Heads up choco-holics, research shows your "sweet tooth" cravings may be bona fide cries from the depths of your depressed and weary brain -- an S.O.S. for particular mood elevating, energy boosting chemicals. Research has found that the natural compounds in chocolate really do register a positive affect on mood and energy, offering that "luvin feelin'"--special properties that would seem to be crucial to a successful weight loss program.

Chocolate, botanically dubbed "food of the gods," from the Greek "Theobroma cacao," contains, among its many compounds, the mild stimulant theobromine.

Milder than caffeine (both belong to the xanthine family), the action of theobromine (possibly combined with other chocolate ingredients) is believed to raise serotonin levels, the "feel good" neurotransmitter that is released during exercise or triggered by popular prescription antidepressants like Prozac.

However, unlike antidepressants, chocolate can enhance sexual function rather than invite problems. In fact, chocolate is regarded as an aphrodisiac that is believed to contain the "love chemical" phenylethylamine (PEA). There is no accident when chocolates are given on Valentine's Day.

In fact, the "chemistry" that attracts lovers may actually be the result of the phenylethylamine produced in their brains. PEA, it seems, may improve one's mood as fast as an amphetamine to release brain chemicals, particularly the energy-associated neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, also dopamine, the chemical responsible for pleasurable feelings and euphoria (the very same brain neurons that employ dopamine also regulate motor control and sex drive).

Additionally, scientists have identified over 300 other compounds in chocolate, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, some of which are considered anti-aging cellular guardians. Among them are high magnesium levels which are key to heart and bone health, heart-healthy polyphenols (the compounds found in red wine), and arginine, an amino acid that acts to enhance penile erection when used in large doses.

A recent online, "Health BBC News" report says that chocolate may be better for your health than tea because it contains more catechins, a chemical that could prevent cancer and heart disease-- dark chocolate contains four times as many catechins as tea (53.5mg of catechins per 100g, black tea infusion only 13.9mg per 100ml). (from Holland's National Institute of Public Health and Environment published findings in "The Lancet" medical journal.).

What's more, when chocolate is "defatted," or lecithinated, it can also accelerate weight loss. A little diet capsule called Cocotonin TM may not titillate your taste buds (that is, not unless you open it), but it sure can quench your chocolate cravings guilt-free and avoid cycles of overeating those carb and fat overindulgences. Those of us with a "sweet tooth" know that once that cycle begins, the weight loss battle is on and it can,

ultimately, wind up leaving us frustrated and depressed, without any hope of losing weight. Anxiety, fatigue, low energy, and low libido are usually all part of the picture.

But this littleCocotonin TM capsule hefts even more ammo than cocoa. To further enhance its mood elevating, anti-aging, aphrodisiac, pound-shedding properties, additional supporting nutrients, with powers of their own, have been added into the synergy, namely St. John's Wort, Chromium, Garcinia Cambogia, Gingko Biloba, Siberian Ginseng, Quercetin and Citrus Aurantuium.

St. John's Wort (AKA Hypericum perforatum), an herb long used in healing asthmasciatica, and headaches, has recently seen sales skyrocket as millions of Americans discover the safe, natural immune builder/ "blues chaser" surprisingly lightens their bodies weight as well as their moods.

Prozac is no more effective than St. John's Wort or other antidepressant drugs for that matter in combating "low spirits," admits Los Angeles psychiatrist Dr. Hyla Cass. And research is proving that St. John's Wort is significantly superior to placebos and as effective as standard synthetic antidepressants while avoiding the all-too-frequent adverse drug reactions.

How the herb works is not clear, but it is believed to work by blocking the re-uptake of serotonin and inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) so that serotonin levels can rise. Elevated serotonin levels mean stabilized appetites and curbed carbohydrate cravings.

Chromium plays a vital role in managing blood sugar imbalances to promote healthy arteries and slow premature aging, protecting against an excess of insulin in the blood. Enhancing the function of insulin in metabolizing sugar, fat, and protein, it induces weight loss.

Clinical trials have shown that chromium lowers blood cholesterol and glucose levels. It inhibits a process known as glycosylation, in which protein molecules bind with sugar molecules to form non-functional structures that eventually cause some of the degenerative changes of aging.

A common condition in overweight individuals is insulin resistance in which tissues become insensitive to the pancreatic hormone that transports glucose and other vital nutrients into the cells for energy production and tissue growth. Insulin resistance in the obese is especially evident in muscle, adipose, liver, and brain tissue and is believed to be one of the causes of excessive fat storage found in such individuals.

