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Some of the most popular artificial sweeteners on the market today are:
- Splenda (sucralose)
- Aspartame
- Saccharine
- Acesulfame Potassium (aka – acesulfame K)
These artificial sweeteners are used in abundance in almost every “diet” drink, “lite” yogurts, puddings, and ice creams, most “low-carb” products, and almost all “reduced-sugar” products.
Splenda is Quickly Gaining Popularity
In a market that was previously dominated by aspartame-based Equal and saccharin-based Sweet ‘N Low. In January 2003, Splenda even surpassed Equal in dollar-market share. Splenda, the brand name for sugar-derivative sucralose, is converted from cane sugar to a no-calorie sweetener. It isn’t recognized by the body and therefore is not metabolized. Splenda is marketed as a “healthful” and “natural” product since it is derived from sugar.
However, its chemical structure is very different from that of sugar and sucralose is actually a chemical substance. The chemical sucralose, marketed as “Splenda”, has replaced aspartame as the #1 artificial sweetener in foods and beverages. Aspartame has been forced out by increasing public awareness that it is both a neurotoxin and an underlying cause of chronic illness worldwide. Dr. James Bowen, researcher and biochemist, reports:
“Splenda/sucralose is simply chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon. Common chlorocarbons include carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethylene and methylene chloride, all deadly. Chlorine is nature’s Doberman attack dog, a highly excitable, ferocious atomic element employed as a biocide in bleach, disinfectants, insecticide, WWI poison gas and hydrochloric acid.
“It is logical to ask why table salt, which also contains chlorine, is safe while Splenda/sucralose is toxic? Because salt isn’t a chlorocarbon. When molecular chemistry binds sodium to chlorine to make salt, carbon isn’t included. Sucralose and salt are as different as oil and water.
“Unlike sodium chloride, chlorocarbons are never nutritionally compatible with our metabolic processes and are wholly incompatible with normal human metabolic functioning. When chlorine is chemically reacted into carbon-structured organic compounds to make chlorocarbons, the carbon and chlorine atoms bind each other by mutually sharing electrons in their outer shells. This arrangement adversely affects human metabolism because our mitochondrial and cellular enzyme systems are designed to completely utilize organic molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other compatible nutritional elements.
“By this process chlorocarbons such as sucralose deliver chlorine directly into our cells through normal metabolization. This makes them effective insecticides and preservatives. By their nature, preservatives kill anything alive in order to prevent bacterial decomposition.”
Doctor Bowen has spent 20 years researching artificial sweeteners after his own use of aspartame resulted in being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Dr. Bowen’s intention is to warn the world of the toxicity of tabletop poisons like aspartame, Splenda and Neotame.
Doctor James Bowen believes ingested chlorocarbon damage continues with the formation of other toxins:
“Any chlorocarbons not directly excreted from the body intact can cause immense damage to the processes of human metabolism and, eventually, our internal organs. The liver is a detoxification organ which deals with ingested poisons. Chlorocarbons damage the hepatocytes, the liver’s metabolic cells, and destroy them.
In test animals Splenda produced swollen livers, as do all chlorocarbon poisons, and also calcified the kidneys of test animals in toxicity studies. The brain and nervous system are highly subject to metabolic toxicities and solvency damages by these chemicals. Their high solvency attacks the human nervous system and many other body systems, including reproductive genes and the immune function. Thus, chlorocarbon poisoning can cause cancer, birth defects, and immune system destruction. These are well known effects of Dioxin and PCBs which are known deadly chlorocarbons.”
“Synthetic chemical sweeteners are generally unsafe for human consumption. This toxin was given the chemical name “sucralose” which is a play on the technical name of natural sugar, sucrose. One is not the other. One is food, the other is toxic; don’t be deceived.”
A long List of Harmful Effects
Research in animals has shown that sucralose can cause many problems. Here are a few of them:
- Reduced growth rate in newborns and adults at levels above 500 mg/kg daily.
- Decreased red blood cells—sign of anemia (at levels above 1500 mg/kg daily.
- Decreased thyroxine levels, that is, the thyroid function.
- Mineral losses of both magnesium and phosphorus.
- Decreased urination.
- Enlarged colon.
- Enlarged liver and brain.
- Shrunken ovaries.
- Shrunken thymus above 3 grams per day.
- Enlarged and calcified kidneys.
- Increased adrenal cortical hemorrhagic degeneration.
- Increased cataracts.
- Abnormal liver cells.
