JEN BARS

Not so Splenda Idea?

The "Other Sweetener" That's Made from Sugar, but is Closer to DDT? Pretty scary stuff! For years I have been preaching to my clients about the dangers of artificial sweeteners. How many studies have to be published regarding the dangers of this crap before everyone starts listening? More I guess. Please, read, educate, and make informed decisions about the "foods" you consume.

The 'Other' Sweetener That's Made from Sugar, but is Closer to DDT

Posted By Dr. Mercola | April 26 2011 | 97,696views | Disponible en Español

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Researchers recently investigated sucralose (Splenda) to see if it could reduce hunger and keep blood sugar steady. They found that it could not.

The researchers hoped to find that sucralose could cause the intestine to produce a hormone that reduces blood sugar and decreases appetite, which prior study had indicated might be a possibility. But the effect did not occur when it was ingested orally -- hunger remained the same and the blood sugar remained the same.

According to FYI Living:

"Worse, other research has shown that artificial sweeteners might contribute to weight gain ... [when the] sweet taste is not accompanied by the calories (energy) our brain expects it to be, the complex systems our bodies have to regulate energy balance may be thrown off kilter. The result is that a diet high in artificial sweeteners may possibly, over time, cause people to seek out more calories from other sources".

Sources:

FYI Living March 10, 2011

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition April 2011; 65(4):508-13

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Avoiding sugar is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, but, instead of consuming a naturally low-sugar diet based on whole foods, some people are still trying to have their cake and eat it too.

Unfortunately, the belief that artificial sweeteners can allow you to have the best of both worlds is simply not based in reality. It's a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you're still consuming artificially sweetened foods, snacks and beverages because you think it'll help you manage your weight, please understand that you've been sorely misled.

In reality, "diet" foods and drinks ruin your body's ability to count calories, thus boosting your inclination to overindulge. This effect appears to be true for all artificial sweeteners.

Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States still recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as acceptable and even preferred alternatives to sugar, which is at best confusing and at worst seriously damaging the health of those who listen to this well-intentioned but foolish advice.

Artificial Sweeteners INCREASE Your Risk of Obesity

Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that artificial sweeteners can stimulate your appetite, increase carbohydrate cravings, and stimulate fat storage and weight gain. In fact, diet sodas may actually double your risk of obesity!

How's that for being misled?

Studies have repeatedly shown that consuming artificial sweeteners may be ruining your ability to control your food intake and body weight. For example, I have listed the results of six studies on aspartame that found it increases hunger and body weight on my Aspartame Studies page, and research on other artificial sweeteners have come to the same conclusion.

It's thought that consuming artificial sweeteners breaks the inherent connection between a sweet taste and a high-calorie food, thereby changing your body's ability to regulate your intake of calories. The end result is that by consuming artificially sweetened foods and beverages, you end up gaining more body fat than if you were to eat the same foods sweetened with regular sugar!

But weight gain isn't the only health-harming side effect of these man-made chemical sweeteners.

Splenda Destroys Your Gut Flora

Different artificial sweeteners have been found to wreak havoc in a number of different ways. Aspartame, for example, has a long list of studies indicating its harmful effects, ranging from brain damage to pre-term delivery.

Splenda (sucralose) has been found to be particularly damaging to your intestines.

A study published in 2008 found that 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 like chemotherapy, or treatments for AIDS and certain heart conditions

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

In response to this study, James Turner, chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health issued the following statement:

"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."

I agree. It's truly disturbing that Splenda can destroy up to 50 percent of your healthy intestinal bacteria, as these bacteria are absolutely vital for supporting your general health! Many people are already deficient in healthy bacteria due to consuming too many highly processed foods. This is why a high quality probiotic is one of the very few supplements I highly recommend for most, if not all, people.

Believe me, if you continually destroy up to half of your gut flora by regularly consuming Splenda, then poor health is virtually guaranteed!

Splenda has Never Been Proven Safe for Human Consumption

Splenda was approved by the FDA as a tabletop- and general-purpose sweetener in processed foods in 1998. The FDA claims the approval was based on more than 110 animal and human safety studies. However, what they don't specify was that out of these 110 studies, only two were human studies, consisting of a combined total of 36 people, of which only 23 people actually ingested sucralose.

Additionally, the longest of these two human trials lasted only four days and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance!

Many people have sent me stories about their adverse reactions to Splenda, which are posted on my site. This list alone contains more people than were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval!

The remainder of those 110-plus "safety studies" were done on animals, and they actually revealed 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

Common Side Effects of Splenda

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

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

You can also read the first-hand accounts of many of my readers here, at least one of whom say that allowing Splenda on the market is "worse than chemical warfare" based on the adverse effects she suffered before she figured out the cause. Just as with aspartame, many Splenda users complain of general malaise or "feeling under the weather," along with a variety of neurological changes, such as foggy-headedness, lack of concentration, and "bad mood."

If you have ever suffered any side effects from taking Splenda or any artificially sweetened product, I strongly recommend reporting it to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area.

Splenda—"Made from Sugar" But More Similar to DDT...

That's right.

