Halloween is Almost Here: Choose Your Candy Wisely

Higher chocolate intake may very well lower your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke if you are a healthy adult.

A new study of almost 21,000 people has shown that higher chocolate intake may very well lower your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke if you are a healthy adult.

This wasn’t one of your quick, 6-month studies that have to be projected out in time to guess the benefits. The University of Cambridge UK EPIC-Norfolk study has been running for over 12 years and continues to this day. It was designed to track the effect of diet on cancers, but the data gathered has been used in other ways.

A team from the University of Aberdeen Scotland analyzed the data from 20,951 of the participants. They were divided into five equal groups (quintiles), based on the lowest to highest average daily consumption of chocolate.

Over 11.9 years, 13.8% of the people in the lowest chocolate consuming group had coronary heart disease (CHD) incidents. Only 9.7% of the highest chocolate consuming group had CHD incidents. That’s almost 30% lower!

Strokes during this time period were also tracked. There were 848 in the group overall, at a rate of 5.4% in the lowest chocolate consuming quintile and 3.1% in the highest quintile “chocolate lovers” group. The “chocolate lovers” had an over 40% lower rate of stroke than the lowest group.

How is this possible? The seeds from within cacao pods from which chocolate is made, (often called “cocoa beans”) are packed with a class of nutrients called “flavonoids.” Flavonoids are the plant’s natural antioxidants and they protect it from damage. When we eat foods rich in flavonoids, we get the benefit of these antioxidants.

Flavonols are the primary type of flavonoids found in cocoa and chocolate. In addition to being potent antioxidants, flavonols have been shown to lower blood pressure, make platelets less sticky, and improve blood flow to the brain and heart. Given that all of these things would have a positive impact on overall cardiovascular health, their correlation to the study results seems obvious.

We used to think that the fat content in chocolate was a problem, but recent research shows that the fats in cocoa itself (the cocoa butter) consist of equal amounts of oleic, stearic and palmitic acids. Oleic acid is the same monounsaturated heart-healthy fat found in olive oil. Stearic and palmitic acid are saturated fats, but have less negative impact than once thought. However, other fats are sometimes added in the chocolate-making process.

That brings us to the caveat. (There’s always a catch – right?) Not all chocolate is the same. While the study above noticed that the participants actually ate more milk chocolate than dark chocolate, (dark chocolate being unofficially defined as 60% cocoa or more) the participants still got the benefits once thought to be reserved for the more intense dark chocolate.

This Halloween, make sure you read each label carefully before enjoying a sweet treat or two — as long as it meets the requirements outlined above, you should feel free to enjoy as much as you’d like!

Get your FREE e-Book today, Dr. Dzugan’s “Your Blood Doesn’t Lie” and learn more about our program and how it can help you get back to the living a life you love.

Because every person’s body chemistry is different, we work closely with you to develop a personalized program that improves your overall Quality of Life.

Scroll to the bottom of the Dzugan PhysioLogic home page and grab your free ebook, a free consultation with one of our Doctors, or just give us a call at 1-866-225-4877 Option 2 today to speak with an experienced advisor.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for informational purposes only. It does not replace medical care from a licensed physician. If you have a medical concern, please contact DzLogic at 1-866-225-4877.

Why a Morning Ritual Could Save Your Life

Five Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter

Managing your health isn’t just about making sure you’re taking the right vitamins and supplements and getting proper healthcare, it’s also about creating routines that allow you to stay healthy all year long.

As we enter cold and flu season, we wanted to share a few morning rituals that will keep you mentally strong so you can fight off whatever comes your way.

5 Morning Rituals to Improve Your Day, Today

  • Practice gratitude
  • Write down your most important tasks and consider them handled
  • Make a vision board to keep you motivated
  • Drink hot water with lemon, daily
  • Get up earlier

For more great tips on this subject, visit LifeHacker.org.

Get your FREE e-Book today, Dr. Dzugan’s “Your Blood Doesn’t Lie” and learn more about our program and how it can help you get back to the living a life you love.

Because every person’s body chemistry is different, we work closely with you to develop a personalized program that improves your overall Quality of Life.

Scroll to the bottom of the Dzugan PhysioLogic home page and grab your free ebook, a free consultation with one of our Doctors, or just give us a call at 1-866-225-4877 Option 2 today to speak with an experienced advisor.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for informational purposes only. It does not replace medical care from a licensed physician. If you have a medical concern, please contact DzLogic at 1-866-225-4877.

5 Natural Ways to Manage Insomnia

Nutrients and herbs, combined with lifestyle changes, can help you manage chronic insomnia.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, or non-restorative sleep. Insomnia that occurs most nights and lasts a month or more is considered chronic insomnia.

Do you suffer from chronic insomnia? We recommend assessing your hormone levels, specifically pregnenolone, DHEA, total estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and TSH. Next, work with your health care provider to replace deficient hormones, and use melatonin and other supplements that can calm your body and help restore dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system at night.

Melatonin is the hormone that regulates the bodys biological clock. As we age, our bodies produce less melatonin, which can lead to difficulty sleeping. Many people take supplemental melatonin at bedtime to help them fall asleep. The recommended dose of melatonin ranges from 0.3 to 6 mg, depending on individual needs.

Many herbs and nutrients may help manage insomnia, used either alone or in combination with prescription medications. They include:

  • SAMe
  • B vitamins
  • Inositol
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Magnesium
  • Kava
  • Essential Oils (Lavender and Lemon Balm)
  • Valerian
  • Chamomile

In addition to these herbs and nutrients, you can try to improve your sleep by:

  • Avoid stimulating drugs, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day. If you use medications that may be stimulating, take them long before bedtime.
  • Try not to take naps during the day.
  • Avoid eating a large meal in the evening.
  • Exercise regularly, but try not to exercise close to bedtime.
  • Reduce stress levels by listening to relaxation tapes, taking warm baths, and meditating.

Do you know what supplements and vitamins are right for your body? Learn about our newest offering, Simple by Dzugan PhysioLogic (@DzSimple) to see if we can help! Hear what our members have to say!

Because every person’s body chemistry is different, we work closely with you to develop a personalized program that improves your overall Quality of Life.

Scroll to the bottom of the Dzugan PhysioLogic home page  and grab your free ebook, a free consultation with one of our Doctors, or just give us a call at 1-866-225-4877 Option 2 today to speak with an experienced advisor.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for informational purposes only. It does not replace medical care from a licensed physician. If you have a medical concern, please contact DzLogic at 1-866-225-4877.