Splenda..Having issues

[KarBear]

Has anyone had any issues with Splenda? I'm on my 4 week of induction and all is going well with the low carbs, but last week I started having horrible heartburn in my chest and back making me miserable. I just couldn't figure out what it could be. Looked back over my food journals and the foods I were eating weren't really anything that would cause such and issue and I haven't really had any issues before. I would wake up feeling OK and as the day would go on it would build and build. It got so bad, and along with it I got a terrible headache and so I decided to cleanse my self out with a laxative and then start taking Prilosec OTC. So for 2 days I watched everything I ate and drank only water and woke the next day feeling wonderful and thinking the cleansing and Prilosec has done the trick. When I went back to work I started on my regular routine of 1 med decaff coffee with 1 pack of splenda and then a Fruit 2 O (which also has spenda in it) then regular water & a diet coke with splenda for lunch..all seemed well even walked 2 miles on my lunch break, then I started feeling it again, and when I got home after having my Fiber One tea with splenda with dinner I became miserable again....so once again I went back over my food journal and noticed that the same time my symptoms started is when I started drinking the Fruit 2 O,and starting drinking splenda more regular 3 - 4x max per day. I went on the Internet and found several stories of terrible heart burn and stomach problems because of it....so I thought I would see if anyone else has had any issues because I looked through and didn't really find anyone say that they have had any issues.

[biogeek]

You're certainly not alone with having issues with Splenda. Some have heartburn troubles (my DH is in this group) while for others, Splenda causes them to have cravings (this is me!), and still others stall in their weight loss.

Seems like you've found your culprit, so it's up to you as to what you're going to do with Splenda. Reduce what you consume or eliminate it all together.

I am curious about how much Splenda you are consuming, especially with the Diet Coke with Splenda and the Fruit 2O. Most folks just consume 3 packets of Splenda on this WOE, but in a 12 oz can of Diet Coke, how much Splenda is in there? Is Fiber One tea a manufactured drink or is that something you make at home? Then there's the idea of what else might be causing you to have heartburn with these drinks....is it the carbonation that is causing it? Some other ingredient?

Just some ideas.

[db7]

I used to have migraines from eating or drinking anything with Aspartame. They were so bad I could not stand up and my vision went to dark. My sister told me to stop all products with Aspartame, and they went away. Once I started this WOE, I was using Splenda thinking it was different, and immediately my vision went dark and I started having migraines again. Once I stopped, all of the symptoms went away. For many people, it never bothers them (like my best friend who is doing Atkins with me) but for me, It causes lots of problems. I have switched to Stevia and just stay completely away from any artificial sweeteners other than Stevia. Now if they would just start using Stevia as the "sweetener of choice" in everything, I would be happy Good luck!

[Sherri]

This is Splenda- From www.sweetpoison.com

SPLENDA (sucralose)
Why is Splenda potentially harmful?
According to the Splenda International Patent A23L001-236 and PEP Review #90-1-4 (July 1991) Sucralose is synthisized by a five step process.
To illistrate the alarming "chemicle soup" required to create sucralose, listed are the chemicles used to produce this sweetner and to secure the chlorine does NOT digest in your body.
1.) Acetone
2.) Acetic Acid
3.) Acetyl Alcohol
4.) Acetic Anhydride
5.) Ammonium Chloride
6.) Benzene
7.) Chlorinated Sulfate
8.) Ethyl Alcohol
9.) Isobutyl Ketones
10.) Formaldehyde
11.) Hydrogen Chloride
12.) Lithium Chloride
13.) Methonal
14.) Sodium Methoxide
15.) Sulfuryl Chloride
16.) Trityl Chloride
17.) Taluene
18.) Thionyle
Splenda (made from sucralose) is created in the lab by using a complex process involving dozens of chemicles you and I can barely pronounce- let alone consume. Basicly, the chemists force chlorine into an unatural chemicle bond with a sugar molecule, resulting in a sweeter product, but at a price: a huge amount of artificial chemicles must be added to keep sucralose from digesting in our bodies. These toxic substances also prevent (hopefully) the dangerous chlorine molecules from detaching from the sugar molecules inside the digestive system, which would be a carcenogenic hazard.

[KarBear]

Thanks to everyone for your insight.

Good question on exactly how much I am taking in, I guess my assumption was since just one packet is super sweet to me that each of the items couldn't have that much in it. The Fiber One Tea is something that you can buy in the store (made by kelloggs) and I just came across it in looking for some additional fiber for my diet. I have drunk diet drinks since I was a young teen but for the most part with Aspartame and I've never had any issues so I guess that is why it took some time to put 2 and 2 together. Time will tell I will stay away from it and see if all of my issues go away.

