Re: CFS - The Chocolate Remedy

[Guest guest]

Hi

Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would rather say

I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and intestinal

symptoms etc from it.

It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

Per

>

> In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

fluks@...

> writes:

>

> Source: Hull Daily Mail

> Date: December 16, 2006

> URL:

>

http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=197370 & command=displayContent\

& sourceNode=197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16204319

>

>

> Chocolate's Good for You - It's Official

> ----------------------------------------

>

> It is the news anyone with a sweet tooth has been waiting for -

chocolate

> is officially good for you.

>

> Doctors at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have found

eating

> small bars of dark chocolate every day helps stop symptoms of chronic

> fatigue syndrome (CFS).

>

> The illness, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), leaves

sufferers

> with debilitating fatigue and neurological problems. People taking

part in

> a study at Hull Royal Infirmary found they felt better after eating

> specially formulated dark chocolate each day for eight weeks.

However, only

> chocolate made with 85 per cent cocoa was found to have health

benefits.

>

> Professor Steve Atkin, consultant endocrinologist, conducted the study.

> He said: " No one has examined the effects of chocolate on CFS

before, so

> this is a very exciting result for us. The participants took 45g of

> specially formulated chocolate high in polyphenols for eight weeks.

They

> then had a two-week period of rest before taking a placebo

chocolate, low

> in polyphenols, for another eight weeks. After the first period they

> reported feeling less fatigue and once they moved to the placebo

chocolate

> they began feeling more fatigue again. They didn't experience any

> significant weight gain either, which is an extra positive. "

>

> Chocolate contains a complex mixture of chemicals called

polyphenols, which

> are also reported to reduce the risk of death from coronary heart

disease,

> cancer and strokes. Chocolate also increases serotonin, which

regulates

> mood and sleep.

>

> Denholm, 39, of Beckside Close, west Hull, has suffered from

CFS for

> more than 10 years. She said: " I have really bad attacks, where I

cannot

> see and I cannot use my body properly, like a newborn baby. My

husband Ian

> is my carer and, because I cannot guarantee how well I am going to

feel, I

> cannot work. I am quite cynical, but it did work and I felt much more

> alert. I had more energy and didn't have any attacks. "

>

> The research was funded by the Diabetes Endowment Fund charity, for

which

> Professor Atkin is asking for donations. The trust is now looking for

> people with type two diabetes, linked to age or weight, or polycystic

> ovary syndrome, where many cysts grow on a woman's ovaries, to see if

> chocolate helps.

>

> Professor Atkin said: " I have a large amount of chocolate in the

department

> waiting to be eaten. "

>

> Anyone who is interested, or wants to donate to the fund, should call

> Professor Atkin's research team on (01482) 675387. s.alexander@...

>

>

> Links

>

> Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust

> http://www.hey.nhs.uk

> White Rabbit chocolatier

> http://www.white-rabbit-chocolate.co.uk

>

> --------

> © 2006 Hull Daily Mail

>

> ---------------------------------------------

> Send posts to CO-CURE@...

> Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm

> Select list topic options at http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm

> ---------------------------------------------

> Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of

> opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of

ME/CFS and/or

> FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or

> political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to

> research the various opinions available before assuming any one

> interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org>

has a

> link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central

> importance to the issues of our community.

> ---------------------------------------------

>

>

>

>

> mjh

> " The Basil Book "

> http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Per,

Just to echo what Rosie says, I have recently had a definate " pick-

me-up " from eating dark chocolate. I have also been avoiding various

foods, mainly wheat and dairy (so no milk chocolate!) so there may

be some co-incidence, but it definately doesn't do me any harm, and

provides a welcome break from an otherwise dreary diet.

Phil

>

>

> Hi Per,

> On another UK list there has been some recent (and not so recent)

> discussion about the benefits of choc for pwme. It has largely

been a

> light-hearted and slightly 'tongue in cheek' consideration, but

many on

> the list have noted that it really does provide a modest pick-me-

up.

> Nothing curative you understand. Dr Myhill notes that

chocolate

> stimulates the same neuro-receptors as cannabis which may explain

why

> people in general do get a bit of a high from the product. She

suggests

> using Cacao bits to chew on for the effect without the calories.

