WASHINGTON - If that craving for chocolate sometimes feels like it is coming from deep in your gut, that's because maybe it is.
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A small study links the type of bacteria living in people's digestive system to a desire for chocolate. Everyone has a vast community of microbes in their guts. But people who crave daily chocolate show signs of having different colonies of bacteria than people who are immune to chocolate's allure.
That may be the case for other foods, too. The idea could eventually lead to treating some types of obesity by changing the composition of the trillions of bacteria occupying the intestines and stomach, said Sunil Kochhar, co-author of the study. It appears Friday in the peer-reviewed Journal of Proteome Research.
Kochhar is in charge of metabolism research at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. The food conglomerate Nestle SA paid for the study. But this isn't part of an effort to convert a few to the dark side (or even milk) side of cocoa, Kocchar said.
In fact, the study was delayed because it took a year for the researchers to find 11 men who don't eat chocolate.
Kochhar compared the blood and urine of those 11 men, who he jokingly called "weird" for their indifference to chocolate, to 11 similar men who ate chocolate daily. They were all healthy, not obese, and were fed the same food for five days.
The researchers examined the byproducts of metabolism in their blood and urine and found that a dozen substances were significantly different between the two groups. For example, the amino acid glycine was higher in chocolate lovers, while taurine (an active ingredient in energy drinks) was higher in people who didn't eat chocolate. Also chocolate lovers had lower levels of the bad cholesterol, LDL.
The levels of several of the specific substances that were different in the two groups are known to be linked to different types of bacteria, Kochhar said.
Still to be determined is if the bacteria cause the craving, or if early in life people's diets changed the bacteria, which then reinforced food choices.
How gut bacteria affect people is a hot field of scientific research.
Past studies have shown that intestinal bacteria change when people lose weight, said Dr. Sam Klein, an obesity expert and professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.
Since bacteria interact with what you eat, it is logical to think that there is a connection between those microbes and desires for certain foods, said Klein, who wasn't part of Kochhar's study.
Kochhar's research makes so much sense that people should have thought of it earlier, said J. Bruce German, professor of food chemistry at the University of California Davis. While five outside scientists thought the study was intriguing, Dr. Richard Bergman at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, had concerns about the accuracy of the initial division of the men into groups that wanted chocolate or were indifferent to it.
What matters to Kochhar is where the research could lead.
Kochhar said the relationship between food, people and what grows in their gut is important for the future: "If we understand the relationship, then we can find ways to nudge it in the right direction."
Probably, but they should throw the
book at her. LOL. She will probably do a Naomi Campbell act when she had to do community service in New York City, getting all dressed up to enter the facility and coming out in her evening gown. That was pretty funny.
Or Paris if she gets community service she will probably dress and act like she did in the Simple Life, (I think that it what it was called) with Nicole Ritchie. See what happens when you have TOO much money. Probably never worked a day in her life.
No - don't throw your son under the bus!
Why would you purposely cause one family member to hate another? You need to acknowledge to your son that you understand his feelings, and you need to gently guide your husband to see the reality of his behavior, but don't tell him what your son innocently told you. Be a confident he can trust in this stressful world, and do what you need to to get your husband the help he needs.
I had a violent father, and my mother stood by and did nothing. It was just as clear to me as it is to your son that my father was mean and yelled too much (and was violent). Things family members said were always causing me to receive yet more unnecessary violence, and it was wrong of them.
what did you have to throw out after the
I had to throw out the Austin peanut butter crackers. I heard there were around 1,800 items now on the list.
Throw them in the swamp.
KIDDING! Our municipality runs a spring/fall cleanup and has designated dates/times where we can bring "hazardous" waste such as computers, monitors, cans of paint, etc. I'd give your town office a buzz and I'm sure they can help you out with that. Big business in recycling these things nowadays. If they are still working, just maybe too old and slow for what you want them to do, consider donating to a senior center, church, or American Legion.
Hubby did it again! I had to work a couple hours this morning and in the meantime, he decided to clean out the linen closet.
Things he kept: All his stuff, plus old towels that are good for rags.
Things he threw out: My shampoos, my curling irons, make-up, my electric shaver, etc. When I asked where they were, he burned them! My curling irons were brand new!
Is he trying to tell me something?
This is not the first time he's done something like that. I hate not being here when he gets a "whim" like this, but I never thought he'd throw out my good stuff.
then i just throw on a sweatshirt!! :)
actually who am i kidding, i dont EVER answer the door anyways... you know I never answer the door to strangers for real. Even if it's a kid selling magazines. You just never know... not unless my BF was home. plus i have two crazy non-behaved dogs that if i opened the door, not only would they take off, but they would jump on the person in the process.... I read all the responses and it's funny how some people mentioned being "clean"... now if im sweating at the gym every day or having sex every night it's one thing... but I dont normally get dirty after sitting at a comp all day!!! :) And even when I do get up and get ready, as soon as im done running errands or whatever it was i was out doing, i go right back into my comfy clothes. And the part about the DH not wanting to see a wife all frumpy... my BF loves me either way, and he sees me enough dressed way up (on the weekend nights we go out)... so no big deal around my parts! :)
Don't throw out those cards!