Thanks again

[biogeek]

Karbear, I'm glad you're taking a closer look as to how much Splenda/aspartame you're consuming. Hopefully, you'll be losing weight again real soon!

Originally Posted by Sherri

Splenda (made from sucralose) is created in the lab by using a complex process involving dozens of chemicles you and I can barely pronounce-

I can pronounce them just fine. *wink*



Most preservatives, additives, and, of course, "natural flavors" are a chemical soup of compounds. Unless someone has eliminated ALL processed foods/drinks/pharmaceutical drugs/OTC and so forth from his/her daily life, one can not help but ingest such compounds. Heck, even the water that comes out of the tap isn't even pure. Even fresh fruits, veggies, and meat are not free from compounds, which is why the popularity of organics has sky-rocketed. That's a personal choice that each person has to make. I think it is safe to assume that most folks prefer to be oblivious to what's in their food & drinks, relying on the FDA, USDA, and other governmental agencies to make sure we're safe as possible, especially since most people enjoy living with modern conveniences rather than growing their own food and living purely. Not saying it's right...just the way it is, unfortunately. end soapbox.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by biogeek

Karbear, I'm glad you're taking a closer look as to how much Splenda/aspartame you're consuming. Hopefully, you'll be losing weight again real soon!




I can pronounce them just fine. *wink*
Just quoting an article from www.sweetpoison.com
Great info by the way, in case anyone is interested.



Most preservatives, additives, and, of course, "natural flavors" are a chemical soup of compounds. Unless someone has eliminated ALL processed foods/drinks/pharmaceutical drugs/OTC and so forth from his/her daily life, one can not help but ingest such compounds. Heck, even the water that comes out of the tap isn't even pure. Even fresh fruits, veggies, and meat are not free from compounds, which is why the popularity of organics has sky-rocketed. That's a personal choice that each person has to make. I think it is safe to assume that most folks prefer to be oblivious to what's in their food & drinks, relying on the FDA, USDA, and other governmental agencies to make sure we're safe as possible, especially since most people enjoy living with modern conveniences rather than growing their own food and living purely. Not saying it's right...just the way it is, unfortunately. end soapbox.

Sherri AKA Motherearth

[Sherri]

Oh, and there's this information from the same link.
Sherri





Sucralose

Splenda, also known as sucralose, is an artificial sweetener, which is a chlorinated sucrose derivative. Facts about this artificial chemical are as follows:
Pre-Approval Research
Pre-approval research showed that sucralose caused shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage) and enlarged liver and kidneys.
Recent Research
A possible problem with caecal enlargement and renal mineralization has been seen in post approval animal research.
Sucralose Breaks Down
Despite the manufacturer's mis-statements, sucralose does break down into small amounts of 1,6-dichlorofructose, a chemical which has not been adequtely tested in humans. More importantly, sucralose must break down in the digestive system. If it didn't break down and react at all (as the manufacturer claims), it would not chemically-react on the tongue to provide a sweet taste. The truth is that sucralose does break down to some extent in the digestive system.
Independent, Long-Term Human Research
None. Manufacturer's "100's of studies" (some of which show hazards) were clearly inadequate and do not demonstrate safety in long-term use.
Chlorinated Pesticides
The manufacturer claims that the chlorine added to sucralose is similar to the chlorine atom in the salt (NaCl) molecule. That is not the case. Sucralose may be more like ingesting tiny amounts of chlorinated pesticides, but we will never know without long-term, independent human research.
Conclusion
While it is unlikely that sucralose is as toxic as the poisoning people are experiencing from Monsanato's aspartame, it is clear from the hazards seen in pre-approval research and from its chemical structure that years or decades of use may contribute to serious chronic immunological or neurological disorders.
It is very important that people who have any interest in their health
stay aware from the highly toxic sweetener aspartame and other questionable sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda), and acesulfame-k (Sunette, Sweet & Safe, Sweet One). Please see the extensive resources for sweeteners on the Healthier Sweetener Resource List. http://www.holisticmed.com/sweet/
http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/
Mark D. Gold mgold@holisticmed.com
Aspartame Toxicity Information Center
35 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139 617-497-7843
http://www.HolisticMed.com/aspartame/

[jarvist]

I am one of those people that just can't tolerate ANY of the artificial sweeteners. When I was younger - no problem.... but as I am getting older there are more and more things that I just can't tolerate. Artificial sweeteners is one, and caffeine is another. As you are cleaning out your body.... maybe it's harder to absorb the artificial stuff.... I dunno. No doctor here, but SOMETHING's going on in there!

[teamedup]

A headline today says:

"New Study of Splenda and Sucralose Reveals Shocking New Information About Potential Harmful Effect on Humans" (including increasing weight):

Chairman of Citizens for Health Declares FDA Should Review Approval of Splenda