> I know for me a bit of chocolate can work wonders! It's good to

have

> some pleasures in this difficult life, though I appreciate we are

all

> different.

> Rosie

>

> Hi

> Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

> beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would rather

say

> I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and

intestinal

> symptoms etc from it.

>

> It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

> something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

> I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

>

> Per

>

>

> >

> > In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> fluks@

> > writes:

> >

> > Source: Hull Daily Mail

> > Date: December 16, 2006

> > URL:

> >

> http://www.thisishu

> <http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displ

>

ayContent & sourceNode=197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16

204

> 319>

> ll.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displayContent & sourceNode

> =197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16204319

> >

> >

> > Chocolate's Good for You - It's Official

> > ----------------------------------------

> >

> > It is the news anyone with a sweet tooth has been waiting for -

> chocolate

> > is officially good for you.

> >

> > Doctors at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have found

> eating

> > small bars of dark chocolate every day helps stop symptoms of

chronic

> > fatigue syndrome (CFS).

> >

> > The illness, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), leaves

> sufferers

> > with debilitating fatigue and neurological problems. People

taking

> part in

> > a study at Hull Royal Infirmary found they felt better after

eating

> > specially formulated dark chocolate each day for eight weeks.

> However, only

> > chocolate made with 85 per cent cocoa was found to have health

> benefits.

> >

> > Professor Steve Atkin, consultant endocrinologist, conducted the

> study.

> > He said: " No one has examined the effects of chocolate on CFS

> before, so

> > this is a very exciting result for us. The participants took 45g

of

> > specially formulated chocolate high in polyphenols for eight

weeks.

> They

> > then had a two-week period of rest before taking a placebo

> chocolate, low

> > in polyphenols, for another eight weeks. After the first period

they

> > reported feeling less fatigue and once they moved to the placebo

> chocolate

> > they began feeling more fatigue again. They didn't experience

any

> > significant weight gain either, which is an extra positive. "

> >

> > Chocolate contains a complex mixture of chemicals called

> polyphenols, which

> > are also reported to reduce the risk of death from coronary heart

> disease,

> > cancer and strokes. Chocolate also increases serotonin, which

> regulates

> > mood and sleep.

> >

> > Denholm, 39, of Beckside Close, west Hull, has suffered

from

> CFS for

> > more than 10 years. She said: " I have really bad attacks, where I

> cannot

> > see and I cannot use my body properly, like a newborn baby. My

> husband Ian

> > is my carer and, because I cannot guarantee how well I am going

to

> feel, I

> > cannot work. I am quite cynical, but it did work and I felt much

more

> > alert. I had more energy and didn't have any attacks. "

> >

> > The research was funded by the Diabetes Endowment Fund charity,

for

> which

> > Professor Atkin is asking for donations. The trust is now

looking for

> > people with type two diabetes, linked to age or weight, or

polycystic

> > ovary syndrome, where many cysts grow on a woman's ovaries, to

see if

> > chocolate helps.

> >

> > Professor Atkin said: " I have a large amount of chocolate in the

> department

> > waiting to be eaten. "

> >

> > Anyone who is interested, or wants to donate to the fund, should

call

> > Professor Atkin's research team on (01482) 675387. s.alexander@

> >

> >

> > Links

> >

> > Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust

> > http://www.hey. <http://www.hey.nhs.uk> nhs.uk

> > White Rabbit chocolatier

> > http://www.white- <http://www.white-rabbit-chocolate.co.uk>

> rabbit-chocolate.co.uk

> >

> > --------

> > © 2006 Hull Daily Mail

> >

> > ---------------------------------------------

> > Send posts to CO-CURE@

> > Unsubscribe at http://www.co- <http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm>

> cure.org/unsub.htm

> > Select list topic options at http://www.co-

> <http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm> cure.org/topics.htm

> > ---------------------------------------------

> > Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the

spectrum

> of

> > opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of

> ME/CFS and/or

> > FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific

scientific or

> > political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge

readers to

> > research the various opinions available before assuming any one

> > interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-

cure.org>

> has a

> > link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of

central

> > importance to the issues of our community.