Christmas is over, please don't throw away your cards. If you don't already have plans, please consider sending them to the Pine Ridge Reservation. Children there recycle the cards to make cards for next year. They sell these to earn money. They only need the front of the cards - the picture part - and welcome any style (obviously not naughty cards). The address to send cards is:
Via UPS or FedEx: Carmelita Mesteth Oyate Teca Project Wakanyeja Okolakiciye Youth Center 1000 Youth Center Drive Kyle, SD 57752
Via US Mail: Carmelita Mesteth Oyate Teca Project P.O. Box 316 Kyle, SD 57752
Toss it........chicken needs to be refrigerated after cooking and leaving it all night in the oven is not a good thing, I have done it myself and thrown the chicken out.
When in doubt, throw it out!
I made one of the throw blankets like this
for pretty much all of my relatives last Christmas. It has been the single most rewarding gift I have ever given. My mom used hers a lot but, during her brief fight with lung cancer, she had a hard time staying warm and she wanted my cover with her ALL (I mean literally ALL) the time. She had it right up until the minute she died. Of whatever I might inherit from her, I already know that I'm getting that blanket back, and there is no material thing on this earth at this time that I will treasure more.
How dare he accuse you of doing something that you have to hide?
Get an answering machine. Don't answer the phone, or let him do it, since he has so much time on his hands.
Keep a glass of water on your desk, and throw it on him when he opens the door. (Don't do this if he is violent, and if he is violent, you have a lot more problems than you realize.)
Hubby said they throw lips and noses in there!
Don't know if he was kidding, but lost my appetite. Would love to see Spamalot, love Ben Gazzara, he was in it in NY.
"Bring out your Dead." "But I'm not dead yet!" "Shut up, stop being a baby!!" Something like that. Too funny. Crazy is good these days.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii is investigating a shocking video of a smiling Marine throwing a puppy off the top of a steep hillside in Iraq into a gully below.
The video today gained widespread attention and condemnation on the Internet.
"The video is shocking and deplorable and is contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine," the Kane'ohe Bay base said in a release.
Base officials said the video came to their attention this morning. An investigation has been initiated. Maj. Chris Perrine, a Marine spokesman here, said "it's looking like" the Marine is based out of Hawai'i.
"We do not tolerate this type of behavior and will take appropriate action," the base said.
Two Marines are seen in combat gear smiling as one holds a white-and-black puppy by the scruff of its neck. The dog seems to be about 8 weeks old and is motionless as it is held.
"Cute little puppy, huh?" says one Marine as he smiles broadly.
"Oh so cute, so cute, little puppy," says another in a child-like voice.
The Marine holding the puppy is then seen throwing the animal overhand into a desert-like gully below. The animal yelps until it thuds to the ground at the bottom of the gully.
"That's mean," one Marine says afterward.
The 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment of about 1,000 Hawai'i Marines recently replaced a sister unit in Iraq, the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
Marine Corps Base Hawai'i said the vast majority of Marines "conduct their duties in an honorable manner that brings great credit upon the Marine Corps and the United States."
There have been numerous stories of Marines adopting pets and bringing them home from Iraq or helping to arrange life-saving medical care for Iraqi children. Those are the stories that exemplify what we stand for and how most Marines behave."
Some people have claimed it's possible the video is fake, but it doesn't seem likely.
Really, really sick.
This kind of twisted lack of humanity seems to stem partially from the brutal brainwashing soldiers go through in bootcamp, combined with the severe emotional stress of the field.
Whoever those guys are, I hope they're both discharged immediately, but I also hope they receive serious emotional help.
I was a responsible teen, but my parents set strict rules on my driving. At the time, I did not understand but now that I have a 10-year-old son who keeps reminding me each year that he will be driving in __ years, I understand completely. If it were an option for us, I would keep my kids babies forever.
Another thing you can do, just to maybe ease your mind about driving is take her to the local police department and have them to show actual footage of accidents. I know that sounds pretty harsh, but it has saved a lot of kids lives in my surrounding area.
I would rather them be locked in a car driving than strolling or walking alone - In Florida - we have had MANY YOUNG KIDS killed (murder) by being alone walking to and from school. My children are VERY responsible and pay for everything, except that car insurance (which is wayyyyyyyyy too much) which I offered to pay until age 28. By the age of 28, they'll be earning more $$. My OLD brother (and he's very old *LOL*) did this for his son until age 28 (think he's about 38 now) because of the exhorbitant insurance rates. I decided to follow suit. If we have it, why shouldn't we help them. I'd rather help my children while I'M ALIVE AND KICKING rather than what they get when I die, IF there is anything to get *LOL*
Y'all have a GREAT day!
Remember, we can all agree to disagree without being nasty and rude.
