“OK, Dr. Schwartz, now we know for sure that you have lost it.” I can almost hear some of my readers either saying or thinking some like this. No, I am not a mind reader but, perhaps that is what I would think. Anyway, there is some reasoning behind this post.

At the outset, let me state that I am not a research scientist. Yet, I intend to do some research. Let me explain.

Research scientists published an article in the Journal of Proteome Research about their findings that eating an ounce and one half of dark chocolate per day may reduce feelings of stress. It seems that the anti oxidants and other substances found in dark chocolate reduces stress hormones that can be stored in the body and have a negative impact on mood and bring about high blood pressure and heart disease. According to the findings, the levels of stress hormones are reduced in two weeks. These were the results gathered from volunteers who reported hight levels of stress and remained on the daily intake of dark chocolate for two weeks.

Discussion:

Now, I don’t know about you and I don’t know how accurate these results are nor how carefully controlled there experiments were conducted, but, I decided to follow my own research on this extremely important subject!!

So, no sooner had I read the study than I went out and purchased several bars of dark chocolate. I noticed that my family was not at all reluctant to join in this “experiment” of mine. “After all,” we all reasoned, “what could possibly be offensive about such an investigation.” We all agreed that this is “very hard work,” but some of us had to do it!!!

Remember how difficult it can be to remember to take your medication? Remember how difficult it can be to remember to call the pharmacy to renew your prescriptions? None of us are experiencing any of these difficulties. Curious, huh?

The only possible downside to the experiment is that weight can be gained and that can become stressful. However, other researchers report that dark chocolate causes people to feel very full and, therefore, eat less because their appetite is lowered. The only real problem is with this is to stay with the recommended dose of chocolate and refrain from eating than is recommended.

Well, who am I to argue with science? If the dark chocolate reduces my stress, great. If it does not, it’s fun trying and fun is supposed to reduce stress. So, from my personal point of view, this is a win-win situation.

In no way am I suggesting that you, the reader, engage in this type of “risky behavior,” but, should you want to try, please remember that it must be Dark Chocolate and no more that an ounce and one half per day.

Caution 1: I cannot predict the risks of going above and beyond the recommended dosage. I can only relate to you that my experience of going beyond one and one half dose is to experience even more happiness.

Caution 2: Please do not throw away your anti depressants. We are a long ways from being able to say that there is anything curative in this.

Ah, reseach is so hard and science demands such self sacrifice!!! What is a person to do???

Your comments are welcome, do not have to be serious and and your jokes are always encouraged.

Allan N. Schwartz, PhD.

Youngevity is an international direct marketing company that has been supplying hundreds of thousands of satisfied consumers and resellers with innovative products since 1997, grossing over $250 million in sales since inception. With this profitable union, not only will we provide a solution to a growing demand for products that provide a healthy lifestyle but also present an environmentally responsible choice.

Notwithstanding the pending merger, and as part of the effort to integrate Ethos and Youngevity, effective immediately, Stephan R. Wallach has been appointed CEO of Ethos Environmental, Inc., and Dr. Joel D. Wallach becomes Chairman of the Board. Concurrently, Corey P. Schlossmann has resigned as CEO, and Howard Landa has resigned as a Director. Mr. Schlossmann will continue as a Director.

Some of the more notable terms of the merger are set forth below:

– Youngevity shareholders will receive 60% of the post-transaction
entity.
– Restructuring of all Ethos shareholder debt into equity.
– The transaction remains subject to the satisfaction of customary
closing, including regulatory approval as necessary.

“We have been searching for just the right opportunity to move into the environmentally-consciousness space,” stated incoming Chairman of the Board, Dr. Joel Wallach, the founder of Youngevity. “I like that Ethos has been dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment with the same passion that Youngevity brings to the healthy-lifestyle market. We look forward to rallying around this product and its cause.”

“This merger will provide substantive exposure to our products and represents a major step forward for Ethos,” said Corey P. Schlossmann, outgoing CEO of Ethos, who will continue as a board member. “We believe that by merging Ethos with Youngevity, a respected direct selling distribution company capable of folding our scientifically-proven product line into their extensive domestic and international distributor base, we have taken an important step in increasing value for our shareholders. I am elated with this merger and look forward to supporting incoming CEO Stephan R. Wallach and his team as they help Ethos further meet its potential.”

Speaking about the benefit for Youngevity, incoming CEO Wallach, an avid car enthusiast states, “Our distributors have been clamoring for a breakthrough eco-friendly product like EthosFR+ and EthosFR Oil Treatment. Youngevity benefits by becoming a public company through this merger, making this by far the most significant acquisition our company has made to date. In addition, it will further provide the type of financial audience we have been looking for to support our unique industry niche and assist our company in meeting its vast potential.”

For additional video commentary from CEO Stephan R. Wallach, visit SNN Wire.

