People are getting more and more fitness conscious in the current day and age. The primary reason for this is the kind of sedentary lives that people lead these days. The realization of the lives that people are leading has lead to a lot of them resorting to regular exercise, supplements, and natural health and fitness related products. The herbal way to make one’s fitness top notch has existed for ages now. This is an ancient art that is now complemented with the advent of new technologies. Sedentary lifestyles, better results, and new technology have resulted in a good market for companies providing fitness products to take advantage. One of the established companies that are doing really well is Natures Sunshine. The following is a brief on how a person can use Natures Sunshine herbal fitness products.

1.    Calculations:

Before going ahead with the use of any product, it is recommended that a person should analyze the kind of life he or she is leading. Needless to say, the kind of lifestyle that is being lead is the most important aspect involved in any fitness related issue. While analyzing your lifestyle the following are the things that should be kept it mind.

a.   Smoking:
This can have a major impact on your fitness levels overall. As everyone knows, smoking kills a person’s stamina and the potential of his or her immune system to battle diseases.

b.   Drinking:
Drinking is another thing that is similar to smoking. Alcohol, even taking into account its medicinal properties, is harmful for a person’s fitness.

c.    Exercise:
The amount of exercise that a person has in his or her life is very vital. However, unfortunately, most people these days are unable to devote proper time to exercising owing to their sedentary work profile and the extremely busy lives that they lead.

2.    Natures Sunshine Herbal Products And Their Purpose:

As is more than evident, herbal products that are made from naturally occurring herbs and can even fall under the alternative science of naturopathy.  It should be noted that the primary purpose of herbal fitness products is to supplement a person’s fitness regime and good diet. They are not wondrous products that will fix everything by themselves. In fact, a person would find it very beneficial if he or she consults a nutrition expert or a herbal specialist. Visiting these professionals will help the person establish a fitness regime and dietary routine.

3.    Choosing:

Choosing the right supplements matters. Once a person has done enough research on all kinds of herbal products, he or she can go about finding which brands are good and effective. A bad product can be really detrimental to the person’s well being. This is the reason that herbal products should be well researched before they are bought and used. In fact, running your choices by your herbal specialist would be also good.

4.   Balance:

A person should understand that Natures Sunshine herbal products, food, exercise, and in fact the whole fitness rigmarole only works if it is done in a balanced way. For example, it is not right to exercise heavily one day and not do it for the rest of the week. Therefore, maintaining balance and routine is extremely important.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea), pronounced ah-sigh-ee, is a small, round, purple fruit that is produced by a certain species of palm tree native to Brazil. Açai is an antioxidant-rich super-food currently considered by many to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth. Açai has traditionally been used for improving general health and well-being.1 Açai berries contain protein and fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and iron.1 This fruit has been shown to have higher levels of antioxidants than raspberry, cranberry, blackberry, strawberry and blueberry.

1Açai contains high amounts of anthocyanins—water-soluble pigment compounds with potent antioxidant actions.1 Anthocyanins have some of the strongest physiological effects among plant compounds.

2 They may also aid the eyes and improve night vision. Other beneficial phytochemicals that have been identified in açai fruit include proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids and plant
sterols, including beta-sitosterol.

3,4 Açai fruit has been shown to have significantly high antioxidant protection against a variety of free radicals, especially for superoxide and peroxyl radicals.

5Recent studies have demonstrated that antioxidants in açai fruit are able to enter human cells in a fully functional form and neutralize free radicals even at low doses.

5 The antioxidant actions of açai fruit may also protect against abnormal cell growth and division. In a recent study, açai polyphenols were shown to have antiproliferative effects on human leukemia cells.

6 The antioxidant effects of anthocyanins such as those found in açai fruit have been associated with improved cardiovascular health. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation have been associated with cardiovascular disease

7 preliminary studies indicate that açai fruit decreases lipid peroxidation.

4 Anthocyanins such as those found in açai fruit are known to improve circulation by reducing capillary permeability and increasing the strength of microvessel walls. Other cardiovascular benefits include helping to prevent blood clots, improving circulation and preventing artherosclerosis. Plant sterols, such as those found in açai fruit, have been used to maintain cholesterol levels, aid the immune system and maintain a healthy prostate. Açai fruit may decrease inflammation by inhibiting specific enzymes that are involved in causing inflammation (COX-1 and COX-2).5 Thus açai may be helpful for individuals with joint pain and other inflammatory conditions.