The catchy slogan "Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar" has fooled many, but chemically, Splenda is actually more similar to DDT than sugar.

Sucralose starts off with a sugar molecule, yes, but that's where the similarity ends. (A sucrose molecule is a disaccharide that contains two single sugars bound together, i.e. glucose and fructose.) Then, in a five-step patented process, three chlorine molecules are added to that sucrose (sugar) molecule.

This process converts the sugar molecule 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, you will find that an average of 15 percent of sucralose IS in fact absorbed into your digestive system, and ultimately is stored in your body. To reach the average number of 15 percent means that some people absorb more and some people absorb less, depending on your biochemical makeup.

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, so for you the adverse reactions may be more acutely felt.

How to Kick the Artificial Sweetener Habit

Sweet cravings are very common for the simple reason that sugar is as addictive as cocaine. Unfortunately, switching to artificial sweeteners will neither reduce these cravings nor increase your satiety. On the contrary, as discussed above, you're likely making matters worse.

 

Your body also craves sweets when you're denying it the fuel it needs. Sugar (and grain carbs) is very quick fuel and can give your body a boost when it's running low. Again, using artificial sweeteners does not trick your body into thinking it has had its fill; rather it wants more sweets because it didn't get the energy boost with that sweet taste!

A powerful solution to help curb your cravings is to determine your nutritional type, which will tell you which foods you need to eat to feel full and satisfied.

It may sound hard to believe right now, but once you start eating right for your nutritional type, your sweet cravings will disappear. To help you turn your health around, I now offer the full nutritional typing program online for free, so please take advantage of this opportunity to dramatically change your health for the better.

Interestingly, nutrition- and fitness expert Ori Hofmekler recently shared a fascinating benefit of caffeine that can be helpful here. If you like coffee, drinking organic black coffee (meaning without sugar or milk) can help eliminate sugar cravings because the caffeine is an opioid receptor antagonist.

As you may know, sugar binds to the same opioid receptors as cocaine and other addictive substances. But once an opioid receptor antagonist occupies that receptor, it prohibits you from becoming addicted to something else. Therefore, caffeine may attenuate the addictive impact of sugar.

There are a few caveats to using this strategy however, including:

• Only drink organic coffee (as it's one of the most pesticide-heavy crops there are)
• Drink it black, sans sugar/artificial sweeteners or milk
• Only drink coffee in the morning, prior to exercise
• Limit your consumption to one or two cups

In addition to eating right for your nutritional type, I highly recommend addressing the emotional component of your food cravings, using a tool such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It's one of the most profoundly effective tools I've ever used or researched to help overcome food cravings and reach dietary success.

Turbo Tapping is particularly useful if you're addicted to soda. It's an extremely effective and simple tool to get rid of your addiction in a short period of time.

The Flax, the whole flax, and nothing but the flax!

Here is an excellent article on flax. We get a lot of questions about flax so I thought I would include some good background info for our customers. In particular, pay attention to the part that talks about Flax Seeds needing to be ground to get the full nutritional value. We grind our flax seeds fresh just before we make our bars, then flash freeze the bars to lock in the nutrient value. Enjoy!

Flax Seed Meal - Where to Get It and How to Use It

By Laura Dolson, About.com Guide

Updated November 07, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

See More About:

• flax seed recipes
• low carb ingredients
• flax seeds

Golden and Brown Flax Seeds

by Emily Dolson

What are flax seeds and flax seed meal?:

Flax seeds are very low carb, high nutrition seeds that are useful in a low of recipes. They are the seeds of the flax plant, which linen cloth is made from. Flax has a pleasantly nutty taste. The whole seeds keep well, but they need to be ground into meal for us to get their full nutritional benefit. A simple spice or coffee grinder can do this in seconds.

What are flax seeds good for?:

For making low carb baked goods, and adding nutrition to other foods. There's lots of information about flax in this article, and here is a list of recipes and other ways to eat flax.

Where can I find it, and which kind is best?:

Health food stores and specialty stores (e.g. Trader Joe's) carry flax seed, and many regular grocery stores as well. Whole flax seed stays fresh for up to a year if stored safely, however flax seed meal (ground flax seed) goes rancid more quickly. If you question how long the product has been on the shelves or how it has been stored, it is highly recommended that you purchase whole flax seed and grind it yourself. It's also less expensive to buy it whole.

I see brown ones and golden ones. Which is best?:

Brown and golden flax seeds have similar nutrient composition, despite advertising hype.

I can't find flax seeds where I live. Are there online sources?:

Yes, try this:

Shop for Flax Seed Here

Shop for Flax Seed Meal Here

Shop for Spice/Coffee Grinders Here

Does the kind of coffee grinder matter?:

I don't think so. I got a super-cheap one and it works fine - flax isn't as hard to grind as coffee, I don't think. In 5-10 seconds the flax is meal. However, I will say that mine only makes about 1/4 cup at a time so I have to have several gos at it if I'm making a recipe that uses a lot of flax meal. You might want to consider that when making your decision.