> > ---------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > mjh

> > " The Basil Book "

> > http://foxhillfarm. <http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/>

us/FireBasil/

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Absolutely Phil.

My musings since reading this this am however, do make me a little

concerned that whilst we may have a pleasurable effect from it, others

may extrapolate a curative element which may backfire. I think, as

with everything in this illness, if you enjoy it, it doesn't make you

worse, then a little of everything is a good idea. If there are

benefits from components of chocolate - then that is a good thing, but

for others to see it as a cure or even substantial treatment, may make

us out to be somewhat flaky. This is a serious neuro disease - and

others should take that on board.

In the meantime though - I will certainly be enjoying my chocolate over

this festive season :-)

Rosie

Per,

Just to echo what Rosie says, I have recently had a definate " pick-

me-up " from eating dark chocolate. I have also been avoiding various

foods, mainly wheat and dairy (so no milk chocolate!) so there may

be some co-incidence, but it definately doesn't do me any harm, and

provides a welcome break from an otherwise dreary diet.

Phil

>

>

> Hi Per,

> On another UK list there has been some recent (and not so recent)

> discussion about the benefits of choc for pwme. It has largely

been a

> light-hearted and slightly 'tongue in cheek' consideration, but

many on

> the list have noted that it really does provide a modest pick-me-

up.

> Nothing curative you understand. Dr Myhill notes that

chocolate

> stimulates the same neuro-receptors as cannabis which may explain

why

> people in general do get a bit of a high from the product. She

suggests

> using Cacao bits to chew on for the effect without the calories.

> I know for me a bit of chocolate can work wonders! It's good to

have

> some pleasures in this difficult life, though I appreciate we are

all

> different.

> Rosie

>

> Hi

> Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

> beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would rather

say

> I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and

intestinal

> symptoms etc from it.

>

> It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

> something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

> I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

>

> Per

>

>

> >

> > In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> fluks@

> > writes:

> >

> > Source: Hull Daily Mail

> > Date: December 16, 2006

> > URL:

> >

> http://www.thisishu

> <http://www.thisishu <http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?>

ll.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displ

>

ayContent & sourceNode=197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16

204

> 319>

> ll.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displayContent & sourceNode

> =197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16204319

> >

> >

> > Chocolate's Good for You - It's Official

> > ----------------------------------------

> >

> > It is the news anyone with a sweet tooth has been waiting for -

> chocolate

> > is officially good for you.

> >

> > Doctors at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have found

> eating

> > small bars of dark chocolate every day helps stop symptoms of

chronic

> > fatigue syndrome (CFS).

> >

> > The illness, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), leaves

> sufferers

> > with debilitating fatigue and neurological problems. People

taking

> part in

> > a study at Hull Royal Infirmary found they felt better after

eating

> > specially formulated dark chocolate each day for eight weeks.

> However, only

> > chocolate made with 85 per cent cocoa was found to have health

> benefits.

> >

> > Professor Steve Atkin, consultant endocrinologist, conducted the

> study.

> > He said: " No one has examined the effects of chocolate on CFS

> before, so

> > this is a very exciting result for us. The participants took 45g

of

> > specially formulated chocolate high in polyphenols for eight

weeks.

> They

> > then had a two-week period of rest before taking a placebo

> chocolate, low

> > in polyphenols, for another eight weeks. After the first period

they

> > reported feeling less fatigue and once they moved to the placebo

> chocolate

> > they began feeling more fatigue again. They didn't experience

any

> > significant weight gain either, which is an extra positive. "

> >

> > Chocolate contains a complex mixture of chemicals called

> polyphenols, which

> > are also reported to reduce the risk of death from coronary heart

> disease,

> > cancer and strokes. Chocolate also increases serotonin, which

> regulates

> > mood and sleep.

