Sugar has a reputation as the “white poison” because of the harmful effects it has on health. Although fat has been made out to be the cause of many diseases or problems, sugar is one of the most harmful ingredients in our diet.

Sugar is present in almost all processed foods, fast foods, and dairy products, but it can be hiding in many products you would not normally expect. I even see it added to dried fruits, trail mixes, and granolas in healthy grocery stores. When food companies started making low-fat products, many added additional sugar to help the food taste more appealing. Studies conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that diabetes and obesity are directly linked to eating refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup—the cheapest form of sugar and the choice of many food manufacturing companies. (2)

Along with diabetes and obesity, sugar intake can contribute to hypoglycemia, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, tooth decay, systemic infections, memory disorders, allergies, upset hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune and immune deficiency disorders. It supports the growth of cancer cells. The list of health problems goes on to include acne, adrenal gland exhaustion, anxiety, bloating, bone loss, eczema, cataracts, candidiasis, insomnia, ulcers, psoriasis, over-acidity, gout, gallstones, fatigue, menstrual difficulties, indigestion, high triglyceride levels, and more. These are all good reasons to limit the amount of sugar in one’s diet.

Digestion breaks down the food we eat into components the body can absorb, including glucose which powers every cell in the body. After glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas secretes insulin, which enables glucose to enter cells and be used for fuel. When glucose gets into the blood stream too quickly, the blood sugar level spikes, putting pressure on the pancreas to make more of the hormone insulin to regulate the blood sugar level. Insulin is vital to maintaining healthy glucose levels in blood.

White refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and fructose are very hard on the body and the digestive system. These sugars are read by the body as empty sugar. When the body consumes nutrient-empty sugar, it has to pull stored nutrients out of the body to process it. This depletes the body of stored nutrients and can result in extreme cravings for nutrients. That is why feeding the body empty calories of refined carbohydrates, such as white sugar, can result in hunger pangs.

Many people today who have extreme obesity or weight problems are actually starving to death. Their bodies are not getting the nutrients they need. They may feel like they are very hungry and, as a result, eat more of the same nutrient-empty food. This will overwork the pancreas and can result in the body having an increasingly difficult time creating insulin to restore normal, healthy glucose levels. The constant roller coaster of blood sugar spiking can wear out the pancreas, which may then create less insulin or none at all.

Also, an excess of glucose in the system can be stored in the liver as glycogen. When the liver can’t hold any more, it will return it to the blood stream as fatty acids. This can create insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes. A diet of too much empty sugar on a continual basis can result in disease and obesity.

Sugar can affect our mental health, too.

A study conducted by British psychiatric researcher Malcolm Peet showed that a diet high in sugar is strongly linked to depression and schizophrenia because it suppresses a key growth hormone in the brain called BDNF. (BDNF stands for Brain-derived neurotrophic factor. It is a protein that supports the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This hormone plays a vital role in the memory function.)

Sugar is like an addictive drug. It can give the body an artificial energy surge, and the body can begin to crave that energy. Dr. Francis Stern states, “A characteristic of sugar ‘binges’ is that the taste for sweets, for some reason, leads to a craving for more of the same, just the way other drugs create cravings.” (4)

The FDA Consumer magazine reported in February 1988, “Drugs upset the body’s homeostasis (balance) mechanism so completely that, in a struggle to get back to normal, the addict can only take another dose of the same drug. Heroin, cigarettes, coffee, sugar—it’s the same kind of addiction.” (5)  Stimulants like caffeine or alcohol can cause sugar cravings.

Today, large amounts of sugar are added to almost all packaged foods, including canned foods, jams, jellies, dry cereals, baked goods, breading, and dairy products. It is a hidden ingredient in many foods. In addition to the obvious reason— that it makes the food taste sweeter—sugar is also added to processed foods because it helps reduce shrinkage, keeps their texture smoother, and helps keep them from drying out.

Here are just a few examples of foods in which you will find added sugar: seafood breading, canned salmon, hamburgers in restaurants, processed lunch meats, bouillon cubes, dry-roasted nuts, peanut butter, canned tomatoes, and canned vegetables. Although they aren’t a dessert, even Nabisco Ritz Crackers contain six percent sucrose because “sugar is unmatched when it comes to making products tender and appetizing,” according to the International Sugar Research Foundation (ISRF). (6)   Read ingredient lists or simply make your own food. Then you will know exactly what is in it.

It is very important to eat whole, unrefined foods that contain little or no white, refined, processed sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fructose, agave nectar, dextrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, barley malt, or sorbitol.
Sugars are not all created equally, and some are far worse than others.

I recommend avoiding fake sugars and sugar substitutes altogether. Chemically-derived sweeteners can have many harmful effects on health. Artificial sweeteners are never a healthy sugar alternative. All artificial chemical sweeteners are toxic and can indirectly lead to weight gain. They are addictive and amplify the craving for sugar, which is the opposite reason why many people consume them. In fact, given a choice between high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup is recommended by far—though it’s essentially asking if you should consume poison or worse poison. (7)

Try to stay with real, whole, unrefined, and unprocessed sugars as much as possible. Read ingredient labels carefully, and check for any sugar or sugar substitute. Be knowledgeable about what you are eating.

Here are a few types of sweeteners that are alternatives to white refined sugar. Some are good, and some aren’t so good. Become sugar savvy!

Agave syrup is frequently used in many vegan foods because, unlike honey, it is not taken from an animal. Agave actually has more calories than table sugar (20 calories per teaspoon compared to 16 calories per teaspoon). Agave is 90 percent fructose, which is actually more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup contains. In fact, agave syrup is made very much like high-fructose corn syrup.

Agave is marketed as “diabetic friendly,” because it doesn’t have as much glucose in it as other sweeteners. However, some studies suggest that large amounts of fructose can promote insulin resistance, and thus increase diabetes risk, boost triglycerides (fats in the blood), lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and have other harmful effects on the heart, and possibly the liver, too. “The American Diabetes Association lists agave as a sweetener to limit, along with regular table sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, and all other sugars.” (8)

You may think, “But fructose is in fruit.” However whole fruit contains added nutrients, fiber, and natural electrolytes, and affects the body in a different way than refined agave syrup does. A recent study showed agave has “minimal antioxidant activity.” It is “just another form of processed (and concentrated) sugar,” according to Berkeley Wellness Alerts. (9)

Aspartame is the chemical in the artificial sweeteners NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure, and it is found in more than 6000 products. It is composed of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. It gets converted to formaldehyde in the body. According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), formaldehyde is a carcinogen that can seriously harm your “liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, brain, and central nervous systems. Formaldehyde can also cause allergic sensitization.

