Truth Behind the Killer Sweetener

Retrieved From http://www.thebigriddle.com/2016/06/aspartame-is-linked-to-leukemia-and.html on November 8th, 2016

What's one substance you or someone you know likely consumed in the last 24 hours? Well lets ask this did you have a diet soda, gum, yogurt, baked goods, or almost anything that claimed to be sugar free or low calorie? Aspartame is found in a variety of foods and many have consumed it for many years possibly even unknowingly. Once consumed aspartame is a three part substance consisting of phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol and is a great alternative to sugar with a no calorie bonus. The accidental discovery of this product has shaken up the entire world. It has caused media roars that claim this is the most poisonous substance discovered and challenge the FDA approval of the use of the substance. From the very beginning, aspartame was in the limelight for many controversies that even delayed the approval of FDA to place it in human consumption products. It wasn't until 1983 that aspartame was allowed in carbonated products (1).  

One of the most beneficial properties of aspartame is that it is so much sweeter than sugar that half of the amount of aspartame can be put in to make something sweeter. Thus, it can be consumed in moderation. Correct me if I'm wrong but according to me if anything is consumed in moderation the threats of establishing that products side effects are minimized. Some of aspartame's claimed side effects are so over the top, such as getting AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc (2). On top of that, various controversies around aspartame are centralized on it causing methanol poisoning and having an affect on weight. Many foods that we consume more regularly than those containing aspartame, such as tomatoes or even wine and beer, contain higher levels of methanol than aspartame (2). Also, many studies have been conducted that have proven to show that there is no correlation between aspartame and weight gain (3). 

The FDA accepted daily intake of aspartame is set so high (50 mg/kg body weight) that a man my size would literally have to consume over 20 cans of diet soda daily to exceed the daily limit and show the negative side effects (4). A double-blind study did not even show a difference between the placebo groups and those that were given aspartame tablets with dosages up to 8 g/day (5). The negative hype on aspartame rarely has any scientific backing and is just a passing media sensationalizing. If still one insists to not consume aspartame regardless of the scientific reasoning than there are many natural alternatives that can be consumed such as honey, maple syrup, or molasses (4). But if I were you I would hurry because you never know which of these substances is the next target on "foods that are poisonous".  

References:

(1) Thomas, Pat. (2005, 09). "Aspartame." The Ecologist, 36-46. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2048/login?url=http://library.mtroyal.ca:2118/docview/234930257?accountid=1343

(2) "Aspartame: The Most Dangerous Substance On The Market". 2016. Mercola.Com. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx.

(3) Hodgson, Aurora Saulo. 2001. "Falsifications And Facts About Aspartame". College Of Tropical Agriculture And Human Resources. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/FST-3.pdf.

(4) "The Truth About Aspartame Side Effects". 2016. Healthline. http://www.healthline.com/health/aspartame-side-effects#SideEffects4.

(5) Stanley, Dr Lesley. 2013. "Review Of Data On The Food Additive Aspartame". EFSA Supporting Publications 10 (3): 45-81. doi:10.2903/sp.efsa.2013.EN-399.

Triclosan: The Hidden Danger of Your Antibacterial Soap

Toothpaste containing triclosan.

Source: Reused with permission from reference 1. Copyright 2015 by pixabay.

It’s that time of year again; when the weather cools off and we cozy up inside to enjoy the pleasures of autumn. This same cool weather and closeness also means the approach of the cold and flu season. As we amp up our fight against these bugs with antibacterial hand washes and wipes, it might be important to stop and consider what we are putting on our hands and in the water systems.

Triclosan has traditionally been found in these antibacterial soaps, given its effectiveness in disrupting the membranes of bacterial cells to kill them². The use of this chemical started over half a decade ago, in hospitals to fight dangerous Staph infections. It is still used today for this purpose in the health care system². It is also widely used in personal care products, such as Old Spice deodorant, Colgate toothpaste, Gillette shave gel and Dawn hand soap³.

