Just how dangerous are Diet Sodas?

Lots of us, and I mean lots - including me, drink diet sodas on a daily basis.  They are something that have been marketed as a way to help you in your quest to lose weight, maintain your healthy weight or as something diabetics can enjoy or a way to avoid the vast amount of sugar found in regular sodas.

But the truth about diet sodas is far uglier than companies such as Coca Cola or Pepsi Co would want us to know.  Aspartame, the chemical that gives diet soda and other goods their sweet taste, is also called NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure.  It was originally discovered by James Schlatter, a chemist at G.D. Searle Company who was testing an anti-ulcer drug but discovered aspartame instead.  It was first approved for use in dry goods in 1974, but Dr. John W. Olney, a neuroscience researcher and a consumer attorney James Turner filed objections in August 1974 and subsequent investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices caused the FDA to postpone approval of aspartame in December 1974.  However, it was finally approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated drinks in 1983.  Then in 1985 Monsanto bought G.D. Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Over the years, it has been found that aspartame accounts for over 75% of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA.  Many of these adverse reactions are actually extremely serious, including seizures and even death.  A report has documented 90 different symptoms caused by aspartame, such as:

• 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
• Joint Pain

But, unfortunately, that's not all.  Researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, say that certain chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by taking aspartame, these are:

• Brain Tumors
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Parkinson's Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Mental Retardation
• Lymphoma
• Birth Defects
• Fibromyalgia
• DIABETES
• Systemic Lupus

Why is aspartame so dangerous?

When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 27ºC, the wood alcohol en aspartame converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis.  Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants.  The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.

Systemic Lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers.  The victim usually does not know that the aspartame is the culprit.  He or she continues to drink it, irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition.  In the case of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, most of the symptoms disappear and many cases where vision loss returned and hearing loss improved markedly.

The good news is that symptoms from aspartame poisoning including: spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, unexplained depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision or memory loss are reversible.

All you have to do is eliminate diet sodas and other forms of aspartame from your diet.  Diet soda is not a diet product. Diet sodas are a chemically altered, multiple sodium (salt) and aspartame containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates.  It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight than lose it.

These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs, formaldehyde is a toxin and is used primarily to preserve tissue specimens.

Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are neurotoxic when take without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance.  Especially diabetics, the aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage, seizures, depression, manic depression, panic attacks, uncontrollable anger and rage.  Aspartame consumption causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well.  Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet.  Children are especially susceptible to neurological disorders and should never be given artificial sweeteners.

A lot of the problem, as always, is political.  Monsanto funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians.  This was recently exposed in the New York Times.  These organizations can not criticize any additives or convey their link to Monsanto because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products.

Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require warnings on labels of

products containing aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants.  The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms.  The bill was "killed".  It is known that powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this - as always. 

As I have stated in many of my posts, the only way to truly look after your body is to eat as naturally as possible and to avoid all processed and chemically enhanced food products.  I admit, I have been an avid Diet Coke drinker for years, in fact it made up a large part of my daily beverage intake.  But, since reading up on the dangers of aspartame I have eliminated it from my life - for good.

Having information like this means that you can make an informed decision as to what goes into your body, and knowing the effects those product might have on your health.  There is no greater power than information.

Social Nutrition:
You can make an appointment to improve your health with Social Nutrition either in person (Madrid) or online (Skype).  Just send an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com

How safe is your home?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released an alarming report, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012, which is a follow-up to a 2002 report entitled Global Assessment of the State-of-the-Science of Endocrine Disruptors.

Now so far your are probably thinking "So?  Why do I need to know this?"  But the truth is you do need to know this and you need to care.  Both these reports studied the effect of everyday household products made with man-made chemicals that are seriously affecting our health.

The 2002 report commissioned in 1997, the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), a joint programme of WHO, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Labour Organization, stated in it's general conclusions that:

"Although it is clear that certain environmental chemicals can interfere with normal hormonal processes, there is weak evidence that human health has been adversely affected by exposure to endocrine-active chemicals.  However, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that adverse endocrine-mediated effects have occurred in some wildlife species.  Laboratory studies support these conclusions."

