Healthy Chocolate, I know it sounds strange to say it. However, not all chocolate is healthy and let me tell you why.

Commercial chocolate is high in white sugar, trans fat, hydrogenated oil, wax, fillers, and preservatives. And then they add caffeine… to hook ya’!

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids which have been found to moderate blood pressure among other things.

A moderate amount of dark healthy chocolate, particularly cocoa may be sweet for the cardiovascular system. Eating dark chocolate can help bring down blood pressure and protect against tooth decay.

It may also be brain food. It can help improve the function of important cells lining the wall of the blood vessels for at least 3 hours. It may also lower LDL(bad) cholesterol and improve sugar metabolism.

Antioxidant scores are so high in pure cocoa, many people are now referring to cocoa as a superfood. Healthy dark chocolate is low glycemic, sweetened with complex sugar, and absorbs slowly into your body.

The Orac Scale measures the antioxidants in foods loaded with epicatechins (is like the work horse in cocao) these are processed out of commercial chocolate.

Science Daily Says :

The health benefits of epicatechins – A compund found in cocao so striking the health benefits could outshine penicillin. Epicatechin can potentially get rid of 4 of the most 5 common diseases in the world.

Storke, Heart Failure, Cancer, Diabetes.

Free Radicals are damaged molecules that do harm to your body.

You can’t avoid them, when you breathe you burn oxygen and make free radicals as a by product. Under stress you make more. We live in a society of pollution, take medications, eat fast foods, travel on airplanes, all these things and many more load you up with free radicals.

Free radicals have been tied into over 200 degenerative disease processes by the medical community, so you want to interupt their activity, and the way to do that is to take antioxidants. An antioxidant neutralizes the free radicals and keep it from doing anymore damage.

Dr. Ricahrd Cutler – Anti-Aging Reasearch Dept. National Institute of Health Washington D.C. states : The amount of antioxidants that you maintain in your body is directly proportional to how long and healthy you will live. So the length of your life is tied into the antioxidant intake.

The ORAC Scale = Nutrients for each individual fruit and vegatable and assigned them point scales for their ability to neutralize free radicals. Minimum antioxidant of 3000 per day, optimally you need 12-15,000 a day, we normally get around 800.

Health benefits of Flavonoid Rich Dark Chocolate and Acai Berry

Encourages healthier cardiovascular and respitory function, Helps promote joint flexibilty and ease of motion (anti-inflammatory), Encourages healthier blood pressure, Encourages healthier cholesterol levels, May act as a histamine blocker, Increases seretonin levels (the hormone that makes you happy), Encourages dental health (lowers bacteria in your mouth and increases circulation of your gums), Helps suppress cravings, Encourages healthy elimination

Natural sexual stimulant

Skin benefits and many other benefits

That is the product side of Xocai…

There is also the business side of Xocai…

Cocoa Flavonols

Unprocessed, unadulterated, undamaged cocao powder. There are 6 products that are outstandingly high in antioxidants.

Benefits Of Dark Chocolate-Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

Improve Your Immune System with a diet rich in colourful fruits and Veggies, this can boost your Immune System by arming your body with antioxidants. The antioxidant-rich foods in these foods can help fight the effects of cell-damaging free radicals, and may reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Feed the Immune SystemBan the blahs by filling your plate with brightly coloured foods-and I don’t mean with M&M’s or Smarties. Healthy food choices equip you to fight of illness and disease, not to mention helping to keep you strong overall. Specifically, foods high in antioxidant nutrients-vitamin C and beta-carotene-have immunity-stimulating properties. A healthy immune system protects you from virus’s and bacteria.

Cordyceps sinensis is a highly valued medicinal mushroom in both Classical Chinese Medicine and modern clinical practice. In China it is called “winter worm, summer grass”, and the “caterpillar mushroom”. Cordyceps is found in the highlands of China, Tibet, and Nepal, above 10,000 feet. It is used to build and support immune function in various immune compromised conditions including chronic fatigue, cancer, and respiratory conditions.

Eat plenty of red, green, yellow and orange fruits and veggies to get the full amount of immunity boosters and disease protectors, add whole grains to your meals.

Boost Your Immune System

Why Red Foods Are Nutritionally Hot: Red has long been associated with love and passion. Now it’s also one of the colours of health. In cluding red foods in your diet can be a healthy step toward good nutrition for you and your loved ones. Here are some reds that will add loving nutrients to your menu.

