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Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about dark chocolate and other related subjects. Do you have questions you would like to ask Dr. Warren? Contact him with your questions, concerns.
Q: Can I stop medications when I start this product?
A: You must always check with your physician and work with them in making any changes in your medication. You can take information about the product to your physician and ask for their help in any decision you make.
Q: I am taking coumadin. What will this product change?
A: As with anyone on coumadin – a blood thinner – you must always check with your physician and have your PT-INR followed closely. This is very important since many products can change your results. This product may increase the PT-INR and require a reduction in your coumadin levels.
Q: Are there any other drug-product interactions?
A: At this time there are no other drug-product interactions but we will monitor closely any reports of changes.
Q: Is this product safe for diabetics?
A: Raw cocoa has no added sugar, so it won’t affect blood sugar levels. The sweetener in many healthy chocolate products is a natural sweetener called agave. It comes from a cactus-like plant and is very safe. It has a low glycemic index and will not cause increases in blood sugar. Chocolate has been shown to help your blood use sugar more effectively so it is important as always to monitor your blood sugars.
Q: Is this product a weight loss supplement?
A: No, it was not designed as a meal replacement. However, chocolate is a natural appetite suppressant and can decrease certain people’s appetites. Also, the natural sweetener agave goes to the brain center and turns off the craving for sugar and it can also decrease your appetite.
Q: I am getting diarrhea after starting this product.
A: This product contains 2 grams of fiber per serving and an increase in fiber intake for most people will cause diarrhea for the first few days until the body adjusts to the fiber. This natural soluble and insoluble fiber is healthy for the body and will help you feel better.
Q: If you consume the recommended amount of dark chocolate a day would you need additional fruits and vegetables?
A: This product contains a significant amount of antioxidants and other phytonutrients, but there are other benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables. You should use this product as part of a well-balanced diet along with an active lifestyle.
Q: Is it safe during pregnancy and also for children?
A: As always you need to check with your healthcare provider. This product can be used as part of an overall balanced diet during pregnancy. A recent study showed that mothers who consumed chocolate during their pregnancy had happier and more content children at 6 months than the group that didn’t use chocolate. Children can use this product but in smaller amounts because they do not have the elevated free-radical load.
Q: Where does this product fall on the pH scale?
A: Acid and alkaline foods are neither good nor bad. The pH of a product is not that important to the body’s overall pH balance. Many fruits are acidic in nature but tend to leave an alkaline residue in the body. The question should be not is the product acidic but whether it is acid-forming. The pH of this product is acidic in order to maintain an environment which prevents the growth of harmful microorganisms. Overall this product doesn’t increase the acid load on the body.
Q: Does chocolate increase migraine headaches, acne or cysts, and insomnia?
A: Dark chocolate in its natural form doesn’t increase headaches. It is the sugar and fat added to chocolate products which triggers headaches and causes increase in skin blemishes. There is no natural caffeine in chocolate, so it does not cause insomnia.
Q: Does dark chocolate affect intake of calcium?
A: There is no evidence that dark chocolate will interfere with the metabolism of calcium. There is some calcium in the product so you always need to have your physician monitor your calcium levels.
Q: What vitamins and minerals are in healthy chocolate?
A: Actual percentages change from batch to batch. There is some literature which outlines the main nutrients found in the components of healthy chocolate:
Raw cocoa contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine (vit B1), riboflavin (vit B2), niacin, nicotinamide (vit B3), pantothenic acid (vit B5), pyridoxine (vit B6), ascorbic acid (vit C), magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and vitamin E.
RIBOFLAVIN
It is a vitamin helps with energy production. It is what makes your urine very yellow.
PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
It is a form of vitamin B6. It is a very important vitamin in more than 100 body reactions. It is important in protein metabolism, red blood cell formation, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, neurotransmitter formation, hormone production, and immune function.
ASCORBIC ACID
This is a form of vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for collagen formation, antioxidant, iron absorption, immune function, and formation of some hormones. Vitamin C needs to be obtained from our diet and cannot be synthesized.
THIAMINE MONONITRATE
It is a form of the vitamin thiamin, which is useful in the metabolism of carbohydrates and BCAAs for energy. It is important for the transmission of nerve impulses and formation of neurotransmitters.
ZINC
It is a mineral required for many body reactions. It stabilizes many cell walls and is involved in many body reactions. It is important for the immune system.
MAGNESIUM OXIDE
Magnesium is vital in building protein, bone metabolism, enzyme actions, muscle contractions, nerve conductions, maintenance of teeth, and helping the heart rhythm.
COPPER
Copper is a helper in many body functions. It helps form collagen and helps repair connective tissues. It is an anti-inflammatory and helps form myelin around nerves. It is an antioxidant along with zinc, SOD (superoxide dismutase), and ceruloplasmin.
PANTOTHENIC ACID
It helps with many body chemical reactions and is very important in the cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to release energy. It is the “antistress” vitamin. It supports the adrenal glands to increase production of cortisone and other adrenal hormones to help counteract stress. It is thought to prevent aging and wrinkles.
MANGANESE
Manganese is used in many body reactions, especially carbohydrate metabolism.
VITAMIN E
It is a fat-soluble antioxidant
CALCIUM
Provides bone and tooth structure, blood clotting, nerve conduction, and is necessary for muscle function.
NIACINAMIDE
It is an active form of the vitamin niacin which helps in many body reactions and is especially important in the metabolism of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Q: What antioxidants or polyphenols are contained in healthy chocolate?
A: Cocoa contains large amounts of flavonoids – flavanols (epicatechins and catechins), anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.
http://www.mxi.myvoffice.com/25408 Jack Bekerman
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