Human memory is a truly amazing phenomenon. It is always a source of wonder that seemingly insignificant occurrences may create lasting memories for one person while other people cannot even recall details of major events in their life. There are many factors that influence this apparent disparity.
It is sometimes said that a healthy brain never forgets anything. Unless affected by injury or disease the brain never loses anything. Forgetting something is actually a result of:
1. Not storing the facts properly in the first place.
2. Failure to store the facts in a manner in which they can be recalled.
3. Inability to recall facts at the time although they are still safely recorded in the brain. Who among us has not had the experience of "forgetting" something only to have it pop into consciousness at the most unlikely time?
Problem 1 can be overcome by concentration. If one is distracted and does not store facts to start with then there is very little chance of recalling them later. Memory has two phases - Short Term and Long Term Memory. It is believed that up to 50 percent of information we receive is lost almost immediately and a further 20 percent vanishes within 24 hours. An example would be a telephone number or other ten digit number. Unless a special effort is made its gone almost instantly. Some of these short term memories go on to become long term memories. For instance your best friend's phone number would have started out as a short term memory but has now become part of long term memory and can be readily recalled several years later. Scientists are still uncertain as to the exact reasons why some facts are lost while others go on to create lasting memories. However, it is safe to assume that some special importance is attached to that information for one reason or another. In the world of information overload we live in there are constant distractions and information competing for attention. Chances of recalling facts are significantly improved by paying attention to those that we need to remember later.
There are several techniques that can be used to ensure sufficient attention to important facts. The most common among them would be repetition. Most of us would probably recall having learnt our multiplication tables in this way. Writing notes and personalizing the facts ie. writing ideas in one's own words also helps. However, it is important not to fall into the trap of relying on notes as a substitute for remembering. Notes should be used to reinforce a memory not as an alternative to it. Writing down facts surrounding and supporting an idea as well as the theory and methodology leading up to certain facts also help in recall. Complex mathematical formulae would be an example. Formulae comprised of abstract symbols and numbers can usually be quite hard to recall on their own. However, if one commits to memory the principles from which the formula is derived the symbols often become a lot easier to recall. Understanding the concepts behind the final outcome makes things less fuzzy. The fuzzier things are the harder they are to remember. Breaking down facts into manageable chunks to concentrate on helps immensely as well as there is a limit on how much information can be assimilated at a given time. Avoiding distractions is another important consideration in ensuring that the facts are stored right - it is a lot harder replace incorrect information than it is to store it right in the first place.
Problems 2 and 3 are closely connected to how we recall information. Memories are made by creating connections - connections with experiences through all our senses. Perhaps you have had the experience of a smell or sound triggering a memory of long ago. The more connections we create the better the chances of recall. This is why mnemonics are commonly used as an aid to memory. The more ridiculous or unusual the association the more likely it is to be recalled rather than fade into insignificance among the millions of other connections. Using mental pegs is another technique that works very well. Associate facts with unusual images or rhymes. For instance to remember names and faces one may look at a prominent facial feature, create an exaggerated version of it and connect it with the name. Say Leon with rather long hair may become a mental image of a Lion with a mane. Lion then quickly converts to Leon making it a lot easier than simply trying to recall the name of the guy with long hair!
Unfortunately as we age our brains begin to degenerate and memory deteriorates along with it. There are 4 main reasons for this degeneration.
1. Reduction in Neurotransmitters, especially acetylcholine causes decline in brain function.
2. Reduced blood circulation. The brain uses a significant proportion of all blood. Any impediment to blood flow therefore has a huge impact on brain function.
3. Effects of Cortisol. As a response to stresses cortisol is produced in the brain which damages the cells in the Hippocampus. The Hippocampus is instrumental in converting short term memories to long term ones. The damage in the hippocampus also triggers further production of cortisol setting off a ever increasing cycle of cell damage.
4. Free radical damage. Free radicals are atoms that have an electron imbalance and are constantly seeking to steal an electron to make itself whole. This process of stealing electrons from cells causes cell damage. Brain cells are no exception and brain cell damage also occurs due to free radical activity.
There are many common sense approaches to limiting and preventing brain degeneration:
* Proper diet - limit intake of salt cholesterol and fat while eating plenty of fresh fruits and foods high in antioxidants.