REfERENCES
1. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz f, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive
Database. 9th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research faculty; 2007.
2. Health & Medicine on Squidoo. 2008. Available at: http://www.squidoo.com/açai-research Accessed October 8, 2008.
3. Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, Ou B, Patel D, Huang D, Kababick JP. Phytochemical and nutrient composition of the freezedried
Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (açai). J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Nov 1;54(22):8604-10.
4. Jensen GS, Wu X, Patterson KM, Barnes J, Carter SG, Scherwitz L, Beaman R, Endres JR, Alexander SG. In Vitro and in
Vivo Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Capacities of an Antioxidant-Rich fruit and Berry Juice Blend. Results of a Pilot and
Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. J. Agric Food Chem. 2008; 56, 8326-8333.
5. Schauss AG, Wu X, Prior RL, Ou B, Huang D, Owens J, Agarwal A, Jensen GS, Hart AN, Shanbrom E. Antioxidant capacity
and other bioactivities of the freeze-dried Amazonian palm berry, Euterpe oleraceae mart. (açai). J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Nov
1;54(22):8604-10.
6. Del Pozo-Insfran D, Percival SS, Talcott ST. Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) polyphenolics in their glycoside and aglycone
forms induce apoptosis of HL-60 leukemia cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 feb 22;54(4):1222-9.
7. Castelao J, Gago-Dominguez M. Risk factors for cardiovascular

Everyone knows smoking is not a healthy habbit. However stoping smoking is not an easy task. It is like that joke: Why everyone complains is hard to stop smoking? I did it so many times...

But coming back to the reality is it difficult for someone who became adicted.

First thing first: stop smoking will give you a lot of benefits in your life style and health.

-You feel healthier right away. You will have more energy and better focus. Your senses of smell and taste will be better. You will have whiter teeth and fresher breath. You will cough less and breathe better.

-You will be healthier the rest of your life. You will lower my risk for cancer, heart attacks, strokes, early death, cataracts, and skin wrinkling.

-You will make my partner, friends, family, kids, grandchildren, and co-workers proud of you.

-You will no longer expose others to your second-hand smoke including family and friends.

-You will have a healthier baby. (If you or your partner is pregnant)

-You will have more money to spend.

-You won't have to worry: "When will I get to smoke next?" or "What do I do when I'm in a smoke-free place?"

Smoking habbits

The next step is to check when are you tempting to smoke.

- when feeling stressed

- when feeling down

- when talking on the phone

- when drinking liquor, like wine or beer

- when watching TV

- when driving

- after finishing a meal

- when playing cards

- while taking a work break

- when being with other smokers

- when drinking coffee

- when cooling off after a fight

- when feeling lonely

- after having sex

Did any of these look familiar? Just find yourself in one of the situation when you smoke and try to focus on that situatin or situations and put a stop of the habit. Instead try to replace the smoking habbit with healthy things like fruits or vegetables, juice or milk.

Stop thinking about smoking

When your body is asking for a cigarette, your mind may start to play tricks on you! Suddenly, it can be hard to think clearly—all of your good reasons for wanting to quit go up in smoke, and they are replaced by thoughts giving you permission to pick up that cigarette. There is no good reason to smoke. You know this. So if you are giving yourself a reason to smoke, you are probably experiencing an attack of smoky thinking.

Learning to recognize your smoky thinking is the key to beating it! Smoky thinking doesn’t have to ruin your quit attempt, as long as you are ready to fight back with clear thinking. Look at the list below. Have you ever had these thoughts? If so, you have been a victim of smoky thinking! But with practice, next time you can be ready with a clear thinking response.

We recommend Thai-Go as a great product that help with many health concerns of your body and promote energy.

Resources: http://www.smokefree.gov

In the cold winter time, many of us prefer to hibernate than to remain active. Most of us give up the gym because of the bad weather and feel the need to serve rich meals, considering that strengthen our immune system. Here are some healthy tips that can help you to keep your body in a perfect shape.

Serve 5 small meals a day
When getting older than 20 our burning metabolic rate drops by 10% with each decade. This process of decline of metabolism can be reversed by adopting a diet which involve the service 5 small servings of food per day against the 3 meals rich.
Not recommended serving heavy meal because the body needs only a certain amount of food - depending on the activities performed, and the remaining food will be stored and processed in fat.
Not recommended under any circumstances serve a single heavy meal daily, ingestion of large portions of food creates confusion in the body - which charges a strong feeling of hunger -- burning metabolic rate decreases and as result of fat deposits.

