Myth: Aspartame can cause Alzheimer's disease.
Fact: Unfortunately, many myths about aspartame continue to circulate over the Internet and in newspaper headlines. Negative allegations that aspartame, an artificial sweetener sold under brand names such as Equal and NutraSweet, may be associated with dementia are not based on science. Leading diabetes authorities, such as the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association, and the American Medical Association, agree that aspartame is safe for people of all ages, including people with diabetes.
The body breaks down aspartame into the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine, as well as a small amount of methanol. These components are found naturally in foods such as meats, milk, fruits, and vegetables, and in higher amounts than what you'd consume by using aspartame. Your body uses these components in the same way, whether they come from common foods or aspartame. Aspartame, along with other sugar substitutes, offers people with diabetes greater variety and flexibility in food choices and helps them satisfy their sweet tooth.
Jeannette Jordan, M.S., R.D., CDE, is the American Dietetic Association's national spokesperson for African-American nutrition issues and oversees nutrition education at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
See what you should know about sugar substitutes.
Vinegar also helps balance your PH levels. It is alkaline, while sugar is acidic. Most people get too much sugar, and eat too many acidic foods. For overall health vinegar helps balance our PH levels if we are too acidic.
8/28/2010 11:23:44 AM Report AbuseI am grateful to see that at least the comments indicate people suffering from Diabetes know what's going on and how to help control it, even if the slides don't have a clue!
6/16/2010 02:41:14 PM Report AbuseSplenda is my friend-a! Pastry Addict
3/18/2010 01:19:42 AM Report AbuseMy 3 yr old daughter has been diagnosed almost a year ago with type 1. We did really good for about 7 months and now we can't get her bg out of the 200 and 300's. The doctors are nervous to change her insulin intake because she consume a lot for her age. Any advice, I am terrified that the longer this goes on the more risk she is going to have....Please HELP!!!
3/16/2010 09:34:28 PM Report Abuseas a nurse & diabetic i am insulin controlled myself and had diabetes >20 years i also fight the cravings everyday.you can eat small amounts of sugar,but it should be done very carefully and be watchful of the carb numbers.some people get excited about the prospect of sugar and overdo.Discretion is necesary with serving size control..why eat the sugar,splenda has made a wonderful change & aids in taste splenda sweetened items often more tasty than sugar laden calories.
3/16/2010 12:08:43 PM Report AbuseThank you very much millport333 for your very valid input! :)
3/6/2010 04:06:51 PM Report Abusealpha lipoic acid,cayenne pepper works too,my A1C IS 6.2.my BS IS between 130-148 in the AM.
2/25/2010 04:38:58 PM Report Abusecinamin works,apple cider vinegar
2/25/2010 04:35:01 PM Report AbuseMy father died of Diabetic complications following an ADA diet that NEVER controlled his levels, or took him to normal numbers. I don't totally get rid of carbs, but I sure as heck am not going to consume 200 g of them every day. That is insanity.
1/13/2010 03:30:19 PM Report AbuseI don't care what those people say... a diet high in carbs is disaster for anyone with diabetes in controlling sugar spikes and levels. Sure, calorie intake is important too, but I am not going to consume less meat and more carbs to follow some outdated ADA diet...
1/13/2010 03:30:13 PM Report AbuseWhen are dieticians going to get off the 1960-70s low fat diet craze and realize it isn't the fat that makes us fat, its the over processed, high glycemid carbohydrates!!!
1/12/2010 01:32:01 PM Report AbuseI have been on cinnamon,for 5 months, started with 1000mg daily and now at 2000mg with chromium daily, and while I'm still struggling to get blood sugar to 150 in mornings, my triglycerides have dropped from 450 where they have been for years even when on American Diabetes Diet, to 250!!! The cinnamon sure can't hurt!!
1/12/2010 01:27:31 PM Report Abuse