* Regular Exercise - avoid becoming overweight.
* Control Blood pressure
* Control and limit stress
* Limiting alcohol intake and not smoking helps reduce free radical damage.
* Increase intake of Omega 3 fatty acids - found in large quantities in fish -helps combat free radical damage.
* Avoid even minor head trauma - When engaging in activities which could result in jarring of the brain use adequate protection. Regular jarring, even minor levels has been connected with higher incidence of dementia.
There are also several not so obvious strategies that have emerged from recent studies into the brain.
Depression can affect the way the brain processes information and retrieves it. Therefore avoiding or minimizing depression can positively impact on brain function in later years. Socializing and involvement with family and community activities is recommended.
Mental exercise. "Use it or lose it". Stimulating your brain with mental exercises such as crossword puzzles, board games or even taking up a new hobby or learning a musical instrument has been shown to increase the number of brain cells and connections between brain cells. These activities improve what is known as "Brain Plasticity".
Herbal supplements such as Gingko Biloba which is credited with improving blood circulation may help to deter the onset of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
While aging and its consequences cannot be halted it is clear that there is much that can be done to improve brain health and memory.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The Importance of Phytochemicals
As time goes by the typical western diet seems to increasingly contain more fatty processed foods and less natural plant based foods than ever before. The results of this disturbing trend can be seen in the alarming statistics on cancer, heart disease, stroke and many other degenerative diseases.
Aside from the obvious dietary problems of high fat, protein and simple carbohydrate intake is the considerably inadequate intake of plant based foods and all the health giving benefits they bring with them.
Enter Phytochemicals
Many people are aware that eating plant based foods add much needed fiber, vitamins and minerals to the diet but what is less well known is the many benefits of the phytochemicals that these plants contain.
Phytochemicals come in a variety of forms and different vegetables have higher concentrations of a particular phytochemical than others. Some of the main phytochemicals include:
Carotenoids - Found in broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potato and yams.
Flavonoids - Found in cabbage, cucumber, parsley, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, soybeans and berries.
Isoflavones - Found in peas, beans and legumes.
Indioles - Found in brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnips, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage and kale.
Lignans - Found in walnuts, flaxseeds and many other nuts and seeds.
Omega 3, Omega 6 Fatty Acids - Found in walnuts and flaxseeds.
Plant Sterols - Found in eggplant, soybeans, peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumber, cabbage and broccoli.
The list above is only a small segment of the entire phytochemical family which encompasses a very large and extensive range of nutrients.
Benefits of Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals act in numerous ways to assist your body in combating disease and health problems such as:
1) Help to protect the cells by blocking carcinogens that try to enter the cell walls.
2) Helps to fight the malignant changes within cells that have already been penetrated by carcinogens.
3) Appear to boost enzyme activity to increase the benefits of the various protective enzymes consumed within the diet.
4) Combines with numerous vitamins to boost antioxidants activity to scavenge free radicals before they can cause damage within the body.
Although it is not important to know the names and benefits of the large range of phytochemicals that exist, what is important is to understand that maintaining a diet that contains a variety of fruits and vegetables will combine the benefits of the phytochemicals and vitamins to help you achieve optimal health.
By reducing your high fat/processed food intake and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables you will greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to the ever-growing list of degenerative diseases which plague the general population today as a result of following a typical western diet.
It is not only the damaging effects of high fat, high sugar foods in the western diet that allow cancer, heart disease etc. to develop, but the absence of the protective phytochemicals that are only found in plant foods as well.
By adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet you will bring a host of phytochemicals to fight the damaging effects of free radicals and carcinogens and give you a level of health that most people will envy.
Aside from the obvious dietary problems of high fat, protein and simple carbohydrate intake is the considerably inadequate intake of plant based foods and all the health giving benefits they bring with them.
Enter Phytochemicals
Many people are aware that eating plant based foods add much needed fiber, vitamins and minerals to the diet but what is less well known is the many benefits of the phytochemicals that these plants contain.
Phytochemicals come in a variety of forms and different vegetables have higher concentrations of a particular phytochemical than others. Some of the main phytochemicals include:
Carotenoids - Found in broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potato and yams.
Flavonoids - Found in cabbage, cucumber, parsley, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, soybeans and berries.
