Sweeteners - The Facts

SWEETENERS THAT ARE NOT RECOGNIZABLE
BY MOTHER NATURE
(In other words...  FAKE & DANGEROUS)

Splenda

Modified sugar, using a chemical refining process.  Also known as Sucralose.

Studies on splenda:

---There have only been six human trials to date

---The longest trial lasted three months

---No studies have been done on children or pregnant women. 

Splenda bears more chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar.  Fat soluble substances, such as DDT, can remain in your body for decades and devastate your health.  

Want to know what DDT is?  READ THIS!!!  http://www.epa.gov/pbt/pubs/ddt.htm 

Splenda decreases the size of the thymus, which produces and houses T-lymphocytes, white blood cells responsible for eliminating certain infections and potentially malignant cells, increases the pH of fecal matter, which can lead to colorectal cancer, & alters the intestinal microflora, which causes gastrointestinal distress, & over time, it affects P-glycoprotein & reduces the body's good bacteria.

Here are more of the many reported adverse reactions to Splenda / Sucralose:

• Skin -- Redness, itching, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting, rash, eruptions, or hives (itchy bumps or welts). This is the most common allergic symptom that people have.
• Lungs -- Wheezing, tightness, cough, or shortness of breath.
• Head -- Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat; headaches and migraines (severe headaches).
• Nose -- Stuffy nose, runny nose (clear, thin discharge), sneezing.
• Eyes -- Red (bloodshot), itchy, swollen, or watery.
• Stomach -- Bloating, gas, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
• Heart -- Palpitations or fluttering.
• Joints -- Joint pains or aches.
• Neurological -- Anxiety, dizziness, spaced-out sensation, depression.

Aspartame
(The devil of all sweeteners!)

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It was discovered by accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug.

Also known as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Canderel, E951, & more... Used in over 5,000 food products INCLUDING DIET SOFT DRINKS, GUM, YOGURT, & OTHER SUGAR FREE DRINKS/FOODS!

It causes Fibromyalgia symptoms. If heated to over 86 degrees, the wood alcohol converts to formaldehyde & then to formic acid, which causes metabolic acidosis. The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis (MS) & systemic lupus. It changes the brain's chemistry, causes seizures, changes the dopamine level in the brain, causes birth defects, blindness, weight gain, neurological problems, the effects are often mistaken for retinopathy, & is especially deadly to DIABETICS, causing blood sugars to go out of control, diabetic coma, & often death. Memory loss is caused because the aspartic acid & pheylanine are neurotoxic without the other amino acids found in needed protein & it goes past the brain barrier & deteriorates the neurons in the brain.

Aspartame accounts for over 75% of adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA, including seizures & death. Some documented symptoms include:

Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

The following chronic illnesses are associated with the consumption of aspartame: Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals:  Aspartic acid, Phenylalanine, and Methanol.

NEOTAME

(Aspartame on steroids!!!)

NEOTAME = Neurotoxin, Immunotoxin, Excitotoxin 

Neotame is aspartame plus 3-di-methylbutyl, which can be found on the EPA’s list of most hazardous chemicals. The aspartame formula is comprised of Phenylalanine, which caused seizures in lab animals and Aspartic Acid, which caused “holes in the brains” of lab animals — bonded by Methyl Alcohol, or Methanol which is capable of causing blindness, liver damage and death.

Methanol, or wood alcohol in aspartame breaks down further in heat and in the body, into Formaldehyde (embalming fluid), Formic Acid (venom in ant stings) and the most deadly of all — Diketopiperazine (DKP), a brain tumor agent.

For more information, visit http://www.infowars.com/neotame-13000-times-sweeter-than-sugar-and-more-toxic-than-aspartame/ 

OR www.mercola.com & search "Neotame"

High Fructose Corn Syrup

A monster-refined cornstarch derived product that is cheap and easily available, thanks to the government subsidy of the super sized GMO (genetically modified = FAKE) corn industry. HFCS is linked to fatty liver disease, & a myriad of other health conditions.

HFCS is seeking to re-brand itself now as "corn sugar". So if you see corn sugar on a label, don't get too excited. It's still the same junk.

