Is Chocolate Bad?

Why Do We Crave Chocolate?

Let’s face it. The idea that the sweetness of fruit is going to satisfy a chocolate craving is just silly. When the urge hits, there is very little that can be done to stop it until the only thing left of that Mars bar is the package. So why do we need it so bad?

There appear to be many reasons why chocolate seems to be so addictive. For example, the sugar in chocolate can increase the levels of the mood-boosting neurotransmitters: serotonin and endorphins. Chocolate also contains an amphetamine-like compound called phenylethylamine (PEA), which is generated in relatively high amounts in the brain when happy events occur (i.e., falling in love). Chocolate also contains caffeine (although not very much), which provides an energy boost and small amounts of a substance called anandamide that mimics the pleasurable effects of marijuana by binding to the same receptor sites on brain cells as the active ingredient in the happy plant. Even the aroma of chocolate may affect brain chemistry.

What’s Good About Chocolate?

Cocoa and chocolate products have been delicacies for centuries, but only recently have they been recognized as significant sources of phytochemicals with healthful effects. Chocolate and cocoa powders are derived from beans that contain hefty amounts of phytochemicals called flavonoids that are also found in fruits, vegetables, tea and wine. Flavonoid compounds are found almost exclusively in the plant kingdom, and it’s estimated that there are more than 4,000 of them. Various epidemiological studies have shown that populations consuming a diet rich in flavonoids (including foods such as wine, tea and certain fruits and vegetables) have lower rates of heart disease and stroke.

What’s Bad About Chocolate?

The well publicized healthy properties of chocolate have lead many to believe they can enjoy chocolate in all its many forms. Not so fast! While the exact amount of cocoa or chocolate needed daily to exert health benefits is still yet to be determined, some studies have needed up to four ounces of antioxidant rich chocolate per day to elicit positive outcomes. Considering that an ounce of chocolate has roughly 145 calories and eight to 10 grams of fat, if most people simply added this much chocolate to their existing diets, it would be a sure fire ticket to the fat farm. Clients should be encouraged to substitute good-quality chocolate for other less healthy treats such as donuts, muffins and candy.

Also, all the studies showing promising health benefits from chocolate have used dark (“bittersweet”) chocolate and not the overly processed milk chocolates full of sugar that most people are consuming. Many find the taste of dark chocolate to be too overpowering and thus opt for the higher sugar forms with a lot less flavonoids.

The Cause Of Celluite

Cellulite is one of the “dirty” words in the health, fitness or beauty industry. Nobody wants it, nobody talks about it and those who do suffer with it are infuriated that not everyone has the same problem. Why does it appear on some women more than others, and why do some men actually get it as well? The research on cellulite - including what causes it and how to treat it – has remained very vague, until recently. There seems to be endless treatment options but which ones work and why?

First of all what is cellulite?

Cellulite occurs when the deeper layer of the dermis breaks down and the fat is allowed to bulge towards the superficial layer of the skin, causing a dimpling effect. The irregular, orange peel type dimpled skin surface is characteristic of cellulite and is reported to appear in the thighs, abdomen and buttocks in 85 percent of post adolescent women. The hips and thighs are areas more under the control of hormones in women as they are reserved for pregnancy and lactation. This is why these are the most common sites for cellulite in women and in rarer cases men. The main culprit for the formation of cellulite seems to be estrogen.

Basically estrogen starts a process that causes the walls of fat cells (collagen strands) to break down, this leave the fat cells to move freely towards the surface of the skin where they multiply and push against the surface leaving the appearance we call cellulite.

Treatment

There are so many treatments out there from personal trainers, doctors and beauty therapist but which one work? Here are the most common treatments and my opinion on their value:

Packs and wraps - The basis of these methods is a mechanical action used to “break up” or “burn up” fat or cellulite. They do neither. These treatments only serve to move a small amount of interstitial water around, which provides a psychological benefit for the client but no physiological change.

Suction, rolling and pressure devices - This is probably the most dangerous of all cellulite treatments as these mechanical devices can actually make the condition worse by inflicting damage on an already weakened support structure within the skin.

Topical herbal treatments - This concept is similar to wraps. For these herbal treatments to be effective, they must be formulated properly so that the active ingredients reach the fatty layer or at least penetrate down to the superficial layer. There is a certain technique involved here because, if not formed properly, the water soluble ingredients will not penetrate the skin and therefore will not

work at all. Typical ingredients you find here are caffeine, theophylline and coleus forscholii.

Circulation enhancers and lymphatic drainage - Cellulite severity is increased by interstitial fluid retention or congestion. So it makes sense that reducing water retention could help the appearance of the skin. This treatment method does not treat cellulite! It does not reduce the fat cells but can give a temporary better appearance and feeling.

Vitaminns-Vitamin A and retinoic acid have a small effect on cellulite, but they don’t cure it. Vitamin C is also helpful as is citric acid due to their ability to restore collagen, but they don’t stop the destruction of it.

Liposuction - Liposuction is not to be used and can actually make cellulite worse by causing damage to already weak skin structures. Liposuction does reduce the fat in the body and therefore can possibly reduce the appearance of current cellulite however, the process damages so much tissue and cells within the body that it can actually increase the percentage of cellulite in the future. After liposuction you will reproduce cellulite and mostly likely at a faster and worsened rate.

Phytoestrogens - By far the most exciting dietary research and information involves the use of phytoestrogens. Asian populations who consume the most phytoestrogens have the least amount of cellulite in their population. sians consuming 100 grams of soybeans a day were getting isoflavone protection in the form of daidzein and genistein. Compared to Western populations, scientists found that Asians had a lower rate of breast, uterine and endometrial cancer, a lower rate of prostatic and colon cancer and a lower rate of cardiovascular disease. When Asians switched to Western-style diets high in fat and protein and low in fibre and soy, their risk for hormonally related diseases increased. So a change in diet can have a very positive effect on fat and cellulite.

Exercise- I shouldn’t need to say how important exercise and healthy lifestyle is. Its important to reduce the amount of stored fat in the body and to STOP your body producing more fat cells. A balanced diet containing high fibre, soya, vitamins A & C and increasing cardio vascular exercise will help reduce the cellulite production.

Basics:

Estrogen levels start the process that causes fat cell walls to breakdown

The fat cells are free to move to the surface and ‘push’ against the skin to give dimpled effect

A reduction in water retention can help appearance

Most treatments are only temporary

Reduction in animal fats, processed sugars in diet helps

Increase in fibre and soya can help block the estrogen working to breakdown the fat cells

Increase in exercise will reduce the amount of fat stored in the body