Tomtoes: The red colour in tomatoes comes form lycopene, an antioxidant linked to a lower risk of prostrate cancer and heart disease.

Red Peppers: They’re also rich in antioxidants. One red pepper and one cup of strawberries: each contain more than 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for women.

Red Grapefruit, Watermelon: These fruits contain lycopene also.

Strawberries: They contain generous amounts of the powerful antioxidant vitamin C and anthocyanims, both of which are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Raspberries: Besides being rich in vitamin C and fibre, they contain anthocyanins, antioxidant plant pigments that have been shown to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Cranberies, Radishes: These foods also contain anthocyanims.

Red Wine: It contains antioxidants that could lower the risk of heart disease.

Boost Your Immune System-Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

It is possible to lose weight by just “keeping A Daily Food Diary“. Don’t start doubting me or yourself on this one, keeping a food journal can help you double your weight loss.

How you ask? By keeping a diary you are keeping a record of what you are eating, it helps you take responsibility and identify your food choices. You have a clear view of what, when and why you are eating. It allows you to learn about your eating habits and the amount of calories you are consuming.

“I know your telling yourself I can do this without writing down everything I ate in a diary”.

According to the studies, those who kept food diaries and recorded their food intake lost twice as much weight as those who kept no diary. The simple act of writing down what you eat encourages you to consume fewer calories. After 2 months of following a well balanced diet plan consisting of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or non-fat dairy, carbs, protein, fats and moderate exercise, the average weight loss was approximately 13 pounds.

Now Doesn’t that get you motivated to pick up a piece of paper and jot down what you ate? Remember not to omit any information and do it right after eating, don’t depend on your memory. Most importantly, stay POSITIVE, and get yourself a food diary!

The information you record while keeping a food diary, will help you design an eating program to meet your specific diet plan. These instructions will help you get the most out of your food diary.

Generally, food diaries are meant to be used daily throughout your weight loss period, but through experience in working in a weight loss centre it’s been proven that keeping track of what you eat for even 1 week can help you make changes in your diet.

Each day as you recorded what you ate and your weight, you will be able to look back to previous weeks and track your weight loss. This is beneficial especially if your weight loss slows down. You will be able see what you ate on certain days and how much you weighed to get you back on track.

How were you feeling while you were eating (for example, sad, happy or depressed)? If you had a vegetable, record how much you ate (1/2 cup or a whole cup). When eating meat, remember that a 3-ounce cooked portion is about the size of a deck of cards. Only use the portion size of a deck of cards when you are eating out, measure when you are home.

Daily Food Diary | Why You Should Keep A Food Diary-Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

Your Daily Meal Plan should include appropriate servings from all of the food groups.
Follow this principle to reduce your total calorie intake. It will allow you to lose weight safely and consistently while meeting your bodys’ basic nutritional needs.
When you properly define your Daily Meal Plan, you will organize your daily eating habits affording you balanced and healthy meals.

• You must plan ahead by packing your foods the night before. So, you should always have fresh and low-fat foods around.
• Sometimes if you work all day it is best to work backwards if you know you are having a protein, starch and veggies for dinner, figure out what it is you are required to eat for breakfast and lunch so that at the end of the day you don’t end up with way too much food that you can’t eat, it will throw your consistency off which in turn will put your weight loss off track because you didn’t eat everything allotted for that day.
• Keep it simple. Don’t get too caught up on the specifics or your diet. Start by simply just paying attention to what you are eating
• Eat your foods slower.
• Make healthier food selections like fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, beans, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, low fat meats, fish and skinless poultry.
• Avoid foods that are high in fats and calories.
• Avoid foods that are high in sugars such as pastries, candy bars, pies and candy.
• Use a variety of fruits and vegetables in your meal plan.

Weight Loss Meal Plans | Daily Meal Plan-Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

The Calculating BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is an estimate of how many calories your body needs to maintain its current weight. It represents the amount of calories per day your body burns, regardless of exercise.

In order to lose weight, you simply need to increase your daily activity or consume fewer calories than those needed to maintain your weight.

When you know your daily calorie need, the BMR Calculator can help you manage your weight. If your goal is to lose weight, you can deduct 500 calories. This will allow you to lose one pound a week.

People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

If you are overweight with other risk factors (such as high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high blood pressure), you should try to lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help lower the risk of disease.

Basal Metabolic Rate is the rate at which the body burns up calories. A body that consumes 2500 calories a day, and burns 2500 calories a day will stay at the same weight.