> >

> > Denholm, 39, of Beckside Close, west Hull, has suffered

from

> CFS for

> > more than 10 years. She said: " I have really bad attacks, where I

> cannot

> > see and I cannot use my body properly, like a newborn baby. My

> husband Ian

> > is my carer and, because I cannot guarantee how well I am going

to

> feel, I

> > cannot work. I am quite cynical, but it did work and I felt much

more

> > alert. I had more energy and didn't have any attacks. "

> >

> > The research was funded by the Diabetes Endowment Fund charity,

for

> which

> > Professor Atkin is asking for donations. The trust is now

looking for

> > people with type two diabetes, linked to age or weight, or

polycystic

> > ovary syndrome, where many cysts grow on a woman's ovaries, to

see if

> > chocolate helps.

> >

> > Professor Atkin said: " I have a large amount of chocolate in the

> department

> > waiting to be eaten. "

> >

> > Anyone who is interested, or wants to donate to the fund, should

call

> > Professor Atkin's research team on (01482) 675387. s.alexander@

> >

> >

> > Links

> >

> > Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust

> > http://www.hey. <http://www.hey. <http://www.hey.nhs.uk> nhs.uk>

nhs.uk

> > White Rabbit chocolatier

> > http://www.white- <http://www.white-

<http://www.white-rabbit-chocolate.co.uk> rabbit-chocolate.co.uk>

> rabbit-chocolate.co.uk

> >

> > --------

> > © 2006 Hull Daily Mail

> >

> > ---------------------------------------------

> > Send posts to CO-CURE@

> > Unsubscribe at http://www.co- <http://www.co-

<http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm> cure.org/unsub.htm>

> cure.org/unsub.htm

> > Select list topic options at http://www.co-

> <http://www.co- <http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm>

cure.org/topics.htm> cure.org/topics.htm

> > ---------------------------------------------

> > Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the

spectrum

> of

> > opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of

> ME/CFS and/or

> > FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific

scientific or

> > political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge

readers to

> > research the various opinions available before assuming any one

> > interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-

cure.org>

> has a

> > link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of

central

> > importance to the issues of our community.

> > ---------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > mjh

> > " The Basil Book "

> > http://foxhillfarm. <http://foxhillfarm.

<http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/> us/FireBasil/>

us/FireBasil/

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> > Hi Per,

> > On another UK list there has been some recent (and not so recent)

> > discussion about the benefits of choc for pwme. It has largely

> been a

> > light-hearted and slightly 'tongue in cheek' consideration, but

> many on

> > the list have noted that it really does provide a modest pick-me-

> up.

> > Nothing curative you understand. Dr Myhill notes that

> chocolate

> > stimulates the same neuro-receptors as cannabis which may explain

> why

> > people in general do get a bit of a high from the product. She

> suggests

> > using Cacao bits to chew on for the effect without the calories.

> > I know for me a bit of chocolate can work wonders! It's good to

> have

> > some pleasures in this difficult life, though I appreciate we are

> all

> > different.

> > Rosie

> >

> > Hi

> > Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

> > beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would rather

> say

> > I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and

> intestinal

> > symptoms etc from it.

> >

> > It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

> > something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

> > I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

> >

> > Per

> >

> >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > fluks@

> > > writes:

> > >

> > > Source: Hull Daily Mail

> > > Date: December 16, 2006

> > > URL:

> > >

> > http://www.thisishu

> > <http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

> nodeId=197370 & command=displ

> >

[Guest guest]

I have eaten cocao nibs and 85% dark chocolate and neither helped my symptoms.

I would say the sugar in the chocolate actually makes me worse. The raw cocao

nibs are probably best as they have no sugar

Re: CFS - The Chocolate Remedy

Per,

Just to echo what Rosie says, I have recently had a definate " pick-

me-up " from eating dark chocolate. I have also been avoiding various

foods, mainly wheat and dairy (so no milk chocolate!) so there may

be some co-incidence, but it definately doesn't do me any harm, and

provides a welcome break from an otherwise dreary diet.

Phil

>

>

> Hi Per,

> On another UK list there has been some recent (and not so recent)

> discussion about the benefits of choc for pwme. It has largely

been a

> light-hearted and slightly 'tongue in cheek' consideration, but

many on

> the list have noted that it really does provide a modest pick-me-

up.