Reduce body weight without losing nutrients
Focus on nutrients and not on dietetic foods!
For many people, following a diet tasty food deprivation are arguing for or renouncing almost totally tasteless food, depriving the body of food or taking extreme measures may endanger the health and even if we obtain weight loss it is for a short period of time.
What foods are recommended to be consumed to prevent weight gain?
I. 25% of the diet should be based on animal protein:
- Eggs;
- Fish and seafood;

II. 50% of the diet should be based on fruit and vegetable, for their Antioxidant effect, vitamins and fibers. The most recommended for the weight loss are:
- Broccoli;
- Cabbage;
- Spinach;
- Asparagus;
- Dandelion;

III. 25% of the diet should be based on raw nuts and seeds, Beans and vegetables, whole grains, especially brown rice, bread, amaranth, millet, sorghum, buckwheat.

It is recommended to avoid high fat food and carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour, white rice and alcohol. Even in the early days of adopting the system will miss the spicy taste of fatty foods within 2-3 weeks taste will adjust and you redefine the term "tasty food”, enjoying the real taste natural foods.

More liquid, less gained pounds
If a fluid deficit, the body is inclined to store water, the water retention is directly proportional to the excess weight. By increasing the percent of fluid, will tell the body that the retention of water is no longer necessary.
Consumption of a glass of hot water with lemon during the day, especially before meals, reduces fluid retention.

Morning ritual of losing weight!
Every morning on an empty stomach, drink a mixture of 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of maple syrup and 300 grams of hot water, this content promotes a digestion smooth and enhance metabolism.
Never should neglect breakfast, which has to be richer and healthier. In the morning the body is most in need of energy, so during the day, metabolism got enough time to burn calories served at breakfast.

The power of herbs
Chinese herbs are used in traditional Chinese medicine to stimulate the metabolic properties:
-Astragalus;
-Ginseng;
-Green tea;
To determine the most appropriate forms of administration, recommended consulting a specialist.

Don't forget about your daily gym
Everybody knows that physical activities increase the metabolism and helps burn excess calories.
If you want to lose weight, always choose to exercise with any occasion:
- Always choose stairs vsthe elevator;
- Try to walk when the distances that need to be taken are not excessive;
- Enroll to a gym club;

According to specialists a good exercise program is meat if it is done at least 4 times a week for 30 minutes (per session).

Result:
Besides weight loss and other benefits are obtained: energy, strength, good mood!

Please check out great herbal products for weight loss at Weight loss
Recommended products

CARBO GRAB

METABOSTART PLUS (14 DAY)

Since mid-1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated all toothpastes containing FLUORIDE to carry this warning:

WARNINGS: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek PROFESSIONAL HELP or contact a POISON CONTROL center immediately.

So, I am not sure but if that is the case why all the toothpastes are containing fluoride? Hard to say: supposedly to fight tooth decay. The recent studies have prove the contrary and still we are not aware of what we use when buy a toothpaste.

Even so, fluoridation of water and toothpaste continues to be endorsed by various health officials and the American Dental Association (ADA).

Many doctors and specialists flagged the fluoride not to be used at any level being a toxic drug. But the signal is not to be heard.

Those specialist linked use of fluoride with many diseases like osteoporosis and increased incidence of hip fractures. The worst part is that many commercial sodas, juices and other water-based food products may contain fluoride if they are produced where the water is fluoridated and the producers are not forced to label that.

So what can we do? First avoid those carbonated drinks. You can use plain water as much as possible. Secondly use toothpaste without fluoride. They are not easy to be found in the regular store though, but fortunately Nature's Sunshine provides you with great natural products including toothpaste without fluoride. The price is similar to regular toothpaste so you shouldn't be worried.

SUNSHINE BRITE TOOTHPASTE

XYLIBRITE TOOTHPASTE

H1N1 Flu Scare Isn’t OverH1N1 Flu Scare Isn’t Over
•People are upset they can’t get a vaccine
•Local schools are having vaccination days
•A weakened virus is used in nasal vaccines and is contagious for several days afterwards
•The vaccin is not effective or has unknown side effects
•The rate sickness spreads is alarming
•Winter isn’t the only time of year we have problems with illness –Fall, Spring and Summer bring problems as well!

Building Your Immune Defenses
•NSP has a variety of options to build your immune defenses
•Today we’ll talk about two products we haven’t heard a lot about recently:
–Olive Leaf
–High Potency Garlic

Main Parts of the Immune System
1.Innate Immunity
–White blood cells, acid and digestive enzyme secretions, the skin and chemical compounds in the blood that attach to foreign organisms and neutralize them.