Isoflavones - Found in peas, beans and legumes.
Indioles - Found in brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnips, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage and kale.
Lignans - Found in walnuts, flaxseeds and many other nuts and seeds.
Omega 3, Omega 6 Fatty Acids - Found in walnuts and flaxseeds.
Plant Sterols - Found in eggplant, soybeans, peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumber, cabbage and broccoli.
The list above is only a small segment of the entire phytochemical family which encompasses a very large and extensive range of nutrients.
Benefits of Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals act in numerous ways to assist your body in combating disease and health problems such as:
1) Help to protect the cells by blocking carcinogens that try to enter the cell walls.
2) Helps to fight the malignant changes within cells that have already been penetrated by carcinogens.
3) Appear to boost enzyme activity to increase the benefits of the various protective enzymes consumed within the diet.
4) Combines with numerous vitamins to boost antioxidants activity to scavenge free radicals before they can cause damage within the body.
Although it is not important to know the names and benefits of the large range of phytochemicals that exist, what is important is to understand that maintaining a diet that contains a variety of fruits and vegetables will combine the benefits of the phytochemicals and vitamins to help you achieve optimal health.
By reducing your high fat/processed food intake and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables you will greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to the ever-growing list of degenerative diseases which plague the general population today as a result of following a typical western diet.
It is not only the damaging effects of high fat, high sugar foods in the western diet that allow cancer, heart disease etc. to develop, but the absence of the protective phytochemicals that are only found in plant foods as well.
By adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet you will bring a host of phytochemicals to fight the damaging effects of free radicals and carcinogens and give you a level of health that most people will envy.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Dumped on Saturday Night...
Just a couple of days ago I came across a site named BlogDumps. Although virtually anyone can submit their blog there, it seems to me kind of a blog community. Today I received an email from them asking me to participate in the Saturday Night Blog Dumping. It wasn't easy to decide whose blog to dump today, but I had to quickly chose or else I would be reading blogs until Monday morning, lol.
So I chose to dump Nafcom. I found great info about Skype on his blog, and as I'm an avid Skype user it was like finding treasure. I'm off to download the RSS feed reader to Skype!
Get the Code and Get Listed!
So I chose to dump Nafcom. I found great info about Skype on his blog, and as I'm an avid Skype user it was like finding treasure. I'm off to download the RSS feed reader to Skype!
Get the Code and Get Listed!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Tips for Gym Newbies
Beginning a workout regime at the gym can be overwhelming in many different ways. If you haven't been before (or haven't been for a long time) it can seem as though everyone knows what they're doing but you. You worry about looking stupid, or about what people will think about your body, or about whether you'll remember everything you've been told.
The first day is usually okay (because most gyms provide an introductory session on how to operate the machines) - but the second day can be confusing and even embarrassing, unless you've signed up with a personal trainer. You're quite likely to find that you can't remember which machines you're supposed to use, or even how they work.
Relax. Everyone goes through it. You'll find it easier on the third day, and by the fourth you'll be feeling quite confident. Within weeks you'll be powering through your exercises as though you were born in the gym!
Here are a few tips that might ease the way in the first few weeks:
1. If you're a complete beginner, it might be worth your while to sign up with a personal trainer for at least a couple of sessions, until you're feeling more confident. Otherwise, go with a friend. If you're both new, you can muddle through together. If your friend is experienced, he/she will help you out.
2. Take a notepad and pen with you for your introductory session. Write down the name of the machine and its position in the gym as well as a few words that will remind you what you're supposed to do on it. (Some machines can be used in several different ways.)
3. Don't hesitate to ask a staff member for help if you can't adjust the machine for your weight and height, or if you can't remember exactly how it works. They won't mind showing you again. They want their customers to keep coming back!
4. Don't push yourself too hard to begin with. If you work out so hard that you can barely walk, you'll be tempted to miss a day while you recover. One day doesn't matter much, but if you continually skip days because you're too sore, you're likely to drop out altogether. What's the hurry? After a few weeks, when your body is getting used to the extra exercise, you can increase the intensity.
5. If your knees and ankles react badly to increasing the speed on the treadmill, try increasing the grade instead. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that a slower speed, with the treadmill on an incline, burns more calories than jogging.
