I thought I already had ENOUGH dietary restrictions, but here I go again LOL ... After reading a study which showed Splenda alters gut microflora in rats (reduces beneficial intestinal bacteria), I wondered whether other artificial sweetners caused bacterial dysbiosis (imbalances). Decreased beneficial bacteria causes impaired gut motility which can affect regularity. For years I struggled with symptoms of impaired gut motility (indigestion and constipation), despite treatment for food allergies, bacteria, Candida and a parasite. Although I don't consume Splenda (sucrolose), because it's derived from sucrose (to which I have diagnosed IgG mediated allergy), I have consumed aspartame and saccharin regularly for years.
I have for limited periods tried consuming only stevia (a natural plant derived sweetener). So I could easily substitute stevia for 'Equal' or 'Sweet n' Low', as well as use other natural sweeteners like agave, honey, maple syrup or beet sugar. I'm willing to try anything (for awhile) that might improve gut motility. So 5 days ago, I began to abstain from all sources of aspartame and saccharin. I already abstain from all the alcohol derived sweeteners, like sorbitol, which cause me painful gut symptoms. I also began to drink hot water, rather than tea, with meals in order to limit the amount of sweet beverages I consumed. I discovered that I prefer water with meals, because I can easily taste natural sweetness and other subtle flavors of food, when I don't drink sweet beverages with meal. So I drank my stevia sweetened tea between meals. I also used agave to sweeten hot cereal and for baking brownies for Valentine's Day.
Initially I experienced signs of improved gut motility (more regularity, less gas). Then I slipped back into my 'normal' (irregularity) for one day, before continuing to improve. However I also noticed less headaches, DESPITE less sleep. (I always blamed inadequate sleep or low blood sugar for my headaches.) Aspartame users often complain about headaches. I'm still uncertain about whether abstaining from aspartame and saccharin will permanently improve gut motility, but I'm willing to continue my experiment of artificial sweetener abstinence. Stevia costs more than the pink and blue sweetners, but I only need one stevia for 2 cups of tea, vs. one each of the 'pink' and 'blue' ones. Maybe I adjusted to less sweet tastes.
Whatever happened, I can easily continue this experiment indefinitely. I suspect I can adjust to anything I truly believe is beneficial. I don't feel like I'm giving up anything, just substituting. That 'substitution' perspective helped me easily adjust to finding 'safe' foods with 7 food allergies. So I suspect that a positive 'attitude' can help me through anything.
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3 comments:
Way to go! I'm SO pleased that you're cutting out artificial sweeteners! I used to have a knot in my stomach all the time that felt either like hunger or anxiety... you know what I mean? When I cut out all artificial sweeteners it went away and hasn't been back since (over 2 years now). You'll be surprised how many foods have artificial sweeteners in them. Gum is the one that surprised me. I finally found a natural brand that I like at the health food store.
I think you're going to be happy with your decision. I know I am! *hugs*
THANKS, APRIL!! Especially, thanks for posting that study about Splenda. As mentioned, I haven't used splenda for 5 years (never liked the taste much), but I've used aspartame and saccharine most of my life.
I'm not surprised about gum. I first noticed horrible cramping pain, bloating and diarrhea after chewing Trident and other gums sweetened with sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol or any other artificial sweeteners. (I didn't mind the diarrhea as much as the pain.) I'm not surprised about foods containing other artificial sweetners. I've been an avid label reader for years. I've avoided splenda since I learned I had cane sugar allergy in 2004. I've avoided all the alcohol derived sweeteners for much longer. Asparatame and saccharine are the last ones to go.
I just don't do 'gum'. I don't need to be chewing if I'm not physically hungry, when I'd rather chew food. Besides, I'd have to remove my Invisiline retainers to chew gum. I have to remove those to eat, but I'm happy with how they straighten my teeth.
I didn't have any 'obvious' reactions to aspartame or saccharine. However, I seemed to get headaches when I didn't get enough sleep, when I went too long between meals, and other mysterious times. Even when I got enough sleep, I still had headaches. I eat really balanced meals and low glycemic foods. So I couldn't understand the 'low blood sugar' headaches. However, in retrospect, I often drank hot aspartame sweetened tea between meals, when I wanted 'something' but wasn't actually hungry. Then, before I felt hunger signs, I got what I thought was a low blood sugar headache. Now I suspect those were aspartame induced headaches all along.
I'm undertain whether abstaining from artificial sweeteners permanently resolves my gut motility, but I can sure do w/o those headaches. I'm already happy with 'my decision'. I drink more water, enjoy naturally sweet tastes more, and have noticed some improved gut motility as well as much less gas and bloating already.
Unfortunately I posted this blog entry almost 5 years ago. Later that year (2009) I was diagnosed with hashimoto's thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) and hypochloridia (low stomach acid), which explained my longterm low gut motility, constipation, etc. I also began taking a high dose probiotic, which also helped gut motility. Thyroid supplements (esp. liothyronine), betaine hydrochloride and probiotics resolved all the symptoms which I thought may be caused by artificial sweeteners. So I now use aspartame and saccharin without any obvious problems. Of course, I still avoid Splenda,which is derived from cane sugar, because I have a cane sugar allergy diagnosed by ELISA blood test.
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