 This document further concluded that there was a need for more in-depth study.

This latest study from the WHO, has found that our health is being seriously affected by chemicals found in every home and may cause breast cancer, asthma, infertility and birth defects.  They call them "gender-bending compounds" and they are used in toys, PVC flooring, car dashboards, and credit cards.  The WHO has even suggested that a ban may be needed to protect future generations.

The 2012 report states it is "reasonable to suspect" chemical substances called Phthalates of harming female fertility and also linked them to rising rates of childhood illnesses including Leukemia.

Another prime chemical suspect is Bisphenol A, which is found in many daily items such as tin cans and sunglasses.

It is thought that these man-made compounds interfere with the natural hormones that are key to our growth, development and general health, hence the name "gender-bending compounds".

The WHO also said that there is "very strong evidence" in animals that they can interfere with thyroid hormones - which can cause brain damage, stunted intelligence, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.

"Significant evidence" also exists linking prostate cancer to agricultural pesticides, and some evidence linking exposure during pregnancy to weight gain in infants and children and potential links to breast cancer.

The report now declares the chemicals as a global threat, the authors of this 2012 report said that humans and animals are exposed to hundreds of compounds, many of which have yet to be identified or properly studied.  Some of these compounds are inhaled in dust, others enter our bodies from food or by simply licking our fingers.

This new report is the most comprehensive to date.  It doesn't just focus on one chemical or one illness, it evaluates all the evidence.

"The diverse systems affected by endocrine-disrupting chemicals likely include all hormonal systems and range from those controlling development and function of reproductive organs to the tissues and organs regulating metabolism and satiety.

"Effects on these systems can lead to obesity, infertility or reduced fertility, learning and memory difficulties, adult-onset diabetes or cardiovascular disease, as well as a variety of other diseases."

What is even more worrying is that the report warns that the chemicals that have so far been assessed by scientists may only be the very "tip of the iceberg".

The key role of hormones in the development of tissues and organs means that unborn babies and young children may be particularly at risk.  The report also states that the rise in some conditions is too rapid to be blamed on genes alone.

"The prevalence of pediatric asthma has more than doubled over the past 20 years and is now the leading cause of child hospitalization and school absenteeism.  Certain birth defects, such as those of the male reproductive organs are on the rise.  The incidence of pediatric Leukemia and brain cancer have risen, as has the incidence of testicular cancer.  These are stark health statistics."

Dr. Maria Neira, Director for Public Health and Environment at WHO, said, "The latest science shows that communities around the globe are being exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their associated risks.  We all have a responsibility to protect future generations."

The European Union (EU) is trying to tighten up the regulation of gender-bending chemicals.  The WHO also states that wildlife is also at risk and calls for much more research into the chemicals and their effects and also says there may be a case for banning or restricting them.

PHTHALATES:
Used to soften plastics and give cosmetics a silky feel, these are found in children's toys, PVC flooring, shower curtains and credit cards.  In the EU, phthalates are banned from being used in cosmetics but may be found in makeup produced outside of the EU.

Studies have linked phthalates to diabetes, asthma, and male reproductive defects that could affect fertility.  Campaigners advise choosing natural wooden flooring over PVC, metal or wooden toys for children and glass shower screens instead of shower curtains.

If plastic can't be avoided, more rigid varieties should have a lower content of phthalates than softer versions.

BISPHENOL A:

This is a basic ingredient of many common plastics and is found in a wide variety of household items such as; cutlery, CD cases, and sunglasses.  It has recently been banned from baby bottles but can still be found in till receipts and is used to line tin cans.

Bisphenol A has been linked to fertility problems, breast cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease.

BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS:
These chemicals are linked to a long list of health problems such as; hyperactivity, learning difficulties, low sperm counts and difficulties to conceive.

They are found in sofas, and other soft furnishings, carpets, rugs, computer casings, DVD players and mobile phones.

Also on the danger list are PCBs, chemicals linked to liver cancer and male fertility problems.


Social Nutrition:
You can make an appointment to improve your health with Social Nutrition either in person (Madrid) or online (Skype).  Just send an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com