The occupational health hazards of formaldehyde are primarily due to its toxic effects after inhalation, after direct contact with the skin or eyes in liquid or vapor form, and after ingestion.” (10)

Aspartame can cause many problems, including neurological ones. According to one study: When the temperature of aspartame exceeds 86°F, the wood alcohol in aspartame converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus, people may be misdiagnosed with having multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis does not lead to death, whereas methanol toxicity does. (11)

According to a report from the National Institutes of Health: Methanol is extremely poisonous. As little as two tablespoons can be deadly to a child. About 2–8 ounces can be deadly for an adult. Blindness is common and often permanent, despite medical care. How well the person recovers depends on how much poison is swallowed and how soon treatment is received. (12)

Mark Gold of the Aspartame Toxicity Information Center writes: Both the US Air Force’s magazine Flying Safety and the US Navy’s magazine Navy Physiology published articles warning about the many dangers of aspartame. They included the cumulative, deleterious effects of methanol, and the greater likelihood of birth defects. The articles note that the ingestion of aspartame may make pilots more susceptible to seizures and vertigo (US Air Force 1992). Countless other toxicity effects have been reported to the FDA (DHHS 1995), other independent organizations (Mission Possible 1996, Stoddard 1995), and independent scientists (e.g., 80 cases of seizures were reported to Dr. Richard Wurtman, Food in 1986).

Frequently, aspartame toxicity is misdiagnosed as a specific disease. This hasn’t been reported in scientific literature, yet it has been reported countless times to independent organizations and scientists. In other cases, it has been reported that chronic aspartame ingestion has triggered or worsened certain chronic illnesses. Nearly 100 percent of the time, the patient and physician assume these worsening conditions are a normal progression of the illness. Sometimes that may be true, but many times it is chronic aspartame poisoning. (13)

The following is a list of chronic illnesses that may be caused or worsened by the long-term ingestion of aspartame, according to researchers studying its adverse effects. In some cases, such as MS, the symptoms mimic or worsen the disease, but do not cause it.

This list shouldn’t be considered definitive, because regular intake of a poison is bad for any chronic illness.

Brain Tumors

Multiple Sclerosis
Epilepsy
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s

Mental Retardation
Lymphoma
Birth Defects
Fibromyalgia
Diabetes

Arthritis (including rheumatoid)
Chemical Sensitivities
Attention Deficit Disorder (14)

Some examples of healthier alternatives to sugar, agave, and artificial sugars are listed below.

Blackstrap molasses is the residue of beet juice or sugar cane after the sugar crystals have been removed. Blackstrap molasses contains minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium, even though it is still about 65 percent sucrose. Buy organic varieties.

Coconut sugar is made from boiling down the nectar of tropical coconut palm sugar blossoms. This sugar has a naturally low glycemic index. It has been used in East Asia for herbal medicine and food preparation. The glycemic index is approximately 35. It is high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Buy organic, unprocessed, unbleached, and unfiltered coconut sugar with no preservatives added.

Date sugar is derived from dried dates. This type of sugar has some fiber and is rich in minerals, since it is essentially dried fruit. It is a nice alternative to other sugars.

Honey is a natural sweetener that is antifungal and antibacterial. Honey can be used as a natural antiseptic. It is a natural remedy for many ailments, and it can boost energy. Weekly World News listed arthritis, hair loss, bladder infections, upset stomach, indigestion, influenza, heart disease, colds, and cholesterol as some of the afflictions that could be cured by honey and cinnamon. (15) Honey contains a variety of nutrients and minerals, as well as some enzymes. It is known to help the facilitation of muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout.

PLEASE NOTE

According to Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS:

Never give an infant under eighteen months of age honey or products made with honey. This sweetener sometimes contains trace amounts of botulinum spores, which are easily denatured by the mature digestive tract of an adult, but can be harmful or even fatal to an infant, whose digestive tract is just developing. (16)

If you are concerned about the welfare of bees, then find a responsible beekeeper who doesn’t take all of the bees’ winter honey stores, but leaves them with enough to support their hive. Such responsible beekeepers are around. We want to be conscious consumers when it comes to supporting our web of life.

Honey can be substituted for sugar in recipes. Always buy raw, unrefined honey because it will have all of the live enzymes and nutritional properties still intact.

Maple syrup is a natural sugar derived from maple tree sap. It contains minerals including potassium and calcium. It can also make you feel very satisfied without more sugar cravings.

Sucanat is dehydrated sugar cane juice. It has some nutrients. Sucanat is an easy alternative to white refined sugar and is a small step in the direction of a healthier alternative to it.

Stevia is a sweetener derived from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a South American plant that is a member of the aster family. Japanese food manufacturers developed this sweetener in the 1970s as a zero-calorie sugar. The Japanese have done extensive research on stevia and found it extremely safe.

Even though it has been found safe and approved by the FDA, there has been controversy about the safety of this

sweetener. (17)  For one thing, it could possibly cause hypoglycemia for some people, depending on the amount and frequency ingested. The body is very sensitive to blood sugar regulation. When stevia is ingested, the body thinks it is receiving sugar. So, it prepares itself by clearing glucose from the bloodstream. Because of this, the blood sugar drops. When no sugar appears, the adrenaline and cortisol can surge to mobilize sugar from other sources, like the liver and body tissue. This brings blood glucose back up. This causes stress to the body.

The stevia plant has been commonly used in Paraguay to treat diabetes, and by indigenous populations for the control of fertility. You might want to keep this in mind if you are trying to get pregnant. Some researchers have expressed concern that stevia might have an antifertility effect in men or women. However, evidence from most (though not all) animal studies suggests that this is not a concern at normal doses.

That being said, steviol glycosides are the natural chemicals that give stevia a sweet taste. Steviol glycosides are structurally similar to the plant hormones gibberellin and kaurene, which means that stevia has a hormone structure. Anyone with a problem with hormone balance or a dysfunctional immune system should be aware of the possible effect of stevia on hormones.

Stevia comes in powder and liquid form. I have been using this sweetener for years. I like the liquid form best because I think it has a better flavor, while the powder form can be a bit bitter.

