So here's the deal...on artificial sweeteners and how they can affect your health. If you’re clutching your diet soda or other artificially-sweetened product tightly, then this may not be the article for you…or maybe it is…if you’re truly concerned about your health. It may be one of those things that Rachel Ray, from Food Network calls 'Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...'.
Nearly a decade ago, studies were already revealing that artificial sweeteners can stimulate your appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings & stimulate fat storage and weight gain. Hmmm…why are people using artificial sweeteners???
Splenda is the brand name for sucralose. Splenda is a chemical substance and not natural sugar. The makers of Splenda have purchased over 211 domain names, like SplendaKills.com, SplendaPoison.com, SplendaVictims.com. It is their elaborate attempt to prevent any negative information being written on-line. Hmmm…if their products are safe as they say, why are they doing this?
The inventors of Splenda admit that about 15% of sucralose is absorbed by the body, but they cannot guarantee us (out of this 15%) what amount of chlorine stays in the body and what percent flushes out. Wait a minute…chlorine is a cancer-causing agent…Hmmm…
As of 2006, only 6 human trials had been published on Splenda. Of these 6 trials, only 2 of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved it for human consumption. The 2 published trials had a whopping total of 36 human subjects, of which only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing. The longest trial at this time had lasted only 4 days, & looked at Splenda in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance.
The absorption of Splenda in the human body was studied on a whopping total of 6 men-—and based on that 1 human study, the FDA allowed the findings to be generalized as being representative of the entire human population, including women, children, the elderly, and those with any chronic illness. The FDA claims they reviewed over 100 studies conducted on Splenda. The part they don't mention is that most of the studies were on animals.
The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, such as gastrointestinal problems, migraines, seizures, dizziness, blurred vision, allergic reactions, blood sugar increases, & weight gain. Hmmm…why is this considered a weight loss option---and recommended for diabetics?
Equal and Nutrasweet are brand names for aspartame. The FDA approved aspartame as an artificial sweetener for use in solid form during 1981, and in soft drinks during 1983. It is a synthetic chemical consisting of two amino acids, phenylalanine (50 %) and aspartic acid (40 %), and a methyl ester (10 %) that promptly becomes free methyl alcohol (methanol; wood alcohol). Free methyl alcohol is considered a severe poison.
Some side effects of aspartame: decreased vision, headaches, seizures, confusion, drowsiness, tremors, depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, heart pounding, aggravated allergies, the initiation or aggravation of diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, depression, other psychiatric states, hyperthyroidism, arthritis & the simulation of multiple sclerosis. There are more---this just gives you an idea of what it can do in your body!
Senior FDA scientists and consultants strongly objected to the release of aspartame products because of the disturbing findings in animal studies (especially the frequency of brain tumors), questionable experimental data, and the absence of extensive pre-marketing trials on humans using real-world products over appropriate research time frames.
The link between aspartame and associated symptoms has been shown by stopping the intake of aspartame-containing products and having the symptoms quickly disappear—as well as restarting aspartame product intake and noting the return of symptoms. Studies have found that around 2/3 of aspartame users with symptoms experienced symptomatic improvement within 2 days after avoiding aspartame. With continued avoidance, their symptoms usually disappeared.
So…are you convinced that artificial sweeteners are not the best option out there? I used to drink diet soda---I looked forward to it every day. That was over 10 years ago—and I honestly don’t miss it. I check food labels to make sure my family & I aren't getting these artificial sweeteners in other forms of food as well.
Safer options are out there: Stevia (Truvia) and agave nectar or syrup are 2 examples. Another step in the right direction of Total Wellness for you and your family. I look forward to your comments!
Be well and Stay well—
Sana
Showing posts with label artificial sweeteners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artificial sweeteners. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Artificial Sweeteners--Just Not Worth The Risk!
I know some of you may not want to read this, as you clutch your favorite diet drink of choice (I know...I was there!!). I challenge you to read it---so you're fully informed---this information can have a huge impact in your health or the health of someone you know & love.
Artificial sweeteners (like Splenda/sucralose) are added to hundreds of foods and beverages. Currently there are no long-term studies that explore how this synthetic substance reacts in the human body. Even with this lack of research, fake sweeteners (like Splenda) are showing up in many products, even those that claim to be 'healthy.' The media is doing a great 'snow job' with Americans, convincing them that these artificially sweetened products are somehow better than those with sugar.