2.Acquired (natural) Immunity
–It is powerful
–It is what we “build up”
–It is activated by antigens
–It is governed by the body’s lymph system

How Do We Acquire Natural Immunity?
1.We are exposed to trillions of organisms from which we do not get sick.
2.We acquire immunity from exposure to antigens (chemical compounds unique to an invading organism or toxin) from which our bodies build up antibodies.
3.Antibodies give the body memory to protect against toxins previously exposed to.
•Childhood illnesses and even adult exposure to antigens build our immune system and make us more resistant to illness.
•This is especially true when illness is treated with natural means rather than with chemical/synthetic medications.

What Can Hinder Proper Building of Our Immune Defense?
•Deficiencies of
–Vitamin A
–Carotenoids
–Zinc
–Selenium
–Iron
•Fluoride in oral hygiene items
•Pesticides
•Herbicides
•Radiation
•Chemical toxins

What Can Hinder Proper Building of Our Immune Defense?
•Injected toxins that bypass the natural immune response
•Poor diet
•Ingestion of harmful things
•Hidden Infections
•Unnatural and resistant strains of organisms from labs
•Presence of heavy metals
•Neuro-toxic substances such as MSG and mercury

•Low fat/unhealthy fat diets
•Stealth viruses
•Infections
•Fungi
•Bacteria
•Candida
•Too much exercise -especially for an already unhealthy person

Olive Leaf Extract
•The olive tree lives a very long life and is resistant to viruses, fungi, insects and bacteria
•Olive Leaf contains a chemical called Oleuropein.

People Have Used Olive Leaf Extract for the Following:
•Viruses
•Retroviruses
•Bacteria
•Spirochetes
•Chlamydiae
•Fungi
•Yeasts
•Molds
•Protozoa
•Helminths
•Cryptosporidium
•Chicken pox
•Childhood illnesses
•Shingles
•Ear infections
•Diphtheria
•Encephalitis
•Bladder infections

•The relief of arthritic inflammation
•Diabetes –reducing the need for insulin
•The elimination of chronic fatigue
•The creation or restoration of abundant energy
•Normalization of heart beat irregularity
•Improvement of blood flow
•Lessening of pain from hemorrhoids
•Attenuation of toothaches
•Antioxidant quenching of free radical pathology
•Obliterations of fungal infections such as mycoticnails, athlete’s foot, jock itch
•Permanent relief from malaria, dengue fever,
other exotic and deadly tropical diseases
•Excellent to take for protection when traveling

Garlic
•Garlic will strengthen and build the liver
•Contains allicin–gives garlic the “anti-infection” properties
•Has volatile compounds so it can spread rapidly throughout the body
•Useful for hard to reach parts such as the inner ear

Garlic Has Amazing Components Germanium

•Positive effects against radioactivity
•Inhibiting multiplication of abnormal cells
•Activation of natural killer cells and macrophages
•Tumor inhibiting activity
•Increase the body’s ability to absorb calcium
•Retard aging
•Improve stamina and endurance
•These are only a few!

Nature's Sunshine Products Available

High Potency Garlic

Olive Leaf Extract

With the cold-weather settling in, it is important to keep the immune system in optimal shape. The immune system is a versatile and complex network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to counteract the effects of foreign invaders. However, immune function may decline with age, inadequate nutrition and stress. During the cold and flu season natural alternatives for immune system support help target unwanted invaders.

Olive leaf extract is used to enhance the immune system, and has antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The active component in olive leaf extract is called oleuropein. Present throughout the olive tree (wood, fruit, leaves, roots and bark), this compound protects the tree form insect and bacterial predators and imparts numerous benefits when taken in supplement form.^1,2

For over 2,500 years black elderberry has treated influenza, coughs, and colds.³ Elderberry juice is said to “activate the body’s powers of resistance”,⁴ enabling the body to keep and restore good health. Elderberry extract is supported by scientific studies in its effects against influenza through a heightened immune system response.⁵

Goldenseal is a Native American medicinal plant introduced to early settlers by Cherokee Indians who used it as a wash for skin diseases, wounds, and for sore, inflamed eyes. Goldenseal has acquired a considerable reputation as a natural antibiotic and as a remedy for various gastric and genitourinary concerns. The alkaloids hydrastine, berberine, canadine, and canadaline are the principle active constituents in goldenseal. The berberine constituent is most noted for its antimicrobial effects.⁶

Tea tree oil extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree native to Australia has been used by Australian aborigines for several centuries. Topically, tea tree oil is commonly used for skin and skin surface infections such as acne, athlete's foot, and ringworm.

