ON RAW CACAO, SCIENCE, HEALTH ANANDAMIDE AND THE DOPAMINE NEURO-TRANSMITTER

Chocolate starts with a tree called the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). This tree grows in equatorial regions such as South America, Africa and Indonesia.Raw Cacao contains approximately 380 known chemicals, most of which contribute to health. Dr. Drewnowski from the University of Michigan found that chocolate triggers the production of opioids. Opioids are chemicals, such as those found in opium, that produce a feeling of well-being (euphoria). He found that eating chocolate causes the brain to produce natural opiates, which dull pain and increase a feeling of well-being.An interesting fact from clinical research: If the receptors in the brain that signal the presence of opioids were blocked, chocolate cravings decreased. There are chemicals in chocolate that result in the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. One of the compounds in chocolate is anandamide, which is already produced in your brain. Once produced Anandamide is broken down quickly, by our body so we do not feel relaxed all the time.

But now science has proven that chocolate may extend the feelings of well-being by extending the time that the Anandamide actually stays in our blood stream without the side effects of chemical drugs!

Substances in chocolate that have been discussed in the scientific literature as pharmacologically significant, include: anandamide (bliss chemical), arginine (nature's Viagra), dopamine (neurotransmitter), epicatechins (antioxidants), histamine, magnesium, serotonin (anti-stress neurotransmitter), tryptophan (anti-depressant amino acid), phenylethylamine (PEA), polyphenols (antioxidants), tyramine, and salsolinol.

Dr. Bernard Jensen's research on the heart indicates that this organ requires two minerals more than any other, magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is concentrated eighteen times greater in the heart muscle than in the bloodstream. Magnesium is the primarily mineral missing when heart problems occur. Magnesium increases the overall vigor of the heart muscle. This mineral also decreases blood coagulation thus lowering blood pressure and helping the heart pump more effectively. Cacao, of course, is a fantastic food source of heart-supporting magnesium.

According to research cited in The New York Times, fresh cacao beans are super-rich in antioxidant flavonols. Cacao beans contain 10,000 milligrams (10 grams) per 100 grams of flavonol antioxidants. This makes cacao one of the richest sources of antioxidants of any food.

Research has demonstrated that the antioxidants in cacao are highly stable and easily available to human metabolism. Cornell University food scientists found that cocoa powder has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times what is found in green tea. Their findings were published in an article entitled "Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and a Higher Antioxidant Capacity than Teas and Red Wine," found in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed publication.

Phenylethylamine (PEA): PEA is a chemical in cacao that increases the activity of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in parts of the brain that control our ability to pay attention and stay alert. Elevated PEA levels occur when we are captivated by a good book, movie, or project; this happens specifically during those moments when we are so focused that we lose all track of time, food, and the outside world. PEA is noticeably abundant in the brains of happy people.

Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical): A neurotransmitter called anandamide (n-arachidonoylethanolamine), has been isolated in cacao in quantities significant enough to affect the brain. Anandamide is a cannabinoid naturally found in the human brain. Anandamide is a lipid (fat) known as "the bliss chemical" because it is released while we are feeling blissful.

These rare MAO inhibitors actually produce favorable results when consumed by allowing more serotonin and other neurotransmitters such as anandamide, dopamine, etc. to circulate in the brain. According to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MAO inhibitors facilitate youthening and rejuvenation.

MAO inhibitors may make one younger as they allow more neurotransmitters to remain in the bloodstream. A primary phenomenon that separates children from adults is the level of neurotransmitters in the blood and bodies of children. Generally, as one remains on the Earth longer and longer, the level of neurotransmitters decreases. This creates physical rigidity, less creativity, less joy, and more aging! Cacao, being an MAO inhibitor, keeps plenty of neurotransmitters in circulation and thus significantly reduces this phenomenon from ever occurring.

Nature's anti-depressants: Cacao is indicated for this symptom. Thanks to its serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine producing elements, (three well-studied neurotransmitters), depression is alleviated . Cacao contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO Inhibitors) that improve our mood because they allow serotonin and dopamine to remain in the bloodstream longer without being broken down. Cacao contains anandamide which delivers blissful feelings. Cacao also contains B vitamins, which are associated with brain health. All this makes cacao a natural prozac.

Wednesday, Jul. 16, 2008

Candidate speaks out on raw vegan chocolate mousse issue

The online version of the state voters’ pamphlet was posted on the Secretary of State’s website today and you can find it here. But I got a sneak peak at the printed version and thought I’d direct you to a few highlights ahead of time.

First, you might check out Will Baker’s candidate statement. He’s the Reform Party’s candidate for governor. He floats a couple of conspiracies and then asks readers “to please call ‘60 Minutes’ at (212) 975-2006 and please press zero to speak to a live person.” Sounds like he’s done this before.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christian Pierre Joubert favors “the distribution of ‘superfoods’ (including but not limited to amazing dopamine-producing raw vegan chocolate mousses).” That sounds like a kitchen table issue. Do House Democrats know about this?

Republican Jim Wiest is running for Lieutenant Governor again and declares himself to be Dino Rossi’s running mate when he says “With Dino Rossi and myself back on the ballot again, we have a chance to correct the mistakes make since that November Election day four years ago.”

David Blomstrom wants to be your next state Superintendent of Public Instruction and in his candidate statement he declares “Viva Chavez! No, I haven’t lost my mind — just my profession (teaching) and students.” He later asks “So why do the media ignore and even lie about me?”

Don’t look at me. He’s getting ink here, isn’t he?

And because I got a copy of the Clark County version of the voters’ pamphlet it had Republican Rep. Jim Dunn’s candidate statement included. Near the end Dunn declared “Return control of Washington to our residents,” which in this context sounds a lot like “Vote for change by re-electing your state representative.”

SEE THE ENTIRE ARTICLE VIA THIS LINK