One of my children saved all the Xmas/holiday/birthday $$ ever received from toddler-hood so that at 17 had $6000+ and put it down on a BRAND NEW SMALL CAR, albeit I had to co-sign the balance. Child did pay the rest off. I too am very proud of the children who are young still, one has worked for 10 years already (started off part-time at about 14 after school by own choice).
Yep, I want kids to hang out in multiple numbers today - never walking alone - too many CREEPS out there in the USA today and they are EVERYWHERE....really creepy to me.........
Let's sing out for the responsible good kids who are out there trying to live life in this messed-up world!!!!
HOORAY FOR THE CHILDREN!!!! They are our future and if we don't back them, well then we are up the creek without a paddle, right?
I agree...
Don't be too quick to judge! Last I knew car seats can be moved from one car to another! It's so sad that a few rotten apples out there ruin it for the people who really need the help! Hope you are never in a situation where you may need a little help.
I agree
Hey, Chillie, I love what you said. It's time somebody did. All this political correctness crap is getting to the point where it really offends me. And I'm SOMEBODY, TOO!!! Thanks.
It all goes to what you agree to when you take the job
If you take the job knowing that it involves working the holiday or the night of or the night before then it is your obligation to do so. That is the way of this trade. Then the days following the holiday we are "dead" and everyone is yelling for work. Kind of like the hospitals, the police, the fire department, the stores half the time -- we all know what is expected when we accept the job. If you knew that it was expected of you when you said yes -- then I think it is your obligation to work. If you have your own accounts or are an IC then you have the right to say no but don't complain when nothing comes your way the day or two after the holoidays. I chose to have my own accounts and some are open the day after Thanksgiving and so what I pick up on late Weds has to be back by early Friday and so somwhere in that timeframe I have to get it done. I might have a few more hours to do it but also have a family and life so will squeeze it in. Then Friday I will have what was dictated on Weds and have to work on over the weekend. So you see you are not alone but this has been the way since I have been doing this, close to 20+ years. Before that when I worked in office/clinics we were never closed for the Friday after Thanksgiving, saw patients until 6 on Weds, back at 8 on Friday. Anway got things to do. Patti
I agree
I was in management also and I was lucky in that there were only a certain few MTs that were very stubborn about not working holidays or flat out refused. Most were willing to compromise, maybe do one major holiday and have off the other, or even put in a few hours of their choice. It is those who refuse to work all holidays that can mess things up for everyone. For if everyone refused, what then? I guess it would then have to become mandatory???? Exactly!
I agree with you...
Even if the story you were told is true, there's still something not right about the situation. Best to make sure your daughter's not in any danger, I'd do the same thing! Good luck...I feel for the other family though...how hard would that be?
I agree...
My husband is far from dispensable! He's my best friend too. He's a wonderful father, husband, son, brother, everything! We've been married for almost 20 years and I love and need him more today than I did in the beginning. Men are getting an unfair wrap here...although I completely sympathize with the OP. That's her situation, though, not every marriage comes down to that.
Like I said before (and my post was deleted for some reason) I am looking forward to growing old with my husband...raising grandchildren...hopefully finally getting to travel. I do believe the best has yet to come for us!
I 100% agree.
x
I agree
My friend and I went on a sugar free diet - it lasted 2 days. After numerous trips to the restroom, we both finally came to the conclusion that it was the sugar substitutes. Go for Splenda... After removing sugar substitues we had no more problems.
I agree and not only that - what about the
actions speak louder than words - if he wasn't guilty he would've stuck around..........would have had nothing to run from if he was innocent......and that's another thing - in the case, he was NOT found NOT GUILTY - he was found innocent by a reasonable doubt....(pssst - cause he's still guilty)...LOL
if it looks like a horse, smells like a horse, acts like a horse, it is not a swan!
RIP Ron and Nicole......
I agree sm
If you take hungry men a meal of sand covered with some cheese, they are gonna say it is great. It was very funny to me too. I am a country fair blue ribbon winner. Of course they are not gonna say this tastes awful. I make the best blue ribbon potato salad. I mean really, if you take hungry men anything, they are not gonna tell your husband it was mediocore, hungry men will eat almost anything.
I agree with you...
Your original intention was to "feel" out how others felt about your situation. You never argued with anyone who replied earlier with anything but thanks. Log off now, and forget about the rants and raves. I hope you have a good evening.
I agree
I have never been big on that with my kids, never felt comfortable with it even when they were much younger. As ridiculous as it may sound, I can remember finding out there was no Santa and I was incredibly upset that my parents lied to me. Christmas is not about Santa. Still bugs me. haha.
I don't agree with your vet.
When I finally saw my dog going through a partial seizure, she was definitely scared and in pain. Afterwards she almost stopped breathing. Hers were caused by a tumor, but in a young dog like yours, it is almost certainly epilepsy. I have a friend whose dog has epilepsy with terrible seizures, and now he's on medication and only has 1 seizure a month. They are all much happier. If I were you I'd change vets because I'd be worried the seizures were causing brain damage.