Despite its widespread use, the long-term effects of triclosan are not well understood. Until recently, it was generally considered safe, given that 75% is cleared from our bodies within approximately 42 hours after exposure³. Long-term studies have found that triclosan has the potential to build up in fat tissue and result in antibiotic resistance⁴. In addition, it has been found to disrupt hormones responsible for normal metabolism and sperm production, and can cause different cancers⁴.

Even more concerning is the highly toxic effect it can have on aquatic animals⁴. Given that it is commonly used in products that get washed down the drain, this is potentially problematic. Triclosan has been found to accumulate in fish and dolphins, possibly indicating that it is building up at different levels in the food chain⁴.

To top it all off, more recent research has determined that antibacterial soaps that contain low-levels of triclosan are no more effective at preventing the spread of infection, when compared to washing with traditional soap and water⁴. Because of all the potential problems discussed, the FDA concluded that the risks associated with excessive use of triclosan, do not outweigh the benefits which resulted in a ban of triclosan in over the counter products in the United States⁵.

So, this holiday season, instead of reaching for your antibacterial products to stay healthy, resort to the more inexpensive traditional method of soap and water. Not only could you improve your own health, you may prevent antibiotic resistance and save ocean animals.

References

¹Toothbrush, hygiene, oral hygiene. https://pixabay.com/en/toothbrush-hygiene-oral-hygiene-

685326/ (accessed on October 28, 2016).

²Triclosan. https://library.mtroyal.ca:2200/ps/i.do?p=GVRL&sw=w&u=mtroyalc&v=2.1&i

t=r&id=GALE%7CCX3441700209&asid=3c6f75f727ac771c65646652f7952853 (accessed October 28, 2016).

³Triclosan, 2016. Drug Bank. http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB08604

⁴Kumar, K. R., Rohini, P., Md., A. R., & Dev, Y. P. A review on occurrence, fate and toxicity of

triclosan. WJPPS. 2015, 4:336-369. www.wjpps.com/download/article/1435653182.pdf (accessed October 28, 2016).

⁵US Food and Drug Administration. FDA issues final rule on safety and effectiveness of

antibacterial soaps, 2016. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/

PressAnnouncements/ucm517478.htm (accessed October 28, 2016).

The 411 on Shea Butter

_{Shea butter ointment.}

_{Source: http://makeit-up.ru/uploads/images/00/68/34/2014/10/16/6e6f9f.jpg}

Shea butter is a popular ingredient in cosmetic products. These shea butter products promise that they can do wonders for dry skin, chapped lips and it is even present in some anti-aging creams. What is shea butter? Where does it come from and what makes it so good at what it does?

_{Raw unrefined shea butter}

_{Source: http://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2014/06/shea-butter-uses.jpg}

Shea butter comes from shea tree nut which grows wild in west and central Africa.¹ The color of unrefined shea butter ranges from ivory to yellow depending on the process used to make it.^1,2 Shea butter is classified as a vegetable fat because it comes from a tree. However, shea butter is unique because it remains a solid at room temperature whereas other vegetable fats are usually liquid at room temperature.² Hence the name shea butter as opposed to liquid canola oil (another vegetable fat). Neat huh? Shea butter takes a long time to make. It takes about 8 hours of hard work to produce 1 liter of shea butter.² Whew! Luckily, modern methods can now be used to reduce how long it takes to get shea butter from the nut.³

_{Local women making shea butter the traditional way}

Source: link

Shea butter has many interesting uses. It is used as an ingredient in cosmetic products because it keeps the skin hydrated by preventing water loss from the skin via evaporation, which makes it a good moisturizer for soothing sore skin and preventing dryness.³ It serves as a great base for medicinal ointments because it is a solid that melts easily when applied on skin, and it has anti-inflammatory properties (i.e. it helps to reduce swelling).^3,4 Shea butter is also found in anti-aging creams because of its antioxidant properties i.e. it fights off free radicals that our bodies produce which contribute to aging.⁴ These properties come from tocopherol (commonly known as vitamin E) and phenols found in shea butter.⁴ In some parts of Africa, shea butter is used as cooking fat and internationally, shea butter is used as a cocoa butter substitute for chocolate.²

