My Artificial Sweetener Nightmare
I was recently reading a great post on Dr. Mercola’s web site about the dangers of Splenda and it got me to thinking about my own personal experience with these harmful sweeteners. Having had a weight problem my entire life and not being able to tolerate sugar (it made me want to eat and eat!), I did what most people do in my situation- I used artificial sweeteners. On top of that I am quite compulsive, so I used a lot of it. Drinks sweetened with Equal and Splenda were a daily staple, as well as packets and packets of Splenda, which I put in my coffee and on my food. It took me many years to face up to the fact that these so called “safe” sweeteners were really poising my body, and on top of that I had a chronic illness, which was exacerbated by anything chemical and highly processed.
Needless to say, I finally was willing to let all of them go about a year and a half ago, and although it was difficult, it wasn’t the hardest part of my withdrawal from them. About three days into it, I had a severe liver attack which lasted for almost an hour, and I had to lie on my back and deep breathe the entire time so that I didn’t throw up or have to head to the hospital. I had terrible stabbing pains in my side, burning in my intestines, and hot and cold flashes running through my body. Not a pretty experience at all! It has taken me months to heal my liver, and it still gives me trouble now and then.
The reason that I am sharing this with you is because I really want to get the word out about just how toxic these substances are! Splenda may be derived from sugar, but the end result is that it becomes chlorinated artificial sweetener once it has been molecularly altered. Do you really want something like that in your body?
Please go to the following websites for more information:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/02/10/New-Study-of-Splenda-Reveals-Shocking-Information-About-Potential-Harmful-Effects.aspx
www.truthaboutsplenda.com
Do yourself a huge favor and stop using these poisons as soon as you can!
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Very good article, thanks for educating us ... it is pretty troubling how much damage artificial sweeteners can do, and how long it has taken for this knowledge to come out.
ReplyDeleteDr. Mercola's site is a great source for info. I've started taking vitamin D supplements after seeing three recent articles there about the importance of vitamin D in many areas such as boosting immunity, reducing incidence of cancer, etc. I've also read elsewhere that Fibromyalgia and Cardiomyopathy can result from vitamin D deficiency. I'm sure you're already aware of this but thought I'd mention it.
Best of luck to you in making a very speedy full recovery.
Thanks honey! We went off other artificial sweeteners years ago, but thought Splenda was o.k. So we got some Stevia (it's got a funny aftertaste, kind of like the old saccharin!), don't have any choice in brands - Stevia is Stevia! Also got some Xylitol, which is another natural sweetener, and that tastes o.k. Funny thing - my chronic runny nose stopped the next day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up.
Thanks for the comments!
ReplyDeleteMattresses: I have not heard of the connection between Vitamin D deficiency and Cardiomyopathy- if you have further info on this I would love to see a copy.
Jan from BetterSpines: there is a great brand of Stevia- Kal liquid stevia. No aftertaste and you can buy it online for a great price.
I'll be back to read the entire post...you've gotten my interest!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI gave up artificial sweeteners on New Year's Day. I can honestly say I feel 100% better now than I had in a long time.
ReplyDeleteI've posted an award for you on my blog. You can pick it up anytime.
We recently learned about stevia due to reading another health blog. Is stevia safe, as opposed to Splenda? Curious as to whether you have written or read about Stevia much.
ReplyDeleteYes Steve, as far as I know Stevia is quite safe. It's made from the plant stevia, has no calories, and does not affect insulin levels. I prefer the liquid versions (Kal is my fave) but I stay away from the brands that contain alcohol. I would encourage anyone to consider this great sweetener- I use it everyday and absolultey love it.
ReplyDeleteEV, we finally found a liquid one here locally, it's WonderFoods. Tastes better than anything else. Also says on the label that it assists in maintaining a healthy digestive system, and maintains healthy pancreatic function. So it's all good.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more on the dangers of these artificial sweeteners. My wife and I have completely dropped them from our diet. Great article
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're really going withdraw from sweeteners, like detoxing in a drug rehab, you gotta hold on for dear life.
ReplyDelete