> Nothing curative you understand. Dr Myhill notes that

chocolate

> stimulates the same neuro-receptors as cannabis which may explain

why

> people in general do get a bit of a high from the product. She

suggests

> using Cacao bits to chew on for the effect without the calories.

> I know for me a bit of chocolate can work wonders! It's good to

have

> some pleasures in this difficult life, though I appreciate we are

all

> different.

> Rosie

>

> Hi

> Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

> beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would rather

say

> I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and

intestinal

> symptoms etc from it.

>

> It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

> something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

> I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

>

> Per

>

>

> >

> > In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> fluks@

> > writes:

> >

> > Source: Hull Daily Mail

> > Date: December 16, 2006

> > URL:

> >

> http://www.thisishu

> <http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displ

>

ayContent & sourceNode=197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16

204

> 319>

> ll.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displayContent & sourceNode

> =197368 & home=yes & more_nodeId1=136245 & contentPK=16204319

> >

> >

> > Chocolate's Good for You - It's Official

> > ----------------------------------------

> >

> > It is the news anyone with a sweet tooth has been waiting for -

> chocolate

> > is officially good for you.

> >

> > Doctors at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have found

> eating

> > small bars of dark chocolate every day helps stop symptoms of

chronic

> > fatigue syndrome (CFS).

> >

> > The illness, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), leaves

> sufferers

> > with debilitating fatigue and neurological problems. People

taking

> part in

> > a study at Hull Royal Infirmary found they felt better after

eating

> > specially formulated dark chocolate each day for eight weeks.

> However, only

> > chocolate made with 85 per cent cocoa was found to have health

> benefits.

> >

> > Professor Steve Atkin, consultant endocrinologist, conducted the

> study.

> > He said: " No one has examined the effects of chocolate on CFS

> before, so

> > this is a very exciting result for us. The participants took 45g

of

> > specially formulated chocolate high in polyphenols for eight

weeks.

> They

> > then had a two-week period of rest before taking a placebo

> chocolate, low

> > in polyphenols, for another eight weeks. After the first period

they

> > reported feeling less fatigue and once they moved to the placebo

> chocolate

> > they began feeling more fatigue again. They didn't experience

any

> > significant weight gain either, which is an extra positive. "

> >

> > Chocolate contains a complex mixture of chemicals called

> polyphenols, which

> > are also reported to reduce the risk of death from coronary heart

> disease,

> > cancer and strokes. Chocolate also increases serotonin, which

> regulates

> > mood and sleep.

> >

> > Denholm, 39, of Beckside Close, west Hull, has suffered

from

> CFS for

> > more than 10 years. She said: " I have really bad attacks, where I

> cannot

> > see and I cannot use my body properly, like a newborn baby. My

> husband Ian

> > is my carer and, because I cannot guarantee how well I am going

to

> feel, I

> > cannot work. I am quite cynical, but it did work and I felt much

more

> > alert. I had more energy and didn't have any attacks. "

> >

> > The research was funded by the Diabetes Endowment Fund charity,

for

> which

> > Professor Atkin is asking for donations. The trust is now

looking for

> > people with type two diabetes, linked to age or weight, or

polycystic

> > ovary syndrome, where many cysts grow on a woman's ovaries, to

see if

> > chocolate helps.

> >

> > Professor Atkin said: " I have a large amount of chocolate in the

> department

> > waiting to be eaten. "

> >

> > Anyone who is interested, or wants to donate to the fund, should

call

> > Professor Atkin's research team on (01482) 675387. s.alexander@

> >

> >

> > Links

> >

> > Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust

> > http://www.hey. <http://www.hey.nhs.uk> nhs.uk

> > White Rabbit chocolatier

> > http://www.white- <http://www.white-rabbit-chocolate.co.uk>

> rabbit-chocolate.co.uk

> >

> > --------

> > © 2006 Hull Daily Mail

> >

> > ---------------------------------------------

> > Send posts to CO-CURE@

> > Unsubscribe at http://www.co- <http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm>

> cure.org/unsub.htm

> > Select list topic options at http://www.co-

> <http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm> cure.org/topics.htm

> > ---------------------------------------------

> > Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the

spectrum

> of

> > opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of

> ME/CFS and/or

> > FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific

scientific or

> > political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge

readers to

> > research the various opinions available before assuming any one

> > interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-

cure.org>

> has a

> > link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of

central

> > importance to the issues of our community.

