The Truth about Aspartame

Aspartame is used in over 6,000 products worldwide, and is consumed habitually by millions of people every day. When aspartame is digested by the human body, it is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. The phenylalanine is synthetically modified to carry a methyl group which provides the sweetness. Methanol causes all types of biochemical health problems in humans with many symptoms unrecognized as associated to aspartame use. This is because aspartame builds up in the frontal lobe of the brain, and is cumulative over time. We cannot metabolize or break it down enough to limit its damage.

Peroxisomes are small structures within each cell that work to detoxify methanol. Humans do not have enough of these structures to convert formaldehyde to the less harmful, formic acid. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. Human tissues are damaged and symptoms occur that include; vision problems, dizziness, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, vertigo, weakness and memory lapses to name just a few.
 
Artificial sweeteners trigger pleasure centers in the brain, even though less pleasure is experienced by ingesting them. The reason for this is, while artificial sweeteners give immediate pleasure, they do not actually satisfy the brain because they deliver no caloric value, leaving the user wanting even more. Because there is little actual satisfaction associated with the use of artificial sweeteners, weight gain also occurs. Those who habitually use aspartame are known to gain more weight over time than those who use real sugar.

Aspartame is referred to as an “excitotoxin”, because it actually excites the neural cells to death. The chemicals and amino acids in aspartame have been known to get through the blood brain barrier and damage neurotransmitters, while decreasing serotonin levels, leading to depression and other mental disorders.
 
Other chronic conditions such as; brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and diabetes are worsened by the use of aspartame. Some scientists and doctors suspect that aspartame may be responsible for the development of certain types of cancers, too.

Many symptoms of aspartame poisoning go undetected for years because they are confused with another diagnosis. If you’re curious as to whether you’re experiencing any symptoms or reactions to aspartame, just stop using it for a few weeks and see what changes occur.

 

courtesy of fitlife

5 Alternatives to Your Everyday Antiperspirant

While some people are concerned about common deodorant chemicals like parabens, formaldehyde and triclosan, most concerns focus on aluminum, the ingredient in antiperspirant that blocks pores and fights wetness. Aluminum is rumored to be linked to breast cancer and other diseases, but the National Cancer Institute says this research is inconclusive. In addition to these potential health risks, aluminum mining is also destructive and polluting. If you’re thinking twice putting such ingredients on your body, check out these deodorant alternatives.

1. Natural deodorants
Deodorant stones are large, smooth crystals of potassium aluminum sulfate that must be wetted and applied like a regular deodorant stick. The difference between potassium alum and aluminum chlorohydrate is that potassium alum is a much larger molecule that's not thought to be absorbable through skin. However, if you want to completely eliminate aluminum from your armpits, there are many natural deodorants on the market. Burt's Bees, JASON, Trader Joe's, Kiss My Face and several other companies all offer an all natural alternative.

2. Baking soda and cornstarch
Using baking soda as a deodorant is a simple way to combat body odor without subjecting your pits to a variety of chemicals. Mix an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda with a little bit of water — don't dissolve it — and rub it under your arms. You can also create a baking soda and cornstarch mix to fight odor and help prevent wetness. Simply mix one part baking soda with six parts cornstarch and dust a little on your underarms.

3. Lemon juice
The citric acid in lemon juice can kill odor-causing bacteria, and there are people who swear by the lemon deodorizing method. Swipe the armpits with a sliced lemon on a daily basis. Just be sure not to apply lemon juice to recently shaven armpits — ouch!

4. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another inexpensive and easy deodorant that kills odor-causing bacteria. Simply fill a spray bottle with alcohol and spritz your underarms with it. You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to give it a scent — witch hazel absorbs oil and is mildly astringent, and tea tree oil can help relieve body odor.

5. Homemade deodorant
Making your own deodorant is a simple process that allows you to customize your deodorant to your needs and preferences. The Web abounds with DIY deodorant recipes, but here are two from popular bloggers.

Tammy Luna's deodorant
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrow root powder or corn starch
5 tablespoons coconut oil

Combine baking soda and arrow root powder in a bowl and mix with a fork. Start with about 4 tablespoons of coconut oil and add it to the baking soda mixture, working it into a paste. You can store the deodorant in a small, air-tight container or put it into an empty deodorant stick dispenser.

Amy Karol's deodorant
3 tablespoons shea butter
3 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons corn starch
2 tablespoons cocoa butter
2 vitamin E oil gel caps (squeeze out the oil)
Essential oil

Melt all the ingredients except the oils and stir. Then mix in the oils, pour the mixture into a container, and place the container in the fridge to set. This recipe filled a 1/4 pint jar.

courtesy of mother nature network

Carrots Give You Cancer

So you may have seen this post stating that baby carrots are a danger to your health:

"DANGER TO YOUR FAMILY!!
From the Department of Life Education:

Baby Carrots:
The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc.

The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots - most people probably know this already.

What you may not know and should know is the following:
Once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used in your pool).

Since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine.

You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables?

Chlorine is a very well-known carcinogen, which causes Cancer. I thought this was worth passing on. Pass it on to as many people as possible in hopes of informing them where these carrots come from and how they are processed.

I used to buy those baby carrots for vegetable dips. I know that I will never buy them again!!!!”

I’ve been trying to look into it and I found an article from wafflesatnoon.com which responds to this claim. From what I can tell they are no more dangerous to you than every other chemically treated vegetable in the grocery stores. They take deformed carrots and make them more attractive then rinse them in the same solutions that the rinse almost all market ready vegetables. It seems that the process is similar to the chlorination process they use to treat tap water (which is FDA approved.)

There are a few alternatives if you are not happy with this process. You can buy organic or you could buy local. Local vegetables don’t need to travel so they don’t treat them so extensively (that’s if they even treat them at all.) I buy from a local market down my street where they grow and sell their own vegetables. There is something comforting about seeing the food you are about to eat growing all around you. Also by buying local you are supporting your community.

Just remember to always wash your fruits and vegetables before you eat them!