Splenda/sucralose is essentially chlorinated table sugar--a chemically altered version of sugar that replaces naturally found hydrogen and oxygen with chlorine. Chlorine is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis for pesticides such as DDT and accumulate in body fat and tissues---Ewhhh---what not to put in our bodies!. Although it is commonly thought that sucralose passes through the body unabsorbed, FDA research has found that 11% to 27% of sucralose is absorbed by humans. Tests by the Japanese Food Sanitation Council show that up to 40% may actually be absorbed.
Sucralose has been the subject of fewer scientific studies than any other non-nutritive sweetener. The Splenda site states that Splenda causes "no known side effects." In Sept.of 2008, James Turner, chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists at Duke University. "The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study, published this past week in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label," said Turner.
Below are symptoms that have been experienced by those ingesting sucralose/Splenda. Although many of these symptoms could indeed have other contributing causes, most people stated that the symptoms began around the same time they started using Splenda--then disappeared when Splenda was removed from their diet.
Splenda Reaction Symptoms:
Flushing or redness of the skin--Burning feeling of the skin--Rash--Itching--A panicky or shaky feeling--Swelling--Blisters on the skin--Nausea--Stomach cramps--Dry heaves--Becoming withdrawn--Loss of interest in usual activities--Forgetfulness--Moodiness--Dulled senses--Unexplained crying--Acne or acne-like rash--Anxiety/Panic attacks--Feelings of food poisoning--Headache--Seeing spots--Mental/emotional breakdown--Altered emotional state--Pain (body/chest)--Bloating--Diarrhea--Trouble concentrating/staying in focus--Depression--Seizures--Shaking--Feeling faint
Safe alternatives to Splenda/sucralose: stevia, using small amounts of regular sugar if needed, honey...
Safe alternatives to diet drinks: How about chilled, (filtered) water with a few lemon slices---lime slices---orange slices---strawberries? Brew some tea using a chai flavor or other favorite of yours & drink chilled. Honestly---the BEST alternative: Good Water (filtered, alkaline water).
Be Well & Stay Well...
Sana
Artificial sweeteners (like Splenda/sucralose) are added to hundreds of foods and beverages. Currently there are no long-term studies that explore how this synthetic substance reacts in the human body. Even with this lack of research, fake sweeteners (like Splenda) are showing up in many products, even those that claim to be 'healthy.' The media is doing a great 'snow job' with Americans, convincing them that these artificially sweetened products are somehow better than those with sugar.
Splenda/sucralose is essentially chlorinated table sugar--a chemically altered version of sugar that replaces naturally found hydrogen and oxygen with chlorine. Chlorine is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Some chlorinated molecules serve as the basis for pesticides such as DDT and accumulate in body fat and tissues---Ewhhh---what not to put in our bodies!. Although it is commonly thought that sucralose passes through the body unabsorbed, FDA research has found that 11% to 27% of sucralose is absorbed by humans. Tests by the Japanese Food Sanitation Council show that up to 40% may actually be absorbed.
Sucralose has been the subject of fewer scientific studies than any other non-nutritive sweetener. The Splenda site states that Splenda causes "no known side effects." In Sept.of 2008, James Turner, chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists at Duke University. "The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study, published this past week in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label," said Turner.
Below are symptoms that have been experienced by those ingesting sucralose/Splenda. Although many of these symptoms could indeed have other contributing causes, most people stated that the symptoms began around the same time they started using Splenda--then disappeared when Splenda was removed from their diet.
Splenda Reaction Symptoms:
Flushing or redness of the skin--Burning feeling of the skin--Rash--Itching--A panicky or shaky feeling--Swelling--Blisters on the skin--Nausea--Stomach cramps--Dry heaves--Becoming withdrawn--Loss of interest in usual activities--Forgetfulness--Moodiness--Dulled senses--Unexplained crying--Acne or acne-like rash--Anxiety/Panic attacks--Feelings of food poisoning--Headache--Seeing spots--Mental/emotional breakdown--Altered emotional state--Pain (body/chest)--Bloating--Diarrhea--Trouble concentrating/staying in focus--Depression--Seizures--Shaking--Feeling faint
Safe alternatives to Splenda/sucralose: stevia, using small amounts of regular sugar if needed, honey...
Safe alternatives to diet drinks: How about chilled, (filtered) water with a few lemon slices---lime slices---orange slices---strawberries? Brew some tea using a chai flavor or other favorite of yours & drink chilled. Honestly---the BEST alternative: Good Water (filtered, alkaline water).
Be Well & Stay Well...
Sana
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