White Sugar

Well, basically, they've taken the botanical grass / cereal grain known as sugar cane, & the cultivated plant 'beta vulgaris' - or sugar beet...  and stripped them of every nutrient & mineral that ever existed in the natural form.  Then, once it's passed the refining stage, it is chemically processed to create the white substance you buy at the grocery store.

"Way back when"... people used to chew on pure sugar cane, & it not only strengthened their teeth, but it also nourished their teeth!  There used to be no dentists, and humans' teeth were BEAUTIFUL! 

Chemicals used in the sugar refining process:  Sulfur dioxide, Phosphoric acid, and Calcium hydroxide.  It is not natural.  At all.

Brown Sugar

Simply put...  Brown sugar is white sugar mixed with molasses. (Read below about coconut palm sugar, which makes the perfect brown sugar substitute.  OR you can also mix 1 c. xylitol with 1 Tb. unsulfured black strap molasses, & you'll have a great healthy brown sugar replacement there too!)

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HEALTHY NATURAL SWEETENERS 
 (With nutrients in tact)
(Still to be used in moderation, of course...) 

Stevia

Stevia, a zero-calorie non-glycemic sweetener, is actually an herb.  The green stevia plant is pure & unrefined.  I have grown it myself.  Just dry it & throw it in a small blender or processor to powder.  A tiny amount goes a long way.  It's on average 300 times sweeter than sugar!  Using too much can sometimes leave a bitter aftertaste.  I use stevia in drinks, smoothies, puddings, pies, candies, etc...  If you're planning to use it in cakes, breads, cookies, etc...  I would suggest buying a cookbook on stevia :)

White powder stevia has been somewhat processed, so if you're going for 100% pure, choose the extract or the green herb itself.

Coconut Palm Sugar

Juice is extracted from the blossom of the coconut palm tree.  It is simply the crystallized form of the juice.  It is FULL of nutrients!  Palm sugar has a nutty flavor, is brown in color, & well...  It reminds me a LOT of brown sugar!  I use it in all recipes that call for brown sugar & most recipes that call for white sugar.  Super low on the glycemic index (if you're worried about that)... (PS:  It is best to find 100% organic palm sugar!  Amazon has great prices under their auto ship / subscribe program!)


Sweet Tree Organic Coconut Sugar (my favorite brand) is 100% organic, minimally processed, unfiltered, and unbleached & contains no preservatives.

Health Attributes of Palm Sugar Nutrients:

Macro-nutrients	Health benefits provided by these nutrients
Nitrogen (N)	help treat cardiovascular diseases
Phosphorus (P)	important for bone growth, kidney functions and and cell growth
Potassium  (K)	reduces hypertension, helps regulate blood sugar, helps control cholesterol levels and weight
Calcium (Ca)	vital for strong bone and teeth, and for muscle growth
Magnesium (Mg)	essential for metabolism, nerves and stimulates the brain (memory)
Sodium (Na)	plays a key role in the functioning of nerves and muscles
Chloride (Cl)	corrects the pressure of body fluids and balance the nervous system
Sulfur (S)	important for healthy hair, skin and nails, also helps maintain oxygen balance for proper brain function.
Boron (B)	essential for healthy bone and joint function, enhances body’s ability to absorb calcium and magnesium
Zinc (Zn)	called the “nutrient of intelligence” is necessary for mental development
Manganese (Mn)	has antioxidant, free-radical-fighting properties, is important for proper food digestion and for normal bone structure
Iron (Fe)	vital for the quality of blood, mental development and the immune system
Copper (Cu)	helps to release energy, helps in melanin production in the skin, helps in the production of red blood cells and aid in the absorption and transport of iron.

I'm tired of typing (ha!) & the following natural sweeteners have a LOT of info.  So here are the links with the most information I've been able to find on them.  Super great reads!

Agave Nectar

Go here:  http://blog.xagave.com/the-truth-about-agave-it-is-a-great-alternative-to-sugar-honey-and-other-natural-sweeteners/
 

Xylitol

It's good for your teeth!  It's great for respiratory illnesses.  Yes it heals!  I could never type all the info possible on xylitol.  I actually own a book just on the health benefits of xylitol.  To read just a 'little' more about this amazing favorite of mine, you can go here:  http://www.xylitol.org/ 

Rapidura

This is simply the most natural & unrefined form of sugar cane you can get aside from chewing on the cane itself.  Use in moderation, & treat yourself to an occasional dose of a nutrient rich sweet treat!

