Why should you only eat chocolate made from raw organic cacao?

Concentrated nutrients - because raw cacao is concentrated 'raw power', RAW cacao powder has at least 33% more of many of cacao's most vital nutrients! In Raw Cacao Powder, much of the oil is removed, while nearly all of the active nutrients remain. For example:

●Cacao is remarkably rich in magnesium. Cacao seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. This is likely the primary reason women crave chocolate during the menstrual cycle. Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and combats depression.

Cacao is the richest food source of magnesium of any common food. Magnesium is the number one mineral that assists and supports healthy heart functioning. Magnesium is the most deficient major mineral on the Standard American Diet (SAD); over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in Magnesium!

●Cacao contains subtle amounts of caffeine and theobromine. However, experiments have shown that these stimulants are far different when consumed raw than cooked.  Consider the following: Experimental provings of chocolate by homeopaths indicate its stimulating effect when cooked. One experiment conducted with a decoction of roasted ground cacao beans in boiling water produced an excitement of the nervous system similar to that caused by black coffee, an excited state of circulation, and an accelerated pulse. Interestingly, when the same decoction was made with raw, un-roasted beans neither effect was noticeable, leading the researchers to conclude that the physiological changes were caused by aromatic substances released during roasting.                      

●Cacao seems to diminish appetite, probably due to its monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) - these are different from digestive enzyme inhibitors found in most nuts and seeds. These rare MAO inhibitors actually produce favorable results when consumed by allowing more serotonin and other neurotransmitters to circulate in the brain. According to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MAO inhibitors facilitate youth regeneration and rejuvenation. Raw cacao encourages weight loss naturally.

●Phenylethylamine (PEA) is found in chocolate. PEA is an adrenal-related chemical that is also created within the brain and released when we are in love. This is one of the reasons why love and chocolate have a deep correlation. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.  Researchers have discovered that phenylethylamine (PEA) has a positive effect in enhancing feelings of love. And Chocolate has been proven to be an excellent source of PEA.

●Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical) - A neurotransmitter called anandamide, has been isolated in cacao. Anandamide is also produced naturally in the brain. Anandamide is known as "The Bliss Chemical" because it is released while we are feeling great. Cacao contains enzyme inhibitors that decrease our bodies' ability to breakdown anandamide. This means that natural anandamide and/or cacao anandamide may stick around longer, making us feel good longer, when we eat cacao.

●Antioxidants keep you looking young and help fight disease.  One kg of Raw Organic Cacao Powder delivers 433,570 ORAC Antioxidant units. ORAC antioxidant laboratory analysis confirms that there are over 25,200 antioxidants in a single spoonful of our raw cacao powder!  Dark chocolate has been touted as a source of antioxidants, but this raw chocolate is way beyond that. Living proof that raw is better!  

Italian researchers found eating 100 grams of dark chocolate each day for 15 days lowered blood pressure in the 15-person study. The University of L'Aquila team also found the body's ability to metabolise sugar -- a problem for people with diabetes -- was improved. Because the effect was believed to be due to antioxidant levels, with Raw Cacao Powder we can likely multiply this effect.

Dutch researchers indicate that dark chocolate contains four times the amount of catechin antioxidants than black tea, which is suspected of having a protective effect against heart disease and possibly cancer, due to its antioxidant properties. With Raw Cacao Powder, it would be 28 times more than Black Tea and potentially 7 times the protection!

●In trials, doctors at Harvard found that Antioxidant compounds called Flavonols in chocolate help the body to produce nitric oxide, a compound essential for proper heart function. (Nitric oxide is also believed by pro bodybuilders to help increase muscularity.) Again, with Raw Cacao Powder, this effect could easily be multiplied.  Remember that raw cacao powder contains about seven times as many antioxidants as cooked cacao powder, that's about 723% more!

●The amino acid Tryptophan is found naturally in cacao. Tryptophan enhances relaxation and promotes better sleep. Now you'll get at least 33% more when you use Raw Cacao Powder!

The Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is as much a life-style as an eating plan; a naturalistic approach which excludes, in addition to cooked and animal foods, processed and refined ingredients.

In the ever-hungry quest for new fads and health panaceas, the raw food diet, with adherents such as Woody Harrelson and Donna Karan, is growing in mainstream popularity. Unlike many other bandwagons however, raw foods (also referred to as ‘living foods'), offer unarguable health benefits and one can reap rewards even as a 50% dabbler. To be a 100% extremist takes commitment, discipline and education and is best introduced gradually to avoid the overwhelm of inevitable detoxification.