6. Smile and nod to the other gym users, but don't hold up their workout programs by chatting. As you become recognized as a regular, you will find that you gravitate to your own little group - probably people who have the same goals and needs as you do.
7. Wear comfortable clothing - either loose or with plenty of stretch. Avoid the temptation to buy workout gear that's two sizes too small in the hope that you'll lose weight quickly. (You might well shed those pounds fast - but if it takes longer that you'd anticipated, you'll always be conscious of those too-tight clothes.)
8. Don't worry about being overweight. In a way, it's good to start off with quite a few excess pounds to lose - your success is much more noticeable than it is on slimmer gym users, and you'll find the positive comments really motivating. Make sure you get a 'before' photo of yourself at the gym when you start out. After a few months, you'll be amazed at the difference.
9. If you're considerably overweight, you are likely to find that your stomach gets in the way on some machines. Just do what you can. You might feel better just increasing your fitness and losing some weight on the treadmill for the first month or so, then moving on to the machines when moving and stretching is more comfortable. Consider doing a few laps in the pool (either walking or swimming) as well as your other gym work. The water will help to support your weight and provide variety.
10. Try to find a happy medium between challenging yourself and resting on your laurels. If you can easily manage three sets at the current weight, try increasing it for the first set. If you can do twenty minutes on the treadmill without sweating, then increase either the speed or the grade (or both!) Remember... "if nothing changes, then nothing changes!"
One final tip: once you have decided on your regular gym days, resolve that nothing but an emergency will stop you going. Make your gym attendance a habit - and before too long, the exciting results will have you trying to convert all your friends to becoming exercise lovers too!
The first day is usually okay (because most gyms provide an introductory session on how to operate the machines) - but the second day can be confusing and even embarrassing, unless you've signed up with a personal trainer. You're quite likely to find that you can't remember which machines you're supposed to use, or even how they work.
Relax. Everyone goes through it. You'll find it easier on the third day, and by the fourth you'll be feeling quite confident. Within weeks you'll be powering through your exercises as though you were born in the gym!
Here are a few tips that might ease the way in the first few weeks:
1. If you're a complete beginner, it might be worth your while to sign up with a personal trainer for at least a couple of sessions, until you're feeling more confident. Otherwise, go with a friend. If you're both new, you can muddle through together. If your friend is experienced, he/she will help you out.
2. Take a notepad and pen with you for your introductory session. Write down the name of the machine and its position in the gym as well as a few words that will remind you what you're supposed to do on it. (Some machines can be used in several different ways.)
3. Don't hesitate to ask a staff member for help if you can't adjust the machine for your weight and height, or if you can't remember exactly how it works. They won't mind showing you again. They want their customers to keep coming back!
4. Don't push yourself too hard to begin with. If you work out so hard that you can barely walk, you'll be tempted to miss a day while you recover. One day doesn't matter much, but if you continually skip days because you're too sore, you're likely to drop out altogether. What's the hurry? After a few weeks, when your body is getting used to the extra exercise, you can increase the intensity.
5. If your knees and ankles react badly to increasing the speed on the treadmill, try increasing the grade instead. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that a slower speed, with the treadmill on an incline, burns more calories than jogging.
6. Smile and nod to the other gym users, but don't hold up their workout programs by chatting. As you become recognized as a regular, you will find that you gravitate to your own little group - probably people who have the same goals and needs as you do.
7. Wear comfortable clothing - either loose or with plenty of stretch. Avoid the temptation to buy workout gear that's two sizes too small in the hope that you'll lose weight quickly. (You might well shed those pounds fast - but if it takes longer that you'd anticipated, you'll always be conscious of those too-tight clothes.)
8. Don't worry about being overweight. In a way, it's good to start off with quite a few excess pounds to lose - your success is much more noticeable than it is on slimmer gym users, and you'll find the positive comments really motivating. Make sure you get a 'before' photo of yourself at the gym when you start out. After a few months, you'll be amazed at the difference.
9. If you're considerably overweight, you are likely to find that your stomach gets in the way on some machines. Just do what you can. You might feel better just increasing your fitness and losing some weight on the treadmill for the first month or so, then moving on to the machines when moving and stretching is more comfortable. Consider doing a few laps in the pool (either walking or swimming) as well as your other gym work. The water will help to support your weight and provide variety.