_{Shea butter in a bowl : Ice-cream anyone?}

_{Source: http://shearadiance.typepad.com/shea_radiance/page/9/}

Shea butter has a strong nutty smell.⁵ I think it smells divine but for some people it is hate at first whiff. If you are not a fan of unrefined shea butter, you can get refined ones that have scent added to them, or you can use other naturally derived alternatives like olive oil, cocoa butter, mango butter and avocado butter.⁶ Either way, it looks like shea butter is here to stay especially since it has not been found to be toxic to humans in any way.⁷

References

1.      Bender. D.A. A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition [Online]; Oxford University Press, 2009. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2303/view/10.1093/acref/9780199234875.001.0001/acref-9780199234875-e-4943 (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

2.      National Research Council. Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables [Online]; National Academic Press, 2006; p 303-321. https://www.nap.edu/read/11763/chapter/19 (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

3.      Coulibaly, Y.; Ouedraogo, S.; Niculescu, N. Experimental Study of Shea Butter Extraction Efficiency Using a Centrifugal Process. ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 2009, 4:6, p 14-19. http://www.arpnjournals.com/jeas/research_papers/rp_2009/jeas_0809_221.pdf (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

4.      Honfo, F.G.; Akissoe, N.; Linnemann, A.R.; Soumanou, M.; Van Boekel, M. Nutritional Composition of Shea Products and Chemical Properties of Shea Butter: A Review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2014, 54:5, 673-686. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.604142 (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

5.      American Shea Butter Institute. 21 Reasons to Use Shea Butter. http://www.sheainstitute.com/asbi-library/21reasons/#shea_bestfriend (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

6.      Beautifullynappy. Alternatives to Shea Butter. https://beautifullynappy.com/2014/06/18/alternatives-to-shea-butter/ (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

7.      Shea Butter MSDS; [Online]; Sciencelab.com Inc: Houston, TX. http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924890 (accessed Oct 31, 2016).

Plastic (Polyethylene) Microbeads

Plastic (Polyethylene) Micobeads

By - Tetyana Ekwalanga

Microbeads are tiny plastic fragments that are anywhere between 1 and 5 millimeters in diameter. They are found in hundreds of popular household products such as body washes, cosmetic products, cleaning supplies, and toothpastes, and you probably use them every single day. Whenever you see "exfoliating scrubbers" on your products, those are most likely microbeads. They have become popular substitutes for natural exfoliating materials such as pumice, apricot, oatmeal, rice, and cocoa beads. 

Microbeads are made from the chemical compound polyethylene (C2H4)n which is a type of plastic. The issue with using plastic as an exfoliate is the fact that they are basically small balls of solid oil, and these balls of oil easily attract and absorb other harmful chemicals and persistent organic pollutants (POP’s).

Because these microbeads are so small, they easily pass through household drains and water filtration systems. Once they pass through the filtration systems, they end up going through and polluting our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Microbeads are found on the shores of every beach in the world, and the USA alone washes 808 trillion microbeads down the drain every single day. Imagine the total number of microbeads that are littered throughout our water systems daily. These pollutants can last in the environment for over 50 years, and aquatic animals like fish and birds ingest the beads mistaking them for food. This doesn’t just deprive the animals of vital nutrients, the harmful chemicals in the beads can cause serious harm and death.

When aquatic animals ingest microbeads, they will eventually be consumed by other species, and the toxins will travel up the food chain and into other ecosystems. Although there are no immediate risks when using household products that contain exfoliating microbeads, the environment faces many risks and challenges that will eventually resurface as “human problems.”

Instead of using products that contain microbeads, try switching to products that use natural exfoliants instead. They are just as effective, and far less damaging to the environment.

