The same study found positive results chocolate had on metabolism, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol level. These results were attributed to the fact that chocolate is rich in catechins and other antioxidant phytonutrients, known for their insulin sensitivity and the power to maintain healthy blood pressure. Scientists concluded that modest but regular chocolate consumption might reduce fat deposition, offsetting the calories present in chocolate.

Dr. Golomb and her colleagues are not the only ones looking into chocolate for weight loss and general health. Another study published in British Medical Journal found positive correlation between high consumption of chocolate and lower risks of cardiometabolic disorders. In the four-years long study, scientists from Yale University found that eating chocolate during pregnancy may reduce pregnancy risks, particularly preeclampsia.

We can also add the well known fact that chocolate is the best mood enhancer. This, of course, does not mean that we should have chocolate cake or chocolate ice cream three times a day. Anything else added to the chocolate, especially loaded with sugar and fat, will only offset the true chocolate goodness.  The best way to eat chocolate is in small but perfect bites. One perfect dark chocolate truffle a day goes a long way.

Cellulite

Cellulite is a skin condition affecting mostly women. Deposits of fat just under the skin push against the connective tissue making the skin look lumpy. It is caused by a combination of genes, hormones such as estrogen, noradrenaline, insulin, thyroid and prolactin, diet rich in fat and carbohydrates and lacking fiber, smoking, lack of exercise and many other factors.

The problem with many existing therapies is that the results, if any, were temporary and had to be repeated. Many were expensive, but women were ready to go to great lengths to make their thighs look smooth again.

Cellulaze

Although undergone only one clinical study, on ten people, and sponsored by the manufacturer, Cellulaze shows great promise. The results of the study were published in 2011 in the Esthetic Surgery Journal. The procedure requires only one visit to the doctor and it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2012. The procedure involves laser treatment of fat cells and connective tissue.

Cynosure has trained 70 doctors in the correct procedure. Their experts believe that the right doctors to do it are plastic surgeons experienced in liposuction, but more than 100 doctors in the USA are offering cellulaze – from ob/gyn to ophthalmologists.

The price  in average will cost you about $5000, but women cannot wait to try it. The results of the procedure are believed to be permanent – the results so far lasted up to one year. As reported in the media, many women are very happy with results. Other reported worrying side effects, such as permanent bruising. Dr. DiBernardo, who published the only review of cellulaze so far, claims that it is not for everyone and that it should not be done on a too large area at once, or it can result in seroma, accumulation of liquid in the treated tissue.

It is too early to know if the results of this new, highly advertised and promising procedure are long lasting and how to avoid serious consequences. That will not prevent thousands of women who can afford it to rush to their neighborhood plastic surgeon. Hopefully, we shall have more clinical trials soon and will be able to say with more confidence if we finally have permanent cure for dreaded cellulite, or just another hope for the afflicted.

Weight Loss System

What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to use language, without impairing intelligence. In some cases, it impairs person”s ability to speak and understand others. Most people with aphasia also have problem reading and writing.

Aphasia is in most cases the result of stroke, a brain tumor or brain injury. In some cases it is reversible, with slow, painful rehabilitation and therapy, but in some it is permanent. Aphasia is sometimes accompanied with other physical manifestation of stroke, such as paralysis, but sometimes it occurs alone.

Aphasia, just like stroke, is more common in older people, but it can come to anyone, at any time, regardless of age, gender or health status.

Treatment

People with aphasia cannot express themselves nor understand what they are told. They are like new-born babies, having to find right words, right expressions and right muscles to form words. To re-learn to speak takes patience and hard work, which involves speech therapists and family. Some people recover all their capacities a few months after their stroke, but others continue to recover slowly, through months and years of therapy. Because patients’ intelligence is unaffected, the process is very difficult and frustrating.

Melodic Intonation Therapy is showing great promise for some aphasia sufferers. Interestingly, for many people who have aphasia, it is easier to express themselves singing than speaking, and scientists at the University of Montreal are trying to develop this ability into a full therapy system. They published their findings at the Oxford Journals. Music therapy works best with aphasia patients who know what they want to say, but they do not know how.

There is a lot of help for people afflicted wit aphasia, and if someone in your family is suffering from it, contact National Aphasia Association to find the support group near you. Like with so many health issues, it is always easier when you know that you are not alone.

Our bodies are ready to soak up some sun and our system needs to be recharged after a long, cold winter. For generations, we have been told that we need sun to grow healthy bones and to prevent colds. Now we are told that the same sun rays will give us skin cancer. There should some balance between what is enough sun, without being at risk of developing skin cancer. If only scientists could agree on what it is.

Why do we need vitamin D?

Vitamin D is one of the micronutrients we cannot live without. It helps the absorption of calcium and concentration of phosphate necessary for the bone growth and remodeling. Without enough vitamin D, our bones become brittle or misshapen, kids develop rickets and older people osteoporosis. Vitamin D also controls cell growth, regulates immunity and prevents inflammation.

It is not easy to get enough vitamin D. Its sources are fatty fish such as cod, salmon, tuna, and sardines. Older generation remembers cod liver oil being stuffed down their throats religiously by mothers. Milk also contains some vitamin D, and so do mushrooms. Most vitamin D3 is produced after our skin is exposed to ultra-violet B light from the sun.

There is huge amount of research on the benefits of vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with cognitive decline in older people. World Health Organization reports that children with vitamin D deficiency are more at risk for developing respiratory infections. Another study reports that insufficient amount of vitamin D is linked to cardio-vascular deaths.

Vitamin D vs. Skin Cancer

One of the latest studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, conducted on almost 19,000 Americans between 1984 and 2004, shows that the vitamin D insufficiency is on the rise. The researchers also found that current recommendations for the amount of vitamin D supplements are inadequate. The scientists believe that the reason for the decline is too much dependency on supplements and not enough on the sunlight exposure, which is the “primary determinant of vitamin D statusin humans”. Other reason for the decline is too successful campaign to limit sun exposure due to the danger of skin cancer, and overall lack of outdoor activities in the general population.

Skin Cancer Foundation reports that skin cancer, despite its decline in the last few years, is still the most common type of cancer in the United States. Every year, 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancers – more than the prostate, breast, colon and lung combined. The decline in new cases is attributed to the successful public campaign for the protection from the damaging ultraviolet sun rays.

Just enough sun

Scientists from the National Institute of Health produced guidelines  which suggest that approximately 5-30 minutes of exposure to the direct sun between ten o”clock in the morning and three o”clock in the afternoon at least twice a week should be enough to activate vitamin D in our skin, without too much risk of skin cancer. The exposure should be to the face, back, arms and legs, and without any sunscreen. People who cannot get that much sun should make sure that they get enough vitamin D from a good supplement.

This guidelines are, of course, dependent on where you live, on the season, time of day, length of day, pollution, cloud cover and the darkness of your skin (skin melanin content).  For example, total cloud cover reduces UV power by 50 percent, shade by 60 percents. Ultraviolet B rays do not pass through glass, and any lotion with SPF factor of eight and higher will block UV rays enough to prevent vitamin B synthesis.

An interesting fact about SPF lotions is that they do not do a good job of protecting us from the UV rays because most of us do not apply them as often as we should, or as it is recommended. That means that we will still get some vitamin D even when we have sunscreen on, if we apply it sporadically, as most of us do. If only we could get off our sofas and get out a bit, enjoy the sun and smell the roses.