Pau d’arco has been used since the time of the Incas as a healing plant. The component of pau d’arco that seems to have the most significance is a naphthoquinone derivative known as lapachol, shown in studies to have activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.⁷

Garlic is rich in a variety of sulfur-containing compounds including allicin and ajoene. While these compounds are responsible for garlic's pungent odor, they are also the source of many of its health-promoting effects. In addition to antifungal benefits, garlic is also reported to have antibacterial, anthelmintic, and antiviral effects.8

A combination of herbs described by Chinese herbalists as having “metal-enhancing” properties includes indigo, bupleurum, scute, and Thlaspi arvense. These herbs create a favorable environment for microbial balance and overall health, support detoxification and promote a healthy respiratory tract.

Reference:

1. Walker, M. Olive Leaf Extract. New York, NY: Kensington Publishing Corp. 1997.
2. Pasquale, A.D.; Monforte, M.T.; Calabro, M.L. “HPLC Analysis of Oleuropein and some
Flavonoids in Leaf and Bud of Olea Europaea L.“ IIFarmaco 1991: 46(6):803-815.
3. Mumcuoglu, M. Sambuco; Black Elderberry Extract, a break through in the treatment of influenza.
Skokie, IL:RSS Publishing, Inc. 1995.
4. Dahlow, M. Healing Plants. Hong Kong:Barron’s Educational Series 1993.
5. Zakay-Rones, Z.; Varsano, N.; Zlotnik, M.; Manor, O.; Regev, L.; Schlesinger, M.; Mumcuoglu, M.
“Inhibition of several strains of Influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry
extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of Influenza B Panama.” Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine 1995;1(4):361-369.

6. Amin AH, Subbaiah TV, Abbasi KM. Berberine sulfate: antimicrobial activity, bioassay, and mode of
action. Can J Microbiol 1969;15:1067-76.
7. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
8. Ankri S, Mirelman D. Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes Infect 1999;1:125-9.

Body Cleansing

Cleansing is an important first step to feeling better.

Cleansing and detoxification of the body promote good health and general well-being. Herbs and nutritional supplements can be used to nourish and cleanse the body, especially the body systems that are heavily involved with metabolic processes. The digestive system feeds the entire body and must flow freely to ensure the efficient elimination of toxins from the body. The colon, in particular, must function properly to promote the elimination of waste materials from the body. The liver and kidneys are also important detoxifying organs. The liver aids in the digestive process by secreting bile that emulsifies fat, hence facilitating the actions of digestive enzymes and juices. The liver also controls the metabolism of various nutrients and serves as a reservoir for many of these nutrients. The kidneys act as a filtration system during the production of urine.

Cleansing has always been an important step on the road back to health in traditional healing systems. Today, herbalists have formulated combination of the best cleansing and detoxification herbs and nutrients. An effective herbal detox cleanse seeks to accomplish the following:

·         Transport toxins to the liver and kidneys

·         Process toxins for elimination

·         Protect liver, brain, and other organs from circulating toxins.

·         Release toxin-laden bile fluid from intestines.

·         Bind toxins in the intestine to avoid re-absorption

·         Eliminate bound toxins through the stool and urine

·         Restore function to eliminative organs

Aside from riding the body of disease-causing toxic build-up, an herbal detox cleanse increases energy, improves the immune system, reverses constipation, helps in weight loss and improves complexion.

All Cell Detox is a product which combines 17 herbs that support proper digestion and waste elimination. This formula supports and promotes the proper functioning of the liver, colon and kidneys,

aids digestion and supports the absorption of nutrients.

BoostHerbs believes in helping people to build a healthier life.

Nature's Sunshine products have demonstrated a commitment to using only the finest raw materials available.

The pH of different cellular compartments, body fluids, and organs is usually tightly regulated in a process called acid-base homeostasis.

The pH of blood is usually slightly basic with a value of pH 7.4. This value is often referred to as physiological pH in biology and medicine. Plaque can create a local acidic environment that can result in tooth decay by demineralisation.Enzymes and other proteins have an optimum pH range and can become inactivated or denatured outside this range. The most common disorder in acid-base homeostasis is acidosis, which means an acid overload in the body, generally defined by pH falling below 7.35.