> > ---------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > mjh

> > " The Basil Book "

> > http://foxhillfarm. <http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/>

us/FireBasil/

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

I agree with your concerns absolutely. I think the thing is that many

of us with unquestionable authentic ME do get a lift from chocolate, and

that when all else fails (and lets face it, all else tends to fail

rather often) that small effect is a nice thing to have - as Phil has

discovered. But as you say it has " Zero effect on any of the really

important ME symptoms " . My husband immediately pointed out the problem

with this 'research' - that it will make us all look like fools, and TBH

he is very disinterested in all of the politics of ME (having been

badgered about it for so long by me), so for him to make such a comment

is telling in itself.

Of course, we, on lists such as this, know that for many chocolate will

have a positive, but mild, effect, as it does for much of the

population, but that it is just that. I entirely endorse your latter

comments - about appropriate research in general, the likelihood that

the criteria for the cohort of this research might not have been all it

should, that the fatigue criteria themselves were probably seriously

flawed (if it's anything to do with Chalder then that's a given) and

likewise that it is very interesting that Mr Fluks should not be aware

of the irony of many of his conclusions re 'quackery'. But then this

world is becoming madder by the minute.

Rosie

About six years ago I first started eating chocolate since becoming

sick and that was the only minor effect it had -- increased alertness

, slightly improved mood and trivial postponing inevitable crash but

with diminishing returns. Zero effect on any of the really important

ME symptoms.

..

You'd think it might just possibly have occurred to them that over the

decades, many patients have and do eat chocolate at various strengths

and quantities but without fundamental effect, and possibly with some

ill effect albeit only in over-indulgence in some cases. In fact some

were probably eating dark chocolate when they **got** sick...

It's well known that many sufferers eat chocolate as a pick-me-up, yet

we're supposed to believe it can magically catapult bedbound sufferers

back to work?! LOL I say it worked -- as a good test to weed out

" severe " sufferers who don't have neuro-immune, multi-systemic,

multi-symptom ME but who have a misdiagnosed fatigue state void easily

filled by the nearest stimulant.

Unfortunately pantomime research like this is NOT what we need; its

dangerously misleading and promotes the idea of ME being by

association a trivial fatigue state curable by a bit of choc, a strong

coffee, a decent meal, a good night's kip, a bracing walk [etc]. I

guess we have to be careful what we wish for.

Mike

PS. odd that " Dr " Marc Fluks doesn't denounce this charade as

" quackery " while being very eager to denounce Professor Hooper, ME

Research UK and EFA research in general as " quackery " while supporting

dangerous exercise for the severely exertional intolerant.

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > Hi Per,

> > On another UK list there has been some recent (and not so recent)

> > discussion about the benefits of choc for pwme. It has largely

> been a

> > light-hearted and slightly 'tongue in cheek' consideration, but

> many on

> > the list have noted that it really does provide a modest pick-me-

> up.

> > Nothing curative you understand. Dr Myhill notes that

> chocolate

> > stimulates the same neuro-receptors as cannabis which may explain

> why

> > people in general do get a bit of a high from the product. She

> suggests

> > using Cacao bits to chew on for the effect without the calories.

> > I know for me a bit of chocolate can work wonders! It's good to

> have

> > some pleasures in this difficult life, though I appreciate we are

> all

> > different.

> > Rosie

> >

> > Hi

> > Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

> > beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would rather

> say

> > I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and

> intestinal

> > symptoms etc from it.

> >

> > It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

> > something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

> > I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

> >

> > Per

> >

> >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > fluks@

> > > writes:

> > >

> > > Source: Hull Daily Mail

> > > Date: December 16, 2006

> > > URL:

> > >

> > http://www.thisishu

> > <http://www.thisishu <http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?>

ll.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

> nodeId=197370 & command=displ

> >

[Guest guest]

Mike / Rosie,

I agree with both your comments about the dangers that

this " research " poses in terms of how people see the illness - " all

they need is a bit of choc " - the implications are that we're just a

bit feeble minded, or plain stupid.

