Buyer Beware: Splenda (Sucralose)

When summer rolls around it is tempting to use food and drink with artificial sweeteners in an attempt to cut down on calories, surprisingly, no research has ever convincingly shown that using these products contributes to weight loss. The artificial sweetener sucralose (brand name Splenda®) has been increasingly added to processed foods. Sucralose is a sugar that has been chemically altered to create chlorocarbon. Chlorocarbon is a sugar enhanced with CHLORINE! The chlorine causes Splenda to pass through the body largely unabsorbed, and thus reducing the caloric intake.

Splenda® can be Gut Wrenching: Research suggests that Splenda®, while FDA– approved, may be doing damage as it passes through the intestines. According to an article in Dr. David William’s newsletter Alternatives, Research with Rats, “Splenda® can reduce the amount of beneficial bacteria in the intestines by as much as 50 percent, increase the Ph level in the intestines, increase body weight, and cause the re-routing or inactivation of certain drugs through the alteration of glycoprotein levels.”

Splenda® has Something in Common with Organochlorine Pesticides: The sucralose molecular structure resembles organochlorine pesticides such as DDT, lindane and endosulfan. Although 85 percent or so of sucralose passes through the digestive system without being absorbed, the 15 percent that does get absorbed may be problematic.

According to James Bowen M.D., in an article titled The Lethal Science of Splenda, a Poisonous Chlorocarbon, “Any chlorocarbons not directly excreted from the body in fact can cause immense damage to the processes of human metabolism and, eventually, our internal organs.” Recent research suggests that they may actually confuse the body’s response to sweet tastes and contribute to weight gain. The percentage of Splenda that is absorbed into the body’s organs and intestines can be POISONOUS!

The liver is a detoxification organ which deals with ingested poisons. Chlorocarbons damage the hepatocytes, the liver’s metabolic cells, and destroys them. “In test animals Splenda® produced swollen livers, as do all chlorocarbon poisons, and also calcified the kidneys of test animals in toxicity studies. The brain and nervous system are highly subject to metabolic toxicities and solvency damages by these chemicals. Their high solvency attacks the human nervous system and many other body systems including genetics and the immune function. Thus, chlorocarbon poisoning can cause cancer, birth defects, and immune system destruction. These are well known effects of Dioxin and PCBs which are known deadly chlorocarbons. Just like aspartame, which achieved marketplace approval by the Food and Drug Administration when animal studies clearly demonstrated its toxicity, sucralose also failed in clinical trials with animals. Aspartame created brain tumors in rats. Sucralose has been found to shrink thymus glands (the biological seat of immunity) and produce liver inflammation in rats and mice.”

Instead of artificial sweeteners, why not have a small amount of real sugar, or better yet, honey or maple syrup which are unprocessed sweeteners that occur in nature! Americans have become habituated to the intensely sweet taste of artificial sweeteners and it’s long past time to kick that habit. If you have a yearning for something sweet, why not just a small taste of real sugar! It’s natural, it doesn’t take much to sweeten up food and drink, and it hits the pleasure centers of the brain, which the artificial sweeteners do not. Even better, use natural Stevia or have some fresh fruit, which comes “packaged” with nutrition and fiber.

References
Nakagawa Y, Nagasawa M, Yamada S, “Sweet taste receptor expressed in pancreatic beta-cells activates
the calcium and cyclic AMP signaling systems and stimulates insulin secretion,” PLoS ONE. 2009;4(4):
e5106. Epub 2009 Apr 8.
Abou-Donia MB, El-Masry EM, Abdel-Rahman AA et al, “Splenda® Alters Gut Microflora and Increases Intestinal
P-Glycoprotein and Cytochrome P-450 in Male Rats,” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental
Article from: Gilead Healing Center, 306 S Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917

