While we’ve come to love dark chocolate and all its benefits, a Consumer Reports (CR) article published in December 2022 found that there are reasons to be careful and evaluate what we’re consuming. Testing results showed that 23 of 28 bars had potentially harmful levels of either cadmium or lead or both when eating one ounce per day. Click here to view the article and CR’s findings.
About CR’s findings…
Consumer Reports’ researchers found that when testing for the presence of certain heavy metals, many popular brands of dark chocolate had dangerous levels of both lead and cadmium.
Lead and cadmium are environmental contaminants (along with mercury, arsenic, iron, aluminum, and several others) also referred to as heavy metals. Limited exposure is not typically harmful, but over time, repeated exposure can result in a toxic accumulation in the body and a variety of health issues.
Over the last fifty years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has worked diligently to reduce the levels of toxins found in food, particularly in foods prepared for infants and children and pregnant women. There are no specific federal limits on the amount that most foods can contain, and the onus is on manufacturers to minimize or prevent exposure, however, the FDA may act in response to reports of elevated levels. Click here to read more about the FDA and environmental contaminants.
Does dark chocolate have real health benefits?
Dark chocolate has long been identified as a “super-food” and for good reason, the key is in the cocoa. Here are some of the proven benefits of dark chocolate:
The cocoa in dark chocolate contains antioxidants that fight dangerous free radicals in your body.
The plant-derived flavanols in dark chocolate have been shown to reduce blood pressure.
Dark chocolate increases the elasticity of the blood vessels.
Dark chocolate has anti-inflammatory compounds which can reduce inflammation of cardiovascular tissue.
In addition, a 2020 study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that the flavan-3-olds found in dark chocolate are helpful in preventing the replication of the Covid-19 virus. Flavan-3-olds are a subtype of flavonoids (compounds with antioxidant properties) can also be found in certain teas and colorful fruits and vegetables.
So, while there are reasons to be cautious, there are also proven benefits. So it cutting out dark chocolate the answer? Not necessarily. We make some recommendations below to help lower your risk of exposure.
To help lower your risk of exposure we recommend that you:
choose brands that have better safety standards.
cut back on the frequency and amount of dark chocolate you eat, especially if you eat it every day.
make sure you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables which contain many of the same benefits as dark chocolate.
Diagnosing and treating toxicity
When toxins enter the body, they hide out in “holding areas” in our tissue and can cause widespread inflammation. Some people are better at breaking down toxins and eliminating them, while others are not. Symptoms of toxicity can include cognitive issues, depression and mood swings, sleep disturbances, headaches, joint pain, or digestive issues.
If you believe you have been exposed to toxins and are experiencing symptoms that cannot be attributed to a specific health diagnosis, we encourage you to consider getting tested. Living with toxicity can not only cause its own symptoms but can slow down recovery from an existing health condition.
There are a variety of specialized tests that can detect the presence of toxins (including mycotoxins, heavy metals, infectious sources, food additives, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals). If a diagnosis is confirmed, medications, dietary changes, and nutritional supplements are the best methods of treatment. For more information, click here.
Dr. Gary Kaplan was invited to participate in the upcoming free online summit, “Overcoming Long-Haul & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Dr. Kaplan is one of over 50 experts of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and researchers – leaders in their fields – which includes long haul, Covid, chronic diseases, environmental toxicants, and allergies.
If you, or a loved one, are suffering from Long Haul, the lack of information and resources can feel overwhelming. Without a proper guide, online research can yield contradictory results and confusing takeaways. Furthermore, A trusted and reliable source to show you what the leading doctors on the field have to say is the only way forward. This is what this summit is for. This summit is being held on February 7-14, 2023 and is free and open to the public.
You will learn from the leading health authorities and experts in the world. Why? Their commitment to sharing their expertise with the rest of us has one purpose: to provide the actionable insights you need to finally step away from the earth-trembling tragedy of COVID-19.
You’ll discuss the latest therapies doctors use to help their patients recover.
You’ll learn how to treat concurrent infections, chronic conditions, and diseases.
You’ll understand in what way doctors changed their approach to treating chronic infections and diseases.
Dr. Kaplan will be speaking on Day 5 on the topic “Rethinking ME/CFS As Immune Dysfunction Secondary To Infections”
Congratulations to Office Manager, Denita Keys, our inaugural Employee of the Quarter!
Denita has been a part of the Kaplan Center Team since January 2019. Having worked in the medical field for over 20+ years, in various areas of medicine, Denita’s experience and professionalism were evident from day one. Since joining our Team, Denita has not only been an invaluable asset to our providers and administrative staff but she has consistently provided a high level of service to our patients, always willing to go out of her way to help, while making them feel welcome and heard. Everyday Denita demonstrates that she truly cares about our practice and the patients we treat and we thank her for her dedication!
Denita obtained her Master’s Degree in Business with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from CTU and considers herself a lifetime learner. Impressively, she also has her own interior design business, “Picture Perfect Decor,” that dips into her creative side. Denita loves to assist her clients with all their designing needs.