McNeil Nutritionals, the manufacturer of Splenda, announced that most of the above findings, made by independent researchers, have “no toxicological significance”! But, in reality, many of these are symptoms of serious pathology.
What About FDA-Approved Research?
As of 2006, only six human trials have been published on Splenda (sucralose). Of these six trials, only two of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption. The two published trials had a grand total of 36 total human subjects. Thirty-six people sure doesn’t sound like many, but wait, it gets worse, only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing and now for this astounding fact: The longest trial at this time had lasted only four days and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance!
Everyone needs to be warned about Splenda. This artificial sweetener best known for its marketing logo, “made from sugar so it tastes like sugar,” has taken the industry by storm. It has become the nation’s number one selling artificial sweetener in a very short time. Between 2000 and 2004, the percentage of U.S. households using Splenda products jumped from 3 to 20 percent. In a one-year period, Splenda sales topped $177 million compared with $62 million spent on aspartame-based Equal and $52 million on saccharin-based Sweet ‘N Low.
McNeil Nutritionals, in their marketing pitch for Splenda emphasizes that Splenda has endured “some of the most rigorous testing to date for any food additive.” Enough so to convince the average consumer that it is in fact safe. There was no long-term human toxicity studies published until after the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption. Following FDA approval, a human toxicity trial was conducted, but lasted only three months, hardly the extended length of time most Splenda users plan to consume sucralose. No studies have ever been done on children or pregnant women.
Much of the controversy surrounding Splenda does not focus just on its safety, but rather on its false advertising claims. The competition among sweeteners is anything but sweet. The sugar industry is currently suing McNeil Nutritionals for implying that Splenda is a natural form of sugar with no calories.
Is it Really Sugar?
There is no question that sucralose starts off as a sugar molecule, it is what goes on in the factory that is concerning. Sucralose is a synthetic chemical that was originally cooked up in a laboratory. In the five-step patented process of making sucralose, three chlorine molecules are added to a sucrose or sugar molecule. A sucrose molecule is a disaccharide that contains two single sugars bound together: glucose and fructose.
The chemical process to make sucralose alters the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it is somehow converted to a fructo-galactose molecule. This type of sugar molecule does not occur in nature and therefore your body does not possess the ability to properly metabolize it. It can only cause trouble in your body. As a result of this “unique” biochemical make-up, McNeil Nutritionals makes its claim that Splenda is not digested or metabolized by the body, making it have zero calories.
How much Splenda remains in your body after you eat it? —If you look at the research (which is primarily extrapolated from animal studies) you will see that in fact, on the average, 15% of sucralose is absorbed into your digestive system and ultimately is stored in your body. To reach a number such as 15% means some people absorb more and some people absorb less. In one human study, one of the eight participants did not excrete any sucralose even after 3 days. Clearly the person’s body was absorbing and storing this chemical—and perhaps doing strange things with it.
The bottom line is that we all have our own unique biochemical make-up. Some of you will absorb and react to Splenda more than others. If you are healthy and your digestive system works well, you may be at higher risk for breaking down this product in your stomach and intestines. Please understand that it is impossible for the manufacturers of Splenda to make any guarantees based on their limited animal data. If you feel that Splenda affects you adversely, it is valid. Don’t let someone convince you that it is all in your head. You know your body better than anyone else.
How to Determine if Splenda is Harming You
The best way to determine if Splenda or sucralose is affecting you is to perform an elimination/challenge with it. First eliminate it and other artificial sweeteners from your diet completely for a period of one to two weeks. After this period reintroduce it in sufficient quantity. For example, use it in your beverage in the morning, and eat at least two sucralose containing products the remainder of the day. On this day, avoid other artificial sweeteners so that you are able to differentiate which one may be causing a problem for you. Do this for a period of one to three days. Observe how your body is feeling, particularly if it feels different than when you were artificial-sweetener free.
If you complete the elimination/challenge trial described above and do not notice any changes then it appears that Splenda is only damaging your body more slowly. Some comfort! Keep in mind that Splenda has a closer chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar. And remember that fat soluble substances, such as DDT, can remain in your fat for decades and devastate your health.
HEALTH DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational uses only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult an authorized healthcare provider for any health concerns before using any herbal or natural remedy. We do not establish, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Reliance on any material from this website is solely at your own risk. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of information or products mentioned on this website.
References
Vance Ferrell, Harold M. Cherne, M.D. 2010. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia. Altamont: Harvestime Books, 2010. pp. 909, 910, 911. Vol. Seventh.