Typically, overweight individuals with carbohydrate cravings are chromium deficient. Chromium deficiency also contributes to radical blood sugar level swings, resulting in serious mood swings.

While chromium is essential for the body. It tends to be depleted by stress.

And unfortunately, due to our typical diet of processed foods, at least 90 percent of Americans have a serious chromium shortage.

Another exciting component in Cocotonin TM is Garcinia Gambogia, a small pumpkin-shaped fruit whose rind contains large and accessible amounts of (-) HCA, known formally as (-) hydroxycitrate acid, an organic acid similar to the citric acid found in oranges, lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that HCA increases the ability of the liver and muscles to synthesize and store glycogen, suppressing appetite, thereby reducing food consumption by about ten percent. HCA also slows down lipogenesis, the enzyme process responsible for producing fat within the body's cells. This results in accelerated thermogenesis, or fat burning.

Besides this, HCA decreases serum triglycerides, and also decreases cholesterol.

There have been a number of studies showing that HCA can reduce food intake leading to significant weight loss in lean and obese rats, mice, and chickens. When HCA was given to mature rats (10-14 months of age), for example, food intake was reduced significantly for the first seven weeks of treatment, but not during the last seven weeks oftreatment. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Analysis of the body composition of the rats treated with HCA revealed a significant reduction in total body fat but no change in total body protein. A significant finding was that the normalization of food intake observed during the last seven weeks of the study did not produce "rebound" weight gain. HCA, it seems, can induce weight loss in a physiologically natural manner without putting undue stress on an animal losing weight. And the fact that the animals lost body fat,

but not protein, indicates that HCA's weight-loss effect was caused by a reduction in fat, not lean body mass. Additionally, no "rebound" eating was observed after HCA treatment, permanent weight-loss was apparent.

Interestingly weight loss in the lean animals was caused by reduction in total body fat, including the number and size of their fat cells. In the genetically obese rats decrease in weight was attributable solely to reduction in fat cell number. The genetically obese rats remained overweight, but still underwent significant weight loss. Since these rats are resistant to weight-loss (as are their human counterparts), this suggests that HCA may be the first weight-loss agent that provides hope for people who have difficulty in losing weight even if they starve themselves.

Extensive trials show that HCA should be taken 20 to 30 minutes before meals to be effective, although it can remain active for several hours afterwards.

Trials also show that HCA is 700% more effective when taken two to three times per day than when taken only once.

Mood elevating Ginkgo Biloba increases the brain uptake of serotonin. A powerful vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels down to the microcapillaries, it enhances metabolism and the flow oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, boosting memory, vision, as well as sexual function. A German study followed 112 individuals for one year to find a significant regression of major symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus, short-term memory loss, lack of vigilance and disturbed moods. A popular prosexual in Europe, Ginkgo is also considered a vital antioxidant that offers protection against free radical damage and premature aging.

Adaptogen Siberian Ginseng is a body balancer that halts the overproduction of the stress, or "death," hormone cortisol, a chemical that can seriously damage your brain and circulatory system. Working synergistically, Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng readies you to plunge into the physical activity necessary for weight loss and good health.

Quercitin a non-citrus bioflavonoid is added to natural digestive stimulant Citrus Aurantium, that is derived from the essential oils of the bitter "Seville" orange fruit, to offer have a rich source of flavonoids. Together, these two compounds as well are energizing and stimulating to the body.

Synephrine containing Citrus Aurantium is also of help to asthma and allergy sufferers and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to improve circulation and liver function as well as stimulate the gastrointestinal system and treat indigestion.But recently researchers have discovered another amazing benefit of this traditional herb ---it increases your resting metabolic rate without affecting blood pressure and heart rate.

Increased metabolic rate means more calories are burned.

The effect lies in its ability to bind to a specific subgroup of the B cell receptors called the B-3 receptors. This binding effect causes an increase in the rate at which fat is released from the body stores for energy production, as well as increases in thermogenesis. Many people actually can detect this difference, especially in bed at night, because their body is generating higher heat output.

Cocotonin TM provides a unique combination of nutrients tot bestow an extraordinary range of benefits extending way beyond weight loss. It enhances mood enhancement and energy, bolsters the immune system and offers anti-aging benefits.

The suggested dose is one capsule with a full eight ounce glass of water morning and evening .

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