Make sure to read the ingredient label. Companies use different ingredients to preserve stevia or prepare it to be packaged. One company, for example, uses grapefruit seed extract, which can interact very badly with some medications. Be aware of this and read all of the ingredients carefully before using.

The WebMD website includes this information for drug interactions:

Medications for diabetes (antidiabetic drugs) interact with stevia. Stevia might decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking stevia along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interact with stevia. Stevia might decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking stevia along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. However, it’s not known if this is a big concern. Do not take too much stevia if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others. (18)

From what I gather, this plant can help people who are trying to lower their blood pressure or blood sugar levels naturally.  If you have concerns, talk to your physician.

Xylitol: One sugar I’ve used over the years is xylitol, especially if a recipe calls for granulated sugar. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in fruits and vegetables. It’s usually made from birch tree bark and other hardwood trees. Some sources say xylitol was discovered by German scientist Emil Fisher in 1891.

When Finland had severe sugar shortages during World War II, people started making it commercially. After the war, Finnish dentists noticed that young school-aged children had unusually strong, cavity- free teeth. This discovery led the Finnish government to be the first to officially endorse the use of xylitol as a sweetener.

By the 1960s, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the Soviet Union were using xylitol as their preferred sweetener for diabetics. It was also used as an energy source for infusion therapy with patients who had impaired glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.

Xylitol is considered a five-carbon sugar, which means it has antimicrobial effects, preventing the growth of bacteria. It is also alkaline-enhancing and can replace sugar in recipes in equal substitution. Xylitol tastes and looks just like sugar with no bitter aftertaste.

Drug interactions have not been found. The only side effect is that when consumed in large doses over 30 or 40 grams at one time, it can cause gas and diarrhea. Some types of xylitol have a little bigger granule size than refined sugar. When purchasing xylitol, the smaller, finer grain variety will bake easier.

Xylitol and stevia are both sweeteners that can be used in diabetic diets. In addition to helping prevent cavities, xylitol can help repair dental enamel, regulate blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes, strengthen bones, decrease age-related bone loss, inhibit serious systemic yeast problems, inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause middle ear infections in young children, inhibit the growth of streptococcus pneumonia, and alleviate dry mouth. It even inhibits inner ear and other infections. Mothers love that!

In addition, xylitol has 40 percent fewer calories and 75 percent fewer carbohydrates than sugar. It’s slowly absorbed and metabolized, which results in negligible changes in insulin. Its consumption can reduce sugar cravings and insulin levels, and help alkalize your body. It was approved by the FDA in 1963. (19)

One important thing to know: Xylitol is not for pets.

Animals’ systems are different from ours. Like chocolate, egg whites, onions, scallions, shallots, garlic, avocado, raisins, cacao, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and red grapes, xylitol is very toxic to dogs. Please keep xylitol, and anything you use it in, away from your pet.

Purchase xylitol from US sources that use non-GMO ingredients. Here is a list of recommended brands:

1. Smart Sweet Xylitol.
   Source: Organic birch and occasionally beech trees (non-GMO).

Country of origin: US and occasionally Austria in cases of limited supply.

Full ingredients: Xylitol.

2. Source Naturals Xylismart.
   Source: Birch (non- GMO).
   Country of origin: US. (They told me it is “currently sourced” from the US.)

Full ingredients: Xylitol.

3. Health Garden Kosher Real Birch Xylitol.
   Source: Birch (non-GMO).
   Country of origin: US.
   Full ingredients: Xylitol.
4. Swanson Premium 100% Pure Xylitol Powder.
   Source: Birch (non-GMO).
   Country of origin: US.
   Full ingredients: Xylitol.
5. Xyla Xylitol Powder.
   Source: Birch (non-GMO).
   Country of origin: US.
   Full ingredients: Xylitol.

Avoid the following brands due to their GMO sources:

1. Jarrow Formulas XyliPure Xylitol Powder.
   Source: Corn (non-GMO).
   Country of origin: China.
   Full

ingredients: Xylitol, silicon dioxide.

2. KAL Xylitol.
   Source: Corn (could be GMO).

Country

of origin: China.

3. Xlear XyloSweet All Natural Xylitol Sweetener.

Source: Both birch and corn (could be GMO).

Country of origin: China and US.

In conclusion, always choose the healthiest sweeteners possible for your optimum health.

copyright@nancyaddison2025

Sources

1. PRWeb. (2014, July 23). “Teraganix Opens New Arizona-based Agricultural Products Supply Facility.” Retrieved from http://www.prweb.com/releases/TeraGanix/new- production-facility/prweb12034078.htm

2.  Fulgoni, V, 3rd. (2008, December). High-fructose corn syrup: everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88(6), 1715S. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19064535

3.   Ilardi, Stephen. (2009, July 23). “Dietary Sugar and Mental Illness: A Surprising Link.” In The Depression Cure. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-depression- cure/200907/dietary-sugar-and-mental-illness- surprising-link

4.  Goulart, Frances Sheridan. (1991, March 1). “Are You Sugar Smart? Linked to Heart Attacks, Kidney Disease, Diabetes and Other Diseases, Sugar Is to the ’90s What Cholesterol Was to the ’80s (Includes 9 ways to Cope with Sugar Cravings).” American Fitness. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-10722552.html

5.  Ibid.
6.  Ibid.
7. Edwards, Michael. (2007, June 12). “Healthy Sugar

Alternatives: Understanding Both Healthy & Not So Healthy Sugars with Their Glycemic Index and Load.” Organic Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/blog/healthy- sugar-alternatives.php  This is a good source for the glycemic index of various sugars.
8.  Horton, Jenn. (Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD,  LD on July 22, 2014). “The Truth about Agave.” WebMD.  Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/the-truth- about-agave
9.  Berkeley Wellness Alerts. (2010, December 17). “Not Such Sweet News about Agave.”
10.  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Regulations (Standards – 29 CFR). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_docu ment?p_table=standards&p_id=10078

11.  Tandel, Kirtidia R. (2011, October-December). Sugar substitutes: Health controversy over perceived benefits. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, 2(4), 236-243.
12.  MedlinePlus. “Methanol Poisoning.” Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/0026 80.htm

13.  Gold, Mark. (January, 2003). Recall aspartame as a neurotoxic drug: file #4: reported aspartame toxicity reactions. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/jan03/0122 03/02p-0317_emc-000199.txt

