[angieb]

Hi everyone

I didnt know where to post this ,it may be of interest. i have been sent an email from a family member about sweetners. There is apparently research in america that states artificial sweetners can cause people to have symptoms of MS and also sufferers of SLE and other auto immune diseases can have thier symptoms exacerbated . according to this email the chemicals cuase a reaction in the body which is the same as piosoning from ants but on a large scale also the chemicals turn to formaldahide. I can not put it up as i do not know how to do this. Things like diet coke and sugar alternatives on a large scale could be damaging also can be bad for kids.
I only know what i was sent but again it may be of interest

 

[Clare.T]

Hello Angie

There is no research in America - this is an internet scam, an urban legend, put about years ago by somebody who doesn't really exist, for whatever bizarre motivations. We've had previous threads about it such as

http://www.thelupussite.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69975&highlight=aspartame

The information link about it:
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

The theory doesn't stand up to any scientific scrutiny and contains obvious absurdities: the diseases and congenital disabilities it mentions were around long before there were artificial sweeteners and it would surprise the concoctors of the myth that there are still some populations and people who never use artifical sweeteners but still suffer these diseases and conditions.

Of course not using them isn't going to hurt anybody. On the side, cutting out all artifical ingredients, preservatives, processed food, animal fats and sugars won't hurt anybody !
So as for "feeling better" if you cut them out, that makes some sort of sense and often goes along with a focus on healthier eating and a better overall life style.

Cheers
Clare

 

[momof2boys]

Hi Angie,

My mom has gotten this e-mail a few times and every time she sends it to me saying "stop using sweet n low and you'll be cured". She just doesn't get, and I wish it was that easy!!:rotfl:

Delana

 

[Dar]

Well, I was around the Internet when the whole idea of artificial sweeteners causing/worsening MS, lupus, and other things was "debunked" in the US and talked about on one of the forums around at the time (as was Clare.T). And I accepted that assessment, too, because, quite frankly, the claims seemed a bit outlandish to me (and a lot of them still do).

However, I have CNS lupus, and I once had a sip of diet soda with aspartame in it (Nutrasweet)--I didn't usually drink diet soda, but that was all that was available that day--and my whole body shook. The reaction was very strong, but thankfully brief. Before lupus, I'd had diet sodas (on rare occasion) with aspartame in it with no reaction.

So, all I can say is that I can't tolerate aspartame for whatever reason, whether it's directly related to lupus or not. Based on my personal experience, however, I think it should be studied further.

As a footnote, though, I've also accidentally ingested Splenda, but had no reaction to that...so, at least for me, not all artifical sweetners are at least so "obviously" bad.

 

[ALWIN]

Well I use them every now and then.

All I can say is if I have too many they make my stomach bubble and I pop, trump, and fart like a good un. What's more, if I have really, really too many, nobody, not even the cat, will even start up the stairs towards the bathroom after me.

I even disgust myself. :blush2:

I have a diabetic friend who says it's common enough, but my husband reckons I 'm not even human.

 

[Pink Pearl]

When nutrasweet/equal/aspartame first came out, I found that if I drank or ate anything.....and I mean anything, with it, I broke out in hives immediately.

I was processing health claims at the time, and had cause to talk to a person from the FDA about a drug review I was doing. I told him what I had found with equal, etc. He said then that there were other cases of people reporting similar reactions but there were not "enough" which would cause them to do another review on it.

My gyn would not allow any of his patients to drink sodas with that in it. If they wanted a soda he had them drink the regular. He did not feel it was a safe thing or had enough testing on it to be safe for babies.

I am fine with Splenda and Sweet n Low. One of my cousins is diabetic and when she is going to be here for a meal, I use Splenda for things for her. She can't handle equal either...but it makes her blood sugars go all whacky. I am fine with stevia/truvia, but for some reason it makes my cousin sick.

I've not seen this message, and would delete it if I got it. Some people think this is funny to start a stupid thread that gains momentum as years go by.
Sally

 

[peonyprincess]

Angie,

I have also heard of these so called researches that have taken place at different times and I have yet to find any validity to them. I trust my Rheumy impliciately and in asking him, he has heard these stories over the years. So, I attribute them to those urban legends and myths and continue to satisfy my sweet tooth with the real thing. Besides, there have been too many other fun things that I have had to give up, sugar will be the last.


Nancy

 

[granny weatherwax]

My Practice Manager sent me the very same email, my reply to her was that I remembered reading a post on here once over and it was total tosh!!! I wish to God it was that simple to get relief from this condition. I am still learning about it and well maybe someday someone will find some amazing drug or something (we can but hope)!

Claire