Any good advice on books and sites about aspartame and nutrition? (no junk science please)

tame

[tame]

There are soooooo many nutrition books, and diet books on the market. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for a beginner like me to sort out the junk science, and voodoo gimmicks, from the well respected books, and web sites.

In the last couple of years I've been extremely tired, sleepy and fatigued for some reason. I've never really been into the nutrition thing, so I would appreciate any of your recommendations on good nutrition, and advice on the following:

1) Sodium. What's the story? How much is too much. How little is too little. Is it true that sodium causes water retention, and too much water retention is bad?

2) Aspartame. I love it in sweeteners (nutrasweek, etc.). I probably use between 100 and 200 packets a day. No joke. But I hear so many bad things about it. Is this junk science or not?

3) Water. I heard someone say you can actually drink too much water. Is this true? If so, how much is too much?

4) yams and sweet potatoes. I love them. I usually have a yam or sweet potato along with one broiled chicken breast for a meal. What are the draw backs on yams and sweet potatoes?

5) Body For Life Diet. I've lost a bit of weight on this diet, but I still lack energy. Any draw backs to this diet?

Please steer me away from the junk science and recommmend some healthy books and websites.

I appreciate it. tame.

[tame]

If you care for me, Please offer your advice:-)

[tame]

Solution?

[tame]

ping

[tame]

What-works-ping?

[tame]

Have you heard of "diet rite" cola? Is this a better alternative to regulat diet soda

[tame]

I still owe you those tapes on Aquinas by Geisler. I saw your name on someone's ping list today and it reminded me. Forgive me for the delay?

[tame]

MG, you seem to know a bit about biology. How about nutrition?

[annyokie]

Don't drink anything carbonated. It's bad news.

[restornu]

Natural Sweetners

The Story of Stevia

SomerSweet

Splenda

[bgierhart]

I am a personal Trainer, how much exercise are you getting?
This is an important part to any diet. (maybe your energy problem)

[restornu]

The Glass bottle Diet Rite has Splenda

[chicagolady]

The photo of a crumpled can of Diet Coke told the story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Coke's hometown paper. Fitting, poetic, just, but tragic for the company once rated "The Most Admired Business in the World". Today Coke wouldn't even make the list. Sales are down, profits collapsing, and 6,000 employees soon will be gone. To make room for 6,000 defense attorneys? The tragedy is stupendously larger than 6,000 jobs; it affects hundreds of millions of unwarned, innocent, afflicted consumers across the broad face of planet earth.

This crisis can't be solved by belt tightening, greater efficiency, more advertising, etc. It's so bad Coke can't say the word; to pronounce it will bring instant cataclysm. That word is aspartame, and their only recourse is denial, denial, denial, though every ad and commercial builds higher the scaffold upon which Coke shall surely hang.

Reality is in that twisted Diet coke can. It's poison. It's killing the unborn, raining tumors and seizures on the population, destroying children, incapacitating workers, mimicking MS, erasing memory and blinding. Inexorably Diet Coke visits a plague of 92 symptoms listed by our FDA on a secret report they'll never show which names diet soda as the first source of aspartame disease. And yes, Death was one of the 92.

Diet Coke is poison. And it's addictive, some victims drink several liters a day and keep it on their nightstands. If Coke changes the formula to remove aspartame the world will heal and the surge of hatred and vengeance by the disabled and bereaved shall certainly destroy Coca Cola.

The poison in Diet Coke is aspartame. As a member of the National Soft Drink Association Coke opposed FDA approval of aspartame for beverages. their objections, running to several pages published in the Congressional Record of 5/7/85, said aspartame is uniquely and inherently unstable and breaks down in the can. It decomposes into formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, formic acid, diketopiperazine and other toxins. In a study on 7 monkeys 5 had grand mal seizures and one died, a casualty rate of 86%.

Coke knew; and knowing, broke their good faith contract with customers, a breach exhibited by the recent plot to program vending machines to raise the price with the temperature. Dissatisfied with selling flavored sugar water plus phosphoric acid, they switched to pushing an addictive formula called "Diet". Addictive substances multiply markets, so Diet Coke soared off the sales charts, spreading obesity in its flight.. We're fatter because aspartame suppresses seratonin and makes us crave carbohydrates.

So why is aspartame/NutraSweet/Equal/Diet Coke/Diet Pepsi/etc on the market and in thousands of foods? Can you say CORRUPTION? One FDA Commissioner and one acting Commissioner have changed sides to work in the NutraSweet industry, plus 6 underlings and two federal attorneys assigned to prosecute NutraSweet for submitting fraudulent tests to get it approved. "It's like a script for Abbott & Costello." lamented an honest FDA scientist writing to Senator Metzenbaum. It works like this: "Approve our poison, and when you stop being a bureaucrat we'll make you a plutocrat! After its licensed we'll pay off the American Dietetics, the American Diabetes Association, the AMA and anyone we need who's for sale."

The jig's up! Worldwide consumer action has exposed aspartame, and millions have kicked the habit. Coke's profits are down 37% and for a year Monsanto's been trying to sell The NutraSweet Company. Finally they sold NSC, producer of the phenylalanine in NutraSweet for $125 million. Now Monsanto faces a $71 million lawsuit for exaggerating profits. Monsanto stock is in the toilet, but they may have found a buyer in the Swiss firm Pharmacia-Upjohn. P.U. for short! The deal won't finalize for a year. the plans are to ditch the Monsanto name as its stench is unendurable. CEO Bob Shapiro may soon be history, like Doug Ivester of Coke who just resigned. Will the last one out please turn out the lights!

Betty Martini, Mission Possible International, 5950 H State Bridge Road, PMB 215, Duluth, Georgia 30097 ( 770) 242-2599

References:

http://www.dorway.com (Empty email to help@dorway.com for map)
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame
http://www.aspartamekills.com
http://www.presidiotex.com/aspartame (in Spanish asparspan)
http://www.dorway.com (Approval process fiasco exposed by Fox News, on audio)
http://www.aspartamekills.com ( Townsend Letter for Doctors, Jan 2000,
http://www.icanect.net/sunpress ( Aspartame Disease a world epidemic)
Two support groups online:
Aspartame Support Group and Aspartame Survivors
International Congressional Record, Senate 5/7/85

[Plutarch]

FWIW. I eat tons of aspartame. Just tons. Put six packets in my coffee. Gallons of Diet Coke. Am in perfect health, have been for years.

Doctors aren't too impressed with aspartame risks. I know, because the Diet Cokes are in short supply at the conferences, and the sugar sweetened cans go begging.

[michigander]

Please steer me away from the junk science and recommmend some healthy books and websites.

JunkScience.com - "All the junk that's fit to debunk"

Make good use of the "Site Search" link at the top of the page. Good luck.

[bgierhart]

I also suggest Splenda

[tame]

Don't drink anything carbonated. It's bad news.

I'm interested in why you say that. Is carbonation in itself bad (outside of the apparent gas problem)?

[supercat]

I've had good luck with Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution". He does not like Asparame, and prefers sucralose.

[tame]

I am a personal Trainer, how much exercise are you getting?

Well, that's the intersting thing. I need to start exercising again (I've not done that lately). But when I was exercising om a regular basis, it did not seem to help my energy level. That's why I'm puzzled.

[tame]

what is the main difference between splenda and aspartame?

[tame]

I appreciate it.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Here's my unsolicited advice.

#1) Balance is everything. Too much of anything can be bad for you. As long as your internal organs and blood pressure are okay then salt should not be a problem, but if you are craving large quantities of it, as well as other chemicals then you should have a physical from your doctor.

#2) You are committing a slow suicide. This stuff is poison. Get off of it ASAP. If you want medical studies I will do a search for you. If God didn't make it you shouldn't be eating it.

#3) As long as your internal organs are functioning okay you can drink as much water as you need. This is not a concern unless you are an athlete who might risk electrolyte imbalance/depletion. I have seen only one patient with water intoxication and that was years ago when I was a new nurse. He was mentally ill and a psych patient.

#4) Keep doing this and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

#5)I don't know anything about this diet but if you are feeling poorly it is not good for you. See your doctor, get a complete physical, then ask for a referral to a nutritionist. He or she can work with you to develop a healthy eating routine which will allow you to get your nutritional requirements and lose weight. Finally, move your body. Burn more calories than you take in and you will lose weight. Plus, you will feel better.

[tame]

This is the first I've heard of splenda. No aspartame in it? Could my over consumtion of aspartame have any relation to my sleepiness?

[Gorzaloon]

2) Aspartame. I love it in sweeteners (nutrasweek, etc.). I probably use between 100 and 200 packets a day. No joke. But I hear so many bad things about it. Is this junk science or not?

The only thing I am sure of is that it causes a common liver function test (SGOT) to give bizarre results that can confuse a lot of issues. People who are taking drugs such as Lipitor are surveyed regularly for liver function abnormalities. Containing or being metabolized to phenylalanine, it elevates the liver enzyme alanineaminotransferase. Simply put, the liver says, "What's this stuff" I had better get rid of it!".

I have no idea if it is harmful. Not thinking I swigged some diet Coke and gulped down a quick peanut butter sandwich, forgetting to fast before my appointment. triglycerides were through the roof, SGOT was weird, etc..

I'm fine, BTW.

There is a lot of Luddite misinformation of the web; Little is peer reviewed, and there are a lot of "Causes" going around. You might consider a Medline subscription so you can search real databases, thus avoiding the cranks who really just want to sell selenium supplements and healing crystals.

[nothingnew]

Beer, Camel Lights, Meat, Potatoes, a Vegetable now and then.

FMCDH

[MHGinTN]

Sorry, my friend, I would be a poor source. I was working for Searle when Equal was developed, but it was in the nutritional line, not the pharmaceuticals line of my work.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

I know quite a few folks that quit aspartame and feel better for it. I never could tolerate it, gives me an immediate headache, then, later a backache.

Most things labeled diet, aren't all that good for you, they cut out all or most of the fat, some of which your body needs to burn it's stored energy(fat). High carb foods(lots of 'diet' foods are high in carbs) eaten without activity are converted also. Similarly the artificial sweetners cause your pancreas to produce insulin. With no sugar ingested this can cause your cells to become insulin resistant(type 2 Diabetes).

Liquid vitamins are far superior to the tablet kind, but better still is to get most your vitamins from fresh fruits, veggies and the like, as that is the kind ans type of nutrients your body can most easily recognize and process.

[bgierhart]

Are you taking a daily multi-vitamin? A balanced deit and regular exercise should help you. If not maybe you need to have your blood sugar tested.

[tame]

electrolyte imbalance/depletion

I appreciate your comments. I'm curious about the electrolyte imbalance. What is that?

[maxwell]

Beer, Camel Lights, Meat, Potatoes, a Vegetable now and then.

Yeah... What he said. Except make it Marlboro Lights, hehe...

And pizza counts as a vejtibul.

[supercat]

The Story of Stevia

I'm a little curious what gives the FDA the authority to forbid anyone from mentioning stevia's sweetness. Under the normal rules for herbal supliments, would the proper labeling for the product me "may produce a sweet flavor"?

[tame]

Not thinking I swigged some diet Coke and gulped down a quick peanut butter sandwich, forgetting to fast before my appointment. triglycerides were through the roof, SGOT was weird, etc..

You may be on to something. I went in for some blood tests last year and the same thing happened with me. triglycerides off the charts, but I went in for another test after fasting and it was much better, though still a little high.

[boxerblues]

Im not a doctor nor do I play one on FR but heres my 2 cents

Yes you can drink too much water...recommended is 8 16 oz water a day or half of your body weight in oz's of water.

Aspartame does cause and allergic reation in some people including hives, headaches, nausea

sodium will make some not all retain water

personnally I would sty away from Adkins, your depriving your body of basic items and you will pay for it. Everyone I know that has tried it has lost weight very fast but once they stopped they gained it all back and then some

http://www.healthdiscovery.net

http://www.calorieking.com/

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/

http://www.aboutproduce.com/

http://www.dietfacts.com/

and my favorite

http://www.weightwatchers.com

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

It would be present in a person who exercises a great deal and sweats a lot (like a triathlete or a professional player), a person who had certain medical problems or takes certain medications (you have to work with your doctor on this), or a person who has been sick with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, etc. It isn't a concern for the average person with decent health.

[bgierhart]

Tame, It is possible, you system is lacking something. I realy think a blood sugar test would be best.