Now I've had chance to mull it over, it is also pretty dispiriting

to think that someone wasted money on this. Who was it that made the

leap from being unsure what to do with PWME, to giving them

chocolate? What thoughts were in their mind(s) to make this leap? To

me it seems they must have been thinking in very psychosocial terms -

ie " these people need some kind of mood enhancer... chocolate! "

rather than " these people have symptoms of mitochondrial

dysfunction / cardiac insufficiency etc " (the list is long as we all

know...).

So they come out with a very simplistic, fadish answer, perhaps

backed up with pseudo-scientific comments along the lines of " well,

dark chocolate contains a lot of zinc " . All in all, it just shows

uphow badly medical research is conducted - not very scientifically,

but on the basis of the pet theories and quirky observations of a

bunch of losers who couldn't research their way out of a wet paper

bag.

However (!), the co-incidence with my own recent experiences was

weird! I seem to be developing new dietry intolerances on a weekly

basis, but dark chocolate isn't on the list (yet), and this

realisation has lead to me buying conspicuous amounts in the

supermarket when I am actually out and about in the last few weeks.

But I must stress that my recent uplight probably did have more to

do with cutting out dietry antagonists (coconut products, soya milk

(maltodextrin anyone?) etc).

I really should have been a bio-chemist...

Phil

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi Per,

> > > On another UK list there has been some recent (and not so

recent)

> > > discussion about the benefits of choc for pwme. It has

largely

> > been a

> > > light-hearted and slightly 'tongue in cheek' consideration,

but

> > many on

> > > the list have noted that it really does provide a modest pick-

me-

> > up.

> > > Nothing curative you understand. Dr Myhill notes that

> > chocolate

> > > stimulates the same neuro-receptors as cannabis which may

explain

> > why

> > > people in general do get a bit of a high from the product.

She

> > suggests

> > > using Cacao bits to chew on for the effect without the

calories.

> > > I know for me a bit of chocolate can work wonders! It's good

to

> > have

> > > some pleasures in this difficult life, though I appreciate we

are

> > all

> > > different.

> > > Rosie

> > >

> > > Hi

> > > Wish it was that simple, but I cant say chocolate has ever been

> > > beneficial for my CFS, whether it is light or dark. I would

rather

> > say

> > > I experience increased stress, jitteryness, joint pain and

> > intestinal

> > > symptoms etc from it.

> > >

> > > It is supposedly very healthy and have vascular benefits aswell

> > > something which could be beneficial to CFS patients.

> > > I have never before heard of it being beneficial for CFS.

> > >

> > > Per

> > >

> > >

> > > >

> > > > In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard

Time,

> > > fluks@

> > > > writes:

> > > >

> > > > Source: Hull Daily Mail

> > > > Date: December 16, 2006

> > > > URL:

> > > >

> > > http://www.thisishu

> > > <http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

> > nodeId=197370 & command=displ

> > >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Phil,

Re the Soy; have a look at the mercola site. He had an interesting

update on the problems of non-fermented soy products. IE; only natto,

miso and (can't remember the 3rd one) are likely to be beneficial.

Others such as soy milk, tofu etc are, like as not, probably bad for

you.

Rosie

However (!), the co-incidence with my own recent experiences was

weird! I seem to be developing new dietry intolerances on a weekly

basis, but dark chocolate isn't on the list (yet), and this

realisation has lead to me buying conspicuous amounts in the

supermarket when I am actually out and about in the last few weeks.

But I must stress that my recent uplight probably did have more to

do with cutting out dietry antagonists (coconut products, soya milk

(maltodextrin anyone?) etc).

I really should have been a bio-chemist...

Phil

_

[Guest guest]

:-((( I was about to cook some tofu for the first

time...aagghhhh!!!! Minutes away....!

>

> Hi Phil,

> Re the Soy; have a look at the mercola site. He had an interesting

> update on the problems of non-fermented soy products. IE; only

natto,

> miso and (can't remember the 3rd one) are likely to be beneficial.

