Chocolate, diabetes and insulin response.

Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects a growing population says Dr. Steven Warren. There are two types of diabetes: mellitus—Type I, or insulin-dependent (caused by the inability of the body to make insulin), and Type II, also known as non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes.
The second type is associated with the inability of the body to deal with sugar (insulin resistance). It is usually seen in older-age people and obese people.

Effects of diabetes
The problem is that diabetes can impair many of the functions of the body. It can damage the heart blood vessels, vision, kidneys, and most every function of the body.

Oxidation or free-radical formation occurs more rapidly with elevated blood sugars. Elevated blood sugars and elevated insulin levels can damage the body’s ability to function and can cause other diseases.

Micro blood vessel damage is caused by sugar (an oxidant) linking with blood vessel proteins (collagen), causing scarring and blood vessel blockage. This damage is what causes neuropathy (pain in the nerves) and edema (water in the tissues) in extremities, which can lead to ulcerations and amputations. It also causes kidney damage (nephropathy) and even blindness (retinopathy).

Research
Researchers in Italy have uncovered further evidence that chocolate promotes good health. Even better, eating dark chocolate regularly improves insulin response. Results published in the March issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that study participants' blood pressure decreased, and they showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, meaning they were better able to metabolize glucose.

Can people with Type I diabetes eat Xocai? Click to listen to Dr Steve Warren's answer to this important question:

Testimonial From Jan N., Richardson TX: “Lowered blood pressure and raised HDL!
Shortly before we started eating dark chocolate with acai, I had a physical, so knew what my blood work was like. A month and a half later, I went back to have another blood test. At the doctor’s office, I was amazed that my normal readings for blood pressure had dropped by 22 points systolic and 15 points diastolic. My HDL was also raised by 8 points - the highest I can ever remember!

Lowered Insulin Requirement!
I had already seen what happened when my husband, Dick, started on the chocolate. First of all, he is a Type I diabetic. For the first 6 days, he didn’t even have to take any insulin. Later, he did have to get back on some insulin, but it is less than half what he used to take. As a diabetic, he was so excited to be able to have “sweets”. What a treat to be able to eat chocolate that tastes so wonderful, and still know that it is helping your health.
We are so thankful to have found out about dark chocolate with acai!”

Thanks for sharing, Jan!