A body consuming 2500 calories daily but burning only 2000 will gain weight at the rate of about 1 lb. a week. This explains why that lucky person across the tablefrom you doesn’t get fat from all that junk food.

You can do quite a lot to speed up your metabolism. The secret of burning calories lies in knowing what determines your basal metabolic rate and what you can do to influence it.

Eat little and often : There is some evidence to suggest that eating small, regular meals will keep your metabolism going faster than larger, less frequent meals.

There are two reasons why meal frequency may affect your metabolism. Firstly, levels of thyroid hormones begin to drop within hours of eating a meal, and metabolism slows.

Secondly, it may be that the thermogenic effect of eating several small meals is slightly higher than eating the same amount of calories all at once.

Provided your small meals do not degenerate into a quick-fix, high fat, high sugar snacks, eating little and often can also help to control hunger and make you less likely to binge.

Calculating BMR-Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

The BMI is used to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks and is a measure to help gauge total body fat in adults.

The Body Mass Index is calculated using a person’s weight and height and provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Fill in this chart to find out where you are today.

Calculate your Body Mass Index.

Someone within a range of 26 to 27 is about 20 percent overweight, which is generally believed to carry moderate health risks. 30 and higher is considered obese. The higher your index, the greater your risk of developing additional health problems.

People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Anyone who is overweight should try to avoid gaining additional weight.

Additionally, if you are overweight with other risk factors such as high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high blood pressure, you should try to lose weight. Even a small weight loss (just 10% of your current weight) may help lower the risk of disease.

This is a guide, it’s not written in stone this is the exact weight you should be for your height and frame, just let it be one of your weight loss tips to becoming a healthier you.

If your wrist size is 5 inches to 5 1/2 inches you are a small frame, but you already knew that, right. 5 1/2 inches to 6 inches is a medium frame, and 6 1/4 to 7 inches is a large frame. It is safe to say all men are large frame.

BMI Index | Calculate Your BMI-Weight Loss Diet Tips For Life!

Use the BMI Calculator to your right and write down the number. It will be required If you are taking advantage of one of my free online diet programs.

Height & Weight Table For Women.

Height Feet Inches	Small Frame	Medium Frame	Large Frame
4′ 10″	102-111	109-121	118-131
4′ 11″	103-113	111-123	120-134
5′ 0″	104-115	113-126	122-137
5′ 1″	106-118	115-129	125-140
5′ 2″	108-121	118-132	128-143
5′ 3″	111-124	121-135	131-147
5′ 4″	114-127	124-138	134-151
5′ 5″	117-130	127-141	137-155
5′ 6″	120-133	130-144	140-159
5′ 7″	123-136	133-147	143-163
5′ 8″	126-139	136-150	146-167
5′ 9″	129-142	139-153	149-170
5′ 10″	132-145	142-156	152-173
5′ 11″	135-148	145-159	155-176
6′ 0″	138-151	148-162	158-179
Weights at ages 25-59 based on lowest mortality. Weight in pounds according to frame (Remember this is just a guideline)

Height & Weight Table For Men.

Height Feet Inches	Small Frame	Medium Frame	Large Frame
5′ 2″	128-134	131-141	138-150
5′ 3″	130-136	133-143	140-153
5” 4″	132-138	135-145	142-156
5′ 5″	134-140	137-148	144-160
5′ 6″	136-142	139-151	146-164
5′ 7″	138-145	142-154	149-168
5′ 8″	140-148	145-157	152-172
5′ 9″	142-151	148-160	155-176
5′ 10″	144-154	151-163	158-180
5′ 11″	146-157	154-166	161-184
6′ 0″	149-160	157-170	164-188
6′ 1″	152-164	160-174	168-192
6′ 2″	155-168	164-178	172-197
6′ 3″	158-172	167-182	176-202
6′ 4″	162-176	171-187	181-207
Weights at ages 25-59 based on lowest mortality. Weight in pounds according to frame (Just a guideline!)

Bromelain Enzyme is one of the most important anti-inflammatory in nature.

Bromelain Supplement, is a proteolytic digestive enzyme that can enhance absorption of protein. It may also affect protein turnover in the body including proteins found in joint tissue. Bromelain has been the subject of over 200 scientific studies in medicine, dentistry, and animal research over the past 30 years.

