Dr. J's Health Tip of the Week:  Artificial sweeteners are one of the most commonly used ingredients in food today. Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners are also one of the biggest offenders to our body's overall health. Developed as a marketing ploy and designed to appeal to the calorie conscious consumer, artificial sweeteners were fast tracked for public consumption with little to no long term testing on their affect on health. In past columns, we have discussed the dangerous side effects of the use of aspartame (brand name, Nutrasweet). In this column, I would like to shed some light on a newer product that was designed to appeal to consumers who would like a more "natural" artificial sweetener. Splenda, also known as sucrolose, is being marketed as an artificial sweetener "made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar." In reality, Splenda is an artificial sweetener derived from chlorinated sugar. It was released to the public with only two human research trials, the longest of which was conducted for only four days. In a recent study reported on in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, increased intestinal ph levels and contributed to overall weight gain. One of the more shocking revelations was that Splenda affected glycoprotein levels in the body which could cause certain medications to be blocked by the digestive system so that they are not absorbed by the body. According to James Turner, Director of Citizens for Health, a consumer education group, the most common consumer complaints concerning Splenda are: gastrointestinal problems, migraines, seizures, dizziness, blurred vision, allergic reactions, blood sugar increases and weight gain. In conclusion, this research report is one of many that validates avoiding the use of artificial sweeteners. If you want to feel good and be healthy, just say no to the sweet stuff. For more information, visit the website, www.truthaboutsplenda.com.
 

Thought for the Week: "Sugar is a type of bodily fuel, yes, but your body runs about as well on it as a car would." ~V.L. Allineare
 

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "While other (healthcare) professions are concerned with changing the environment to suit the weakened body, chiropractic is concerned with strengthening the body to "suit" the environment." ------ BJ Palmer, D.C.