More Flax Information

• Flax: The Low Carb Whole Grain
• Easy Ways to Eat Flax, Plus Recipes
• Flax in World's Healthiest Foods

Hands-Free Faucets Can Harbor Nasty Germs

Clean hands are good right? Well, the premise is always good,but it seems like the application may sometimes be a little challenging to live with. Here is one of those times. You would think that not touching the faucet to wash you hands would be perfect right? Just goes to show you that the universe always seeks it's own point of balance. Enjoy the article, and pay close attention to the part about all the antibacterial soap we are exposed to! http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/21/handsfree-faucets-can-harbor-nasty-germs.aspx

Just a quick update to all our fans out there. We are continuing to work hard on getting our ducks in a row for our intro into Whole Foods Markets sometime in May. We are finalizing our new labels this week, they look awesome! Also our new boxes will be very cool, with a perforated tear off top so you can buy single bars or whe whole box of 12. Lots to do still, but we are making serious headway. More to come, stay tuned!

Sleepy?

How do you sleep?

As an Exercise Physiologist, one of the most common issues with clients and people in general is not getting adequate sleep. Sleep is one of the most basic and elemental aspects of our health, yet most people do not get enough. Studies show that most Americans complain of sleep issues on a fairly regular basis.

Why?

I think there are many issues involved with not sleeping well. Lack of regular exercise, poor diet, stress, electromagnetic radiation. Like most aspects of health, taken whole, sleep issues can nd often are overwhelming for most people to deal with. But like most problems, if we just change a little bit every day, voila, big changes are just over the horizon.

The article listed below provides an excellent primer on sleep problems and answers, but like everything else, there are no shortage of great articles on the subject to be had with only a small effort on your part.

Read, educate yourself, and make informed decisions about your health.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/02/secrets-to-a-good-night-sleep.aspx

Goodby Gluten!

Is Gluten making you fat?

The article below should shed some light on the subject for you. JEN Bars is Gluten free, and we know first hand from hundreds of comments from our clients that they want and need Gluten free foods. Some of them are suffering from Ceilacs Disease, others Gluten Intolerance, but most just know how they feel with Gluten in their diet vs without it. Linda and I are Gluten free, and can personally testify to the problems Gluten causes in our diets. We sleep better, have more energy, avoid illness and overall are just healthier without it.

As always, read, educate yourself, and make good informed decisions about your foods and your health!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/12/is-gluten-making-you-fat.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

 

GMO-no!

GMO, ask most people what it is, and you get everything from car maker to health care provider. Here is one definition from Wikipedia

"A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species."

The unfortunate truth is, GMOs are a part of our daily life, affecting each and every one of us to various degrees. Why?

"over 90 percent of all corn is GM corn and over 95 percent all soy is GM soy) EVERY processed food you encounter at your local supermarket that does not bear the "USDA Organic" label is filled with GM components".

Are GMOs really all that bad for us?

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) has called on all physicians to prescribe diets without genetically modified (GM) foods to all patients.¹ They called for a moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), long-term independent studies, and labeling, stating,

"Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.

Read more here

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/GeneticRoulette/HealthRisksofGMFoodsSummaryDebate/index.cfm

 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/09/why-arent-gmo-foods-labeled.aspx

 

JEN Bars refuses to use GMO's in our bars, and strongly urges our customers to educate themselves to the dangers inherent to them from these "laboratory foods"

 

 

 

 

 

Yo, no soy!

En ingles por favor? As in yo, no soy for me and mine please. For years we have heard the myriad dubious health benefits of soy, and manufactures use it in almost everything nowadays.

Why not, it is cheap, readily available, and their spin doctors have created a perceived need for it in the American culture. But as many in the health community have been screaming for years, wait just a minute. Have we been sold a bill of goods, or no goods in this case? Is there really something dark and sinister underneath the surface of the soy milk on top of your tofu cereal? You betcha, and here are just some of the arguments against it. As always, all I ask is for you to read, educate yourself, and make informed, educated decisions about your bodies and your health.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/18/soy-can-damage-your-health.aspxYo

http://www.seleneriverpress.com/soy/374-scientists-protest-soy-approval/download

Spice it up!

From time to time, we all need to spice things up a little. In my personal opinion, a little sea salt and pepper make just about any dish tastier! I have a good friend who loves ginger, the spice, not the hottie from Gilligan's Island, who I prefer, but that is a different story. My lovely wife thinks rosemary is just about the best thing ever. My point is, we all like different things, and spices are an easy way to add just the right touch to make our foods unique.

What's even better than making our foods taste that much better? How about making them healthier for us as well? More bang for the buck, two birds with one stone, having your cake and eating it too....etc, etc, you get the idea. Check out this article about herbs and spices and the health benefits thereof. Here is just a taste ; )

"Believe it or not, but common herbs and spices are actually some of the healthiest foods on the planet—topping the list of high ORAC value foods—so you can easily boost the nutritional value of your meal simply by spicing it up a bit. ORAC is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing harmful free radicals.

So, every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie. "

Click on the link below to read more.

Bon Appetit!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/04/9-healing-herbs-and-how-to-use-them-in-your-cooking.aspx