> Others such as soy milk, tofu etc are, like as not, probably bad

for

> you.

> Rosie

>

> However (!), the co-incidence with my own recent experiences was

> weird! I seem to be developing new dietry intolerances on a weekly

> basis, but dark chocolate isn't on the list (yet), and this

> realisation has lead to me buying conspicuous amounts in the

> supermarket when I am actually out and about in the last few

weeks.

> But I must stress that my recent uplight probably did have more to

> do with cutting out dietry antagonists (coconut products, soya

milk

> (maltodextrin anyone?) etc).

>

> I really should have been a bio-chemist...

>

> Phil

>

> _

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

>Just when you think that your disease may be taken, SERIOUSLY, this

psuedoscience appears...Hershey is behind this one.

Oh well, maybe, I can enjoy a little chocolate, with no quilt, this

Christmas...which will probably lead to a candida

infection/hypoglycemic crash.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good bar of chocolate!

>

> In a message dated 12/16/2006 7:05:34 PM Eastern Standard Time,

fluks@...

> writes:

>

> Source: Hull Daily Mail

> Date: December 16, 2006

> URL:

> http://www.thisishull.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?

nodeId=197370 & command=displayContent & sourceNode=197368 & home=yes & more_n

odeId1=136245 & contentPK=16204319

>

>

> Chocolate's Good for You - It's Official

> ----------------------------------------

>

> It is the news anyone with a sweet tooth has been waiting for -

chocolate

> is officially good for you.

>

> Doctors at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust have found

eating

> small bars of dark chocolate every day helps stop symptoms of

chronic

> fatigue syndrome (CFS).

>

> The illness, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), leaves

sufferers

> with debilitating fatigue and neurological problems. People taking

part in

> a study at Hull Royal Infirmary found they felt better after

eating

> specially formulated dark chocolate each day for eight weeks.

However, only

> chocolate made with 85 per cent cocoa was found to have health

benefits.

>

> Professor Steve Atkin, consultant endocrinologist, conducted the

study.

> He said: " No one has examined the effects of chocolate on CFS

before, so

> this is a very exciting result for us. The participants took 45g

of

> specially formulated chocolate high in polyphenols for eight

weeks. They

> then had a two-week period of rest before taking a placebo

chocolate, low

> in polyphenols, for another eight weeks. After the first period

they

> reported feeling less fatigue and once they moved to the placebo

chocolate

> they began feeling more fatigue again. They didn't experience any

> significant weight gain either, which is an extra positive. "

>

> Chocolate contains a complex mixture of chemicals called

polyphenols, which

> are also reported to reduce the risk of death from coronary heart

disease,

> cancer and strokes. Chocolate also increases serotonin, which

regulates

> mood and sleep.

>

> Denholm, 39, of Beckside Close, west Hull, has suffered from

CFS for

> more than 10 years. She said: " I have really bad attacks, where I

cannot

> see and I cannot use my body properly, like a newborn baby. My

husband Ian

> is my carer and, because I cannot guarantee how well I am going to

feel, I

> cannot work. I am quite cynical, but it did work and I felt much

more

> alert. I had more energy and didn't have any attacks. "

>

> The research was funded by the Diabetes Endowment Fund charity,

for which

> Professor Atkin is asking for donations. The trust is now looking

for

> people with type two diabetes, linked to age or weight, or

polycystic

> ovary syndrome, where many cysts grow on a woman's ovaries, to see

if

> chocolate helps.

>

> Professor Atkin said: " I have a large amount of chocolate in the

department

> waiting to be eaten. "

>

> Anyone who is interested, or wants to donate to the fund, should

call

> Professor Atkin's research team on (01482) 675387. s.alexander@...

>

>

> Links

>

> Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust

> http://www.hey.nhs.uk

> White Rabbit chocolatier

> http://www.white-rabbit-chocolate.co.uk

>

> --------

> © 2006 Hull Daily Mail

>

> ---------------------------------------------

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>

>

>

>

> mjh

> " The Basil Book "

> http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil/

>

>

>