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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saturn on August 27, 2006, at 19:34:27
As controversial as it is, it's been hypothesized that aspartame may cause depression by excess phenylalanine reducing serotonin conversion. However I've read that a glass of tomato juice contains more phenylalanine comparable to say dozens of cans of diet soda. Is this so? And wouldn't tomato juice have the same alleged negative effects of aspartame?
Also, is anyone aware of any good evidence for a connection between splenda and depression? Thanks a bunch...Saturn
Posted by linkadge on August 28, 2006, at 16:24:19
In reply to aspartame, splenda and depression, posted by saturn on August 27, 2006, at 19:34:27
I thought it caused depression via the fact that it could increase glutamate activity.
Linakdge
Posted by llrrrpp on August 28, 2006, at 21:17:28
In reply to Re: aspartame, splenda and depression, posted by linkadge on August 28, 2006, at 16:24:19
I am trying to cut back on my artificial sweetners. I'm happy to put a spoon of sugar in my coffee or tea, but when the average soda has 10+ teaspoons of sugars, I really must go with diet soda to get the little tingly bubbly quench.
Aspartame is rampant, even in non-diet foods, for instance, the hi fiber twig cereal I like tastes suspiciously sweet for having low sugar. Voila- it's sweetened with aspartame. geez.
-ll
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 29, 2006, at 5:08:15
In reply to Re: aspartame, splenda and depression, posted by llrrrpp on August 28, 2006, at 21:17:28
I totally avoid artifical sweetners. Its pretty easy really, but I suppose if you drink alot of diet sodas, cordials, squash and things like that, its harder.
I personally find it slightly suspect how aspartame got approved in the US. See the wikipedia article on it.
Basically the US government were not sure whether to approve it (there are studies apparently which link it brain tumours/cancers - even before that recent paper that has come out reltaively recently from Italy) and then Regan came into power, and his buddy had very close ties with the aspartame industry -- suddenly its approved based on *one* study done in Japan. Hmmm it all sounded abit dodgey to me.
Kind regards
Meri
Anyway,
Posted by linkadge on August 29, 2006, at 18:35:06
In reply to Re: aspartame, splenda and depression, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 29, 2006, at 5:08:15
I just don't understand how companies mantain to use it. Don't they know there are a kazillion people like us who will just avoid it alltogether?
Take MSG for instance. Would my favorite salad dressing taste so crappy without it? Probably wouldn't make much difference. Yet I won't consume my favorite salad dressing to reduce MSG consumption.
Linkadge
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 30, 2006, at 5:25:53
In reply to Re: aspartame, splenda and depression, posted by linkadge on August 29, 2006, at 18:35:06
You'd be surprised at how many people just don't care/know/chose to ignore health stuff and consume things loaded with MSG, aspartame etc. I'm the only one I know (except for one lady who I used to lodge with) who avoids these chemicals totally, or even who sort of 'knows' about them.
My boyfriends sister in law, for instance, was feeding her toddlers these crisps *loaded* with MSG *and* artifical sweetners, and then cordial with artifical sweetners, then travel sickness sweets, man, I was shocked. These are mere three year olds! But how could I say anything?
Ugh, I hate those chemicals, I just really don't see their point, particulary as we have no idea what a lifetime exposure of them will do to us. I guess the only people who profit are the share holders of the aspartame companies etc.....
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by llrrrpp on August 30, 2006, at 8:12:39
In reply to Re: aspartame, splenda and depression » linkadge, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 30, 2006, at 5:25:53
Meri-
what's a cordial? To my American ears, it sounds like an alcoholic punch, but I'm pretty sure that 3-year-olds don't get a lot of that stuff. Is it like kool-aid, or sugar-water-fruit drink?and I should drink plain old H2O. yes. I know. But I like carbonation. I should drink mineral water, then- like perrier or something, but the bottles are so heavy, and then I have to go to the store every day to get my bubblies. (no car at the moment to bring home bottles with)
ech. I'm going to pickle my innards.
Link- what are health effects of MSG? I cook a lot of Asian food. The sauces that I use do not contain MSG additive, but I have read that in the fermentation of soy sauces and fish sauces (Vietnamese & Thai) compounds are formed that stimulate the same umami receptors on the tongue. Are these harmful? (I mean, besides the fact that the sauces have tons of sodium, they are "natural" and don't have odd preservatives or high fructose corn syrup (blech!)
Well. I am feeling kind of smug because I just ate a breakfast of 2 pieces of German Vollkornbrot. The stuff is like dense moistened wheat kernels bound together trhough some mysterious alchemy. I like it. 6 grams fiber, 5 grams protein per slice. and it's filling as all heck, and requires actual chewing to start the wheat kernals breaking down.
with blueberry jam :)
-ll
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 30, 2006, at 9:31:58
In reply to glutamates- naturally occuring. what's cordial?? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by llrrrpp on August 30, 2006, at 8:12:39
Hiya!
Cordial is like condensed, er, fruit 'stuff' that you dilute with water sort of 3 parts water, 1 part cordial, or 'to taste'. There are loads of different ones here - just plain condensed fruit cordials (healthy), right up to ones loaded with artifical colourings, preservatives, flavours, sweetners, and which have probably never seen a piece of fruit (obviously unhealthy).
I personally drink just plain mineral water, either fizzy or still. I watch out for the ones lowest in nitrates. I sometimes drink pure fruit juice or good old British tea but thats about it. I find it very easy to follow, but then well I dunno. Once you get into a habit... and I also drink beer and wine, not so good.
MSG is bad news....it isn't supposed to be 'healthy'. Its a *artifical* flavour enhancer ( as opposed to say, salt, herbs etc) that tricks your brain into thinking that what you are tasting is more tastier, than in actual fact it is - its an actual chemical compound that does this.