10. Try to find a happy medium between challenging yourself and resting on your laurels. If you can easily manage three sets at the current weight, try increasing it for the first set. If you can do twenty minutes on the treadmill without sweating, then increase either the speed or the grade (or both!) Remember... "if nothing changes, then nothing changes!"
One final tip: once you have decided on your regular gym days, resolve that nothing but an emergency will stop you going. Make your gym attendance a habit - and before too long, the exciting results will have you trying to convert all your friends to becoming exercise lovers too!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is truly one of nature's gifts - widely used as a food product and skin moisturizer. Cocopura� Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is unique as it contains antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. Health-conscious chefs prize coconut oil for its extremely high flash point, zero trans-fatty acids, and extremely rich source of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (MCT's) - which are broken down efficiently by the body, providing an immediate source of energy.
Cocopura's oil is hand-pressed by local coconut farmers in the South Pacific, producing a truly raw cold-pressed coconut oil with full flavor and heavenly aromas. Cocopura is certified organic and Rawfood.com are proud supporters of fair trade and sustainable living practices.
Cocopura's oil is hand-pressed by local coconut farmers in the South Pacific, producing a truly raw cold-pressed coconut oil with full flavor and heavenly aromas. Cocopura is certified organic and Rawfood.com are proud supporters of fair trade and sustainable living practices.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Olive Oils on Sale!
The time is here to stock up on Raw Olive Oils for your holiday recipes. Through the end of November save on Bariani and Olio Beato olive oils!
Here is what Eating for Beauty has to say of olive oil:
Olives are perhaps the greatest beautifying food of all. Olives and their oil are one of the highest natural sources of Vitamin E. They are an alkaline fat source that is also high in protein. Investigators at Harvard conducted a survey of Greek women to determine if their abundant consumption of olive oil could also increase cancer risk. Their findings indicated that olive oil had an opposite effect. They concluded that the breast cancer risk for women who consume olive oil more than once per day is reduced by 25 percent when compared to women who consume olive oil less frequently.
Here is what Eating for Beauty has to say of olive oil:
Olives are perhaps the greatest beautifying food of all. Olives and their oil are one of the highest natural sources of Vitamin E. They are an alkaline fat source that is also high in protein. Investigators at Harvard conducted a survey of Greek women to determine if their abundant consumption of olive oil could also increase cancer risk. Their findings indicated that olive oil had an opposite effect. They concluded that the breast cancer risk for women who consume olive oil more than once per day is reduced by 25 percent when compared to women who consume olive oil less frequently.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Turn Ordinary Water into 'Xtreme Body Fuel'!
In my last post I mentioned purified water. Purified water has the advantage of removing dangerous nitrates - often leaching into the water table from fertilizers from farming and our lawns,
organic solvents and chemicals that are usually carcinogenic - including MTBE found in gasoline that also often leaks into the water table, and heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, and others that you definitely do not want in your body!).
I recently came across an amazing product named Xooma X2O. By adding Xooma to purified water, you get the best of both worlds: highly absorbable essential minerals without the additional pollutants that the purification has removed. So what is X2O?
X20 is derived from pre-ionized Coral Calcium which when added to the water of your choice will lower the surface tension (make the water "wetter"), add needed essential minerals in a highly absorbable form that is often missing from our diets, and finally changes the pH of the water from about 7.0 to about 9.9.
X2O comes in the form of a sachet (tea bag) that is simply added to regular water or any non-carbonated beverage. I find it really amazing.
To find out more, simply take your free, no obligation tour here: X2O TourThursday, October 12, 2006
Drink Water!
A variety of symptoms can be traced to a lack of water intake. Most people showing these symptoms (constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nose bleeds, repeated urinary tract infections, dry and unproductive coughs, constant sneezing, sinus pressure and headaches .. just to name a few) are drinking plenty of fluids: coffee, soda, tea and juice. But none are drinking enough water.
Water is required by every cell in the body as nourishment and to remove wastes. When there is not enough water in the body, it tries to limit the amount it loses through breathing, mucous production, urination, perspiration and bowel movements.
