The Costco Connection - December 2014

DECEMBER 2014 ;e Costco Connection 67

By Joseph Hanna

SUGAR SUBSTITUTES HAVE become a popular way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Some are synthetic, while others are natural, and each has a di;erent level of sweetness compared to sugar. ;ey are used in certain medications, soft drinks and other foods labeled as “sucrose-free” or “calorie-free,” and they are also sold separately in packets. Although they may seem like the healthy choice, this may not always be the case. Here’s more information so you can make informed decisions on their use.

Arti;cial sweeteners

Aspartame, sucralose, cyclamate and saccharin, marketed under di;erent brand names, all fall into this category. Only tiny amounts are needed to sweeten food because they are 30 to 3,000 times sweeter than regular sugar.

Arti;cial sweeteners are generally considered safe for most people in moderate amounts. ;ese products are particularly useful for those with diabetes, as they not only contain fewer calories, but also do not raise blood sugar.

Saccharin and cyclamate should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who have phenylketonuria—a birth defect that causes the amino acid phenylalanine to build up in the body— should not consume aspartame, because phenylalanine is a component.

You may have heard the controversy about some arti;cial sweeteners causing cancers and other illnesses; however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has evaluated these safety claims in studies and has not been able to prove that these claims are valid.

Sugar alcohols

Xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol are examples of sugar alcohols. Although the name may imply that they have alcohol in them, they are nonalcoholic because they do not contain ethanol. ;ey are found naturally in fruits and some vegetables, but they are usually made from sugar when used in commercial products.

Sugar alcohols are actually less sweet than regular sugar. ;ey are used as a sugar alternative because they have fewer calories, which is why they are o;en referred to as “ reduced-calorie” sweeteners.

Although they are generally safe, taking more than 10 grams a day can cause gas, diar-

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rhea and upset stomach. Sugar alcohols may also slightly a;ect blood sugar since they contain some calories from carbohydrates. People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar when using them as substitutes.

Natural sweeteners

Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia is about 200 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, and it has no calories.

Since it’s considered a food additive, puri-;ed stevia extract is regulated and has been evaluated for safety. People taking medications for diabetes should monitor their blood sugar closely when taking stevia, as it may cause low blood sugars. Along with possible stomach upset, stevia may also cause an allergic reaction in people who have allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums and daisies.

The advantages and disadvantages

Because sugar substitutes contain fewer calories, you can bene;t from them as part of a well-balanced diet accompanied by an appropriate exercise plan, if you are trying to control your weight. Since many have little to no e;ect on blood sugar, they may be a good alternative for people with diabetes.

However, just because a food contains an artificial sweetener, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s healthful and low in calories or fat. ;at’s why it is always important to read the product label to ;nd out exactly what you’re getting.

It’s easy to turn to sugar substitutes, but they should never take the place of a nutritious diet. Always read the food or medicine label, and if you choose to enjoy an alternatively sweetened product, remember that moderation is key. C

Joseph Hanna is director of Costco Pharmacy in Canada.

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SEPSIS IS RESPONSIBLE for more American deaths each year than breast cancer, prostate cancer and AIDS combined. This toxic condition is caused by an overwhelming immune-system response to infection—so overwhelming that it can injure healthy tissues and organs, and quickly become life threatening. It affects more than 1 million people in the U.S. each year, with 28 to 50 percent of those cases resulting in death. Early diagnosis is critical.

Sepsis is triggered by the body’s reaction to an infection—maybe from something “as seemingly benign as a playground scrape or a nicked cuticle from the beauty parlor,” according to the Sepsis Alliance.

Common symptoms include fever, chills, rash, confusion or disorientation, rapid heart rate (pulse greater than

90 beats per minute), rapid breathing (more than 20 breaths per minute) or difficulty breathing. These symptoms also occur in other conditions, making early detection of sepsis difficult. Lab tests are used to identify infection.

Sepsis can affect anyone, but certain people are at greater risk, including infants and children, elderly people, those with chronic illnesses, those who have experienced severe burns or physical trauma and anyone with a weakened immune system.

If you (or someone you know) are experiencing sepsis-like symptoms (abnormalities of body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and possible infection), you need to immediately go to an ER and mention that you’re concerned about the possibility of sepsis. Delay in seeking care could prove deadly.