A food is essentially ‘raw' if it is kept below 116 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees centigrade), the temperature above which enzymes are destroyed. Eating raw food ensures an opulent intake of nutrients, fibre, healthy oils and life-giving enzymes. Raw food is much more easily digested, taking half to a third of the time of cooked food, around 24-36 hours compared to 40-100 hours. Raw vegetables and fruits, are also predominantly alkaline so help to optmize the pH balance of the body (around 60-80% alkaline foods being recommended for a healthy internal environment resistant to disease).

Sprouts, raw juices and Superfoods are favoured in a raw food diet, and dehydrating ‘ovens' effectively concentrate the flavour of certain raw foods to assist in the creation of a mind-boggling array of as-cooked dishes. I've eaten a raw food pizza that unbelievably contained no wheat, no cheese and no cooked ingredients! It tasted delicious and I was stumped to figure out what it was actually made of!

Raw Power

Raw plant foods are healthy, regenerative, cleansing, energising, predominantly alkaline, and packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy oils, enzymes and antioxidants that promote health, beauty and longevity. As well as enhancing digestion and protecting against aging and disease, a raw diet has noted weight loss benefits and promotes clear, beautiful skin.

The benefit of raw food becomes even more apparent in view of the effects cooking can have on constituents in food

The Effects of Cooking

Arthur Baker writes in Awakening Our Self-Healing Body, ‘Overly cooked foods literally wreck our body. They deny needed nutrients to the system since heat alters foodstuffs such that they are partially, mostly, or wholly destroyed. Nutrients are coagulated, deaminized, caramelized and rendered inorganic and become toxic and pathogenic in the body.'

The indigestible end products of cooked foods can linger in the gut, clogging the intestines and interfering with healthy elimination. They can cause a build-up of toxins, mutagens and carcinogens. Carbohydrates ferment, proteins putrefy and fats become rancid, creating free radicals that enter the blood stream.

Lipufuscin, the ‘aging pigment', is an example of a waste product created from damaged proteins and fats. It accumulates in the skin and nervous system and is visible as brown ‘liver spots' on the skin and eyes.

Toxic by-products and excess free radicals from cooked foods can weaken the immune system and accelerate the aging process.

Enzymes

Cooking destroys enzymes in our food. These delicate, heat sensitive proteins can destabilise at temperatures as low as 115 degrees Fahrenheit, hence even light steaming can render them inactive.

Enzymes, so abundant in a raw food diet, are highly functional catalysts involved in various health-regulating tasks in the body, such as breaking down food in digestion, delivering nutrients, carrying away toxic wastes and strengthening the endocrine and immune system. All living cells contain enzymes which function in cooperation with other minerals. As there is not an unlimited supply of enzymes, eating them in our food lifts the burden off organs to produce digestive enzymes which allows a greater use of enzymes for other metabolic purposes, freeing up more energy for the performance of other tasks.

Nutrients

In cooking food we can loose up to 97% of water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and 40% of fat-soluble vitamins (namely A, D, E and K).

Proteins

Heat denatures proteins, modifying their molecular structure and rendering them unusable. The bacteria in the gut feeds upon undigested proteins that tend to putrefy, giving rise to toxins. Raw foods provide healthy, readily available protein in greater supply without unwanted residue.

Fats

As oils are heat, light and air sensitive, heating can destroy the goodness of the and can alter molecules generating toxins and free radicals. Unrefined oils that are cold-pressed contain all their natural healthful substances (olive oil for example is rich in phytonutrients, flaxseed oil a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and so on). They should be kept refrigerated in dark sealed containers.

Fibre

Fibre is essential for health and helps to flush out the intestines, scrubbing them clean and aiding elimination. With cooked food fibre becomes a soft substance, loosing its brush-like quality. It can partially rot, ferment and putrefy in the gut, causing toxins, gas and heartburn.

Super Raw

Eating Superfoods enhances a raw food diet even further. Superfoods are the most potent, antioxidant rich, nutrient dense, disease fighting, anti aging, beautifying, mood enhancing, immune boosting foods on the planet. Raw Superfoods ensure an optimum intake of nutrients and phytochemicals for ultimate health, beauty and longevity.

Raw Food Diets for Dogs and Cats

A raw food diet for dogs and cats is natural and species-appropriate. Not only does it provide a rich supply of nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes, but ensures a move away from low grade, inappropriate, highly processed and toxic ingredients found in commercial pet foods that can damage your pets health. If embarking on a homemade raw food diet for your pet (sometimes referred to as BARF - Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), thoroughly research the area first as nutritional balance is essential.

Retrieved from "http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/the-raw-food-diet-26885.html"

David "Avocado" Wolfe has been an advocate of raw food for 16 years. He is a world authority on raw foods and superfoods and coaches Hollywood celebrities and business people on nutrition and wellness.

A field researcher in the most literal sense, David studies and conducts his research while traveling all over the world.

