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Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

Don’t Be Misled With the “Healthy” Food That You Eat!

Are you one of the people who are very curious about what’s on your food? Maybe when you go to the grocery store, it takes you some time to check the labels to make sure you are eating the right food. But little do you know that not all claims are true? Many foods, even the ones marketed as healthy food, contain ingredients you should be avoiding.

Did you know that dark chocolate is a perfect illustration of a product that some brands claim is “healthier”?

Dark Chocolate as a healthier option.

Numerous nutritionists believe that eating chocolate with at least a 70% cacao content can have many positive health effects. Dark chocolate has a lot of flavanols that are very beneficial to our health. It can improve blood flow and even lowers blood pressure, boost skin density, hydration, reduce the risk of UV damage, and promote blood flow to the skin. Alongside these, eating dark chocolate appears to improve attention, verbal learning, and memory as it contains flavanols.

The dark truth about the healthier option.

According to recent research, some dark chocolate bars contain lead and cadmium, two heavy metals connected to a variety of illnesses in both children and adults. The dangerous side is that regular, prolonged exposure to even small levels of heavy metals can result in a number of health issues. According to Tunde Akinleye, the CR food safety researcher who oversaw this testing effort, the threat is highest for expectant mothers and young children because the metals can cause developmental difficulties, disrupt brain development, and result in lower IQ.

Why consuming lead and cadmium should alarm you

We are more familiar with lead exposure from gasoline, paint, mining, or even volcanic eruptions. On a more personal level, we can be exposed to lead through products like makeup or hair dye. Who would have thought that we can be exposed to lead when consuming peas, crops, fruit juices or even dark chocolate? Acute lead exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, brain swelling and even seizures. But when you continue to consume food with high levels of lead, it can cause high blood pressure, dementia, heart and kidney disease.

Cadmium is mostly used in products including batteries, pigments, metal coatings, plastics, and even in cigarettes. It is very known as known as a cancer-causing agent. We get exposed to it since it is absorbed into plan and animal foods that we eat. Consuming large amounts of cadmium can severely irritate the stomach. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea while long term exposure can cause kidney disease and fragile bones.

How to choose chocolate options wisely.

As per Tunde, you don’t have to completely give up chocolate. Five of the chocolate bars in CR’s tests had relatively low amounts of both lead and cadmium, whereas the majority of them had alarmingly high levels of either one or the other. 

To enjoy chocolate safely, there are a number of extra steps you can take in addition to making informed decisions about your purchases. This includes brands like Mast, Taza, Ghirardelli and Valrhona, which according to the test were the safer options. It’s also advisable in general to consume dark chocolate in moderation.

What foods are susceptible to lead and cadmium contamination?

Lead and cadmium are commonly found in food and do not appear to vary between natural, certified organic, and non-organic items. Aside from chocolate, numerous foods, including infant foods (made with carrots, peaches, pears, and sweet potatoes), dietary supplements, vitamins, protein powders, seaweed snacks, ginger cookies, packaged peaches and pears, and various fruit juices, have been discovered to contain one or both of these metals.

Tips to limit your lead and cadmium exposure

 

Since exposure to lead and cadmium is quite inevitable, here are some tips to limit further exposure.

  • Make sure you’re getting enough of the three key nutrients: Calcium, Iron and Vitamin C
  • Eat a balanced diet with moderate amounts of shellfish and organ meats as it is mostly high levels of Cadmium.

How to evaluate which foods are actually “healthy”?

There are strict standards here in the US that ensures that food is examined before it is sold. Foods purchased here aren’t completely risk-free, but the risks are substantially smaller because we frequently have access to data like lab reports from testing. This enables us to properly check for heavy metal contamination in the food we eat and provide for our families.

Be informed so that you can protect your health easier!

 

Sources:

Chocolate: History, types, production & other fun facts | Live Science

https://redstonefoods.com/candy-soda-blog/supercandy-candies-superfoods

7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate (healthline.com)

Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate – Consumer Reports

Cadmium Factsheet | National Biomonitoring Program | CDC

Lead and Cadmium in Food FAQs — As You Sow

 

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Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Genova’s SIBO Profiles are non-invasive breath tests which capture exhaled hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases following patient ingestion of a lactulose solution to evaluate bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Breath

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

COST

$85-$225 depending on insurance coverage. 

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At Home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$699

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. Repeat test prices $249

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the genetic profile for multiple health indicators. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood Spot

COST

$319

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This company can test for lyme, babesia, bartonella and additional tick-borne illnesses. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

around $1600 (depends on panel selected)

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. May be reimbursed with PPO plans.
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$299

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates a wide range of environmental toxins that may be leading to harmful health effects.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$199

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins.
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Blood work for blood count, urinalysis and vitamin levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

NOTES

You often have to fast for these tests-please check your providers notes.

COST

Depending on the test, deductible or copay may apply.

INSURANCE

Depends on insurance coverage, deductible or copay may apply.
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Glyphosate (“Round Up”) is a pesticide that is widely used and this test indicates the body’s levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$99 ($69 if performed with mycotoxins or environmental toxins).

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins or GPL Tox.
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates many measures including micronutrients, antioxidants, minerals, detox, overview of gut function, omegas and toxic exposure. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$150 – $329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

INSTRUCTIONS

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the gut function and indicates microbiome balance, overgrowth, infection, inflammation, parasites and digestive efficacy. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$179-$439 depending on insurance coverage.

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

No probiotics for one week.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the full menstrual cycle, female hormones, and adrenal profile.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

COST

$160-$329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

NOTES

Must be off hormones in order to do the testing.
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is specifically for a tick-borne illness called “Bartonella”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

COST

$260

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals stored in the body.  Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

Testing: $79 x2 paid to Doctor’s Data
DMSA: $38 paid to Johnson’s Compounding Pharmacy

INSURANCE

Not covered by Insurance
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test measures saliva cortisol testing throughout the course of one day and informs us where there might be an adrenal imbalance.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Saliva

COST

$80

INSURANCE

No insurance coverage

Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!
Toxins in Dark Chocolate – Beware!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is designed to look at food sensitivities (IgG immune responses). It is available in both a 99 or 184 panel. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$129-238

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted