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BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL & HEALTHY RECIPES

This article was taken from HealthKeepers Magazine,

Vol. 7 Issue 2

THE SURPRISING BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL by Sally Fallon

Looking for a food that helps you lose weight, gives you more energy, cures intestinal diseases like candida and even protects against heart disease and cancer? The surprising answer is coconut oil! Yet most Westerners avoid coconut oil and coconut products in the mistaken belief that they contribute to heart disease. Of all the oils used by human beings, coconut oil is the highest in saturated fats, falsely called "artery-clogging" saturated fats. Coconut oil's health benefits are due to the fact that it contains very high levels of a type of saturated fat called medium-chain fatty acids. These special fats perform a number of tasks:

• BOOST METABOLISM: They raise body temperature and give quick energy, which is especially important for those who gain weight easily, even when they don't eat very much, due to a sluggish thyroid gland.
• USED FOR ENERGY: Another reason these medium-chain fatty acids help with weight loss is because they are never stored as fat; instead the body uses them for quick energy.
• STIMULATE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: Coconut oil can help protect against colds and fl u.
• USED FOR INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATION: These types of fats are involved in the process of intercellular communication, which means that they can help fight cancer.
• ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTIES: The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil kill pathogens such as fungi and viruses. They are very helpful in fighting candida and because they kill viruses associated with heart disease, they can help protect against this modern health scourge.

SATURATED FAT IN OUR BODIES

Saturated fats have been accused of clogging arteries because "they are solid at room temperature." But saturated fats in our bodies are at body temperature, which is 25 degrees higher than room temperature! At 98 F, saturated fats are soft or liquid. That's why mammalian bodies (including human bodies) contain–and need–saturated fats. Without saturated fats, our bodies would lack structural integrity, our cell membranes would be too limp. Cold blooded animals like fish provide unsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature; if their bodies contained a lot of saturated fats, they would be too stiff. Interestingly, a 1994 study published in The Lancet, Britain's most prestigious medical journal, found that most of the fats in the artery clogs or "plaque" are unsaturated, not saturated. What makes the arteries stiff is not so much the fats but calcium deposits akin to lime. Warm body temperature is the reason that animals, like cows, have saturated fat in their meat and milk; for the same reason, plants in the tropics contain a lot of saturated fats to provide the leaves with the stiffness they need to function properly.

THE RESEARCH ON COCONUT OIL

A number of recently published studies have demonstrated that coconut oil can be a dieter's best friend. For example, a study published in the March 1991 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating two tablespoons of medium-chain fatty acids (the kind found in coconut oil) with a meal caused body temperature to rise after the meal, indicating an increase in metabolism. A study published in Life Science, 1998 (Vol 62) found that the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are oxidized (used for energy) more readily than long-chain fatty acids (the kind found in vegetable oils and meat fats) and "hold potential as weight loss agents." Finally, a report published in the October 2000 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition describes how lauric acid (in coconut oil) is preferentially used for energy rather than storage. Said the researchers: "Dietary fatty acids that are more prone to oxidation than storage may be less likely to lead to obesity."

Why, then, do scientists and nutritionists tell us that coconut oil is bad for us? One reason is that early studies relied on faulty data which lumped trans fats with saturated fats, calling the types of fats used in processed foods saturated, when in fact they were manufactured trans fats. Researchers mistakenly concluded that saturated fats were to blame. We now know that the culprit is trans fats, which cause not only cancer and heart disease, but also problems with growth, reproduction, and immune function.

Another reason for the bad reputation was because coconut oil was used in experiments to test essential fatty acid deficiency. Animals were fed coconut oil that had been put through a process called full hydrogenation, which gets rid of all the essential fatty acids. Scientists use coconut oil for this purpose because it is the only oil that is still soft enough to eat after it has been fully hydrogenated. The animals developed many health problems due to fatty acid deficiency… but spokespersons for the American Heart Association blamed the problems on coconut oil!

All we need to do to convince ourselves of the fact that fats like coconut oil don't cause heart disease is to look at the numbers. The coconut-producing regions of the world have some of the lowest rates of heart disease, and low rates of cancer as well. Thailand, for example, has the lowest rate of cancer of 50 countries studied by the National Cancer Institute.

The fact that the body uses medium-chain fatty acids for energy and does not store them as fat makes coconut oil a boon for dieters. The most frequent comment we hear from people who begin consuming coconut oil and coconut products is increased energy. This boost in metabolism solves the main problem faced by those losing weight. The body slows down its metabolism when calories are restricted so that it eventually becomes impossible to lose weight, no matter how little you eat. Coconut oil makes dieting easy, speeding up metabolism, boosting energy, and providing a feeling of satiety in a moderately calorie-restricted regimen of whole foods.

I recommend that dieters take 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil 20 minutes before each meal. You can melt the oil in hot water or herb tea and sip slowly. You will find that by the time you sit down to dinner, your appetite will be greatly diminished and it will be hard to complete your meal. Thus, you eat fewer calories without having to call on will power, and the boost in metabolism will help you burn those calories more efficiently. If you are not used to eating a lot of fats, start slowly with about 1⁄2 teaspoon and work up to the amount of coconut oil recommended for your weight - 1 tablespoon if you weigh 90-130 pounds, 1 1⁄2 tablespoons before each meal if you weigh 131-180 pounds, and 2 tablespoons if you weigh over 190 pounds.

Of course, any weight loss program requires cutting back on calories and junk food sugar, white flour, sodas, and foods containing trans fatty acids (almost all processed foods). Fortunately, the coconut diet plan includes many delicious foods, from scrambled eggs to paté as well as many coconut-based recipes that call for whole coconut milk, coconut cream, and desiccated coconut meat.

Some additional benefits to consuming coconut are improved skin condition, resolution of hormonal problems, improved digestion, and better sleep. So use coconut oil for good health and lovely appearance!

Sally Fallon uses coconut oil to give her the energy she needs to fulfill her many responsibilities as writer, publisher, and president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, a nonprofit nutrition education foundation. She is coauthor, along with renowned lipid biochemist Mary G. Enig, PhD, of Eat Fat Lose Fat (Hudson Street Press 2005), a book that integrates coconut oil and coconut products into three delicious, science-based, coconut diets—Quick and Easy Weight Loss, Health Recovery, and Everyday Gourmet.

COCONUT RECIPES

COCONUT MILK TONIC - Makes 4 cups
Coconut Milk Tonic contains the same amount of calories, fat, and calcium as whole milk. It's an excellent substitute for those who cannot obtain quality milk or who are allergic to milk.
1 can whole coconut milk
1 3/4 cups water
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon dolomite powder (available on the internet and in health food stores)
Mix all ingredients together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, and heat until warm, and dolomite is dissolved.

COCONUT SMOOTHIE - Serves 1
Coconut Smoothie makes a delicious, satisfying breakfast that can be consumed on your way to work!
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup whole coconut milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Place banana in food processor and process to a puree. Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended. Add enough water to obtain desired consistency.

MARY'S OIL BLEND - Makes 3 cups
This wonderful blend of three oils can be used in salad dressings or as a cooking oil. When used for cooking, flavors come through beautifully and the blend does not burn as easily as pure coconut oil. In salads, it provides all the benefits of coconut oil and does not have the strong taste of olive oil. In mayonnaise, it provides firmness when chilled. Be sure that the sesame oil you purchase is truly expeller-expressed or cold pressed, since the very high temperatures used during industrial processing destroy the unique protective antioxidants in sesame oil.
1 cup coconut oil, gently melted
1 cup expeller-expressed or cold-pressed sesame oil
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Mix all ingredients together in a glass jar, cover tightly, and store at room temperature.

COCONUT FISH SPREAD - Makes about 1 1/2 cups
This delicious spread is very easy to make. It calls for freeze-dried coconut, which is available on the internet.
1 cup leftover cooked fish (or canned fish)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 cup sour cream or crème fraiche
sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated fresh coconut or 2 tablespoons freeze-dried, fine-cut coconut
Place fish, lime juice, garlic, and sour cream in a food processor and blend until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Add coconut and blend in with a few quick pulses. Place in a bowl and refrigerate 2 hours before serving. Serve as a spread on whole grain crackers or whole grain bread.

BRAZILIAN SHRIMP STEW - Serves 4
1 1/2 pounds fresh large shrimp, shelled and deveined
juice of 2 lemons
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 can whole coconut milk
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Place shrimp in a mixture of lemon juice, onion, garlic, vinegar, and salt and marinate for 30 minutes. Place in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cilantro, coconut milk, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer, covered for about 15 minutes until shrimp are cooked through.

INDIAN VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH COCONUT - Serves 6-8.
This is a great party dish!
1 medium eggplant, peeled, cubed, and salted
3 medium zucchini, seeded, sliced into sticks, and salted
1/4 cup Mary's oil blend or ghee
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
1 cup chopped raw spinach
1 cup sweet potato, peeled and cut into sticks
1 cup coconut cream (available at Asian markets or on the internet)
1 cup plain whole yogurt
Let salted eggplant and zucchini sit for about 1 hour. Rinse in a colander and drain. Wrap in a kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. Heat oil blend or ghee in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic, mustard seeds, and cumin seeds; cover and cook for 1 minute. Add remaining vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add coconut cream and yogurt and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently , about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

COCONUT RICE - Serves 8
4 tablespoons butter, ghee or Mary's Oil Blend
3 cardamom pods
2 cups long grain brown rice
1 can whole coconut milk
1 12 cups water or stock
1/2 teaspoon sea salt pinch of saffron (optional)
Warm butter, ghee or Mary's Oil Blend in a heavy, flameproof casserole over medium heat. Open cardamom pods and add to the casserole. Add rice to casserole and sauté, stirring constantly, until rice begins to turn whitish or milky, about 5 minutes. Pour in coconut milk and chicken stock, add salt and saffron and bring to a rolling boil. Boil, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, or until the water has reduced to the level of the rice. Reduce heat to lowest setting, cover pot tightly, and cook for at least 1 1/2 hours, or as long as 3 hours, if possible. Do not remove lid during cooking.

THAI BANANA DESSERT IN COCONUT MILK - Serves 4
4 large red bananas, fully ripened
1 can whole coconut milk
1/4 cup coconut sugar (available in Asian markets)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt few drops of mali (Thai jasmine) essence (available in Asian markets)
Note: If red bananas are unavailable, use regular yellow ones. Peel bananas just before you are ready to cook, Cut in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 4 pieces crosswise. Heat coconut milk in a large saucepan over medium head, add coconut sugar, salt, and mali essence. When mixture is hot and smooth, add bananas and simmer about 5 minutes or until bananas are cooked but still in whole pieces. Serve warm.

COCONUT ICE CREAM - Serves 6
1/2 cup coconut sugar (available in Asian markets), warmed
4 egg yolks
1 tablespoon coconut rum
1 can whole coconut milk
1 cup heavy cream, not ultrapasteurzied
In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg yolks until pale in color, about 5 minutes. Whisk in rum, coconut milk, and cream. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Serve immediately or store in the freezer.

STOP THE SHOT

«Action eAlert: "Stop the Shot" Federal Case Filed Friday

Media Release: Motion for "Stop the Shot" Injunction filed in DC District Court »

"Stop the Shot" Complaint for Injunction filed in DC District Court Today!

MEDIA RELEASE

Natural Solutions Foundation
The Voice of Global Health Freedom™
http://www.GlobalHealthFreedom.org/

October 15, 2009 Update: Motion for Injunction filed: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=3657

For Immediate Release:

"STOP THE SHOT" Litigation Filed
Health Freedom Advocates and NY Health Care Workers
Seek Protection from DC Federal Court in
Legal Effort to Void FDA Swine Flu Vaccine Approval

Washington DC – October 9, 2009: Despite the FDA's intention to begin delivery this week of the n ovel "Swine Flu" 2009-H1N1-A live virus nasal mist vaccine to 90,000 government-approved locations nationwide, six New Yorkers and several NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) filed for an Emergency Injunction in the US District Court for the District of Columbia to prevent the distribution of what they believe are illegal, unnecessary and dangerous vaccines.

The case of Null, Laibow et al. v FDA et al. [Docket No. 1:09-cv-01924]challenges the legality of the September 15th licensing of four vaccines prior to any safety testing for what the government calls a "novel flu virus with pandemic potential." The complaint alleges that the government failed to follow its own rules and applicable legislation in rushing the vaccine approvals in the absence of any of the requisite minimum scientifically sound and appropriate testing for both safety and effectiveness as required by law since 1964.

Link to Complaint:http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?page_id=3619
Link to Brief: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?page_id=3624
Link to Action eAlert: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=3635
Link to "I'm Not a Pharma Serf" Action Item: http://bit.ly/4FxB4r

The New Yorkers are all health care workers who are therefore subject to that State's new legal mandate (promulgated August 13, 2009) requiring that nearly all of the State's half million health care workers receive all Federally recommended flu vaccines or lose their jobs. This requirement puts the health care workers in significant jeopardy since these newly approved vaccines have never been tested for either safety or efficacy and may carry major risks.

The lawsuit, announced at a demonstration by the health care workers last week at the State Capitol in Albany on September 29, 2009, is expected to be just one of the suits filed challenging various government "emergency" actions for a flu that has proven (during the just concluded Southern Hemisphere flu season) to be neither pandemic nor virulent despite dire predictions to the contrary and despite a Health Emergency declared by the CDC on April 25, 2009, 11 days after the first alleged death from Swine Flu on April 14, 2009 and a Level 6 Pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization followed on June 11, 2009 (which was only possible since W.H.O. downgraded the definition of a "Level 6 Pandemic").

The Plaintiffs include health care professionals such as Dr. Gary Null, PhD, a well-known New York nutritionist, Rima E. Laibow, MD, a New York licensed physician who is Medical Director and a Trustee of the Natural Solutions Foundation, Dr. Tedd Koren DC, head of Foundation for Health Choice and four other health care workers covered by the mandate, including a Registered Nurse who has had prior adverse reactions to flu vaccines; a pregnant Nurse's Aide, a health care student who has been told that she cannot see the patients whom she must see in order to finish her training, and a woman who works in the billing department of a hospital. All have been denied exemptions and told they will lose their positions under the new mandate if they are not vaccinated with all flu vaccines, including the new "Swine Flu" vaccine.

The Complaint alleges that the FDA erred in determining that safety testing was not needed because the 2009-H1N1-A vaccines are a mere "change of strain" not requiring safety testing. The Plaintiffs claim there is no significant scientific agreement that supports the government's actions. The experts presented by the Plaintiffs include Sarah Schon MD, a Board Certified Immunologist and Paul G. King PhD, a noted analytical chemist with decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Plaintiffs further allege that the Live Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV) nasal mist vaccine could trigger the very pandemic the government claims people should fear, calling the decision to allow a LAIV vaccine using a WHO and CDC declared "novel pandemic virus" an "arbitrary and capricious decision without any basis in the scientific record."

Citing HHS Secretary Sebelius's September 15th testimony before a Congressional committee when she announced the vaccine licensing, that even the FDA's own scientists would not "sign-off" on the use of the most toxic vaccine ingredients (known as "oil in water adjuvants") the Plaintiffs allege the government has a plan to nonetheless approve these substances, never before approved for drug use in the United States, under an "Emergency Use Authorization" (EUA) permitted by the 2005 Project Bioshield Act. On July 13, 2009, according to a press release on the www.HHS.gov web site, the government purchased nearly a half billion dollar's worth ($485 Million USD) of the deadly adjuvnt squalene, an oil in water adjuvant, blamed by many nongovernmental physicians as a "Gulf War Syndrome" causative agent in more than 25% of the soldiers who were subjected to an experimental anthrax vaccine, Vaccine A, containing squalene. Vaccine A was later authorized under an EUA propmpting a Court ruling that makes its use legal only in voluntary situations. The government's stockpile is enough squalene to "stretch" the 167 million doses of "Swine Flu" vaccine the government has purchased to cover the entire American population since the purpose of an adjuvant is to increase immune response to the injected material. The FDA web site indicates that the adjuvanted vaccines will be provided under an EUA which will allow the agency to skirt "Good Manufacturing Practices" and any issue of whether squalene is too dangerous to be permitted.

Secretary Sebelius further testified before Congress that a single company will be contracted by the government to deliver the vaccines to 90,000 locations around the country. The FDA site further indicates that the squalene will be mixed with the approved vaccines at those sites before administering the shots, without regard to normal pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements. The Plaintiffs claim that this will result in dangerously adulterated vaccines that may cause much more injury than the infamous 1976 "Swine Flu" vaccine program that killed hundreds and maimed thousands before it was stopped just ten weeks after it began, with nearly fifty million Americans having received that deadly shot or the dangerous squalene-adjuvanted Vaccine A which caused so many cataclysmic illnesses and deaths in Gulf War I military personnel. These shots, too, were both unnecessary and untested.

In their submitted Complaint, Brief and Certifications the Plaintiffs remind the Court that as early as 1905, even before the Federal authorities had the legal power to license vaccines, the Supreme Court stated, in Jacobson v Massachusetts (197 U.S. 11),

"We are not to be understood as holding … that the judiciary would not be competent to interfere and protect the health and life of the individual … 'All laws,' this court has said, 'should receive a sensible construction. General terms should be so limited in their application as not to lead to injustice, oppression or absurd consequence.' …"

The lead attorney for the Plaintiffs, Leslie Fourton JD, of New York, is working with the respected Washington regulatory law firm of Swankin and Turner and a team of legal experts from around the country, including Larry Becraft JD, Alabama, Alan G. Phillips JD, North Carolina, and Ralph Fucetola JD, New Jersey.

Counsel Fourton stated,

"Without taking into account serious objections raised by many scientists, FDA approved four "Swine Flu" 2009-H1N1-A Vaccines without enough concern about any definitive safety testing and the quality thereof. The Secretary of Health and Human Services testified before Congress, announcing the approvals and a program to widely distribute the Vaccines which were purchased by the federal government. The administrative record appears to be defective in that the record as posted on the Agency web site does not include, for all the approved Vaccines, a drug package insert or label with an accurate list of ingredients. We don't know what was approved or how dangerous it may be. The Plaintiffs seek immediate relief."

The nongovernmental organizations who are supporting the New Yorkers threatened by the "Swine Flu" vaccine approvals, by joining in the legal action, are the National Solutions Foundation (http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/), whose President is Maj Gen Bert Stubblebine (US Army Ret.), Dr. Tedd Koren's Foundation for Health Choice (http://www.foundationforhealthchoice.com/) and the Gary Null organization (http://www.garynull.com/).

For further information contact:

Ralph Fucetola JD – 973-300-4594
Natural Solutions Foundation Counsel and Trustee
ralph.fucetola@usa.net

This Media Release is being posted at: PRWEB – Tracking Number 3023904

This entry was posted on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 3:25 pm and is filed under Activism, Autism, Avian Flu, Citizen's Petition, Genocide, Medical Hazards, Pandemic Threats, Promising Developments, Self Quarantine, Self-Shield, Swine Flu, Vaccination, Weaponized Avian Flu . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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SPLENDA STUDY REVEALS SHOCKING INFORMATION

New Study of Splenda Reveals Shocking Information About Potential Harmful Effects

Posted by: Dr. Mercola
February 10 2009

James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health, has expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists outlining the dangers of the artificial sweetener Splenda (sucralose).

In animals examined for the study, Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent, increased the pH level in the intestines, contributed to increases in body weight and affected P-glycoprotein (P-gp) levels in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected.

The P-gp effect could result in medications used in chemotherapy, AIDS treatment and treatments for heart conditions being shunted back into the intestines, rather than being absorbed by the body.

According to Turner, "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 ... confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label."

Sources:

Globe Newswire September 28, 2008

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A 2008;71(21):1415-29

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It's very important to realize that Splenda (sucralose) is actually NOT sugar, despite its marketing slogan "Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar". Rather it's a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame and saccharin, and with detrimental health effects to match.

Splenda was approved by the FDA in 1998 as a tabletop sweetener and for use in products such as baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, chewing gum, frozen dairy desserts, fruit juices, and gelatins. Sucralose is also permitted as a general-purpose sweetener for all processed foods.

The approval was given after the FDA supposedly reviewed more than 110 animal and human safety studies, but as you'll soon find out, out of these 110 studies, only two were human studies, and the longest one was conducted for four days!

There's overwhelming evidence that consuming artificial sweeteners will likely wreak havoc on your body. Previous news has centered mainly around artificial sweeteners' ability to impair your appetite regulation and leading to weight gain.

For example, it's been discovered that diet soda increases your risk of metabolic syndrome and, ultimately, heart disease.

However, the study mentioned above, published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, found even further disturbing news besides weight gain. Splenda:

• reduces the amount of good bacteria in your intestines by 50 percent
• increases the pH level in your intestines, and
• affects a glycoprotein in your body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you're on certain medications

They also found unmistakable evidence that Splenda is absorbed by fat, contrary to previous claims.

It's truly disturbing that Splenda can destroy up to 50 percent of your healthy intestinal bacteria, as these bacteria help maintain your body's overall balance of friendly versus unfriendly micro-organisms, and support your general health. Many people are already deficient in healthy bacteria due to choosing highly processed foods. This is why a high quality probiotic is one of the very few supplements I highly recommend for nearly everyone.

The Diet Fallacy

The belief that consuming artificially sweetened foods and drinks will help you to lose or maintain weight is a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you are still opting for diet choices for this reason, please understand that you have been sorely misled.

In reality, these diet foods and drinks can cause serious distortions in your biochemistry and ruin your body's ability to control calories. As a matter of fact, it's been shown that diet soft drinks can double your risk of obesity!

Nearly a decade ago, studies were already revealing that artificial sweeteners can:

• Stimulate your appetite
• Increase carbohydrate cravings
• Stimulate fat storage and weight gain

Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States still recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as an acceptable alternative to sugar.

Now, I am definitely not a fan of sugar, but if I had to choose between sugar and any artificial sweetener, I would choose sugar, hands down, without question. I strongly believe artificial sweeteners are even more dangerous to your health than an excess of sugar.

The Health Dangers of Splenda

According to James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health:

"This report followed accepted policies and procedures and the results make clear the potential for disturbing side effects from the ingestion of Splenda.

It is like putting a pesticide in your body. And this is at levels of intake erroneously approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

A person eating two slices of cake and drinking two cups of coffee containing Splenda would ingest enough sucralose to affect the P-glycoprotein, while consuming just seven little Splenda packages reduces good bacteria."

The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, such as:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Migraines
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reactions
• Blood sugar increases
• Weight gain

My site also contains a long list of personal testimonials from readers who have suffered side effects from Splenda. In fact, we have more people on our site that have reported adverse reactions to Splenda than were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval!

The symptoms are so numerous I can't include them all here, but the following are common symptoms, usually noticed within a 24-hour period following consumption of Splenda products:

• Skin -- Redness, itching, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting, rash, eruptions, or hives (itchy bumps or welts). These are the most common allergic symptoms that people have.
• Lungs -- Wheezing, tightness, cough, or shortness of breath.
• Head -- Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat; headaches and migraines (severe headaches).
• Nose -- Stuffy nose, runny nose (clear, thin discharge), sneezing.
• Eyes -- Red (bloodshot), itchy, swollen, or watery.
• Stomach -- Bloating, gas, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
• Heart -- Palpitations or fluttering.
• Joints -- Joint pains or aches.
• Neurological -- Anxiety, dizziness, spaced-out sensation, depression.

Beware – You Could be Consuming Splenda Without Your Knowledge

You also need to be aware of the fact that although the bulk of Splenda is sold to processed food manufacturers and soft drink bottlers, it could turn up in your medicine as well, as nearly 10 percent of all sucralose is sold to drug companies.

Many times sucralose (Splenda) will not be listed in the drug information, so there simply is no way you would know you are consuming a potentially dangerous artificial sweetener. However, if you experience any of the symptoms above even though you're avoiding Splenda and other artificial sweeteners, then it may be worth investigating the ingredients of any medications you're taking as well.

Splenda Has NEVER Been Proven Safe for Human Consumption

As of 2006, only six human trials have been published on Splenda. Of these six trials, only two of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption, and the two published trials had a grand total of 36 total human subjects.

36 people sure doesn't sound like many, but wait, it gets worse: only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing, and here is the real kicker -- The longest trial at this time had lasted only four days, and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance.

Even more shocking, the absorption of Splenda into the human body was studied on a grand total of six men! Based on that one human study, the FDA allowed the findings to be generalized as being representative of the entire human population. Including women, children, the elderly, and those with any chronic illness -- none of whom were ever examined.

The FDA claims they reviewed over 100 studies conducted on Splenda. What they don't tell you is that most of the studies were on animals. And, those animal studies reveal plenty of problems, such as:

• Decreased red blood cells -- sign of anemia -- at levels above 1,500 mg/kg/day
• Increased male infertility by interfering with sperm production and vitality, as well as brain lesions at higher doses
• Enlarged and calcified kidneys (McNeil stated this is often seen with poorly absorbed substances and was of no toxicological significance. The FDA Final Rule agreed that these are findings that are common in aged female rats and are not significant.)
• Spontaneous abortions in nearly half the rabbit population given sucralose, compared to zero aborted pregnancies in the control group
• A 23 percent death rate in rabbits, compared to a 6 percent death rate in the control group

Chemically, Splenda is More Similar to DDT Than Sugar

Yes. Splenda bears more chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar.

Sucralose is in fact a synthetic chemical that was originally cooked up in a laboratory. It does start off as a sugar molecule. Then, in a five-step patented process of making sucralose, three chlorine molecules are added to a sucrose (sugar) molecule. 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. As a result of this "unique" biochemical make-up, McNeil Nutritionals makes its claim that Splenda is not digested or metabolized by the body, hence it has zero calories.

But, if you look at the research (which is primarily extrapolated form animal studies) you will see that in fact an average of 15 percent of sucralose IS absorbed into your digestive system, and according to this latest study, it is also absorbed into your fat cells.

Unfortunately, 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!

Your Healthiest Alternatives

If you have a craving for sweets, rather than trying to find "healthier" ways to continue indulging in them, it is in your best interest to learn ways to relieve your cravings.

The obvious one would be to stop eating any of the products to begin with. But sweets are powerfully addictive – sugar has even been shown to be more addictive than cocaine. Stevia is a preferable natural substitute, which can be used in making most dishes and drinks. However, complete avoidance of sweets is often necessary to break your addictive cycle, as your hormones insulin and leptin likely play an important role in your cravings.

If you are unable to achieve abstinence from sweets, your emotional connection to cravings might be an important factor for you. One of the most profound methods I know of for diminishing the effects of food cravings is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT is the psychological acupressure technique routinely used in my practice to help people reduce their cravings.

There is enough evidence showing the dangers of consuming artificial sweeteners to fill an entire book -- which is exactly why I wrote Sweet Deception. If you or your loved ones drink diet beverages or eat diet foods, this book will explain how you've been deceived about the truth behind artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose -- for greed, for profits ... and at the expense of your own health.



Related Links:

The Potential Dangers of Sucralose (Splenda?)

Artificial Sweeteners Once Again Linked to Weight Gain

More People Wondering About Splenda's 'True' Safety

Xylitol is another excellent substitute which can be used to substitute sugar 1:1 when baking, cooking or sweetening our foods.
http://herbsplus4health.blogspot.com/2007/01/sugar-free-for-new-year.html
http://herbsplus4health.blogspot.com/2006/09/introducing-natures-sweet-life-real.html

NATURAL HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS

Join us for Brand New Seminars in 2009!
Our brand-new NSP seminar has been making its way to a city near you through out 2009! This new seminar is the perfect way to continue your natural health training and is ideal for friends and clients who are new to herbs and natural medicine. Download the seminar flyer (PDF)

Composed of three modules, the new day-long seminar will start with an introduction to herbal medicine:

• Understanding Nature's Pharmacy: Mastering the Unique Properties of Herbs
  Come with us on a fascinating journey of discovery as we learn the most notable characteristics of plants; namely their smell, color, taste and habitat. Then get introduced to the art of combining herbs to create powerful NSP herbal formulas.
• The Seven-Step Candida Solution The Candida Conundrum Every year thousands of people exhibit many seemingly unconnected symptoms that can't be explained by conventional medicine. But there is a possible explanation— Candida albicans. Come learn about this ever-present family of fungi and yeasts. Then take a quiz to see if you may have a candida inbalance. Finally, learn the seven essential steps to solving the candida conundrum.
• Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
  Your brain is the most complicated organ in the universe.* Dr. Daniel G. Amen, author of this module, is a pioneer in brain health. By learning and applying Dr. Amen's 40 do's and don'ts for the brain, you will be on your way to optimizing your own brain function.
  
