La Dolce Vita Retreats

Splenda may damage gut bacteria, boost weight gain: study

By Stephen Daniells, 25-Sep-2008

Related topics: Science & Nutrition

<http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition> , Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols) <http://www.foodnavigator.com/Product-Categories/Sweeteners-intense-bulk

-polyols> 

Consumption of the sweetener Splenda at doses within the US FDA’s Acceptable Daily Intake may suppress beneficial bacteria in the gut, and cause weight gain, says a new rat study.

According to findings published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, a 12-week feeding study with the sweetener also affected the expression of certain enzymes known to interfere with the absorption of nutrients and pharmaceuticals.

The study, performed by researchers from Duke University in North Carolina and co-sponsored by the Sugar Association, may raise questions about the safety profile of the sweetener, reported to be used as an ingredient in over 4,000 products worldwide.

McNeil Nutritionals, the company behind Splenda, was quick to dismiss the study and draw attention to a number of other studies supporting the safety of the sweetener. The company questioned the methodology and the conclusions drawn by the researchers. Emphasis was also placed on the involvement of the Sugar Association as partial sponsor of the study.

Study methodology

The Duke University researchers separated 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats into five equal groups. One group was administered only water with its diet, thereby acting as the control group, while the other four groups had the diet supplemented with different doses of Splenda <http://www.foodnavigator.com/content/search?SearchText=Splenda>  in water. The doses used were 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 mg of Splenda per kg of body weight per day, equivalent to sucralose <http://www.foodnavigator.com/content/search?SearchText=Sucralose>

doses of 1.1, 3.3, 5.5, and 11 mg per kg per day.

“These dosage levels were selected because they span the range of values below and above the accepted daily intake (ADI) for sucralose of 5 mg/kg/d established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),”

wrote the researchers, led by Professor Mohammed Abou-Donia.

Moreover, Professor Abou-Donia told FoodNavigator.com that the study was performed with rats because they are the animal of choice for such studies. “The studies that were submitted for the approval of Splenda to the FDA were mostly performed in rats,” he said. “The Acceptable Daily Limit (ADI) approved by the FDA, was based on studies in rats.”

The study protocol was approved by the Duke University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

After 12 weeks, half of the animals in each group were sacrificed and the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) metabolism system and membrane efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were measured. Both P-gp and CYP are known to impact on the bioavailability of orally consumed compounds, such as drugs and nutrients.

The remaining animals spent a further 12 weeks without any Splenda in the diet.

Results

Professor Abou-Donia and his co-workers report that, at the end of the initial 12 weeks, significant reductions in the levels of so-called beneficial bacteria <http://www.foodnavigator.com/content/search?SearchText=beneficial+bacte

ria>  were observed. Specifically, the numbers of total anaerobes was

decreased by 50 per cent, relative to the control animals, while bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and Bacteroides were reduced by 37, 39, and 67.5 per cent respectively.

The body weight of the animals in all the groups increased, but significant increases were observed in animals receiving Splenda, said the researchers. Control animals experienced an increase in body weight of 93 per cent over the 12 weeks. Body weight increases in the 100, 300, 500, and 1,000 mg of Splenda per kg per day groups were 104, 101, 102, and 88.5 per cent, respectively.

“The lack of a dose-response effect of Splenda on body weight is likely due to the combined elevation of both intestinal P-gp and CYP that affected the bioavailability of Splenda,” stated the researchers. “At the higher concentrations, less Splenda was absorbed due to the increase in the expression of both P-gp and CYP proteins.”

Concerning P-gp and types of CYP, expression of P-gp increased by 2.43- fold, CYP3A4 by 2.51-fold, and CYP2D1 by 3.49-fold, over the course of the 12 weeks.

Low beneficial bacteria levels, and elevated P-gp and CYP levels were maintained after the 12 week recovery period, said the researchers.

“Evidence indicates that a 12 week administration of Splenda exerted numerous adverse effects, including a reduction in beneficial faecal microflora, an increased faecal pH, and enhanced expression levels of P-gp, CYP3A4, and CYP2D1, which are known to limit the bioavailability of orally administered drugs,” concluded the researchers.

Both industry and academia has responded to the results of the study. To read this reaction, click here <http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Splenda-study-Industry-a

nd-academia-respond>  .

Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Volume 71, Issue 21, Pages 1415-1429 “’Splenda Alters Gut Microflora and Increases Intestinal P-Glycoprotein and Cytochrome P-450 in Male Rats”

Authors: M.B. Abou-Donia, E.M. El-Masry, A.A. Abdel-Rahman, R.E.

McLendon, S.S. Schiffman

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287390802328630

This is borrowed from Victoria  Colligan, Founder and CEO, Ladies Who Launch.  It’s taken from today’s ” Daily Tips” and I wanted to share it with everyone.

“Instead of being anxious about the economy and submitting to fear, try the reverse: Take a step back, take a deep breath, and use this time to get your product right. You’re not the only one struggling right now, but you CAN be the one who takes advantage of the economic slow down. Now is the perfect time make changes you would be too busy to bother with if business were booming. Tweak your product, lay a proper foundation, and set yourself up for success down the road by moving slowly, being methodical, and putting a carefully thought out strategy in place. To do this, solicit feedback, the good, the bad, and the ugly, in every way possible. Embrace it as your personal challenge for growth. The more you can accomplish right now, the less work you will have to do when this economy turns around. At that point you’ll be perfectly positioned to leverage the better times.”

