Question: I have long eaten dark chocolate for its heart benefits and because I love it. Now I see that cocoa supplements are available in the health food store. Do you think they are worth taking?

Dr. Cwynar's answer:
Although cocoa supplements have value, there are other more effective supplements for heart health. Omega-3s taken daily have a powerful effect not only in lowering cholesterol but also aid other organs of the body. CoQ 10 taken twice a day diminishes the risk of coronary artery disease while providing energy and weight loss. Plant sterols, red rice yeast, and many others contribute to lowering heart disease. If you want to add yet another supplement by all means take cocoa supplements. But pick and choose carefully to make sure you are getting high quality, and beware of stomach upset. One thing to keep in mind about any cocoa product is that they usually contain caffeine. If you are prone to yeast infections or candidiasis, caffeine can trigger regrowth and worsen pH imbalances. Also, caffeine can make women with fibrocystic breasts feel more symptomatic.