"I have been into the Amazon, into the jungles of Costa Rica, into the jungles of Mexico, into the jungles of Indonesia, all through Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, all over…" David says.

A good portion of the information on nutrition, some of which we will discuss in this interview, is actively being suppressed by multibillion dollar industries that do not want you to know the truth. They seek to discredit much of it because they want you to opt for their expensive drug solutions instead, which nearly always come with potentially toxic side effects.

But David and I are here to tell you that there are natural options to almost every health problem or condition you'll ever face.

One of the primary components of many disease processes is chronic inflammation.

The conventional approach to treat inflammation typically involves taking some type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, like Vioxx -- which was taken off the market years ago, but only after it had killed more than 60,000 people.

These drugs do absolutely nothing to treat the cause of the inflammation in your body, AND may deteriorate your health even further as most of them have side effects and cause additional health problems, some of which are potentially lethal.

The Self-Healing Revolution

David was originally deeply embedded in the traditional medical system, growing up as the son of two medical doctors.

"When I was very, very young, my Mom always told me, "If you lose your health, you've lost everything you've got. You've got to maintain your health no matter what," David says.

"I began to see that eating oranges straight off a tree and walking around barefoot when I was a kid, really made me feel good."

That self-discovery activated his search for knowledge.

"I literally spent the last 22 year of my life on the cutting edge of what is possible via supplements, herbalism, food, superfoods, right positive thinking, etcetera," David says.

Many people still do not realize that one of the leading causes of death in the US is the conventional medical system.

This fact is in large part invisible, because when a person dies from a heart attack caused by a drug, such as Vioxx, that death is not attributed to that drug. It's simply listed as "a heart attack."

Those who are paying closer attention are beginning to see this truth however, and are also beginning to realize that the answer to their health problems is not drugs, but lifestyle. If you're reading this newsletter, chances are you are in this category.

I can't stress enough how important it is to realize that most of the health problems and diseases you may encounter in your life can be treated and overcome without resorting to synthetic drugs.

In this interview, David tells the story of how he healed himself from chronic pain using yoga – despite the fact that all of his doctors, chiropractors, and osteopaths told him he had a mechanical problem in his spine that was causing chronic inflammation and pain.

"I completely healed myself using natural approaches," David says.

"I can do everything today. So, in spite of the sincere opinions of very qualified health professionals, I still was able to go beyond the information I was getting, and actually heal myself. And I want to put that out there for everybody.

You may get sincere advice. But, it may be sincerely wrong advice.

Be open. Be aware that solutions are out there."

Most physicians are well-intentioned and truly believe that they're doing what's appropriate, and it's what they use for themselves and their family. The sad reality is that most of them have not done independent, objective research to find alternatives that work based on natural principles.

When was the Last Time You Walked Barefoot?

"I want to start off by talking about the barefoot revolution," David says.

"If there is a local park or a beach nearby where you can easily get your shoes off and take a walk, this is really powerful in terms of helping you deal with inflammation of your ankles, knees, hips, and, I would say, even lower back.

A lot of back problems, a lot of postural problems, are caused by wearing shoes that throw out our posture in different directions, and they also make your toes limp. Your toes lose their ability to grip. They lose their strength by the wearing of shoes."

Most shoes emulate a cast in that they do not allow your foot to articulate properly.

In terms of inflammation, shoes also block the beneficial electromagnetic radiation of the earth, which actually has an anti-inflammatory effect. According to David, about 30 studies performed by Clint Ober over the past 12 years reveal this.

"The studies indicate we can just touch the earth with our bare feet or our bare skin; sit down on the grass, and the earth actually releases anti-inflammatory electromagnetic radiation," David says. "This helps to draw out inflammation, in particular of your lower extremities: your feet, our ankles, knees, and hips."

My own understanding of this phenomenon is that it's not caused so much by the electromagnetic radiation but rather from the transfer of free electrons from the earth; a grounding effect that is, in my understanding, one of the most potent antioxidants we know of.

Unfortunately, few people ever walk barefoot anymore to experience it.

According to David, it takes about 80 minutes for the free electrons from the earth to reach your blood stream and transform your blood.

"This is what Clint's research has been showing," David says.

"We actually did this at the Longevity Conference. We showed, within an hour and 20 minutes, how people's blood profiles changed and improved just based on being grounded for an hour and 20 minutes."

Walking barefoot can also help ameliorate the constant irritation caused by EMFs and other types of radiation on your system from cell phones, computers and Wi-Fi on your system. By getting outside, barefoot, touching the earth, and allowing the excess charge in your body to discharge into the earth, you can alleviate some of the stress put on your system.

That is the grounding effect.