Called a proteolytic enzyme, it is believed to help with the digestion of protein. The “benefits of bromelain” are awesome. It is a mixture of enzymes found naturally in the juice and stems of pineapples.

Some of these enzymes appears to be absorbed by the body intact, so it’s also thought to have effects outside the digestive tract. In fact, it is often marketed as a natural anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis. It’s one of the most popular supplements in Germany, where it is approved by the Commission E for the treatment of inflammation and swelling of the nose and sinuses due to surgery or injury.

It helps with arthritis, it can be used for virtually any inflammatory condition from rheumatoid or osteoarthritis to strains, sprains and back pains. All of this also makes this a very useful “Natural Pain killer”.

Arthritis is not the only undiscovered application for this enzyme. Taking bromelain supplements before and after surgery is also a great idea. It can help reduce swelling, bruising, pain and healing time after surgery.

This proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzyme is also an important supplement for respiratory diseases from sinusitis to bronchitis and pneumonia. Taking this mixture of enzymes has been shown to improve lung capacity and function in people with bronchitis. It works by reducing and thinning the phlegm and, so, clearing up lung congestion. It also suppresses that nasty cough.

The most exciting recent discovery about bromelain is that it’s one of the most promising of all the anti-cancer nutrients. It activates the immune system and has anti-cancer effects and fights cancer at many levels. It increases the macrophages’ ability to kill tumours.

Other bromelain benefits…It has the important ability to stimulate cell differentiation, which normalizes the cell. It helps both during the early promotional stage and the late stage of metastasis or spread.

One of the most intriguing things about bromelain is that it seems to be able to break down the protective coating that tumours use to hide from the immune system, allowing the immune system to target them more effectively. Bromelain also increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Your body produces Digestive Enzymes that break down the food you eat into nutrients. These nutrients are then absorbed into your body through the small intestine.

When your body lacks these enzymes, it doesn’t digest properly, as a result, your body does not absorb the nutrients it needs.

A lack of enzymes, along with poor digestion can lead to an overgrowth of parasites, food allergies, unbalanced gut bacteria, constipation, indigestion, gas, bloating and other Digestive Health Issues.

Here you will find a list of enzymes and the benefits of digestive enzymes

• Amylase (aspsergillus orzyne) : Responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates, amylase is an enzyme that breaks starch down into sugar. Amylase is present in human saliva, where it begins the chemical process of digestion. Foods that contain much starch but little sugar, such as rice and potato, taste slightly sweet as they are chewed because amylase turns some of their starch into sugar in the mouth. The pancreas also makes amylase (alpha amylase) to break down dietary starch into di- and trisaccharides which are converted by other enzymes to glucose to supply the body with energy.
• Betaine HCL (betaine hydrochloride) : Responsible for the digestion of fats and proteins, betaine hydrochloride (betaine HCL) is an acidic form of betaine, a vitamin-like substance found in grains and other foods. Betaine hydrochloride is recommended as a supplemental source of hydrochloric acid for people who have a deficiency of stomach acid production (hypochlorhydria).
• A deficiency of gastric acid secretion increases the likelihood and severity of certain bacterial and parasitic intestinal infections. Some research suggests that people with a wide variety of chronic disorders, such as allergies, asthma, candida albicans and gallstones, and acne do not produce adequate amounts of stomach acid.
• Bromelain (pineapple) : Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in raw pineapple and aids in the digestion of protein rich foods. It is also a vegetarian alternative to animal sourced enzymes. (Benefits of Bromelain) Bromelain aids digestion by enhancing the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepin. It can also help to prevent heartburn by ease diarrhea, if either are caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes.
• Cellulase (aspergillus niger) : Responsible for the digestion of fiber, from fruits and vegetables.

