Any good advice on books and sites about aspartame and nutrition? (no junk science please)

tame

[tame]

There are soooooo many nutrition books, and diet books on the market. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for a beginner like me to sort out the junk science, and voodoo gimmicks, from the well respected books, and web sites.

In the last couple of years I've been extremely tired, sleepy and fatigued for some reason. I've never really been into the nutrition thing, so I would appreciate any of your recommendations on good nutrition, and advice on the following:

1) Sodium. What's the story? How much is too much. How little is too little. Is it true that sodium causes water retention, and too much water retention is bad?

2) Aspartame. I love it in sweeteners (nutrasweek, etc.). I probably use between 100 and 200 packets a day. No joke. But I hear so many bad things about it. Is this junk science or not?

3) Water. I heard someone say you can actually drink too much water. Is this true? If so, how much is too much?

4) yams and sweet potatoes. I love them. I usually have a yam or sweet potato along with one broiled chicken breast for a meal. What are the draw backs on yams and sweet potatoes?

5) Body For Life Diet. I've lost a bit of weight on this diet, but I still lack energy. Any draw backs to this diet?

Please steer me away from the junk science and recommmend some healthy books and websites.

I appreciate it. tame.

[tame]

I appreciate it.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Here's my unsolicited advice.

#1) Balance is everything. Too much of anything can be bad for you. As long as your internal organs and blood pressure are okay then salt should not be a problem, but if you are craving large quantities of it, as well as other chemicals then you should have a physical from your doctor.

#2) You are committing a slow suicide. This stuff is poison. Get off of it ASAP. If you want medical studies I will do a search for you. If God didn't make it you shouldn't be eating it.

#3) As long as your internal organs are functioning okay you can drink as much water as you need. This is not a concern unless you are an athlete who might risk electrolyte imbalance/depletion. I have seen only one patient with water intoxication and that was years ago when I was a new nurse. He was mentally ill and a psych patient.

#4) Keep doing this and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

#5)I don't know anything about this diet but if you are feeling poorly it is not good for you. See your doctor, get a complete physical, then ask for a referral to a nutritionist. He or she can work with you to develop a healthy eating routine which will allow you to get your nutritional requirements and lose weight. Finally, move your body. Burn more calories than you take in and you will lose weight. Plus, you will feel better.

[tame]

This is the first I've heard of splenda. No aspartame in it? Could my over consumtion of aspartame have any relation to my sleepiness?

[Gorzaloon]

2) Aspartame. I love it in sweeteners (nutrasweek, etc.). I probably use between 100 and 200 packets a day. No joke. But I hear so many bad things about it. Is this junk science or not?

The only thing I am sure of is that it causes a common liver function test (SGOT) to give bizarre results that can confuse a lot of issues. People who are taking drugs such as Lipitor are surveyed regularly for liver function abnormalities. Containing or being metabolized to phenylalanine, it elevates the liver enzyme alanineaminotransferase. Simply put, the liver says, "What's this stuff" I had better get rid of it!".

I have no idea if it is harmful. Not thinking I swigged some diet Coke and gulped down a quick peanut butter sandwich, forgetting to fast before my appointment. triglycerides were through the roof, SGOT was weird, etc..

I'm fine, BTW.

There is a lot of Luddite misinformation of the web; Little is peer reviewed, and there are a lot of "Causes" going around. You might consider a Medline subscription so you can search real databases, thus avoiding the cranks who really just want to sell selenium supplements and healing crystals.

[nothingnew]

Beer, Camel Lights, Meat, Potatoes, a Vegetable now and then.

FMCDH

[MHGinTN]

Sorry, my friend, I would be a poor source. I was working for Searle when Equal was developed, but it was in the nutritional line, not the pharmaceuticals line of my work.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

I know quite a few folks that quit aspartame and feel better for it. I never could tolerate it, gives me an immediate headache, then, later a backache.

Most things labeled diet, aren't all that good for you, they cut out all or most of the fat, some of which your body needs to burn it's stored energy(fat). High carb foods(lots of 'diet' foods are high in carbs) eaten without activity are converted also. Similarly the artificial sweetners cause your pancreas to produce insulin. With no sugar ingested this can cause your cells to become insulin resistant(type 2 Diabetes).

