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Really Bad Stuff: Part I: 1,6-Dichloro-1,6 dideoxy-beta-D-frustofuranosyl-4 chloro-4 alpha-D-glucophyranoside

That's the chemical name of Splenda. I can't pronounce it, can you? If you can't pronounce it, then your body can't either. Well, then. Let's begin my long list of Really Bad Stuff with Splenda: Many of you have been asking me for my opinion about Splenda, and I haven't really known what to tell you other than "It's probably not good for you because it has a chlorine molecule attached to regular sugar and chlorine is a chemical." Now, after some research, I can tell you that sucralose or Splenda or chlorinated table sugar is NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

"Ah, yes," I say, twirling my little black mustache," I see I have yet another buyer for that famous bridge in New York. . ."

First of all, a pox on the FDA who is often a pawn of Big Bidness and the pharmaceutical companies: For example, the FDA has also approved Nutrasweet, food irradiation and mercury-filled vaccinations for our babies. Hel-lo. The FDA ramrodded Splenda through with only 19 trials on its safety, so anyone who uses Splenda may be just a glorifed guinea pig in a vast unknown scientific experiment.

Here are some reported side-effects after using Splenda: Flushing and burning of the skin, rash, itching, panic attacks, swelling, nausea, stomach cramps, forgetfulness, moodiness, unexplained crying, acne, anxiety, headache, seeing spots, pain, bloated abdomen, diarrhea, seizures, feeling faint.

Here is what Splenda has caused in animals: Shrunken thymus gland, enlarged liver and kidneys, atrophy of the lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus, reduced growth rate, decreased RBC count, aborted pregnancies, diarrhea, decreased fetal weights.

There are just a few human studies, but one small study of diabetic patients using Splenda showed a very significant increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C). This is a blood marker for long-term blood glucose levels and is a marker for glycemic control and aging.

The manufacturer (McNeill which is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) claims that Splenda is not absorbed. Studies show otherwise: As much as 40% of ingested Splenda is absorbed into the body and what is absorbed is a chlorinated pesticide. The FDA states that sucralose (Splenda) is "produced at an approximate purity of 98%." But before you "Wow"! yourself into buying a box of Splenda, the other 2% can contain potentially dangerous stuff like heavy metals, lead, arsenic, methanol and many chlorinated by-products, all hazardous to your health.

Caveat Emptor: The FDA has already approved the use of Splenda in 15 food and beverage categories such as baked goods, chewing gum, confections and frostings, salad dressings, fruit and water ices, jams and jellies, sweet sauces, toppings and syrups, coffee and tea, dairy product analogs, frozen dairy desserts, gelatins, puddings and fillings, milk products and sugar substitutes. Now more than ever, it will be necessary for us to read labels because, at the risk of sounding totally paranoid, the Splenda people will be trying to put one over on us.

I think Sherry Rogers, M.D. is on the right track when she tells us to avoid eating anything from a bag, box, can, jar or wrapper. That way we can be sure.

More Really Bad Stuff coming up in future Hot News: Silicon, canola oil, soy, GMO's, olestra, Coca Cola, Smart Balance, food irradiation, Chicken McNuggets and . . . milk.

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