14.  Ibid.
15.  Weekly World News. (1995, January 17). “Cinnamon and  Honey.”
16.  Gittleman, Ann Louise. (1996). Get the Sugar Out, p. 15. New York: Three Rivers Press.
17..  Various sources regarding the controversial nature of  Stevia: Joan Salge Blake, MS, RDN, LDN, Clinical Associate Professor, Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, American Diabetes Association: “Low-Calorie Sweeteners,” “Size Up Your Sweetener Options.”; New York University Langone Medical Center: “Stevia”; Center for Science in the Public Interest: “Stevia”; U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “Is Stevia an FDA- Approved Sweetener?”; U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No. GRN 000348;  United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library: “Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners”; International Food Information Council: “Stevia Sweeteners: Another Low-Calorie Option”;
University of Nebraska, Lincoln: “Stevia.”; Department of Environmental Sciences and Molecular Toxicology, UCLA School of Public Health: “Toxicology of Rebaudioside A: A Review by Sarah Kobylewski and D. Eckhert” http://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/stevia- report_final-8-14-08.pdf;  Melis, M.S. (November, 1999). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 67(2):157–161, “Effects of chronic administration of Stevia rebaudiana on fertility in rats.” http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378 874199000811; Mazzei, Planas G. and Kuć, J. (1968, November 29). “Contraceptive properties of Stevia rebaudiana.” Science, 162(3857):1007.

18.  Smith, Michael W. (2014, October 13). “What is Stevia?” WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/food- recipes/what-is-stevia

19.  Gare, Fran. (2003). The Sweet Miracle of Xylitol. Basic Health Publications, Inc.

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Medical Disclaimer:
Information provided in this podcast, blog, article, video is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

Do not use the information provided in this blog, audio podcast, article, video  for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.

Information provided in this video or audio and the use of any products or services related to this video by you DOES NOT create a health counselor-client relationship between you and Nancy Addison, certified health counselor. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
 

The post How To Sweeten Foods Using Healthier Sugars appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

Nancy’s 7 books on Amazon are also in Audio and some of them are in large print:
 https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Addison/e/B00E6K5KGY/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Nancy’s website is: https://www.organichealthylife.com
Support Nancy’s work – Donate on venmo – @Nancy-Addison
Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast, blog, article, video is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.
Do not use the information provided in this blog, audio podcast, article, video  for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this email.

Information provided in this video or audio and the use of any products or services related to this video by you DOES NOT create a health counselor-client relationship between you and Nancy Addison, certified health counselor. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The post How Do Sugar & Sweeteners Affect Us? appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

We want to protect our children from harm in all aspects of their lives, and a healthy diet is a crucial way of protecting them. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, published in 1998, showed that children consumed an average of 29 teaspoons of sugar each day, and it is frightening to think how much sugar they can ingest in a single day around Halloween and the holidays.

Sugar breaks down the immune system and stresses the body severely – contributing to diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and a host of other health problems. Anything high in fructose, like high-fructose corn syrup or agave nectar, disrupts the body’s ability to make insulin, as well as being a hormone disrupter.

Halloween, however, allows a parent the unique opportunity to use the spooky theme to make new dishes seem fun and exciting. Did you ever think that green food is the perfect choice for a spooky green ET smoothie?

This wonderful, raw, nutrient-dense green smoothie drink or food can help counteract all the sugar-dense foods they may be eating elsewhere. Children’s organs are forming into their twenties, and the food they eat goes directly into the formation of these organs. Therefore, it is crucial that the foods they eat have a pure, nutrient-dense nature. This makes choosing organic food much more important for children than adults.

Glyphosate, the leading herbicide used on non-organically grown crops, was originally patented as an antibiotic. This saturates the food and kills all life that it is growing in. Dr. Richard N. Olree Jr DC described this non-organic food as eating an antibiotic with every bite, on an interview on Diverse Health Services. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiWl8rTP2XI

Dr. Olree said that when we eat foods that are grown or killed then it is like taking an antibiotic every time you take a bite of food. Question: Would you want to take an antibiotic with every bite? Well, he said that is what we are doing when we eat non-organically grown food.

The food industry uses this herbicide (glyphosate) now to saturate and kill crops like: sugar cane, soy, corn, grains, lentils, oats, beans, cotton, canola, and more, so they can harvest them quicker.

Antibiotics are non-selective. Antibiotics Kill All Life. Our immune system is made of beneficial bacteria. Antibiotics kill all the bad bacteria, but they are also destroying all the beneficial bacteria as well. Antibiotics destroy the beneficial bacteria that comprise our immune system, which is supposed to keep the bad bacteria in check. Ideally, we want a strong immune system made up of healthy beneficial bacteria. So eating organically grown food is important. Non-GMO is not enough, food should be Organic and Non-GMO.

I highly recommend making a healthy, organic, green smoothie as a special treat during Halloween. It can help adjust the bodies’ PH balance, as well as being packed with nutrition, enzymes, and fiber. Drinking something green may sound spooky to you at first, but give it a try; you may be surprised by the taste.

When we introduce new foods, it may taste unusual at first, mainly because you are not used to eating that food. If you stick with it for about 10 days of 2 weeks, this gives your body a chance to develop new taste buds adjusted for this new food. So, if a healthier change of diet is desired, just stay the course and the foods will start tasting better and better.

When adjusting a child’s diet to include better quality food, a helpful method of encouragement can be rewarding them for trying this new food (a few bites at least 10 times or for two weeks). There is a good chance that when those two weeks are over, they may actually like the new food. Gold stars, a special outing, playing a game with them, or a morning of art can be wonderful rewards for children trying new and interesting dishes.

When your child comes down for breakfast on Halloween week, have this green smoothie ready and know that you’re giving them something nutritious and share the experience with them.

It is best to make this drink in a good blender, because it can turn nuts, seeds, unskinned fruit, and vegetables to a liquid more easily. This drink is rich in phytonutrients and vitamin C, so try to drink it within 20 minutes, because the nutrients begin to dissipate after that time.

Iron is more absorbable into the body when vitamin C is present, so if you use baby spinach, this drink will be rich with vitamin C and Iron. In addition, leafy greens, such as the ones in this recipe, are high in protein without the unhealthy effects of many types of meat. Spinach is actually 45% protein!