• Lipase : Lipase is responsible for breaking down lipids (fats) and the digestion of nutrients in the intestines. (benefits of Cellulase) This digestive enzyme is responsible for breaking down lipids (fats), in particular triglycerides, which are fatty substances in the body that come from fat in the diet.
• Lipase and Lipase AN : help digest fats and oils. Undigested fats can cause weight gain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Additionally, Lipase helps your body better utilize omega fatty acids.
• Ox Bile Extract (ox bile) : Ox Bile Extract helps improves bile secretion which helps ease digestion. Benefits of ox bile extract include a possible reduction of gallstones, greater absorption of vitamin K, A, D and E and may be beneficial in treating liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
• Pancreatin : A combination of 3 enzymes, Pancreatin produced by the exocrine cells of the pancreas. It is composed of amylase, lipase and protease. This digestive enzyme mixture is used to treat conditions in which pancreatic secretions are deficient, such as pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.(Benefits of Pancreatin) It has been claimed to help with food allergies, celiac disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and weight loss. Pancreatin is sometimes called “pancreatic acid”, although it is neither a single chemical substance nor an acid.
• Papain (papaya) : Responsible for breaking down proteins, papain is an enzyme present in papaya. The benefits of papain is breaking down meat fibers. It has been utilized for thousands of years in its native South America.
• Pepsin : Pepsin benefits-helps digests protein, and stimulates the liver to produce bile. In the stomach, the enzyme pepsin functions to break proteins into smaller pieces. Because pepsin can only break the bonds next to certain amino acids, proteins are only broken into these shorter chains, and not digested all the way to amino acids. That must be done later, in the small intestine. Most digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine.
• Protease (Carica papaya) : Responsible for the digestion of proteins, protease is responsible for digesting proteins in your food, which is probably one of the most difficult substances to metabolize. The benefits of protease is considered to be one of the most important enzymes that we have. If the digestive process is incomplete, undigested protein can wind up in your circulatory system, as well as in other parts of your body.
• Phytase, Hemicellulase and Xylanase
  specifically help with releasing fiber-bound minerals from plant sources.

  Due to the high amount of processed foods in the North American diet, people over the age fo 35 can benefit from the daily use of digestive enzyme supplements.

Digestion Enzymes-Digestive Enzymes Supplement The Body – Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

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The process of Digesting Carbohydrates begins in the mouth. Our saliva contains an enzyme called amylase that starts breaking down the more complex carbs into simpler types. Enzyme activity continues in the stomach, but slows down significantly as digestive acids are released into the stomach by the glands.

Another version of amylase is secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum (first section of small intestine). This cuts down carbohydrates into simple sugars – maltose, lactose and sucrose. As the carbohydrate passes further into the intestine, the enzymes chop maltose lactose and sucrose into smaller bits,to be more easily absorbed, which are eventually converted to glucose and absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream.

How We “Digest Carbohydrates”

After carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, in the duodenum and jejunum of the small intestine, the glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream and taken to the liver, where it is stored or distributed to cells throughout the body for energy. In this way, the liver regulates levels to provide sufficient energy for the body.

How are carbohydrates broken down into glucose?

For example, excess glucose (a cause of hyperglycemia) is converted in the liver to glycogen (glycogenolysis) in response to the hormone insulin, and stored. Likewise, if blood sugar levels fall, (eg. between meals), the glycogen is re-converted to glucose (glycogenolysis) in response to messages conveyed by the hormone glucagon, to prevent hypoglycemia. If glycogen levels are exhausted, glucagon can trigger the formation of glucose from some amino acids (protein) or glycerol (fats) – a process called gluconeogenesis.



In simple terms, the digestive system from the mouth to the small intestine (carbohydrates digested in digestive system) is designed to break down disaccharides and polysaccharides into monosaccharides.
This metabolism of carbohydrates is achieved through the secretion of a number of digestive enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract “intestinal digestion” (especially in the duodenum) where they attack carbohydrates and gradually convert them into simple sugars like glucose so they can be absorbed into the blood.

Digestive enzymes are involved in digesting carbohydrates

Digestive enzymes are like biological scissors – they chop long starch molecules into simpler ones. Sometimes our bodies require the help of “digestive aids”

What Determines Speed of “Digesting Carbohydrates”?

Generally speaking, the speed of carbohydrate digestion is determined by the chemical nature of the carbohydrate itself, and thus how “resistant” it is to the activity of the enzymes.

More on the Digestive Tract Bloating, Constipation…..Help With Digestive Aids

A simple sugar is much less resistant than a starch, and is digested or metabolized much faster. Poor digestion, things that slow down carbohydrate digestion include: the presence of acid (from gastric juices or the food itself), and the presence of soluble fiber.

Carbohydrates are a class of natural organic substances that includes sugars, starch and cellulose (indigestible plant fiber).

The digestion of a particular carbohydrate in the gastrointestinal tract depends upon the complexity of the carbs molecular structure – the more complex carbohydrates makes the digestive system must work harder to break it down in order to absorb it into the bloodstream.

Digestion Of Carbohydrates-Weight Loss Diet Tips 4 Life!

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