Most of us never considered the pH level of our body or even that our body has a pH level. pH level is about the balance of acid and alkaline in the body. Disrupt that balance in both direction and health problems will result. The only truly acidic environment in the body is the digestive system where acid is required to break down food. The human body is constantly adjusting its PH level in order to keep balanced but in these days our diet consists predominantly of acid forming food. In this situation the body will try to neutralize the acid excess by using minerals such as calcium or magnesium. Calcium gets leeched from bone tissue to buffer acidity and magnesium is taken from cells and the cardiovascular system. The body will always seek to balance acidity and alkalinity at the expense of its own long term health. By eating a diet of 40% fruits and vegetables (all green foods are alkalizing) and the remaining percent meats, fats, whole grains, you can keep your pH level within normal. The result of too much acid in the body will kill friendly bacteria and the immune system becomes weakened as result of changes to the wall of the small intestine which impair its ability to absorb nutrients. The body needs more alkalizing food than acidifying foods. Also too much acid decreases the physical performance which limits muscle contraction and expansion during exercise For those who see the importance of pH balancing, Nature's Sunshine Green Zone and Chlorophyll offer powerful alkalizing potential in maintaining pH balance. Nature's Sunshine products have demonstrated a commitment to using only the finest raw materials available.

Since the discovery that cocoa benefits are not just limited to pleasing the taste buds, cocoa has continued to gather support for its healthful properties. Cocoa, the primary
component of chocolate, is a rich source of epicatechin, a flavonol believed to be responsible for the health benefits of chocolate. Teas (green and black) and red wine are
also noted for their epicatechin content, but cocoa has a higher concentration.1

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that consuming cocoa flavonols improved vascular function in persons with type II diabetes.
Loss of vascular function is one of the primary markers for the development of cardiovascular disease. This is especially true in diabetic individuals.

In a double-blind trial conducted by Malte Kelm, M.D., and colleagues at University Hospital RWTH Aachen in Germany, 41 patients with type II diabetes were given a
beverage containing cocoa flavonols three times a day for 30 days. Immediate improvement in vascular health (measured by the ability of the brachial artery to relax)
was observed in the group with the highest flavonol consumption. According to doctor Kelm, these results demonstrate that dietary flavonols might have an important impact
as part of a healthy diet.

Previous studies have shown that cocoa benefits are not limited to persons with type II diabetes. The flavonols in cocoa may also help keep blood pressure down and help
maintain heart health in persons without specific risk factors. Cocoa is believed to promote optimal cardiovascular health by activating the nitric oxide system.2 Nitric oxide
is an important molecule responsible for controlling multiple functions within the body, including the dilation of blood vessels2 and platelet aggregation (clot formation)3. A
decreased release of nitric oxide into the arterial wall is associated with multiple warning signs of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and the formation of
atherosclerotic plaque.

Cocoa flavonols are a particularly significant type of flavonoid molecule. A recent analysis has found that not all flavonoids and sources of flavonoids provide equal
benefits. Using data from the 133 studies, researchers found wide variations in effects, depending on the nature of the flavonoid and the food source. Of more than 6,000
different flavonoids that have been discovered in various plants, a few stand above the rest in the benefits they provide. Chocolate flavonoids are especially effective in their
support of cardiovascular health. Flavonoids from chocolate were associated with a 4 percent increase in blood flow, and a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.4
On the other hand, black te, which also contains flavonoids, was linked to increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.4

Today, Americans consume an average of about 12 pounds of chocolate per person, per year and this may not be a bad thing. While milk chocolate is still the favorite, the health-
promoting qualities of flavonols are attributed to the dark variety.

1. Ki Won Lee, Young Jun Kim, Hyong Joo Lee, and Chang Yong Lee. Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and a Higher Antioxidant Capacity than Teas and Red Wine. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2003; 51(25) 7292–7295.

2. Fisher ND, Hughes M, Gerhard-Herman M, Hollenberg NK. Flavonol-rich cocoa induces nitric-oxidedependent vasodilation in healthy humans. J Hypertens. 2003 Dec;21(12):2281-6.
3. Rein D, Paglieroni TG, Wun T, Pearson DA, Schmitz HH, Gosselin R, and Keen CL. Cocoa inhibits platelet activation and function. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:30-5.
4. Hooper L, Kroon PA, Rimm EB, Cohn JS, Harvey I, Le Cornu KA, Ryder JJ, Hall WL, Cassidy A.
Flavonoids, flavonoid-rich foods, and cardiovascular risk: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88:38-50.

Created by Larisa Wright