  *Educational materials created by Dr. Amen. Author will not be present.

Cost: $35, includes eight-hour seminar plus great training materials.
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration: Call 1-800-223-8225 to register. Non-members give my Sponsor #983219-3 and let NSP know you are there as my guest, to receive member's class price.

Seminar Guidelines:

• NSP will send a confirmation letter to you 10 days in advance of the seminar for which you signed up.
• If for any reason you cannot attend, it is your responsibility to inform Customer Service. If you fail to do so, you will be charged a $20 "no show" fee.
• Sign up a minimum of 5 days prior to the class to receive your completion certificate after the class.

Upcoming Seminars
Date	Language	Location	Address
10/3/2009	English	Newport News, VA	Marriott @ City Center 740 Town Center Drive Newport News, VA 23606
10/10/2009	English	Corpus Christi, TX	Embassy Suites 4337 S. Padre Island Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78411
10/10/2009	English	Rocky Mount, NC	Holiday Inn - Rocky Mount 200 Enterprise Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27804
10/10/2009	English	Stateboro, GA	Holiday Inn Statesboro 455 Commerce Drive Stateboro, GA 30461
10/10/2009	English	Traverse City, MI	Holiday Inn 615 East Front St. Traverse City, MI 49686
10/10/2009	English	West Springfield, MA	Clarion Hotel 1080 Riverdale Street West Springfield, MA 01089
10/17/2009	English	Hutchinson, KS	Grand Prarie Hotel 1400 N. Lorraine Hutchinson, KS 67501
10/17/2009	English	Indianaplois, IN	Sheraton Indianapolis 8787 Keystone Crossing Indianaplois, IN 46240
10/17/2009	English	New Bremen, OH	New Bremen High School 901 East Monroe St. New Bremen, OH 45869
10/24/2009	English	Lafayette, LA	Hilton Lafayette 1521 W. Pinhook Road Lafayette, LA 70503
10/24/2009	English	Southfield, MI	Marriott Detroit Southfield 27033 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48034
11/7/2009	English	Appleton, WI	Holiday Inn 150 S. Nicolet Road Appleton, WI 54914
11/7/2009	English	Arlington, TX	Hilton Arlington Hotel 2401 East Lamar Blvd. Arlington, TX 76006
11/7/2009	English	Orlando, FL	Orlando Airport Marriott 7499 Augusta National Drive Orlando, FL 32822
11/7/2009	English	Philadelphia, PA	Embassy Suites - Airport 9000 Bartram Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19153
11/7/2009	English	San Ramon, CA	San Ramon Marriott 2600 Bishop Drive San Ramon, CA 94583
11/14/2009	English	Ellicottville, NY	Holiday Valley Resort Tannenbaum Lodge 6081 RT. 219 South Ellicottville, NY 14731
11/14/2009	English	Garden Grove, CA	Anaheim Marriott Suites 12015 Harbor Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92840
11/14/2009 11/14/2009 12/5/2009	English English English	Round Rock, TX Charlotte, NC Mankato, MN	Wingate Hotel 1209 North I-35 Round Rock, TX 78664 Embassy Suites Hotel 4800 S. Tryon (near Woodlawn) Charlotte, NC 28217 AmericInn of Mankato, 240 Stadium Road, Mankato, MN 56001

Call NSP Customer Service at 1-800-223-8225 for registration or to learn more about the Natural Health Education seminars. Dates and locations are subject to change. Non-members give Sponsor #983219-3 to receive member price. I will be attending the Charlotte, NC class. I hope you will join me by attending the classes closest to your home. Email me or call if I can help in anyway.

Share the Health,
Karen Herrmann-Doolan, NSP District Manager

Nature's Sunshine Herb Specialist

Natural Health Educator

herbsplus@mynsp.com

O: 704-966-6645

H: 704-588-7638

Visit my Nature's Sunshine Online Store:
www.mynsp.com/herbsplus

Learn about the Body Systems
www.herbsplus4health.com

Check out my Health & Nutrition Blog!

http://herbsplus4health.blogspot.com