About Youngevity

Youngevity® Essential Life Sciences is a nutritional company dedicated to improving lifestyles by promoting vibrant health and flourishing economics. It is the company’s mission to deliver the finest array of technologically advanced essential and beneficial nutritional products available. Originally founded in 1997 by Dr. Joel Wallach and Dr. Ma Lan as AL Global, Inc. the company adopted the name Youngevity® in 2006. Youngevity is the only network marketing company to have an authorized FDA Health Claim. Dr. Wallach’s research has resulted in the publication of more than 70 peer reviewed and referenced journal articles in the fields of nutrition and pharmaceutical research, and he has made major contributions to numerous multi-authored text and reference books on these subjects. The company is based in San Diego, California and more information on the company can be found at www.youngevity.com.

About Ethos Environmental, Inc.

Ethos Environmental, Inc. (OTCBB: ETEV), a San Diego-based corporation, has developed and manufactured award-winning fuel based eco-friendly solutions that have been incorporated into a family of products that help all combustion engines meet environmental regulations and achieve greater engine efficiency. For more information about Ethos Environmental, Inc., visit www.ethosfr.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding future activities. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Ethos Environmental to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to acquire and develop future assets, the ability to fund operations and changes in consumer and business habits and other factors over which Ethos Environmental, Inc., or any affiliates, has little or no control.

Contacts
Corporate Contact:
Thomas W. Maher
CFO
Ethos Environmental, Inc.
Tel: 619-575-6800
tom@ethosfr.com
www.ethosfr.com
Investor Contact:
Financial Insights
2082 SE Bristol, Suite 209
Newport Beach, CA 92660
888-572-7934

CNN MONEY ARTICLE LINK

Researchers from Utah presented fresh evidence this week linking vitamin D deficiency to heart disease at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Vitamin D has a good reputation even in the worthy company of other vitamins, having been associated variously with cardiovascular health, strong bones, cognitive health, cancer protection and immune health.

Scientists from the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City now claim to have dug up stronger evidence supporting the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin D. They also claim to have more firmly established the link between a lack of the vitamin in the diet and heart disease.

Observational research

For more than a year, the Intermountain Medical Center research team followed 27,686 people who were 50 years of age or older with no prior history of cardiovascular disease.

The participants had their blood vitamin D levels tested during routine clinical care. They were divided into three groups based on their vitamin D levels – normal (over 30 nanograms per milliliter), low (15-30 ng/ml), or very low (less than 15 ng/ml). The scientist then followed them to see if they developed some form of heart disease.

Researchers found that people with very low levels of vitamin D were 77 percent more likely to die, 45 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease, and 78 percent more likely to have a stroke than those with normal levels. They also found that participants with very low levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to suffer heart failure.

Study significance

Commenting on the significance of the results, Brent Muhlestein, director of cardiovascular research at the Intermountain Medical Centre, said: “This was a unique study because the association between Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease has not been well-established.”

Muhlestein went on to say the previous studies have demonstrated links between vitamin D deficiency and risk factors related to heart disease like blood pressure, glucose control, and inflammation.

This latest research is distinct from these studies because it tackles the link between vitamin D and heart disease directly. And although the study is only observational, Muhlestein said it is based on a population pool in Utah that is well suited to the task in hand.

“For example, because of Utah’s low use of tobacco and alcohol, we were able to narrow the focus of the study to the effects of Vitamin D on the cardiovascular system,” said Muhlestein.

In any case, he said the conclusions create an impetus for further study.

“We believe the findings are important enough to now justify randomized treatment trials of supplementation in patients with Vitamin D deficiency to determine for sure whether it can reduce the risk of heart disease,” added the researcher.

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Writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists from the world famous Karolinska Institute report that multivitamin supplements had no effect on the incidence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, or atopic sensitization in 2,423 eight-year olds.

However, when the scientists limited their analysis to children who started supplementation before the age of four, a 39 per cent decrease in the risk of sensitisation to food allergens.

“Our results show no association between current use of multivitamins and risk of allergic disease but suggest that supplementation with multivitamins during the first years of life may reduce the risk of allergic disease at school age,” they concluded.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.27963
“Use of multivitamin supplements in relation to allergic disease in 8-y-old children”
Authors: K. Marmsjo, H. Rosenlund, I. Kull, N. Hakansson, M. Wickman, G. Pershagen, A. Bergstrom

Chocolate is big business. Market researcher, Euromonitor, puts the market at $100bn and notes the rise of dark and premium chocolate that is boosting the category but remains at little more than a few per cent with the bulk of the growth coming from North America and Asia.

Consumption of the antioxidant-rich chocolate containing 495 mg of polyphenols led to reductions in levels of inflammatory compounds which contribute to development of atherosclerosis, according to results published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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