Water is needed for breathing because the lungs require humid air to do their work. The body has to moisturize the air before it reaches the lungs and does so through the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages and the bronchi. If there is less fluid available, the mucous lining becomes drier. This in turn irritates the lungs, causing them to become more reactive to irritants, and less resistant to viruses and bacteria. Then comes dry cough and bronchitis.
It is estimated that 3-4 cups of water are lost through breathing every day, and you can add 2-3 more cups in the winter time when air is drier, and the heating systems decrease humidity even more.
Water is also required to remove various toxins from the body through urination. It is a common misunderstanding that the more water we drink, the harder it is on the kidneys. Lack of water also causes constipation. The increase in body toxin levels can cause headaches and fatigue. The attempt by the body to remove excess levels of unwanted chemicals through the skin can cause acne and will aggravate eczema.
The easiest solution is to drink more water. Herbal teas and diluted fruit juices (1/3 fruit juice to 2/3 water) can be substituted for some of the water, but you can't avoid plain water, so you'd better get used to it.
What type of water is best to drink? My first choice would be pure filtered water. Then bottled mineral or spring water. Maybe distilled water once in a while, and I'd avoid tap water alltogether.
Take care of your body and drink water!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners, Part 2
The other day I was talking to a bunch of women, and I told them about how bad refined sugar is for our health. I added that artificial sweeteners are not a real solution, either, naming aspartame, and giving them some info from my last post. One of them, relieved, said: "Oh, great, I only use Splenda". I told her not to be so happy about it, as I had read that it wasn't that good at all, but at that time I did not have any facts to support my statement. So I began to search, and I really wanted to find pros and cons alike. Well, Splenda's own website was about the only one with positive info.
They have a really nice website, somehow it reminded me of the house of the wicked witch from "Hansel and Gretel".
Let's see what they say about the safety of sucralose (its trade name is Splenda, but its included in a wide variety of food items):
Unfortunately, I found too many websites that contradict this statement. Unlike the manufacturers of Splenda, they don't have (well, most of them don't) any financial gain from telling that sucralose is in fact a chemical that can do you more harm than good.
Instead of providing explanations taken from other websites, let me paste here some of the sites I found and are worth reading:
http://www.splendasickness.blogspot.com/
http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/splenda.asp
http://www.wnho.net/splenda.htm
I don't know for you, but I'll stick with raw honey and Stevia.
They have a really nice website, somehow it reminded me of the house of the wicked witch from "Hansel and Gretel".
Let's see what they say about the safety of sucralose (its trade name is Splenda, but its included in a wide variety of food items):
McNeil Nutritionals, LLC is committed to developing innovative nutritional products, such as the SPLENDA® Sweetener Products, that provide important health and lifestyle benefits to consumers. The company is extremely proud of the strong clinical database that supports the safety of sucralose, the sweetening ingredient in all SPLENDA® Sweetener Products, and we recognize that this strong safety evidence is one of the many reasons why SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener has been the number-one low-calorie sweetener in the U.S. marketplace for more than three years.
Unfortunately, I found too many websites that contradict this statement. Unlike the manufacturers of Splenda, they don't have (well, most of them don't) any financial gain from telling that sucralose is in fact a chemical that can do you more harm than good.
Instead of providing explanations taken from other websites, let me paste here some of the sites I found and are worth reading:
http://www.splendasickness.blogspot.com/
http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/splenda.asp
http://www.wnho.net/splenda.htm
I don't know for you, but I'll stick with raw honey and Stevia.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners, Part 1
When people decide to lose weight, one of the first changes many make to their diet is to add artificial sweeteners in place of sugar. We have been told by the government that artificial sweeteners are safe, but are there hidden dangers to this additive? Let’s take a closer look at artificial sweeteners, specifically aspartame.
In an earlier post I have already published an article about the connection of Nutrasweet and brain tumors (Click here to read it).