Recipe for a Green Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup Leafy Greens (fresh watercress, romaine, red leaf lettuce, sprouts – in any combination and torn into pieces)

1 tsp. Broccoli Sprout Powder

2 Whole Fruits (pear, apple, mango, papaya, pineapple, or combination) chopped into chucks with seeds and stems removed. (You can also use berries)

3 – 4 Dates (pitted and soaked in water to soften)

2 cups Mineral-rich, Non-chlorinated Water (more water can be added to desired consistency)

1 Tablespoon Flax Seed Oil (cold pressed)

1 tsp. Lime or Lemon Juice (freshly juiced and used immediately)

Directions

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend. Serve immediately.

Note:

I order my raw, organically grown broccoli sprout powder from the Indoor Organic Gardens of Poughkeepsie. I put it in my food throughout the day. You can mix it in mashed potatoes, apple sauce, cool soups, hummus, and more. It doesn’t have much flavor, so it’s easy to add this nutrient-dense food to your meals.(Use the code “Nancy” and they will give you a discount. They grow amazing sprouts and they can overnight them to you.)

Why add broccoli sprout powder to your diet?
One study showed that sulforaphane (Broccoli sprouts have high levels of sulforaphane) reduced the size and number of breast cancer cells by up to 75% (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20388854/ )

Similarly, an animal study found that treating mice with sulforaphane helped kill off prostate cancer cells and reduced tumor volume by more than 50% (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20388854/) Studies also found that a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli) may be linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.

One analysis of 35 studies showed that eating more cruciferous vegetables was associated with a lower risk of colorectal and colon cancer (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23211939/

To order click here for the website: https://indoororganicgardensofpoughkeepsie.com/

Use the code “Nancy” and they will give you a discount. They grow amazing sprouts and they can overnight them to you.

Have a safe, healthy, and fun October and Halloween!

You can reach her on her website, Organic Healthy Life .com, or find easy, healthy recipes in Nancy’s books (which are half cookbook).

Nancy’s universal author page link on Amazon. Author.to/nancyaddison

Nancy’s social media links:

Twitter – Nancygaddison https://twitter.com/nancygaddison

Linked In – Nancy Addison https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyaddison/

Facebook – Nancy – organic healthy life https://www.facebook.com/authornancyaddison/

Instagram – Nancy- organic Healthy Life https://www.instagram.com/nancy.organichealthylife/

I Heart Radio Show Podcasts Organic Healthy Lifestyle https://www.iheart.com/show/209-Organic-Healthy-Lifestyle/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyaddison/

The information from Nancy Alisa Gibbons Addison, Organic Healthy Lifestyle is not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We strongly encourage you to discuss topics of concern with your health care provider.

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this article, book, podcast, website, email, etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professionals, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty

The author and publisher are not liable for the misuse of this material. This article, website, podcasts, and books are strictly for informational and educational purposes. Nancy Alisa Gibbons Addison offers information and opinions, not a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before taking any home remedies or supplements, or following any treatment suggested by Nancy Addison or by anyone listed in the books, articles, or other information contained here. Only your healthcare provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

Nancy’s website: https://www.organichealthylife.com

For more information about Nancy Addison and her work please visit her website at www.organichealthylifestyle.com

The post Eating Healthier At This Time Of Year (With A Green Smoothie Recipe) appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

Nancy’s website: http://www.organichealthylife.com

Radio Show Hosted By Nancy Addison CHC, AADP

Nancy Addison is a certified health counselor, nutritionist, chef, as well as a radio show host, who teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, CBS, and in documentaries ( “Eating You Alive”).

You can reach her on her website, Organic Healthy Life, or find easy, healthy recipes in Nancy’s books (which are half cookbook).

Medical Disclaimer – The information from Nancy Addison, Organic Healthy Lifestyle, Organic Healthy Life, and guests is not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We strongly encourage you to discuss topics of concern with your health care provider.

Here is her author page on Amazon. Author.to/nancyaddison

Nancy’s social media links:

Twitter – Nancygaddison – https://twitter.com/nancygaddison

Linked In – Nancy Addison https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyaddison/

Facebook – Nancy – organic healthy life

https://www.facebook.com/authornancyaddison/

YouTube Channel – Nancy Addison

https://www.youtube.com/user/nancyaddison

Instagram – Nancy- organic Healthy Life

https://www.instagram.com/nancy.organichealthylife/

I Heart Radio Show Podcasts – Organic Healthy Lifestyle

https://www.iheart.com/show/209-Organic-Healthy-Lifestyle/

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/nancyaddison/

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email, article, book, podcast, website, email, video,  etc. is for informational purposes only. The information is a result of years of practice and experience by Nancy Addison CHC, AADP. However, this information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professionals, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. I make no claims about healing anything.

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty

The author and publisher are not liable for the misuse of this material. This article, website, podcasts, and books are strictly for informational and educational purposes. Nancy Alisa Gibbons Addison offers information and opinions, not a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before taking any home remedies or supplements, or following any treatment suggested by Nancy Addison or by anyone listed in the books, articles, podcasts, videos, or other information contained here. Only your healthcare provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

Nancy’s website: https://www.organichealthylife.com

The post The Health Challenge Of Candida, Thrush, Fungus appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

Sugar is usually the main ingredient in the treat of choice, but too much sugar (or the type of sugar) can be harmful to our health. I would like to share some wonderful alternatives to sugar with you that are not only healthy, but also enjoyable.

While children may not always appear to be listening, they are always watching, so send a consistent message that healthy eating is important—even on holidays.

This can be challenging when the rest of the country is trying to eat as many pieces of candy and sugary desserts as possible.

According to research, one teaspoon of sugar can shut down a person’s immune system for up to 5 hours. Yale University says that children should get only 3 to 4 teaspoons of sugar per day, and that an adult should limit their intake to 5 teaspoons.

This is possible, even on Halloween. We all benefit when we avoid going overboard on holiday occasions.

Try to find a healthy balance for your children’s food intake, and create an atmosphere of wise choices.

First, before going trick-or-treating with your children or sending them to a Halloween party, serve a filling and healthy meal so that tempting sugary desserts and candy aren’t eaten simply because of hunger.

You can also pass out non-edible treats as substitutes for candy. Try things like stickers, crayons, bubbles, kaleidoscopes, slinkies, yoyos, sidewalk chalk, small flashlights, glow sticks, hacky sacks, funny glasses, or other fun gifts.

You can find packs of these online or at the local party or craft stores. Make sure you pick age-appropriate treats for children, and especially make sure that the gifts do not include small parts that a child could choke on. Some gifts may be better for smaller children, while others may be more fun or safer for older children.

