MSNBC article: New Splenda/Sucralose research

[Gaelen]

This came across another nutrition list I'm on:
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26834242/

Chairman of Citizens for Health Declares FDA Should Review Approval
of Splenda
New Study of Splenda and Sucralose Reveals Shocking New
Information About Potential Harmful Effect on Humans

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 22, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- James Turner,
chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health
expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from
scientists at Duke University. "The report makes it clear that the
artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a
threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers
have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this
study, published this past week in the Journal of Toxicology and
Environmental Health Part A, confirms that the chemicals in the
little yellow package should carry a big red warning label," said
Turner.
Among the results in the study by Drs. Mohamed B. Abou-Donia, Eman M.
El-Masry, Ali A. Abdel-Rahman, Roger E. McLendon and Susan S.
Schiffman is evidence that, in the animals studied, Splenda reduces
the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, increases the
pH level in the intestines, contributes to increases in body weight
and affects the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the body in such a way that
crucial health-related drugs could be rejected. Turner noted that the
P-gp effect "could result in crucial medications used in chemotherapy
for cancer patients, AIDS treatment and drugs for heart conditions
being shunted back into the intestines rather than being absorbed by
the body as intended."

The study was conducted using male rats over a period of twelve
weeks. The manufacturers of Splenda also used a rat study when they
applied for and received approval to market the product from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration. At the time, the findings from their
rat studies were extrapolated as to possible effects on humans. This
is standard FDA practice and this study is consistent with that
practice.
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[gitfiddle]

...in the animals studied, Splenda reduces
the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, increases the
pH level in the intestines, contributes to increases in body weight
and affects the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the body in such a way that
crucial health-related drugs could be rejected. Turner noted that the
P-gp effect "could result in crucial medications used in chemotherapy
for cancer patients, AIDS treatment and drugs for heart conditions
being shunted back into the intestines rather than being absorbed by
the body as intended."
Good to know, Pat. :eek: I wonder what other meds it affects...

[artsdesireincanada]

Try Stevia, or another I use is Blue Aguave syrup. I am diabetic and neither of these touches my blood sugar in a negative way. Stevia is many times sweeter than sugar, and the syrup is two times sweeter than sugar. The chemical stuff reacts badly with me, and it doesn't seem to matter what kind it is. I used to like to chew gum once in a while then they all seem to have nutra sweet in them! ARGHHHHHHHH But I understand taht some pop companies are beginning to look at using stevia in their diet pop. I haven't had a pop for so many years I really forget what it tastes like, but sure used to like rootbeer!!!

[gitfiddle]

I've got stevia, but I haven't used it in a long time. Maybe it's time to bring it back out.

[Mitra]

You might want to be cautious with the agave syrup. The reason it has such a low glycemic index is that it is very high in fructose. I've seen numbers between 60 and 90% fructose - it may depend on the brand, but in any case it's likely to have more fructose than HFCS.

Dr Mike Eades's wrote about why too much fructose can be harmful: High Fructose Corn Syrup Follies (http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/uncategorized/high-fructose-corn-syrup-follies/).