Aspartame is made up of three components. Fifty percent is phenylalanine, forty percent is aspartic acid, and ten percent is methanol, or wood alcohol. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are both amino acids. Amino acids are naturally found in the food we eat, specifically in the proteins. They are the building blocks for our bodies, and help us build tissue and muscles. But, in nature, amino acids are not ingested singularly. Many types of amino acids are joined together to form protein chains, and that is what we ingest when we sit down to eat. In aspartame, Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are the only amino acids being introduced to the body. There is no protein chain, just singular amino acids. It has been found that aspartic acid (when not bound into a protein chain) enters the central nervous system in high concentration and causes the neurons to begin firing rapidly. Many times, it excites the neurons so completely, that the cell dies. High levels of aspartic acid have been found to cause headaches, mental confusion, balance problems, and even seizures. And the rest of your body fares no better. Outside the central nervous system, isolated aspartic acid has been found to accelerate diseases such as cancer, coronary artery disease and arthritis. Fortunately, the effects are cumulative. So, if you stop ingesting isolated aspartic acid, then the continuing damage will also cease.
High levels of isolated phenylalanine can be quite dangerous as well. Research has found that excessive levels of this isolated amino acid cause a decrease in the amount of serotonin in our brains. Decreased serotonin often leads to depression and other emotional disorders. When phenylalanine is exposed to warm temperatures, or is stored for a long time, it breaks down into diketopiperazine (DKP), which is a known carcinogen. It is also important to note that in pregnant women, phenylalanine easily crosses the placental barrier, and in children under one, also crosses the blood-brain barrier. Infants exposed to high levels of phenylalanine during the pregnancy and later through their mother's milk, have an increased risk of birth defects and irreversible brain damage.
The third component of aspartame is methanol. Methanol is commonly known as wood alcohol. It is a colorless liquid and is both poisonous and flammable. Long-term exposure to methanol causes blindness and death. Early symptoms of methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal problems, chills, memory lapses, and numbness in the extremities. One particularly scary aspect of methanol is that at cold temperatures it creates formaldehyde. The EPA considers methanol a "cumulative poison", and recommends a limit of no more than 7.8mg per day. To put this in perspective, one liter of diet soda contains 56mg of methanol; over seven times the EPA stated limit. By combining several diet sodas, a couple of packages of aspartame in morning coffee, and consuming "diet" food during the day, most consumers are exposed to considerably more methanol than the 7.8mg per day limit.
With what we know so far, you may be wondering why the FDA would approve it if it wasn't safe. Instead of giving you a straight answer, I'm going to outline just a few of the events that occurred during the FDA approval process of aspartame. In 1965, James Schlatter, a chemist at the G.D. Searle Company, stumbled across aspartame while attempting to create a new ulcer drug. It was initially approved for use in dry goods on July 26, 1974. But researchers questioned the practices of the G.D. Searle Company, and the FDA put the approval on hold pending further investigation. A task force was created to examine aspartame. The ultimate report from that task force found that there were serious deficiencies in the research done by the Searle Company. The task force recommended that G.D. Searle face a Grand Jury for further inquiry in their testing procedures. In 1976, a second task force was created, this time finding the G.D. Searle Company guilty of faulty and fraudulent product testing, and knowingly misrepresenting product testing and findings. Officials at the Searle Company turned to Donald Rumsfeld, who had worked with both the Nixon and Ford administrations, and elected him as chairman, hoping to smooth the way and avoid criminal prosecution. In 1977, the FDA appointed U.S. Attorney Samuel Skinner to investigate Searle's testing procedures. After a meeting with the Searle attorneys, Samuel Skinner left the FDA and accepted a position with Searle's law firm. The FDA then appointed U.S. Attorney William Conlon to take Skinner's place. Mr. Conlon sat on the case and did nothing, until he left the FDA in 1979 and also joined Searle's law firm. In 1981, FDA Commissioner Arthur Hayes, Jr., approved aspartame for use in dry foods and as a tabletop sweetener. At that time, three FDA scientists came forward to oppose the approval, based on their in-house studies of the additive. Hayes ignored these reports and aspartame was approved. Arthur Hayes then left the FDA and took a position as a senior medical consultant for the public relations firm for the G.D. Searle Company. Ultimately, the statue of limitations ran out on prosecuting the G.D. Searle Company for wrongdoing.
So, are there hidden dangers associated with the use of aspartame? I'll let you decide. Next time we´ll learn more about Splenda and sucralose.
In an earlier post I have already published an article about the connection of Nutrasweet and brain tumors (Click here to read it).
