Not everybody has them. I do not and many ppl removed them long ago.
"### What counts as “solid evidence” here?
Randomized clinical trials are the strongest design we have for this question. Two large, well-known trials in children compared amalgam vs mercury-free fillings and followed kids for years:
- Neuropsychological outcomes: No statistically significant differences in cognitive/behavioral testing over about 5 years between amalgam and composite groups. PubMed+1
- Kidney markers: The trials also tracked renal function/biomarkers and did not find clinically meaningful harm attributable to amalgam at the group level. PMC+1
Those trials can’t rule out very tiny effects, very rare effects, or effects in special high-risk groups—but they do strongly argue against a large, common “silent damage” signal.
What do major health/technical bodies conclude?
- The FDA states that the majority of evidence does not show negative health effects in the general population, while also noting uncertainties and advising extra caution for certain higher-risk groups. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1
- The EU’s scientific committee (SCENIHR) similarly concluded that existing amalgam restorations are not considered a health risk for the general population, and it advises against removal “as a preventive measure” (partly because removal can temporarily increase exposure). Public Health+1
- The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) also affirms safety for the general population, with caveats (e.g., allergy, severe renal disease). IADR"
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Well that is good to know. Thanks. I think I’ve got 5 or more left.
Thanks to the good folks here, I just started drinking non-Dutch processed Ghirardelli premium baking 100% cocoa. I use a little hand held mixer to blend it in warmed whole cream or half and half and it’s delicious. I feel a better result than drinking coffee, must be because my age is rapidly reversing with each sip. I don’t add any sugar or sweetener and it still tastes great.
This is probably the best stuff I can find right off the shelf. Anyone know how it ranks?
I haven’t had that one but I do know it’s a popular well reviewed brand.
Guittard is a high quality option that is easily found. Valrhona is also considered to be one of the better ones
I am just talking flavor and no idea about metals but r polyphenol levels etc.
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Effects of daily multivitamin–multimineral and cocoa extract supplementation on epigenetic aging clocks in the COSMOS randomized clinical trial
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04239-3
Large-scale randomized trials have found that multivitamin–multimineral (MVM) supplements and cocoa flavanols may benefit several age-related chronic conditions among older adults, but it remains unclear whether these two supplements directly slow the biological aging process. This prespecified ancillary study evaluated the 2-year effect of a daily MVM (Centrum Silver) and cocoa extract (500 mg cocoa flavanols per day, including 80 mg (−)-epicatechin) on five DNA methylation measures of biological aging (PCHannum, PCHorvath, PCPhenoAge, PCGrimAge and DunedinPACE) among 958 participants (482 women and 476 men) in the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS). Compared with placebo, daily MVM supplementation modestly reduced the rate of increase of second-generation epigenetic clocks, with a between-group difference in yearly change of −0.113 years (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.205 to −0.020; P = 0.017) for PCGrimAge and −0.214 years (−0.410 to −0.019; P = 0.032) for PCPhenoAge. MVM had a stronger effect on PCGrimAge among those with accelerated biological aging at baseline (−0.236 [−0.380 to −0.091]) compared with those with normal or decelerated biological aging (−0.013 [−0.130 to 0.104]; P = 0.018 for interaction). Cocoa extract did not have an effect on the five epigenetic clocks tested. Although the statistically significant but small effects of daily MVM supplementation on slowing biological aging are encouraging, additional studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of daily MVM supplementation on epigenetic clocks and whether such effects can help explain the beneficial effects of MVM supplementation on aging-related chronic conditions.
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Cocoa has no effect in large scale randomized 2 year trials. I just love chocolate, but it has heavy metals and no effect. May have to let it go.
Nah, I am going to keep eating dark chocolate. I like it, and it has few downsides. I think the problem with heavy metals is overblown. While dark chocolate consumption probably is not as effective as cocoa extract, it will do for me.
Nutritional Profile
Because of their different processing methods and ingredients, their nutritional impact varies significantly.
- Antioxidants: Cocoa powder is more concentrated in flavonoids and antioxidants than dark chocolate because it lacks the “diluting” effects of added sugar and fat.
- Calories and Fat: Cocoa powder is a low-calorie, low-fat option. Dark chocolate is much higher in calories and fat due to the added cocoa butter and sugar.
- Minerals: Both are good sources of magnesium, iron, and potassium, though dark chocolate often provides higher amounts of iron per serving than cocoa powder.
Cocoa extract supplementation did not significantly reduce total cardiovascular events among older adults but reduced CVD death by 27%
Anything that reduces death is good news to me. 
"The voluminous literature addressing health effects of cocoa and chocolate, only a portion of which is represented here, is overall quite compelling. The probability of a net health benefit for most people from habitual intake of dark chocolate is high. "
“Effects of Cocoa Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials”
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It does for reducing CVD events but not for cognition. This latest study is consistent with the other COSMOS study from a few years ago.
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as does most cinnamon…
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