Liquid vitamins are far superior to the tablet kind, but better still is to get most your vitamins from fresh fruits, veggies and the like, as that is the kind ans type of nutrients your body can most easily recognize and process.

[bgierhart]

Are you taking a daily multi-vitamin? A balanced deit and regular exercise should help you. If not maybe you need to have your blood sugar tested.

[tame]

electrolyte imbalance/depletion

I appreciate your comments. I'm curious about the electrolyte imbalance. What is that?

[maxwell]

Beer, Camel Lights, Meat, Potatoes, a Vegetable now and then.

Yeah... What he said. Except make it Marlboro Lights, hehe...

And pizza counts as a vejtibul.

[supercat]

The Story of Stevia

I'm a little curious what gives the FDA the authority to forbid anyone from mentioning stevia's sweetness. Under the normal rules for herbal supliments, would the proper labeling for the product me "may produce a sweet flavor"?

[tame]

Not thinking I swigged some diet Coke and gulped down a quick peanut butter sandwich, forgetting to fast before my appointment. triglycerides were through the roof, SGOT was weird, etc..

You may be on to something. I went in for some blood tests last year and the same thing happened with me. triglycerides off the charts, but I went in for another test after fasting and it was much better, though still a little high.

[boxerblues]

Im not a doctor nor do I play one on FR but heres my 2 cents

Yes you can drink too much water...recommended is 8 16 oz water a day or half of your body weight in oz's of water.

Aspartame does cause and allergic reation in some people including hives, headaches, nausea

sodium will make some not all retain water

personnally I would sty away from Adkins, your depriving your body of basic items and you will pay for it. Everyone I know that has tried it has lost weight very fast but once they stopped they gained it all back and then some

http://www.healthdiscovery.net

http://www.calorieking.com/

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/

http://www.aboutproduce.com/

http://www.dietfacts.com/

and my favorite

http://www.weightwatchers.com

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

It would be present in a person who exercises a great deal and sweats a lot (like a triathlete or a professional player), a person who had certain medical problems or takes certain medications (you have to work with your doctor on this), or a person who has been sick with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, etc. It isn't a concern for the average person with decent health.

[bgierhart]

Tame, It is possible, you system is lacking something. I realy think a blood sugar test would be best.

[NWO Slave]

Hoax Folks response on Aspartame

Provided by the Food and Drug Administration Via E-Mail January 27, 1999

[tame]

Are you taking a daily multi-vitamin? A balanced deit and regular exercise should help you. If not maybe you need to have your blood sugar tested.

No daily multi-vitamins. Would they really make a difference? I did have my blood tested 2 or 3 times last year. The blood sugar level was at the top/high end of the normal range I think.

[bgierhart]

Well put, Boxerblues

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

You really, really need to get off of the artificial sweeteners. I can't emphasize that enough. I would be willing to bet they are responsible for most of your symptoms.

[goodnesswins]

As an amateur Nutritionist.....take what I say for what its worth.

Eat.....Lots of green, yellow, red veggies
Eat....citrus fruit, i.e. grapefruit, orange juice
Eat....Blueberries....in smoothies, etc.
Eat....little sugar, starch (white rice, white potatoes, bread)
Eat....reasonable amounts of flax seed (crushed) and olive oil
Eat.... salmon, tuna, and sardines...you need Omega 3's
Eat....dairy products in moderation
Eat....beans in moderation
Lay off the aspartame....use Splenda
Eat....sodium mostly ONLY when it comes to you naturally...i.e. NOT in prepared/fast foods
WATER - yes you can drink too much (at least Dr. Dean Edell thinks so)
Yams/Sweet Potatoes....maybe once a week, but they are not something I would necessarily eat everyday.
BOTTOMLINE.....eat close to the bottom of the food chain and eat colorful foods.

I don't know anything about the Body for Life Diet.

Read Jean Carper's books....you'll learn a lot. Read Prevention Magazine. (They are online also) Check with a reputable Naturopath, ND.....they can be a Godsend. (Medical doctors are not usually trained in nutrition.)

Good Luck.