Dear Pharmacist: I love chocolate but can’t have caffeine. Does any candy company make decaf chocolate, and if not, why not? — L.S., Ocala
Dear L.S.: The passion for chocolate dates back at least 2,000 years to the Mayans, who cultivated it as a stimulant, an aphrodisiac and even used it as money. Chocolate activates the pleasure center of our brain and produces a feeling of euphoria. No wonder this luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth commodity is one of the most craved substances in the world.
Although it is possible to remove the small amount of caffeine from chocolate, it is extremely difficult and very costly. Plus, chocolate contains compounds that are related to caffeine. With that in mind, not all chocolate is created equal.
The darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it has. Pure cocoa or baking chocolate has the highest amount of caffeine in it because the chocolate flavor comes from the nonfat, outer part of the cocoa bean.
Milk chocolate has significantly less caffeine because it is made from the milk fat within the cocoa bean, better known to us as cocoa butter. Chocolate ice cream has even less activating effects.
White chocolate has no caffeine in it at all because it is not really chocolate, it’s made from vegetable fats, coloring and flavorings.
Chocolate is one of those foods that’s good for the mind, body and soul. According to the medical journal The Lancet, chocolate is loaded with polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants that keep cell-damaging substances from hurting us. Chocolate contains the same amount of polyphenols as five servings of vegetables.
Dear Pharmacist: I have suffered from scalp psoriasis and eczema for most of my life. I heard about a new prescription called Luxiq. Please tell me about it. — L.R., Miami
Dear L.R.: Luxiq (lux-eek) is a foam formulation of the popular steroid, betamethasone, which has been around for years. This unique mousse for the hair works better than traditional ointments, creams and lotions because the foam liquefies on contact, targeting specific problematic areas. People find Luxiq easy to use and tolerate it well. Since it is applied externally, typical steroid side effects are unlikely. Some people occasionally experience irritation or burning and on rare occasions, skin break down.
DID YOU KNOW? Viagra was prescribed 29,000 times in its first two weeks upon release. That’s more than any other medication in history.
Write to Suzy Cohen, Lifestyle Department, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Send e-mail to .
