Several readers have written to me following my recent articles that have been published in Meridian regarding sugar.  Their requests are almost identical, asking (and occasionally pleading) for additional help and information.  There is no way that an article in a magazine can adequately address this topic in its entirety, but I can compartmentalize some of this information and send it to you in parts.  The book and program are coming soon!  Several readers recently asked: "Could you do an article on sugar substitutes?"  So, here it is.

Why do sugar substitutes exist?

Even when we cut back on sugar consumption, the cravings continue.  Those who are addicted to the taste sensation of sugar are continually searching for a way to have the sweet taste without the negative consequences of sugar consumption.  For example, this has led to the abundance of "diet" drinks (which incidentally actually increase weight because of their metabolic effects), and other "sugar free" products, many of which are highly processed, nutritionally lacking consumables that only partly qualify as food.  Unfortunately, the seemingly lessened negative consequences of sugar substitutes often carry greater risks than the sugar itself

Why do we even need to talk about sugar substitutes?  

The answer is that too many people eat too much sugar, and that volume is on the rise.  Since 1983, there has been an increase in total sugar consumption almost every year.  Today, average consumption estimates are between 20 to 34 teaspoons of sugar per person per day.  More and more people are recognizing the damaging effects to health that sugar has on our bodies.  This movement to have the same taste sensation without the damaging effects of refined sugar pays a handsome profit to companies that can provide the sweet taste.  However, many of these companies do not pay attention to the studies that indicate the danger their products present to the health of the body.

There are at least 2 huge problems with refined sugar consumption.  

1) The fiber has been removed, so the sugar is absorbed rapidly, causing the blood sugar swings that lead to high blood sugar followed by low blood sugar, often with accompanying ketosis. This is relieved with further refined sugar intake (which sends blood sugar levels up quickly again), thus perpetuating the problem.  When fiber accompanies sugar, as in original sugar sources, there is a much slower absorption and much less sugar swings in the blood. 

2) The nutrients that are present in the original sugar source (cane sugar, maple syrup, sugar beets, corn) that are necessary for sugar breakdown and utilization have been removed.  This forces the use of vitamins already present in the body into action, but it does not replenish them, which eventually leads to nutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiencies. 

Fruit is the best and safest way to appease the 'sweet tooth.'

Fruit has fiber in it, and contains the nutrients necessary for sugars' utilization.  We are typically satisfied with one apple or one orange or one banana.  If we 'juice' the apple or orange, we may get the sugar content of many more apples or oranges than what we could eat normally, thus increasing the sugar load in our bodies.  Many of these juices do not include the fiber or pulp with it.  Honey, agave syrup, fruit juices and purified cane sugar do contain some nutrients, but are lacking in fiber to slow down their absorption.  True natural sugars (sucanat) contain the natural nutrients and minerals that help with the digestion and utilization of the sugar intake, but because sucanat still has the effect of rapidly increasing the sugar levels in the blood, it needs to be used very sparingly.  Cutting back on the amount of usage makes this rather expensive option affordable.

Stevia and Xylitol are two sweeteners that do not cause the swings in blood sugar that refined sugar does, because they are not glucose sugar.  Xylitol is a natural substance that is part of the normal biochemistry of the body.  Many people have been able to stay off sugar by using these substitutes.  These are safe substitutes.

Despite the fact that safe substitutes exist, some people continue to have cravings for sugar or the sweet taste, or even maintain their addiction to sugar.  Sweeteners continue to foster these cravings.  The only way to eliminate these 'wants' is by eliminating the sweet taste altogether. 

Some sweeteners are harmful to the body.  Aspartame (NutraSweet) cleared the FDA as a 'diet' product.  The data submitted to the FDA showed that this 'diet' product caused weight gain in the test groups.  The basic chemistry of aspartame is that it is wood alcohol, with an aspartate group and phenylalanine group hooked on to it.  We might not have been so excited about it if it had been called "Wood Alcohol-ame."  Wood alcohol is a toxic substance in the body, which breaks it down into formaldehyde.  Fomaldehyde is a carcinogen (it causes cancer) and a toxic preserving agent (it is so toxic that some medical students taking anatomy cannot be in the same room with cadavers that have been preserved with formaldehyde, making it difficult for them to learn their anatomy lessons).  The body then breaks formaldehyde down into formic acid, which is the source of the sting of the fire ant.  All these chemicals are toxic to the body and are considered pro-inflammatory (which is why aspartame drinkers find they have more headaches, joint aches, muscle aches, stomach aches, than non-drinkers).