If you would prefer to hand out edible treats, try some commercially-packaged alternatives to candy like trail mixes, raisins, popcorn packets, or nut butter crackers. People will trust packages from the grocery store more than homemade items, as they are sealed.

For a home party, you can make healthy pumpkin muffins or popcorn with nuts and raisins. It is the perfect time to serve a green smoothie, which you can call the Magic Martian Mixture! Guests will think they are having a special Halloween drink, when in reality you are introducing a healthy green drink.

With childhood obesity on the rise at an alarming rate, and literally doubling over the last 30 years, it is good to be someone who isn’t contributing to the sugar disease epidemic. You’d be surprised how many people enjoy an alternative to the sugar-laden candy that is so common.

If your child goes trick-or-treating, instruct your child to wait and allow you to inspect the food they collect before they eat it. Tell them that if any candy or food they received isn’t wrapped professionally (commercially), they should throw it away, especially if it looks like there is any kind of tampering (tears, holes, discoloration, etc.) with the package.

I always threw out any kind of candy or treat that my children were given that looked suspicious in any way. Don’t take a chance. Just throw it out if there is doubt.

If you allow your children to eat candy or treats, be aware that some have a shelf life. If you are allowing your child to have one or two pieces per day, check the candy for freshness or an expiration date before he or she can have it.

Teach your children to do this as well. Children can be very responsible when given the chance.

Children’s teeth and gums are damaged by excess sugar. Dental decay can be painful and harmful to a child’s health. Conditions like this can challenge a person for their entire life. I recommend the non-toxic tooth powders, dental kits by Dirty Mouth. I think they ware extremely effective.

Help your children make the best decisions for their health now. Make certain they brush and floss after consuming sweets. Your children will always be grateful for the love you show them. They may not show it today, but they will recognize and appreciate it more as they grow older.

For Halloween, spend time together, play fun music, bob for apples, make jack-o-lanterns, and bake pumpkin bread or other items that benefit your family’s health.This shows your family how much you really care about them.

May you have a fun, safe Halloween holiday.

copyright@nancyaddison2014

If you like this article, you may link Nancy’s award-winning book,  “Raising Healthy Children,” Double Winner in the International Book Awards, 2017, For “Best Parenting Book Of The Year,” and For Best Family Book Of The Year!  Nancy’s books on Amazon worldwide: Click here for the universal link for her author page.

Sources: 1. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Albert”Sanchez,”J.”L.”Reeser,”H.”S.”Lau,”P.”Y.”Yahiku, “R.”E.”Willard,”P.”J.”McMillan,”S.”Y.”Cho,”A.”R.”Magie,” and””U.”D.”Register.”-“Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis.” – “The”American”Society”for”Clinical” Nutrition,”Inc.”1973.”, Copyright © 1973 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc, http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/11/1180.abstract 2,”Yale+Health+Newsletter.”“Be”a”Sugar”Detective.”http://yalehealth.yale.edu/sugardetective

The post Have A Healthy Halloween appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

How often are we in a hurry or don’t feel like preparing this meal or cleaning up afterward? Instead, many of us reach for cereal, protein or fiber breakfast bars, or other easy-to-prepare, easy-to-eat foods.
I grew up eating cereal and milk for breakfast, so I understand how simple and yummy it can be. I’ve since discovered these aren’t the best choices. Why? Because many cereals on the market today can have high amounts of sugar, which is a main contributor to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In particular, I’m addressing added sugars, not those found naturally in fruits or whole unprocessed foods. (When whole dried fruits are added to foods, they do raise the number of sugar grams, so be aware of that.)

Our bodies simply don’t handle sugar well. In fact, sugar affects us like an addictive drug. It can even make us sick!

According to Yale Health Newsletter,[i] a child should be limited to 3 to 4 teaspoons of added sugar a day, and an adult to 5 teaspoons a day. However, many people are consuming as many as 22 to 34 teaspoons of sugar a day.[ii] (Note: Four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon.)

Here’s a key problem with any amount of added sugar. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition[iii], one teaspoon of added sugar shuts down a person’s immune system for up to five hours. So, if we eat a sugary breakfast and then go off to work or school, what happens? Our immune system can stop functioning shortly after we arrive. Is it any wonder that we or our children come home sick or exhausted?

I suggest purchasing only the highest quality cereal with the fewest number of additives. Sometimes my choice centers on budget or time constraints, but I certainly make the best choice I can in the moment.
Let’s examine the array of breakfast cereals available and determine the healthiest choices based on their ingredients. Although sugar is the main ingredient to be mindful of, watch for other ingredients as well.

When you’re grocery shopping, follow these steps:

1. Before leaving for the grocery store, take your reading or magnifying glasses, and be prepared to read the list of ingredients on the packages.

2. When reading ingredient lists, look at how big a serving the packaging shows, related to the amounts being analyzed. For example, some cereals show “½ cup” as the serving amount and others say “1 cup.” If you are eating 1 cup and the amount measured is only ½ cup, you need to calculate double the amount of sugar stated in the serving. To compare products, you may have to do a little math, but it’s worth the effort.

3. As you read the ingredients, notice if the grains are listed as “whole” grain” or “sprouted whole grain.” Sprouted grains or seeds are easier to digest than whole grains.

4. Also read the front of packages, which can be quite deceiving. The descriptions can say the cereal contains whole grains, but it may hardly contain any “whole” grains at all. If whole grains are in the product, then the manufacturer can legitimately say so in large print on the front of the package. You have to check and make certain the ingredient list reflects what’s being claimed on the packaging.

5. Take notice of the first 4 to 6 ingredients. They are listed by “most to least” of how much the product contains. If sugar is listed among these first ingredients, you know the cereal is high in added sugar. Also notice what type of sugar has been added. Is it a high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, cane sugar, agave nectar, date sugar, rice syrup, molasses, fruit juice concentrate, xylitol, honey, or stevia? In my opinion the xylitol, stevia and honey are less harmful as a sweetener than the others, so choose those options.

6. Notice if the product has hydrogenated oils. Any fat that’s been hydrogenated or molecularly changed is called a trans-fat, which makes it a “bad” fat in even the smallest amount. Never purchase a cereal with this type of fat listed in its ingredients.