References

Dvorsky, G. (2016). How To Recognize the Plastics That Are Hazardous To Your Health. Io9.gizmodo.com. Retrieved 29 October 2016, from http://io9.gizmodo.com/how-to-recognize-the-plastics-that-are-hazardous-to-you-461587850

Johnson, C. (2016). Personal Grooming Products May Be Harming Great Lakes Marine Life. Scientific American. Retrieved 24 October 2016, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastic-pollution-in-the-great-lakes/

Polyethylene - New World Encyclopedia. (2016). Newworldencyclopedia.org. Retrieved 29 October 2016, from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Polyethylene

Rochman, C., Kross, S., Armstrong, J., Bogan, M., Darling, E., & Green, S. et al. (2015). Scientific Evidence Supports a Ban on Microbeads. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(18), 10759-10761. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b03909

Rogers, T. (2015). Everything You Need To Know About Polyethylene (PE). Creativemechanisms.com. Retrieved 29 October 2016, from https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/polyethylene-pe-for-prototypes-3d-printing-and-cnc

 Wardrop, P., Shimeta, J., Nugegoda, D., Morrison, P., Miranda, A., Tang, M., & Clarke, B. Chemical pollutants sorbed to ingested microbeads from personal care products accumulate in fish (pp. 4037-4042). American Chemical Society (United States).

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen Pills2

Have you ever considered what you put into your body every time you get a headache or a migraine? Probably not. Many of us just pop a painkiller whether that is Aspirin, Tylenol, Aleve, Advil^{3, 7} and the list could go on.  Most commonly we just use plain and simple Advil because that’s what we all tend to keep stocked in our medicine cabinets and don’t think about it until we get those nasty headaches, migraines, aches and pains.

The majority of the painkillers we use, other than Tylenol fall within a class of drugs called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)⁵, simply meaning drugs that reduce fevers, pain, and inflammation^{3, 6}. Ibuprofen, also known as Advil and Motrin is a drug within this class and is one of the most commonly used over the counter NSAIDs³.

Now that you know what Ibuprofen is, have you ever wondered how it magically rids you of all those nasty aches and pains? Once again, probably not. We already said Ibuprofen is a drug that reduces fevers, pain and inflammation, but how? Ibuprofen works by stopping the activity of an enzyme known as COX-2, a body helper, that makes prostaglandins, which cause pain, fever, inflammation and swelling^{3, 6}. However, Ibuprofen can stop the activity of COX-2’s familial enzyme COX-1 and it is thought that this process is what causes all those unwanted side effects of Ibuprofen^{3, 6}.

Most of us do not get much of any side effects from taking what we thought was such a simple, magical pain cure. However others do get side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and feeling extra tired or sleepy^{1, 4}. You should be careful when taking this drug, as well as any other, Ibuprofen when used too much or too often can cause heart attacks, seizures, kidney failure and coma^{1, 4}. Don’t worry though! Those last side effects are all very rare!

References:

¹Aronson, J.K. Meyer’s Side Effects of Drugs; Elsevier, 2006; pp1710-1712

²Equate Ibupofen Pills and Meijer Acetaminopen Caplets. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Equate_Ibuprofen_Pills_and_Meijer_Aceteminophen_Caplets.JPG  (accessed November 6, 2016)

³Ibuprofen. DrugBank. http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01050 (accessed October 20, 2016)

 ⁴Ibuprofen. Encyclopedia of Toxicology [Online]; Biomedical Sciences, September 2014. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2070/science/article/pii/B9780123864543007399 (accessed October 20, 2016)

⁵Ibuprofen. TOXNET. https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~NHpJj6:3 (accessed October 20, 2016) 

⁶Lagowski, J. J. Chemistry: foundations and applications; Macmillan Reference USA: New York, 2004; Vol. 2; pp 213-214

⁷Medical Guide for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). http://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/drugsafety/ucm089162.pdf (accessed October 25, 2016)