I get headaches after I've eaten stuff with it in.
Yeah I like vollkornbrot and rye bread in general. Good with cheese. Finnish bread is pretty dark and dense - even more chewy than volkornbrot would you believe.
Kind regards
Meri
Meri
Posted by llrrrpp on August 30, 2006, at 10:18:00
In reply to Re: glutamates- naturally occuring. what's cordia » llrrrpp, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 30, 2006, at 9:31:58
Meri-
this cordial stuff amazes me! I am rarely so surprised that another culture has invented something unhealthier than the products of our American food industry.I wish food came from farms instead of from industrial zones. Oh well. Eventually, we'll probably be able to survive off of petroleum entirely. Farms will become superfluous, and the pharmaceutical industry will merge with Kraft, Nestle, etc to provide tailor made "food" preloaded with our favorite lifestyle enhancers like propecia for baldness, viagra for softness, AD for unhappiness, Stimulants for unproductivity, and some yet to be invented compoud that will make everything taste just like what you want it to taste like. Right now I feel like... hm. how about a nice "green tea smoothie flavored nutritional product"?
yuck. I'm going to the farmer's mkt tomorrow. It's going on my to do list. Where the tomatoes still have a bit of dirt on em, and the cucumbers are different sizes and aren't all waxy, and the apples come in biologically appropriate sizes, and the herbs are in big bunches that perfume the entire stall. And the peaches are so soft and ripe that they can only be transported in one layer, becuase they crush each other. mmm.
luv the real stuff.
-ll
Posted by over 55 on August 31, 2006, at 11:36:26
In reply to Re: glutamates- naturally occuring. what's cordia » llrrrpp, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 30, 2006, at 9:31:58
> Hiya!
>
> Cordial is like condensed, er, fruit 'stuff' that you dilute with water sort of 3 parts water, 1 part cordial, or 'to taste'. There are loads of different ones here - just plain condensed fruit cordials (healthy), right up to ones loaded with artifical colourings, preservatives, flavours, sweetners, and which have probably never seen a piece of fruit (obviously unhealthy).
>
> I personally drink just plain mineral water, either fizzy or still. I watch out for the ones lowest in nitrates. I sometimes drink pure fruit juice or good old British tea but thats about it. I find it very easy to follow, but then well I dunno. Once you get into a habit... and I also drink beer and wine, not so good.
>
> MSG is bad news....it isn't supposed to be 'healthy'. Its a *artifical* flavour enhancer ( as opposed to say, salt, herbs etc) that tricks your brain into thinking that what you are tasting is more tastier, than in actual fact it is - its an actual chemical compound that does this.
>
> I get headaches after I've eaten stuff with it in.
>
> Yeah I like vollkornbrot and rye bread in general. Good with cheese. Finnish bread is pretty dark and dense - even more chewy than volkornbrot would you believe.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Meri
> Meri
>Meri...
Completely off the subject, but I had to tell you that I woke up this morning saying your name in my mind. I kept thinking where do I know that "word" from and then it hit me....the "babble boards". I love your name...it sounds like a song in my head and makes me smile. I just had to share that with you...These "posts" may really be having an affect on me (ha ha).
I better add something "alternative" to this post or it will get moved (as it should, Dr BOB)...but I am saying something "alternative" right now (see below).
I heard on the US news this am that the "think tank" people are thinking of spraying a substance that will slow or eliminate harmful bacteria from growing on Americas packaged meats. It would not be listed on ingredients or label as it will be harmless. How can something that gets sprayed to kill harmful bacteria be harmless I am wondering??? It is making the saying "live food,l ive body" sound more and more appealing. Too bad I have a NY strip steak ready to grill tonight. But at least it hasn't been sprayed, or has it?? If they don't have to tell me , how do I know?? I too, shop the Farmer's Market where all the vegetables have their original shapes and blemishes; just like me. Happy thoughts today Meri-Tulli!! What a beautiful name!!
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 1, 2006, at 13:41:11
In reply to Re: glutamates- naturally occuring. what's cordia, posted by over 55 on August 31, 2006, at 11:36:26
Hello!
Thank-you very much! That has certainly cheered up my evening alot..
>Happy thoughts today Meri-Tulli!! What a beautiful name!!You'll have to thank my mother for it -- it is actually my middle name in real life (so it feels really like a major compliment!), and its Finnish (my mother is Finnish and lives in Finland -I'm half Finnish too).
I hope you have a lovely day too!! :o)
Kind regards
Meri!
PS speaking of names, at the moment, I'm having a slight obession with the name Mirabelle - I think that is really lovely! Its actually a type of small plum from France. I saw some at the supermarket yesterday and I was like 'wow - mirabelle!' what a lovely name!
Posted by llrrrpp on September 1, 2006, at 13:54:40
In reply to Re: glutamates- naturally occuring. what's cordia » over 55, posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 1, 2006, at 13:41:11
ooh- that is a pretty name. I like the plums too- are those the pale green ones, that taste like honey?
We don't get those in USA, but I remember them from my travels.
Meri- I always thought your name sounded Suomi, glad to know I wasn't hallucinating !
-ll
Posted by over 55 on September 1, 2006, at 14:07:22
In reply to Re: glutamates- naturally occuring. what's cordia, posted by llrrrpp on September 1, 2006, at 13:54:40
Funny how lyrical names can be. Made me think of one of my favorites.... "Honeysuckle". I can just see my two hummigbirds just a hovering over the sweet flowers having a "nectar party" when I hear the word. Well, lovely to hear from you Meri and it has brought me new appreication of some wonderful "word pictures" in my mind!! Thank you.
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