Walking barefoot outside and breathing fresh air are grossly neglected foundational health principles, as is having large amounts of your skin exposed to natural sunlight so you can optimize your vitamin D, which is another crucial component for treating inflammation.

Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Supplements

There are also several powerful anti-inflammatory supplements that can have immediate use. Here are a few of David's favorites:

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – Its ability to neutralize inflammation is one of the greatest, and one of the most inexpensive, discoveries in this field.

MSM has been shown to break down the calcification that is frequently associated with chronic inflammation. In your arteries, it's called plaque, which leads to heart disease. These plaques are the root cause of inflammation.

"MSM helps dissolve these calcified deposits, turning it into calcium sulfate and making it soluble so your body can excrete it," David explains.

"The dosage of MSM has to be, in the beginning, maybe 2,500 mg per day. But really, you need to get up to 5,000 mg or 7,500 mg, and allow it to work over a period of months.

But don't ever want to start anything at a very high dosage. Move into it gently.

I have a good friend of mine who is now taking 30,000 mg of MSM for his rheumatoid arthritis, and that is the dosage he needs in order to feel complete relief of his pain."

Keep in mind that there may be side effects because MSM can detoxify you, and that may initially aggravate any condition you have. So increase dosage slowly to allow your body to adjust.

It's also important to note that if you're allergic to sulfa drugs, you may also have trouble with MSM because it is a type of sulfur.

MSM is not a drug however. It is a natural compound that exists in all trees and many plants. MSM is highly concentrated in aloe vera, for example, so you can also use natural aloe vera products that contain MSM in its natural form.

As with most supplements, quality is a concern when it comes to MSM as well. David recommends using wood pulp or tree-derived MSM.

Vitamin C -- A tremendous antioxidant, vitamin C is also anti-inflammatory, and is vital for rebuilding collagen and connective tissue. David recommends taking your MSM and vitamin C together if possible. Your best bet is to use a natural plant-based or botanical vitamin C supplement, such as acerola cherry, rosehip, or camu berry.

Keep in mind that high doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so again, you'll want to start slowly and work your way up to about 3,000 mg per day. Certain newer supplements also use liposomal delivery systems that can increase their bioavailability.

Medicinal mushrooms – These include reishi mushrooms, cordyceps, Agaricus blazei and chaga mushrooms. According to David, medicinal mushrooms can help boost your immune system to break up longstanding infections.

There are also mushroom products available as powders that you can add to smoothies, protein shakes, tea and other beverages.

Mangosteen – Organic mangosteen rind is another superior antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. The rind of mangosteen has been used in traditional medicinal systems in Southeast Asia, all the way into Indonesia, since the beginning of recorded history.

Interestingly, it specifically treats the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

I have personally treated thousands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, so this is an area I have a lot of experience with. Nearly all patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are deficient in vitamin D, so optimizing your vitamin D levels is also an essential part of treating this condition.

In addition, rheumatoid arthritis nearly always has an emotional component. Addressing and resolving these emotional wounds is therefore another vital part of the process.

In my experience, energy psychology tools such as the Emotional Freedom Technique is one of the most effective strategies to address this underlying emotional component, and will work synergistically with herbal- or supplemental therapies.

Sometimes, unless you address the basics, such as your emotions, the herbs and vitamins won't do much good. But once you include such simple basics as getting regular sun exposure and addressing your emotions, in addition to whatever supplements you choose, you can at times end up with what appears to be a miracle.

Astaxanthin – A seafood component extracted from algae, astaxanthin provides three unusual health benefits:

1. Preventing sunburn (4mg dose)
2. Eliminating cataracts and age-related macular degeneration
3. Protection against radiation damage when flying in an airplane

It's a bit pricey, but can be extremely effective. A less expensive alternative is krill oil, which also contains astaxanthin, in addition to essential omega-3 fatssuch as eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).

Cooling Inflammatory Conditions with Raw Foods 

"Inflammation, of course, is "in flame" or "on fire,"" David explains, and there are also a large number of raw foods that can help "cool" the inflammatory response.

"One of my favorite tools to do that is vegetable juicing, particularly celery and cucumber juices. 

Celery is very rich in electrolytes. It has a cooling effect on your body, which is really an anti-inflammatory effect. Cucumber does as well.

A simple juice is celery and cucumber. There is no sugar and it's an instant 'turn-on' for energy. It also has an instant drawing effect of toxins out of your system due to the chlorophyll present in the celery."

Fennel is another cooling plant suitable for juicing. Fennel juice is specifically implicated for headaches and migraines.

Dill is related to fennel, and both are very beneficial for producing breast milk in nursing women.

I am convinced, as is David, that nearly every health problem you face can be addressed using safe, natural, non-toxic strategies. So keep educating yourself to take control of your and your family's, health!

Thanks

Dr Mercola