Deadly Sweet

A common misconception people have about nutrition is that consuming sugar-free foods and beverages is healthy...because it cuts back on calories and sugar intake.  While reducing sugar intake is definitely a healthy choice, the label "sugar-free" usually means artificial sweeteners are used instead of sugar, and artificial sweeteners are decidedly UN-healthy.  In fact, in many ways artificial sweeteners are worse than sugar.

Artificial sweeteners like saccharin, acesulfame potassium, sucralose (Splenda), and aspartame (the worst), have been linked to metabolic problems--compounded in those with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes--and found to increase hunger and cravings, insulin levels, and blood sugar peaks.  So, in direct opposition to the deceptive "diet" label, diet foods--especially diet sodas--actually contribute to increased weight gain and glucose intolerance.

Aspartame is a commonly-used artificial sweetener which is used in over 400 products including children's vitamins, diet sodas, chewing gum, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and mouthwash.  Aspartame is also known as the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and has most recently been rebranded as Aminosweet--different name, same poison.  Aspartame is produced by Monsanto, an evil corporation which excels at producing products like aspartame, glyphosate (the pesticide in RoundUp), and GMOs that are poisoning the world, lies about their safety, and then pays off the people who are supposed to hold them accountable.  Aspartame is made up of aspartic acid and a synthetically modified phenylalanine with a methyl group (responsible for the sweetness).  Liquid aspartame (like in diet sodas) breaks down into methanol which is then converted into formaldehyde in the human body.   Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and neurologic toxin.  Formaldehyde is in the same class as Cyanide and Arsenic and is just as deadly--the difference is that formaldehyde kills quietly and a bit more slowly.

Formaldehyde poisoning can cause seizures, coma, and death, as well as birth defects--it affects the brain cells and doesn't allow the baby to develop properly.  The neurological damage caused by formaldehyde is especially deadly for those with Parkinson's disease.  Aspartame is also very dangerous for diabetics, because it can keep their blood sugar levels out of control resulting in confusion, memory loss, severe vision loss (the retina is an area where the formaldehyde collects), coma, and death.

Methanol toxicity causes Lupus and mimics the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis--many people are being diagnosed with MS who don't actually have MS; they have aspartame poisoning.  Most Fibromyalgia symptoms are also symptoms of aspartame poisoning.  Symptoms include:  spasms, shooting pains, numbness of limbs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, and memory loss.  Aspartame poisoning can also mimic PMS symptoms such as cramps, mood swings, etc.

One of the reasons I decided to write about the dangers of Aspartame is because a friend of mine recently told me about two relatives, both of whom daily consume large amounts of diet Coke, who each had a scare after experiencing temporary paralysis on one side of their bodies.  Their medical doctors had no explanation after running numerous tests.  It was most likely aspartame poisoning.

If you go on the internet and search "aspartame poisoning" or "aspartame poisoning symptoms", you will be astonished.  And if you are experiencing any of the symptoms and consume aspartame regularly, you would be wise to stop consuming it and see which symptoms disappear.

It can't be stressed enough how important it is to avoid all products containing Aspartame--or any other artificial sweetener.  A good alternative is Stevia, which is derived from the leaf of a plant.

We are entering the holiday season during which eating healthy is always a challenge.  If you do overindulge, please don't try to compensate by consuming diet soda--just drink more water! 

The Healing Power of Raw Honey

If you have been reading my blog regularly, you know by now that refined sugars and artificial sweeteners are very bad for your health for many reasons and should be avoided.  Two excellent natural sweeteners when used in moderation are 100% pure maple syrup and pure, raw, unprocessed honey.  Not surprisingly, the imitation maple syrup and pasteurized honey commonly sold in stores are also harmful to your health and barely resemble the pure raw products.  "Maple" syrup is often high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup with a tiny amount of "pure" maple syrup added.  Store-bought honey is also often a combination of high fructose corn syrup and honey--besides being pasteurized which kills off any beneficial enzymes. 

Pure, raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized honey, on the other hand, is an amazing substance that has been used down through the ages not only as a sweetener, but also as a healer.  Raw honey contains thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-12, biotin, antioxidants, amino acids, and a number of live enzymes that promote optimal health.  It has been known to help with occasional diarrhea, insomnia, and has been studied for anti-aging effects. 

 Raw honey is great for sore throats and coughs.  Honey is a "demulcent"--a substance that forms a protective film, relieving irritation in your mouth or throat.  Research has shown that honey soothes coughs as well as dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in over-the- counter cough medications.  I remember getting very frustrated with over-the-counter cough medicines when my kids were young, because they never seemed to work.  I stopped buying them and switched to honey.  If one of my kids has a sore throat, I tell them to take a spoonful of honey; if they have a cough, honey lemon tea is our go-to remedy.  It is more effective, and I don't have to worry about dangerous ingredients or unwanted side effects.

Raw honey also has antibacterial and antifungal properties which make it an excellent healer of serious skin infections and wounds.  Honey was actually a conventional infection-fighting therapy up until the early 20th century, when it was gradually replaced by penicillin.  Honey draws fluid away from a wound, and the high sugar content suppresses the growth of microorganisms.  When raw honey is applied to a wound, an enzymatic process produces hydrogen peroxide, which explains its antiseptic qualities.  Recently, raw honey has made a comeback in this area, and clinical trials have found that one special type of honey can effectively eradicate more than 250 clinical strains of bacteria, including resistant varieties such as MRSA.  Manuka honey is made with pollen from the flowers of a medicinal plant called the Manuka bush.  Manuka honey contains something extra--a special antimicrobial ingredient called simply the Unique Manuka Factor, because no one has yet discovered exactly what that unique substance is.  Medihoney brand burn and wound dressings can be purchased from online medical supply stores as well as from Amazon.com.  Raw honey has been shown to speed up the healing of C-sections in one study, herpes sores in other studies (it doesn't cure herpes--it alleviates symptoms), and I personally know a cancer patient with deep, severe radiation burns whose doctors used Medihoney dressings to help heal them when other methods failed.  I have experimented with a couple of my own cuts and deep scrapes by daily applying a dab of raw honey covered loosely with a bandaid, and I found that they healed quickly and well.  Consider using raw honey instead of common antibacterial products like Neosporin.  Natural antibiotics like honey (and garlic) are proving to be more effective than conventional antibiotics, and they don't cause bacteria-resistance.  *Conventional store-bought honey should NEVER be used for wounds as it can actually promote infection.

Raw honey can also help lessen the symptoms of seasonal allergies by consuming a small amount (about a teaspoon) of local, raw honey daily, starting a few months before allergy season.  The key is to use local honey, because it is produced by bees using the nectar of local allergen-producing plants and will contain the local pollens.  Theoretically, over time the immune system will build up a natural immunity against the local pollens.

Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, so it is also a wonderful addition to personal care products.  For example, there are plenty of online recipes for homemade hair conditioner, body moisturizers and facial scrubs made with raw honey.

It is relatively easy to find local sources of raw honey.  Grassway Organics farm store sells it, and there are many local people who keep bees and sell honey--just ask around!