the best wild Alaskan salmon, organic berries and more we recommend Vital Choice Seafood.

If you do not eat salmon, go right to the 28-Day Plan – although you will not see the dramatic results in the first three days as you will by using the Three-Day Nutritional Face-lift™." - Nicholas Perricone, M.D.


Breakfast
3 egg omelet and/or 4-6 oz. grilled salmon
I do not recommend smoked salmon or lox on the three-day diet because of the salt intake
½ cup cooked oatmeal (not instant)
Cooked oatmeal is a great source of fiber, low glycemic carbohydrates
2” wedge of cantaloupe or 1/3 cup fresh berries
Cantaloupe is very hydrating to the skin and contains important antioxidants – blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries are high in antioxidants
No Juice, No Coffee or Toast
If you normally drink large amounts of coffee, drink black or green tea to prevent caffeine withdrawal
8 - 12 oz. spring water

Lunch
4-6 oz. grilled salmon
Option: you can also use canned salmon and mix a little mayo and fresh squeezed lemon
2 cups green salad
made with romaine lettuce or other dark leafy greens
Dressing: extra virgin olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon to taste
1 kiwi fruit or cantaloupe and berries
as above
8 – 12 oz. spring water

Snack
1 apple
2 oz. slice of turkey breast or 6 oz. plain yogurt
Small handful of hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds
Great source of fatty acids and folic acid

Dinner
4-6 oz. grilled salmon
green salad
as described above
½ cup steamed veggies
Especially asparagus, broccoli, spinach, etc. NO root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, etc
Cantaloupe and berries
8 – 12 oz. spring water

Before Bedtime Snack
1 pear or apple
2 oz. slice chicken or turkey breast or 6 oz. plain yogurt
Small handful of hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds
Great source of fatty acids and folic acid

The Difference Between Men & Women?

---

Men are Dirtier than Women (Washington)
So scientists confirmed by spying in public restrooms, watching as one-quarter of men left without washing their hands. The worst offenders were at an Atlanta Braves game. In contrast, 90 percent of the women did wash up. Wednesday's results mark the American Society of Microbiology's latest look at how many people take what is considered the single easiest step to staying healthy: spending 20 seconds rubbing with soap under the faucet. It also explains why these infection experts tend . . . Full Story

I Stopped The Madness

---

After smoking since I was 10 years old, I finally decided it's time to quit. No more "needing that morning fix". No more "smelling like an ashtray". No more "after-meal satisfactions". No more "after-sex satisfactions". No more "instant stress relievers". No more "late-night store dashes". No more "pictures like this above". No more . . . . . Yes, I've stopped the madness to experience what life was like before I started smoking. To breath free, to think clear, to have energy is again within my grasp (and what a date to quit: 1 23 4 ).