Hi everyone, sorry not been about much lately! I wish health unlocked had an app, would make it easier to keep up to date etc...
Anyway today my post is with regards to something that I feel has really affected my health and my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis...ASPARTAME! In other words sweeteners, found in hundreds of foods and is so bad for us. I think in the USA theres been quite a bit of research on this subject, but here in the UK I can't find much on it...even my GP & rheumatology nurse haven't heard how bad this product is...its basically poison!
I've done my best to eliminate it from my diet, and believe it or not my pain levels are so much better, I don't use pain killers half as much as I used to! Obviously I remain on Enbrel & Sulphasalazine.
Just putting it out there for members with the same illness as myself...do with it what you will......
Gentle hugs everyone
Emma x
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emma-79
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A spartina is nasty stuff for some people. Makes my husbands RA worse, gives me awful stomach cramps, the runs and joint pain. I get really annoyed when there's adverts and advice saying reduce your sugar and use low sugar alternatives. If you read the labels on these reduced sugar products they have aspartame in them! I agree more research needed.
Maybe just google aspartame side effects? I've read loads online, most is from USA but its the same product that we have in thousands of food here in the UK
I've avoided it for many years, well before RA ever struck, so sadly I can't get excited about cutting it out! I totally agree that it's evil stuff.
I am newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic and went on the Desmond course last Friday. They recommend we look at all foods and labels and count the sugar cubes! Sugar cubes measure 3grams if anything is above three cubes remove from diet completely but aim to get down to zero. we were told to include all types of sugar this way. Hope it helps others here to try it out.
We've been aware how much is out there as good/natural sugars or sweeteners & those to avoid were listed in my h's diabetes info pack when he was diagnosed. It's in lots of things & easy to avoid it if you cook from scratch. Not difficult once you know the shortcuts, but show caution if it's necessary to buy preprepared sauces etc just check the ingredients list for it & avoid those where it's listed.
I wish it were that simple. Would save the NHS a wad of dosh!
I also believed that repeated flu jabs over 15 years triggered my RD.
I strongly believe and always have that natural saturated fats are good for you but not the processed ones nor trans fats. My fingers are firmly stuck in my ears if you suggest otherwise
I have argued repeatedly over the years with those in the medical profession that eggs reduce cholesterol and not the other way round.
Someone told me it was because I didn't drink enough milk <rolls eyes> or drank to much cola so entirely my fault.
It really does need the RNHRD for example to say 'yes', 'no' or 'possibly' to stop us worrying. Personally i would rather have sweetener than those 'ose' sugars given the choice, which are even nastier.
We need to be told if there is solid proof for or against. Or even if there has ever been research or ongoing research.
Any acreddited research that I ever read has said that artificial sweeteners would have to be taken in massive doses to do us harm and by massive I mean unrealistic daily doses. However I'm a keen believer in don't eat what you feel does you no good. I agree that we've all be sold a load of worms about eggs and cholesterol and saturated fats, I don't advocate high fat diets but believe everything in moderation, my one exception is sugar. Happy eating!
Thanks for all your replys. I have to agree that it won't affect everyone the same. My body is very sensitive to drugs/chemicals and this is why aspartame affects me. It only takes a small amount to have a negative affect on my body!
If you look on nhs website they say its safe etc, but its like anything...can be ok for one and really affect another!
There has been a battle over aspartame for the last 16 years, to my knowledge. With legal actions in the US and Italy! It is a dreadful poison being used blatantly by food processors and supermarkets because it is 10 times cheaper than saccharine. It's all about profit!!!
Migraine sufferers should avoid it like the plague. The British Migraine Society would love to declare to the world for people simply to avoid it at all costs. However, legal threats from manufacturers and prominent supermarkets prevents them from saying outright that it really should be avoided.
Most people with Rheumatoid disease will notice some improvement if you are very thorough and can avoid it. Not a cure, unfortunately, but a noticeable reduction of some symptoms can be noticed by many of us sufferers.
This item I always put into any presentations I carried out during my working life with regard to RA and the effects on feet. I honestly believed this sort of information was made available from all Rhuemy teams. It may not help every one, but some of you will benefit. So go on give it a try, then in about six weeks give your feedback to everybody on this site. It may not be scientific but it will be suggestive/indicative.
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Where do I go from here? 
This dreadful Cold!!!
I really need this appointment....