7. Look to see if the list includes any natural flavorings, added food color, or preservatives such as BHT or BHA. (The University of California Berkeley’s Wellness Report[iv] says to avoid these completely.) Preservatives, color additives, monosodium glutamate or MSG (frequently listed as natural flavorings, spices, and hydrolyzed proteins) are also to be avoided.

8. Select the brand that has the least amount of sugar and the most whole grains and/or sprouted grains that are (preferably) non-GMO (GMO means the ingredients have been modified genetically.)
Practice checking the specifics in the ingredients so that you can make more educated and healthier choices for your family.

I’ve compiled a short list of cereals, food bars, and non-dairy milks with the grams of sugar listed for each one. This allows you to see how many of the cereals that “look” healthy can have high sugar content. Special note: Don’t assume that because a product is found on the shelf in a “healthy” grocery store that it’s necessarily healthy.

Cereals with Lowest Amounts of Sugar

The following brands of cereal have the least amounts of sugar:
Ezekial 4:9 – Original ½ cup has 0 gram
Ezekial 4:9 – Almond 1 cup has 2 grams
Post Shredded Wheat – Original 1 cup has 0 gram
General Mills Cheerios – Original 1 cup has 1 gram
Arrowhead Mills – Sprouted Corn Flakes (gluten free) 1 cup has 1 gram
Arrowhead Mills – Shredded Wheat (bite-size) 1 cup has 2 grams
General Mills Kix – Original 1¼ cup has 3 grams
Cereals with Most Amounts of Sugar

The following brands of cereal have the most amounts of sugar:
Post Grape Nuts 1 cup has 10 grams
Kellogg’s Fruit Loops 1 cup has 12 grams
General Mills Cocoa Puffs 1 cup has 12.5 grams
Cascadian Farms Granola 1 cup has 13 grams
General Mills Raisin Nut Bran 1 cup has 17.5 grams
Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Bran 1 cup has 17.5 grams
Back to Nature, Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed Granola 1 cup has 22 grams
Back to Nature, Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed Granola 1 cup has 22 grams
Udi’s Gluten Free Granola, Cherry Walnut 1 cup has 32 grams
Nature’s Path, Fruit and Nut Granola, gluten-free 1 cup has 32 grams

So, let’s look at this. If four grams is one teaspoon, then 32 grams of sugar in one cup of cereal is 8 teaspoons of sugar! Can you even imagine putting that much sugar into your bowl of cereal?!

Oatmeal

Plain oatmeal has less sugar than cereals:
Whole Foods, 365, Instant hot oatmeal (multigrain with flax) 1 packet has 0 grams
Bob’s Red Mill, Old Fashion Rolled Oats, whole grain ½ cup has 1 gram

Food Bars

Many people think food bars are easy and they grab them for breakfast. Be aware that these food bars (like cereal in a bar form) have the following amounts of sugar:
Cliff Bars 1 bar has 5 grams
Kind, Maple Pumpkin Seeds 1 bar has 6 grams
Earth’s Best Sunny Days, strawberry 1 bar has 6 grams
Glutino, Apple, gluten free 1 bar has 17 grams

Dairy-Free Beverages

Pouring milk on cereal can add an additional amount of sugar to the food, so purchase milk or milk alternatives that have no added sugar and are low in natural sugar. I use unsweetened vanilla alternative milk and add my own stevia or sweetener. By doing this, I take control of the type of sweetener in my milk. These dairy-free milks have the following amounts of sugar:

Pacific Brand, unsweetened, vanilla hemp non-dairy beverage
1 cup has 0 grams of sugar

Whole Foods, 365, unsweetened, rice milk
1 cup has 0 grams of sugar

Dairy-free coconut milk, unsweetened
1 cup has 1 gram of sugar

Buying Bulk

Bulk foods can be a good way to purchase foods less expensively than packaged foods. Still, I was shocked to find high amounts of sugar in products I expected would be sold in raw and natural form. So even when buying bulk foods, read the labels well. Most of the fruits, granolas, crackers, nuts, and more have added sugar.

Cut out as much added sugar from all of your meals when you can, and your family’s health can really benefit from that choice.

copyright@nancyaddison2014. Excerpt from the triple award-winning, best-selling book, “Raising Healthy Children” by Nancy Addison.

For more information go to: www.organichealthylifestyle.com

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Many of us want to keep the sugar down to a minimum and also keep our waistlines at a manageable size. As a result, many folks are using synthetic sweeteners to sweeten their drinks due to the impression it can help with weight and health.

To help clarify some of the confusing and contradictory information we hear in the media about artificial sweeteners, I’m going to address one of the artificial sweeteners used in many items on the market today.

Aspartame is the chemical in the artificial sweeteners NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure, and it is found in more than 6000 products.

The company has changed the name of aspartame to “MinoSweet,” because consumers were getting educated on the dangers of this artificial sweetener.

The company thought this name, “minosweet, ” is more appealing. They are marketing it as a “natural sweetener,” saying it is made of two amino acids. In my opinion, they are trying to TRICK consumers into thinking it is a harmless, natural sweetener. This change in what they call it, is simply marketing.

Aspertame (also known as minosweet) is composed of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. It gets converted to formaldehyde in the body.

According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), formaldehyde is a carcinogen that can seriously harm your “liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, brain, and central nervous systems.

The occupational health hazards of formaldehyde are primarily due to its toxic effects after inhalation, after direct contact with the skin or eyes in liquid or vapor form, and after ingestion.”[1]

Formaldehyde can also cause allergic sensitization. Aspartame (also known as minosweet) can cause many problems, including neurological ones.

According to one study: When the temperature of aspartame (also known as minosweet) exceeds 86°F, the wood alcohol in aspartame converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus, people may be misdiagnosed with having multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis does not lead to death, whereas methanol toxicity does.[2]

According to a report from the National Institutes of Health: Methanol is extremely poisonous. As little as two tablespoons can be deadly to a child. About 2–8 ounces can be deadly for an adult.

Blindness is common and often permanent, despite medical care. How well the person recovers depends on how much poison is swallowed and how soon treatment is received.[3]

Mark Gold of the Aspartame (also known as minosweet) Toxicity Information Center writes: Both the US Air Force’s magazine Flying Safety and the US Navy’s magazine Navy Physiology published articles warning about the many dangers of aspartame. They included the cumulative, deleterious effects of methanol, and the greater likelihood of birth defects.