Aspartame is made up of three components. Fifty percent is phenylalanine, forty percent is aspartic acid, and ten percent is methanol, or wood alcohol. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are both amino acids. Amino acids are naturally found in the food we eat, specifically in the proteins. They are the building blocks for our bodies, and help us build tissue and muscles. But, in nature, amino acids are not ingested singularly. Many types of amino acids are joined together to form protein chains, and that is what we ingest when we sit down to eat. In aspartame, Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are the only amino acids being introduced to the body. There is no protein chain, just singular amino acids. It has been found that aspartic acid (when not bound into a protein chain) enters the central nervous system in high concentration and causes the neurons to begin firing rapidly. Many times, it excites the neurons so completely, that the cell dies. High levels of aspartic acid have been found to cause headaches, mental confusion, balance problems, and even seizures. And the rest of your body fares no better. Outside the central nervous system, isolated aspartic acid has been found to accelerate diseases such as cancer, coronary artery disease and arthritis. Fortunately, the effects are cumulative. So, if you stop ingesting isolated aspartic acid, then the continuing damage will also cease.
High levels of isolated phenylalanine can be quite dangerous as well. Research has found that excessive levels of this isolated amino acid cause a decrease in the amount of serotonin in our brains. Decreased serotonin often leads to depression and other emotional disorders. When phenylalanine is exposed to warm temperatures, or is stored for a long time, it breaks down into diketopiperazine (DKP), which is a known carcinogen. It is also important to note that in pregnant women, phenylalanine easily crosses the placental barrier, and in children under one, also crosses the blood-brain barrier. Infants exposed to high levels of phenylalanine during the pregnancy and later through their mother's milk, have an increased risk of birth defects and irreversible brain damage.
The third component of aspartame is methanol. Methanol is commonly known as wood alcohol. It is a colorless liquid and is both poisonous and flammable. Long-term exposure to methanol causes blindness and death. Early symptoms of methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal problems, chills, memory lapses, and numbness in the extremities. One particularly scary aspect of methanol is that at cold temperatures it creates formaldehyde. The EPA considers methanol a "cumulative poison", and recommends a limit of no more than 7.8mg per day. To put this in perspective, one liter of diet soda contains 56mg of methanol; over seven times the EPA stated limit. By combining several diet sodas, a couple of packages of aspartame in morning coffee, and consuming "diet" food during the day, most consumers are exposed to considerably more methanol than the 7.8mg per day limit.
With what we know so far, you may be wondering why the FDA would approve it if it wasn't safe. Instead of giving you a straight answer, I'm going to outline just a few of the events that occurred during the FDA approval process of aspartame. In 1965, James Schlatter, a chemist at the G.D. Searle Company, stumbled across aspartame while attempting to create a new ulcer drug. It was initially approved for use in dry goods on July 26, 1974. But researchers questioned the practices of the G.D. Searle Company, and the FDA put the approval on hold pending further investigation. A task force was created to examine aspartame. The ultimate report from that task force found that there were serious deficiencies in the research done by the Searle Company. The task force recommended that G.D. Searle face a Grand Jury for further inquiry in their testing procedures. In 1976, a second task force was created, this time finding the G.D. Searle Company guilty of faulty and fraudulent product testing, and knowingly misrepresenting product testing and findings. Officials at the Searle Company turned to Donald Rumsfeld, who had worked with both the Nixon and Ford administrations, and elected him as chairman, hoping to smooth the way and avoid criminal prosecution. In 1977, the FDA appointed U.S. Attorney Samuel Skinner to investigate Searle's testing procedures. After a meeting with the Searle attorneys, Samuel Skinner left the FDA and accepted a position with Searle's law firm. The FDA then appointed U.S. Attorney William Conlon to take Skinner's place. Mr. Conlon sat on the case and did nothing, until he left the FDA in 1979 and also joined Searle's law firm. In 1981, FDA Commissioner Arthur Hayes, Jr., approved aspartame for use in dry foods and as a tabletop sweetener. At that time, three FDA scientists came forward to oppose the approval, based on their in-house studies of the additive. Hayes ignored these reports and aspartame was approved. Arthur Hayes then left the FDA and took a position as a senior medical consultant for the public relations firm for the G.D. Searle Company. Ultimately, the statue of limitations ran out on prosecuting the G.D. Searle Company for wrongdoing.
So, are there hidden dangers associated with the use of aspartame? I'll let you decide. Next time we´ll learn more about Splenda and sucralose.
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