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SALT

It's good for you!

WAIT... WHAT?!?!

White Salt (the BAD stuff)

Typically, table salt goes through an eight-step refining process:

1. Brine enters a series of heaters, which elevate the temperature to 290 degrees under high pressure.
2. Hot supercharged brine goes into a "graveler" filled with cobblestones to remove impurities.
3. Pressure is lowered via a series of "flashers," cooling the brine to 226 degrees, allowing crystallization to begin.
4. Salt crystals form in a large evaporator pan with the wet salt being automatically raked into a large well.
5. This wet salt then goes into a centrifugal separator removing remaining brine.
6. The salt then goes into a rotary dryer, making the salt perfectly dry.
7. Magnetic screens are then used to separate the salt into different sizes.
8. After screening, different sizes of salt are stored in their respective bins.

REALLY????  WHY would they DO that?  It's ridiculous!  All 84-89 minerals & nutrients are stripped out, & only 1 or 2 (such as iodine) are added back in!

The most commonly used additives are alumino-silieate of sodium or yellow prussiate of soda. Aluminum compounds are highly toxic.  They're associated with Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. Corn sugar (dextrose) has also been a typical additive to salt to keep it free-flowing -- kind of a "double whammy" -- adding sugar to your salt -- just what you need!  (Not to mention the processing with chlorine!)

This table (fake) "salt" is what causes high blood pressure, swelling, & other health issues.  It also makes a GREAT weed killer.  For real  :)

GET RID OF YOUR WHITE TABLE SALT!!!

THE GOOD SALT:

A good quality pure unrefined sea salt, Celtic sea salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, etc.  The ones that are unrefined, pulled straight from the earth, often full of soft varying color, & STILL contain their 84-89 nutrients!  Yes!  There really ARE that many!  

Pure natural, unrefined salt, as it was put on earth, & used in moderation... is good for your body. 

Have you seen those beautiful pink salt lamps?  Think about putting one in your home or bedroom (or both!)  When turned on, they work as an air purifier by emitting negative ions into the air.  The light therapy works to reduce stress and increase energy!

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A WORD ABOUT MSG(The neuro-toxic flavor enhancer)

Sooooo many people are allergic to MSG.  (My daughter included).  And everyone is sensitive to it, even if the effects don't show up immediately.  It will affect your health over time.  It's not good for you, & there is NO reason it should be added to any food at all.  

Here's a little (ok, LONG) list of ingredients where MSG can be present, & also the link to a dedicated website for informing the public about the dangers of the nasty stuff!

www.truthinlabeling.org

Other names for MSG & ingredients than "can" but don't always contain MSG:

Glutamic acid (E 620)2, Glutamate (E 620)

Monosodium glutamate (E 621)

Monopotassium glutamate (E 622)

Calcium glutamate (E 623)

Monoammonium glutamate (E 624)

Magnesium glutamate (E 625)

Natrium glutamate

Yeast extract

Anything “hydrolyzed”

Any “hydrolyzed protein”

Calcium caseinate, Sodium caseinate

Yeast food, Yeast nutrient

Autolyzed yeast

Gelatin

Textured protein

Soy protein, soy protein concentrate

Soy protein isolate

Whey protein, whey protein concentrate

Whey protein isolate

Anything “…protein”

Vetsin

Ajinomoto

Carrageenan (E 407)

Bouillon and broth

Stock

Any “flavors” or “flavoring”

Maltodextrin

Citric acid, Citrate (E 330)

Anything “ultra-pasteurized”

Barley malt

Pectin (E 440)

Protease

Anything “enzyme modified”

Malt extract

Processed soy sauce

Soy sauce extract

Anything “protein fortified”

 

(References:  *Gluten Free Goddess*, Mercola, Natural News, About.com, Wikipedia, Askville Amazon, Healthcare8......)