The articles note that the ingestion of aspartame may make pilots more susceptible to seizures and vertigo (US Air Force 1992). Countless other toxicity effects have been reported to the FDA (DHHS 1995), other independent organizations (Mission Possible 1996, Stoddard 1995), and independent scientists (e.g., 80 cases of seizures were reported to Dr. Richard Wurtman, Food in 1986).

Frequently, aspartame (minosweet) toxicity is misdiagnosed as a specific disease. This hasn’t been reported in scientific literature, yet it has been reported countless times to independent organizations and scientists. In other cases, it has been reported that chronic aspartame ingestion has triggered or worsened certain chronic illnesses.

Nearly 100 percent of the time, the patient and physician assume these worsening conditions are a normal progression of the illness. Sometimes that may be true, but many times it is chronic aspartame poisoning.[4)

The following is a list of chronic illnesses that may be caused or worsened by the long-term ingestion of aspartame, according to researchers studying its adverse effects. In some cases, such as MS, the symptoms mimic or worsen the disease, but do not cause it. This list shouldn’t be considered definitive, because regular intake of a poison is bad for any chronic illness.

Brain tumors

Multiple sclerosis

Epilepsy

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Parkinson’s disease

Alzheimer’s

Mental retardation

Lymphoma

Birth defects

Fibromyalgi

Diabetes

Arthritis (including rheumatoid)

Chemical sensitivities

Attention Deficit Disorder [5]

So, in conclusion, avoid artificial sweeteners, including “Minosweet,” and if you are using a sweetener, try using something that is safer, like pure, organic, unrefined date sugar or raw, unrefined, organic honey.

I wish you a healthy life!

Sources:

The post Sugar, Sweeteners And Artificial Sweeteners For Optimum Health appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

I studies with Dr. Campbell at Cornell University in his 3 classes on Plant Based Nutrition.
So, this was such an honor to have my article in his newsletter.
hope you enjoy it!

How To Have A Healthy Halloween
By Nancy Addison, Guest Author, Healthy Kids & Food Education

Halloween is almost here and everyone is wondering what costume to wear and what treats to give. Careful planning can make this holiday more enjoyable than you imagined.

Sugar is usually the treat of choice, but it is harmful to our health. Since we want to set a good example for our children, I‘ve found some truly wonderful alternatives that are enjoyable and entertaining. While children may not always appear to be listening, they are always watching, so send a consistent message that healthy eating is important—even on holidays. This can be challenging when the rest of the country is trying to eat as many pieces of candy and sugary desserts as possible.

According to research, one teaspoon of sugar can shut down a person’s immune system for up to 5 hours.[1] Yale University says that children should get only 3 to 4 teaspoons of sugar per day and that an adult should limit intake to 5 teaspoons.[2] This is even possible on Halloween. We all benefit from avoiding going overboard on holiday occasions.

Try to find a healthy balance for your children’s food intake and create an atmosphere of wise choices. First, before going trick-or-treating with your children or sending them to a Halloween party, serve a filling and healthy meal so that tempting sugary desserts and candy aren’t eaten simply because of hunger.

You can also pass out non-edible treats as substitutes for candy. Try things like stickers, crayons, bubbles, kaleidoscopes, slinkies, yoyos, sidewalk chalk, small flashlights, glow sticks, hacky sacks, funny glasses, or other fun gifts. You can even pass out toothbrushes! You can find packs of these online or at the local party or craft stores. Make sure you pick age appropriate treats for children, and especially make sure that the gifts do not include small parts that a child could choke on. Some gifts may be better for smaller children, while others may be more fun or safer for older children.

If you would prefer to hand out edible treats, try some commercially-packaged alternatives to candy like trail mixes, raisins, popcorn packets, or nut butter crackers. People will trust packages from the grocery store more than homemade items, as they are sealed.

For a home party, you can make healthy pumpkin muffins, popcorn with nuts and raisins, or a Goblin Goulash. It is the perfect time to serve a green kale smoothie! (Which I suggest calling for a Halloween drink/treat, Goblin Goulash!) Guests will think they are having a special Halloween drink, when in reality you are introducing a healthy green drink.

With childhood obesity on the rise at an alarming rate, literally doubling over the last 30 years, it is good to be someone who isn’t contributing to the sugar disease epidemic. You’d be surprised how much all of us enjoy an alternative to the sugar laden candy that is so common.

If your child goes trick-or-treating, instruct your child to wait and allow you to inspect the food they collect before they eat it. Tell them that if any candy or food they received isn’t wrapped professionally (commercially), they should throw it away, especially if it looks like there is any kind of tampering (tears, holes, discoloration, etc.) with the package. I always threw out any kind of candy or treat that my children were given that looked suspicious in any way. Don’t take a chance, just throw it out if there is doubt.

If you allow your children to eat candy or treats, be aware that some have a shelf life. If you are allowing your child to have one or two pieces per day, check the candy for freshness or an expiration date before he or she can have it. Teach your children to do this as well. Children can be very responsible if given the chance.

Children’s teeth and gums are damaged by sugar. Dental decay can be painful and damaging to a child’s health. Conditions like this can challenge a person for their entire life. Help your children make the best decisions for their health now. Make certain they brush and floss after consuming sweets. Your children will always be grateful for the love you show them. They may not show it today, but they will recognize and appreciate it more as they grow older.

For Halloween, spend time together, play fun music, bob for apples, make jack-o-lanterns, and bake pumpkin bread or other items that benefit your family’s health. This shows your family how much you really care about them. May you have a fun, safe Halloween holiday.

Click here for the link to Center For Nutritional Studies site.

References

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Albert Sanchez, J. L. Reeser, H. S. Lau, P. Y. Yahiku, R. E. Willard, P. J. McMillan, S. Y. Cho, A. R. Magie, and U. D. Register. – Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. – The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc. 1973., Copyright © 1973, http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/11/1180.abstract
Yale Health Newsletter.Be a “Sugar” Detective. http://yalehealth.yale.edu/sugardetective

Nancy Addison

Nancy Addison is a graduate of the plant-based nutrition certificate program and the author of How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian and co author of Alive and Cooking; An Easy Guide To Health For You and Your Parents. Nancy is releasing her new book, next month: Raising Healthy Children.

For more information visit www.organichealthylifestyle.com.
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This Newsletter

How To Have A Healthy Halloween
By Guest Author–  Nancy Addison

By Center for Nutrition Studies

The post Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s Center For Nutritional Studies Features Nancy Addison’s article: How To Have A Healthy Halloween In Their October Newsletter appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.