Stealth Health: Get Healthy Without Really Trying

Researchers say that doing something is better than nothing at all. From your morning shower to the evening news, from your work commute to your household chores, David Katz, MD says, there are at least 2,400 ways to sneak healthy activities into daily living.
“If you let yourself make small changes, they will add up to meaningful changes in the quality of your diet, your physical activity pattern, your capacity to deal with stress, and in your sleep quality — and those four things comprise an enormously powerful health promotion that can change your life,” says Katz.
Taking Baby Steps
Of course, not everyone is certain that baby steps can walk you all the way to good health. Marc Siegel, MD, a clinical associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine, says that while doing something is certainly better than doing nothing, making such small changes is like using a Band-aid to stop a hemorrhage.
Katz concedes that the Stealth Health approach may not be right for everybody.
Katz believes that for those who find making health changes a daunting task, Stealth Health techniques can make a difference.
Try the Stealth Health Approach
Tempted to give “Stealth Health” a try? Katz recommends picking any three of the following 12 changes and incorporating them into your life for four days. When you feel comfortable with those changes, pick three others. Once you’ve incorporate all dozen changes, you should start to feel a difference within a couple of weeks, he says.
To Improve Nutrition:
1. Buy whole foods — whether canned, frozen, or fresh from the farm — and use them in place of processed foods whenever possible.
2. Reject foods and drinks made with corn syrup, a calorie-dense, nutritionally empty sweetener that many believe is worse for the body than sugar, says Katz.
3. Start each dinner with a mixed green salad. Not only will it help reduce your appetite for more caloric foods, but it also will automatically add veggies to your meal.
To Improve Physical Fitness:
1. Do a squat every time you pick something up. Instead of bending over in the usual way, which stresses the lower back, bend your knees and squat. This forces you to use your leg muscles and will build strength.
2. Whenever you’re standing on a line, lift one foot a half-inch off the ground. The extra stress on your opposite foot, ankle, calf and thigh, plus your buttocks, will help firm and tone muscles. Switch feet every few minutes.
To Improve Stress Control:
1. Give your partner a hug every day before work. Studies show this simple act can help you remain calm when chaos ensues during your day, Katz says.
2. Twice a day, breathe deeply for three to five minutes
To Improve Sleep:
1. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water. The scent has been shown in studies to promote relaxation, which can lead to better sleep.
2. Buy a new pillow. Katz says that studies show that pillows with an indent in the center can enhance sleep quality and reduce neck pain. Also, try a “cool” pillow — one containing either all-natural fibers or a combination of sodium sulfate and ceramic fibers that help keep your head cool.
3. Eat a handful of walnuts before bed. You’ll be giving yourself a boost of fiber and essential fatty acids along with the amino acid tryptophan — a natural sleep-inducer.

My fitness journey: 15lbs down…10lbs to go

As you all know, I am on a personal mission to slim down. Somehow, I managed to gain 20+ lbs over the past two years. The weight just kind of snuck up on me and the “meatier” I got the more compliments my boyfriend at the time gave me. Now I’ve never been stick thin, but I’ve never been a big girl either. I always teetered around a size 6. But with the extra weight, I crept up to a size 8/9. Thankfully, I am on my way to a more svelte version of myself. I have managed to knock off 10 lbs. in the past few months and my weight is holding steady. I am the woman who hates to workout and loves chocolate. So, how did I do it?

Honestly, I did it one pound at a time. It may seem cliche but it’s true. The best thing I ever did for myself was get a dog; a very large dog who needs to be walked two times a day and played with in the backyard so he stays happy and healthy. Fifteen minutes of chasing my beloved Genesis around the backyard playing keep away with his favorite rope followed by a 15-30 minute post breakfast stroll through the neighborhood starts my day. After some morning exercise I am starving! I have a cup of coffee and a huge bowl of fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes), and I eat until I’m full. I chug obscene amounts of water throughout the day.

For lunch, I pretty much eat whatever is convenient. However, I only eat until I’m full. I have to attribute the majority of my weight loss to listening to my body. I made myself stop eating just because I’m bored. If I get that urge, I go find something to occupy myself until the feeling passes. Since I work from home it’s a blessing and a bit of a handicap. I can easily toss the ball around with Genesis, indoors, or give him a good rub down. But it’s so easy to just walk over to the pantry and pull out a bag of fat laden snacks and gorge myself.

One of the biggest helps, I’ve found, is treating myself to peppermint tea to curb my sweet tooth. I stay away from excess sugar. That means, substituting Splenda for sugar. I grab my favorite mug and make myself a cup of peppermint tea, with milk and Splenda, whenever I start itching for something sweet. Sometimes, I go for pomegranate flavored green tea. It definitely helps take the edge off.

I make it a point to try and get most of my calories early in the, that way I have more time to burn them off before bedtime. So I try to eat dinner between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. I keep the menu pretty simple. I love fish, chicken, salad, asparagus, greens…things that are good for me anyway, so I try to incorporate those things into my meal. I finish my evening by walking Genesis for 30-45 minutes and we get some more playtime in before it gets dark out. Sometimes we just lie out in the grass and read.

I don’t believe in depriving myself. If I want some spaghetti, then I make it using whole wheat pasta and I go ahead and have some garlic bread. I’m starting to realize that it’s all about balance. Now that I’m older, with the slower metabolisms that goes with age, I can’t just eat whatever I want whenever I want. But I can eat whatever I want within reason. I splurge and have Sonic (my fave fast food joint) but only if I really feel that I’ve earned it. I know you may be thinking, that going up on dress size isn’t a big deal, but it has been for me. I was literally uncomfortable in my own skin for the first time in my whole life. Don’t get me wrong I have those days when I hate how I look but I’ve always thought my body was beautiful. Feeling disdain towards your body is not fun. This is the only body I get, and I want to enjoy it for as long as I can.

So what’s next? Well, I plan on knocking off these last 10 lbs. in time for my birthday, which is around the end of October. I also want to start training for the L.A. Marathon. With a good sports bra in tow, to keep the twins in check, and an open mind I think I can make it to the finish line come this spring. In the meantime, I hope this helps you inch a little bit closer to your weight loss goal.

More chocolate, less fat

I am a bonafide choco-holic. So, you can imagine how excited I was when I came across the article in Yahoo Health on 8 Slimming Secrets to Eat More Chocolate. Check out these 8 secrets for getting your daily chocolate fix without widening your waistline.

