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soULmAtE - Columbia Natural Awakenings–Home

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For Love and Heart<br />

Dark chocolate comprises a true gift of the heart, both pleasing the palate and<br />

keeping the risk of heart disease at bay, according to a recent article published<br />

in The Journal of Nutrition. A moderate amount of the sweet treat works best.<br />

The study focused on the complex mechanism of inflammation, a risk factor<br />

for the development of cardiovascular disease. Researchers noted that the high<br />

amounts of antioxidants in the cocoa seed, in particular flavonoids and other<br />

polyphenols, appear to have a beneficial effect on the inflammatory state. But the<br />

amount of chocolate consumed also plays a crucial role. An average of 6.7 grams<br />

per day, corresponding to one small square of chocolate, two to three times a week<br />

is sufficient to reap chocolate’s protective effect. Beyond these amounts, the benefits<br />

tend to disappear.<br />

Incidentally, milk chocolate does not have the same<br />

heart-healthy effects, because its milk content<br />

interferes with the absorption of cocoa’s<br />

antioxidants.<br />

Source: Catholic<br />

University, 2008.<br />

Romancing<br />

the Scent<br />

Seduction by scent is at least<br />

as old as Cleopatra, who was<br />

said to have scented the sails of<br />

her barge with rose water to attract<br />

Mark Anthony. Today, Indian<br />

women traditionally wear garlands<br />

of jasmine flowers in their hair<br />

and Mediterranean brides adorn<br />

themselves with orange blossoms<br />

on their wedding day. Scent has<br />

historically contributed to romantic<br />

power.<br />

The reason is found in the<br />

olfactory lobe of the brain, which<br />

is part of the limbic system, the<br />

same area that produces sexual desires. It’s why essential oils may be found in<br />

health food stores and specialty shops in personalized blends used to scent a room<br />

and as ingredients in massage oils and seductive perfumes.<br />

Sweet orange, neroli, rose, jasmine, coriander, ylang-ylang, patchouli, ginger<br />

or sandalwood may be selected to enhance the mood of a romantic encounter. If<br />

used directly on the skin, essential oils should be diluted in a base, such as jojoba<br />

or almond oil. A few drops of these potent oils go a long way.<br />

Adapted from Essential Oils for Body and Soul by Anne Simons.<br />

Heartfelt<br />

Health<br />

Education<br />

Master of Reiki, Muscle<br />

Testing and Forgiveness<br />

Chopra Center Certified<br />

Yoga, Meditation &<br />

Ayurveda Instructor<br />

Integrative Bodywork &<br />

Intuitive Healing<br />

Joy Lee Connor, LMT sc # 1229<br />

Celebration Center<br />

3830 Rosewood Drive<br />

803-782-5539<br />

Cherries for<br />

the Heart<br />

The tangy taste of tart<br />

cherries might deliver<br />

more than a treat for the<br />

taste buds. Preliminary<br />

work with laboratory<br />

rats at the University<br />

of Michigan<br />

Cardiovascular<br />

Center suggests<br />

that mixing whole<br />

tart cherry powder<br />

into the animals’<br />

diet led to less<br />

weight gain and a<br />

reduction of inflammation.<br />

Researchers explain that inflammation<br />

is a common indicator of heart<br />

disease and diabetes. More, those on<br />

the cherry supplement also had significantly<br />

lower blood levels of cholesterol<br />

and triglycerides than the control<br />

group.<br />

“These new findings are encouraging,<br />

especially in the light of what is becoming<br />

known about the interplay between<br />

inflammation, blood lipids, obesity and<br />

body composition in cardiovascular disease<br />

and diabetes,” says Steven Bolling,<br />

a cardiac surgeon at the university and<br />

the laboratory’s director. A pilot study to<br />

determine the effects of tart cherries in<br />

human diet is underway.<br />

February 2009<br />

9

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