[NWO Slave]

Hoax Folks response on Aspartame

Provided by the Food and Drug Administration Via E-Mail January 27, 1999

[tame]

Are you taking a daily multi-vitamin? A balanced deit and regular exercise should help you. If not maybe you need to have your blood sugar tested.

No daily multi-vitamins. Would they really make a difference? I did have my blood tested 2 or 3 times last year. The blood sugar level was at the top/high end of the normal range I think.

[bgierhart]

Well put, Boxerblues

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

You really, really need to get off of the artificial sweeteners. I can't emphasize that enough. I would be willing to bet they are responsible for most of your symptoms.

[goodnesswins]

As an amateur Nutritionist.....take what I say for what its worth.

Eat.....Lots of green, yellow, red veggies
Eat....citrus fruit, i.e. grapefruit, orange juice
Eat....Blueberries....in smoothies, etc.
Eat....little sugar, starch (white rice, white potatoes, bread)
Eat....reasonable amounts of flax seed (crushed) and olive oil
Eat.... salmon, tuna, and sardines...you need Omega 3's
Eat....dairy products in moderation
Eat....beans in moderation
Lay off the aspartame....use Splenda
Eat....sodium mostly ONLY when it comes to you naturally...i.e. NOT in prepared/fast foods
WATER - yes you can drink too much (at least Dr. Dean Edell thinks so)
Yams/Sweet Potatoes....maybe once a week, but they are not something I would necessarily eat everyday.
BOTTOMLINE.....eat close to the bottom of the food chain and eat colorful foods.

I don't know anything about the Body for Life Diet.

Read Jean Carper's books....you'll learn a lot. Read Prevention Magazine. (They are online also) Check with a reputable Naturopath, ND.....they can be a Godsend. (Medical doctors are not usually trained in nutrition.)

Good Luck.

[boxerblues]

well thank you...If you need to lose weight and for good health you need a life style change not a quick fix diet...remember die is the first part of diet!

[annyokie]

I have good friend who has been heavy since childhood. She was diet Coke freak and when she quit drinkning it she lost 20 pounds in one month. Apparently, there is something in the carbination that makes you pack on the pounds.

[bgierhart]

YES Try a milti-vitamin that is specificly made for a women or a man. The needs for daily intake are different. I believe this will make a great difference. However do not expect to take it and then have a boost of enery. Make this a daily habit and within a few weeks you shoud see a difference.

[supercat]

personnally I would sty away from Adkins, your depriving your body of basic items and you will pay for it.

Exactly what am I depriving myself of? Atkins recommends consuming vegetables in moderation and taking nutritional supplements. The only thing I'm particularly depriving myself of is sacharides [glucose, sucrose, etc. along with the starches built from them]. And since the body doesn't really need much of those I don't see a problem.

[b4its2late]

In the last couple of years I've been extremely tired, sleepy and fatigued for some reason.

Too much FReepin'? Hey, it's in the time line since you signed up in Jan 2000..... LOL!

Haven't heard from you much. You laying low?

On a serious note, I saw someone ask about excercise..... It works for me. I mean, no doubt as you get older you need sleep, at least I do. But I also run a couple of miles every three days or so and it works for me.

Ping me, okay? Later.

[supercat]

Apparently, there is something in the carbination that makes you pack on the pounds.

Atkins claims aspartame adversely affects the metabolism of dieters.

[nothingnew]

And pizza counts as a vejtibul.

Yer right...I forgot that one...tomatoes and garlic...as long as it's from somewhere on Wooster St. in New Haven, CT. (Marlboros are really dry IMHO, but to each his own).

FMCDH

[restornu]

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Maple Grove Farms of Vermont - Cozy Cottage Sugar Free Syrup - Vermont Sugar Free Syrup

Royal Crown Company, Inc. Diet Rite® - Cola - Red Raspberry - White Grape - Tangerine - Kiwi Strawberry Diet RC® Cola

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. Ocean Spray® Lightstyle® - CranoRaspberry® - CranoGrape® - Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Hunt-Wesson, Inc. Swiss Miss® "No Sugar Added" Hot Cocoa Mix

[boxerblues]

your missing the carbs,a lot isnt good but you do need some in your diet.