2.  Get creative with cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is not just for baking. Add a spoonful to your favorite fruit smoothie in the morning (my personal favorite is raspberry) or add a touch of cocoa to your oatmeal for a decadent twist. Not only is cocoa powder a light way to get in some chocolate, but it’s high in fiber, too.

3.  When in doubt, use chocolate syrup. Whenever I’m looking for a quick chocolate fix, I pull out the chocolate syrup and drizzle it on everything from fresh fruit to marshmallows. I love to make breakfast “sundaes” with nonfat yogurt, bananas or berries, low-fat granola, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top!

4.  Choose chocolate graham crackers. Did you know that chocolate graham crackers are actually low-fat? Though the label almost never says so, 1 chocolate graham sheet has typically only about 3 g of fat. Try these with a glass of low-fat or nonfat milk for a sweet pick-me-up.

CLICK HERE to read the entire article.

Green tea and Gatorade lead to better health

For years we’ve all heard how good green tea is for us. Well, here’s even more news to back up the claim. According to a study by Journal of Nutrition, drinking five cups of green tea a day can lead to double the weight loss, most of it vanishing from around your midsection. If you are like me, then green tea isn’t your cup of tea. However, try one of these flavored green tea bags. You’ll have no problem sipping down five cups a day.

Once you shed those extra pounds, make sure you’re keeping your heart healthy. Down a bottle of Gatorade and lower your triglycerides, a blood fat linked to heart disease. Pair that with green tea for a one, two health punch.

4 Million pounds and counting

Who hasn’t heard of The 50 Million Pound Challenge? Awe…it’s okay if you haven’t. Let me clue you in. The 50 Million Pound Challenge is the brilliant idea from Dr. Ian K. Smith. He has partnered with State Farm to fight obesity and promote the health and physical well being of millions of Americans.

The challenge is an effort to combat the overweight crisis affecting the country. With 66% of American adults, 17% of US teens, and even more alarming numbers in the African American community being considered overweight, Dr. Ian knew something had to be done to face this problem head on. The solution? Teach us how to reverse unhealthy trends, shed excess pounds, and reducing the risk of overweight related health risks. By establishing a community where we can pool our resources and offer support, Dr. Ian and State Farm are helping us live happier, healthier, and longer lives one pound at a time.

Get a free Challenge Kit and join The 50 Million Pound Challenge.

Fresh breath curbs overeating

According to Health.com, brushing your teeth after every meal is more than just a great way to fight cavities. Following your meal with brushing, popping a breath mint, or even a breath strip signals your body that you’re done eating.

Brown fat weight loss fad

Last week, I opened my email to find a gem of an article sitting in my inbox. Forwarded to me from one the producers of The Doctors, and courtesy of WebMD, I had to see what all the buzz was about concerning “brown fat,” mostly because I had no clue there was such a thing.

If you’re anything like me, then you’re probably just hearing about this new weight loss fad, too. According to the article, Can Brown Fat Make You Thin?, author Daniel J. DeNoon says it can. In the article he highlights the advantages of activating brown fat.

By activating the brown fat in your body, you could lose 9 pounds or more of bad white fat every year — without having to eat less or exercise more.

I know, what you’re thinking…What the heck is brown fat?! Apparently, brown fat was once thought to only be found in babies. It is the fat that all babies have and assumed that its purpose is to keep the body warm. Scientists thought that as we became older and more muscular that we lost brown fat. However, now scientists believe that we do not lose all our brown fat but rather it becomes dormant.

So, what does any of this have to do with you losing weight? Everything! Brown fat is activated when we become cold, and once that happens brown fat burns white fat as fuel. So, essentially your body uses good fat to burn bad fat. Upon studying the correlation of brown fat to white fat and muscle, scientists found

• Obese people have less brown fat than lean people do.
• Men have less brown fat than women do.
• Older people have less brown fat than younger people do.
• People with high blood sugar have less brown fat than people with normal blood sugar.

What does this mean for people like you and I? Well, it definitely makes getting hypothermia on purpose seem appealing, but besides that it’s a breakthrough in better understanding how our bodies work and what natural advantages God installed in us for weight loss and to maintain a healthy body.

To read the article in its entirety CLICK HERE.

How to lose 2 pounds a week

Every Sunday I say, “Tomorrow I start my diet,” then Monday comes and I find myself saying, “Awe, forget it. I’ll start next week.” I know I’m not the only one who goes through the roller coaster of emotions of wishing my body looked any way other than how it actually does. Well, we at COVERINGS are here to help. We know your struggles because we can honestly say that they are our own.

Why not give yourself a weekly goal of losing 2 pounds? I know, I know, it sounds like a lot but it’s completely doable. The health experts from Yahoo Health and Self magazine are showing us how. By giving us a myriad of calorie busting workouts to choose from, you can mix and match an exercise regimen that works for you and start seeing the pounds melt away.

Take a look at the complete article HERE, and remember that you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you. Or, you can just do like me and pant, “Help me Lord Jesus, please don’t let me die on this treadmill!”