When she is not working, she loves teaching both youth and young adults at her church, and in the little spare time she has, she enjoys running and participating in road races throughout the DMV area. Denita will participate in this year’s Rock’n Roll Las Vegas Marathon in February, running as a St. Jude’s Hero. Good Luck Denita!
The Dark(er) Side of Dark Chocolate
/in Long Covid, Nutrition, Toxicity/by Kaplan CenterWhile we’ve come to love dark chocolate and all its benefits, a Consumer Reports (CR) article published in December 2022 found that there are reasons to be careful and evaluate what we’re consuming. Testing results showed that 23 of 28 bars had potentially harmful levels of either cadmium or lead or both when eating one ounce per day. Click here to view the article and CR’s findings.
About CR’s findings…
Consumer Reports’ researchers found that when testing for the presence of certain heavy metals, many popular brands of dark chocolate had dangerous levels of both lead and cadmium.
Lead and cadmium are environmental contaminants (along with mercury, arsenic, iron, aluminum, and several others) also referred to as heavy metals. Limited exposure is not typically harmful, but over time, repeated exposure can result in a toxic accumulation in the body and a variety of health issues.
Over the last fifty years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has worked diligently to reduce the levels of toxins found in food, particularly in foods prepared for infants and children and pregnant women. There are no specific federal limits on the amount that most foods can contain, and the onus is on manufacturers to minimize or prevent exposure, however, the FDA may act in response to reports of elevated levels. Click here to read more about the FDA and environmental contaminants.
Does dark chocolate have real health benefits?
Dark chocolate has long been identified as a “super-food” and for good reason, the key is in the cocoa. Here are some of the proven benefits of dark chocolate:
In addition, a 2020 study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that the flavan-3-olds found in dark chocolate are helpful in preventing the replication of the Covid-19 virus. Flavan-3-olds are a subtype of flavonoids (compounds with antioxidant properties) can also be found in certain teas and colorful fruits and vegetables.
Questions? Give Us a Call!
703-532-4892 x2
To help lower your risk of exposure we recommend that you:
Diagnosing and treating toxicity
When toxins enter the body, they hide out in “holding areas” in our tissue and can cause widespread inflammation. Some people are better at breaking down toxins and eliminating them, while others are not. Symptoms of toxicity can include cognitive issues, depression and mood swings, sleep disturbances, headaches, joint pain, or digestive issues.
If you believe you have been exposed to toxins and are experiencing symptoms that cannot be attributed to a specific health diagnosis, we encourage you to consider getting tested. Living with toxicity can not only cause its own symptoms but can slow down recovery from an existing health condition.
There are a variety of specialized tests that can detect the presence of toxins (including mycotoxins, heavy metals, infectious sources, food additives, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals). If a diagnosis is confirmed, medications, dietary changes, and nutritional supplements are the best methods of treatment. For more information, click here.
Additional references:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6950163/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36452001/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11790962/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28439881/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21559039
Overcoming Long-Haul & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Free Online Summit
/in Event, Long Covid/by Kaplan CenterDr. Gary Kaplan was invited to participate in the upcoming free online summit, “Overcoming Long-Haul & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Dr. Kaplan is one of over 50 experts of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and researchers – leaders in their fields – which includes long haul, Covid, chronic diseases, environmental toxicants, and allergies.
If you, or a loved one, are suffering from Long Haul, the lack of information and resources can feel overwhelming. Without a proper guide, online research can yield contradictory results and confusing takeaways. Furthermore, A trusted and reliable source to show you what the leading doctors on the field have to say is the only way forward. This is what this summit is for. This summit is being held on February 7-14, 2023 and is free and open to the public.
Click here for more information or to register.
Why you should register:
You will learn from the leading health authorities and experts in the world. Why? Their commitment to sharing their expertise with the rest of us has one purpose: to provide the actionable insights you need to finally step away from the earth-trembling tragedy of COVID-19.
Dr. Kaplan will be speaking on Day 5 on the topic “Rethinking ME/CFS As Immune Dysfunction Secondary To Infections”
Additional Summit Resources:
Immunity Secrets in a Post-COVID World
The ME/CFS and Long-Haul Connection
Summit Expert Speakers: Citations and Resources Guide
Meet Denita, Our Inaugural Employee of the Quarter!
/in News/by Kaplan CenterCongratulations to Office Manager, Denita Keys, our inaugural Employee of the Quarter!
Denita obtained her Master’s Degree in Business with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from CTU and considers herself a lifetime learner. Impressively, she also has her own interior design business, “Picture Perfect Decor,” that dips into her creative side. Denita loves to assist her clients with all their designing needs.
When she is not working, she loves teaching both youth and young adults at her church, and in the little spare time she has, she enjoys running and participating in road races throughout the DMV area. Denita will participate in this year’s Rock’n Roll Las Vegas Marathon in February, running as a St. Jude’s Hero. Good Luck Denita!