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Janice

This beautiful leather journal is produced exclusively for La Dolce Vita Retreats in Florence, Italy.  The embossed silver logo reads:  La Dolce Vita Retreats  Journeys of Enrichment for Women.  Each participant receives one journal as a gift upon purchase of a retreat to begin contemplating her intentions to be set for her future.  Additional copies can be purchased for $52.00 plus tax and shipping and can be ordered by emailing info@ladolcevitaretreats.com

I am counting the days until I return to my beloved Cote d’Azur, to the serenity of The Chateau St. Martin where I will be recharged and nurtured and, most of all,  cloistered for a short while, from the daily barrage of gloom and doom that is beginning to suffocate our country.  I am so excited that I have butterflies in my stomach as I anticipate with such longing, my daily ritual of sunrise salutation and gratitude as I hike the magnificent grounds with the spectacular view of the medieval city of St. Paul de Vence beneath me.  The beautiful, mature olive trees and dense foliage line the paths that lead me to explore a different area each day, discovering what feels like my own secret garden, my sanctuary.  I am always enchanted by the south of France, with all of its dichotomies, as I re-discover my childlike spirit and savour every moment.

Each day I bring my Conte crayons and sketch pad on my hike, returning proudly to my room with smudged fingers and a sense of satisfaction at having re-discovered an almost forgotten childhood hobby which gives me such joy. Being atop of the hill, the wind gently brushing my cheeks, parting my bangs, I marvel at the serenity of the moment.  I ponder the lives and works of artists who having painted the vistas over the centuries.  One of my favorite activities is to visit the Fondation Maecht in St. Paul de Vence , to view the incredible collection, continuing the experience by dining at  La Colombe d’Or.  So much beauty, it is almost intoxicating.

Another of my favorites is going to the open market in Antibes.  I can spend hours there amid the frenzy.  This time I’m taking my new camera to capture the essence of the market life – the colors, the people, the flowers, exotic foods.  I wish cameras could capture the heady aromas!  I always leave with my prized, albeit tiny, container of truffles that I love to add to scrambled eggs or pasta!  I even add a small amount to my homemade pizzas when I really need comfort food.  After the market, I always have to stop at the Picasso museum followed by enjoying a glass of wine at one of the little outdoor cafes where I people-watch.

I love studying people’s faces.  At museums, I am fascinated by the portraits, wondering what they were thinking while they were being painted. What was his or her story? 

I have location at the Chateau where I curl up with my book late each afternoon.  It’s my spot.  Everyone knows where to find me should they need to or want to.  It’s my little corner of the world.

This is an article from America’s Best Magazine that I wanted to share.  Authored by Susan Szymczak, her contact information is listed below.

In 1966, James Brown proclaimed that “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing without a woman or a girl.” Brown’s sentiment was nothing new, although the meaning of the phrase has changed throughout history. No less than Martin Luther, whose religious reformations changed European culture forever and removed many restrictions from private life, was quoted as saying “Women should remain at home, sit still, keep house, and bear children. And if a woman grows weary and, at last, dies from childbearing, it matters not.” Today, most Americans realize that women have the same ability as men to be successful, which was especially apparent in this year’s heated race between democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. (Clinton is not, in fact, the first woman to run for president: That honor goes to Victoria Woodhull, who ran for president in 1872.) Presidential elections aside, last year proved to be a landmark year of “firsts” for women. The House of Representatives had their first woman speaker, Nancy Pelosi of California, and for the first time a woman was chosen as the sole anchor of a network news show. In addition, it was the first time a woman had ever served as president of Harvard University. The achievements of women carries over into small businesses, as well: Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector in American business today. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, nearly 10.4 million firms are owned by women (50 percent or more), employing more than 12.8 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in sales.

Throughout history, women have been fortunate enough to have powerful role models to encourage them towards economic independence and help them with support and training. For example, with less than $2 in savings, Madam C.J. Walker set up a mail order business in 1906 to sell her own line of beauty and hair care products for African American women. In the process, she became the first female self-accomplished millionaire, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Women have made significant progress in many other areas to the business world, especially when one considers the restrictions originally placed on them. In the 18th century, women had no legal right to own property. Also, women in the United States and Europe could neither vote nor hold elective office as late as the early 20th century. When conducting business, all women had to have a male representative present, usually in the form of a father, brother, husband, or son. As far as education was concerned, women had little or no access and were often times barred from most professions. In the 16th century, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, could complain that “women are not as educated as they should be?…?their parents take more care of their feet than their head, more of their words than their reason.” Much has changed since then. Today, 32 percent of women in the United States between the ages of 25 and 29 have received a bachelor’s degree or above, compared to 25 percent of men in the same age category. In addition, the number of women who have received a bachelor’s degree has doubled since 1978.

While a lot of things have changed in the workplace since the early days of the women’s movement, however, some things have stayed the same. For instance, women still earn 77 cents for every dollar that a man earns. Still, everyday women are getting closer to breaking the glass ceiling and one day soon, we may see a world where our daughters will be paid the same salary as our sons.

In honor of Women’s History Month, America’s Best is honoring four of the most inspirational women in the world of small business today. From the formidable Susan Szymczak, who balks at being identified solely for her gender and instead prefers to be called a “capitalist,” to the young Kathryn Kerrigan, who has forged a successful business at the age of 27, these women point to an equal, hopeful, and prosperous future.

Susan Szymczak

Safeway Sling USA • Greendale, Wisconsin • safewaysling.com