Splenda (sucralose) is a chlorinated artificial sweetener which chemically looks more like DDT than sugar.  Chlorine is a toxic substance, whether used as a gas to kill soldiers (as what happened in WWI), placed in herbicides and pesticides, put in water or added to sweet chemicals and sold as artificial sweeteners.  Of the 110 studies submitted to the FDA for approval in 1998, 2 were done on humans—and the longest one was for 4 days.  A review of all literature on this product reveals the following findings regarding Splenda.  Splenda:

1) reduces the good bacteria in the intestinal tract by 50%

2) increases the pH in the intestines (which viruses, bacteria, cancer cells like)

3) impairs appetite regulation which leads to weight gain

4) causes a myriad of symptoms that have been reported by sucralose users, affecting skin, lungs, nose, eyes, stomach, heart, joints, and neurological systems.

Saccharin has not had the extreme negative health effects that either aspartame or sucralose have had.  The studies on animals showing it caused tumors were done with insanely high doses of saccharin, which could never be ingested by humans as a sweetener.  However, it is still a chemically manufactured product, with potentially unknown long term side effects.  I am aware of the effects of even small percentages of toxicity in what we ingest.  Homeopathy is one example of how minute amounts can affect our overall health in a healing capacity, and saccharin's carcinogenic properties conceivably can be damaging, despite their small amounts.  My advice is to stay clear of all chemically designed "fake food" products.

Fruit remains the best way to appease the sugar drive.  Keep fruit constantly handy, and when a craving for sugar hits, eat an orange, or an apple, or a banana or other fruit.  My wife and I have found that combining the sweet fruit with a protein is a very pleasant way to relieve the sugar cravings without the high sugar levels ensuing.  For example, we make fresh homemade peanut butter (no salt, no sugar, no oil) by processing raw unsalted peanuts in our food processer for eight minutes on high speed.  The resultant creamy, warm peanut butter is absolutely delicious when we dip fresh cold crisp apple slices or a banana in it. 

Some people have found that the flavor of cinnamon spice helps with the sweet taste 'need.'  You can cut back dramatically on the sugar in goods by increasing other enticing flavors and aromas in your food.  Those who crave sweet chocolate may find success by substituting carob (which is often hard to find) for chocolate.  Dark chocolate has less sugar added than the lighter chocolates.

Listen to your body.  Respond to its true needs.  Acknowledge that this is a decision you are making to care for your spirit's companion.  This is a way to honor your personal worth—to have a plan that frees you from addiction.  Admittedly, sugar surrounds us!  It is nearly impossible to avoid it.  Your decision is YOUR decision. 

Some people are more sensitive to the harmful effects of sugar than others.  Your responsibility—and opportunity—is to set your course in the direction you desire.  You are not a victim; you are the victor.  After any ingestion, ask yourself if this is good for you—at the physical, emotional and spiritual level.  Then have the courage to follow your heart.

Next month I'm going to be launching a "Pilot Program" of a brand-new training that is designed to help you learn how to conquer sugar addiction from scratch.

I'm bringing in experts with their studies and personal experiences to teach you all of the most helpful methods for not only getting rid of the crazy sugar cravings, but to jumpstart your body into a position for achieving greater dynamic health and energy.

I'm also going to be including an entire training about the psychology of eating and digestion - to make sure you have the tools you need to change your life for the better and become healthier (which is at the root of becoming free from sugar addictions).

If you're interested in learning more about the program, I've set up an interest list... and an online survey... so I can make sure to include exactly what you want to learn in the program.

Will you take a minute, fill out the quick survey, and put yourself on the interest list? Click Here.

Fill it out, sign up for the interest list, and I'll get you more details very soon.

To YOUR dynamic health and energy!