By Bill Sardi June 22, 2010
Stevia: Stevioside is a natural non-caloric sweetener derived from the leaves of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni). It has been used for many years as a sweetener in Brazil and Japan. It has traditionally been used to treat diabetes by Indians in South America. Only recently has it been demonstrated that stevia does enhance insulin secretion.31 Stevia is believed to exhibit low or no toxicity.32 However, it has been shown to reduce testosterone levels in male rats.33
Stevia is now being considered more than a sweetener. It is being given consideration as an agent for the treatment of diabetes.34
Remarkably, a single oral dose of stevia, at a human equivalent dose of about 350mg for a 160-pound adult, reversed the effects of a 60 per cent fructose diet in rats. Stevia improved insulin sensitivity (ability to enter cells and produce energy). A lower dose, the human equivalent of 14mg for a 160-pound adult taken three times a day, has been shown to increase insulin secretion and sensitivity.35
Stevia, in 500mg doses taken three times a day, has been shown to lower elevated blood pressure on par with many blood-pressure-lowering medication.36 Another study using a lower dose did not significantly lower blood pressure.37
Just how many cases of diabetes and obesity will be averted with the introduction of stevia — in carbonated beverages alone — is beyond estimation at this point.
On those lists of what things are 'in'and what things are 'out' in sweeteners, place aspartame, sucralose and saccharin on the "out" list, and "stevia" on the "in" list. It's about time.
Bill Sardi is a health journalist, author of more than a dozen health and nutrition books, formulator and spokesperson for dietary-supplements companies. This feature is excerpted from his latest book, Downsizing Your Body (Bill Sardi, 2009).
References
33. Banini AE, et al. Muscadine grape products intake, diet and blood constituents of non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects. Nutrition, 2006 Oct online. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17030113
34. Lie Y, et al. Study on thermostability and photo-isomerization of trans-resveratrol by high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Se Pu 2004;22:583-8.
35. Spinney L. Gerontology: eat your cake and have it. Nature 2006;441-807-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16778860
36. Zhang J. Resveratrol inhibits insulin responses in a SirT1-independent pathway. Biochem J 2006;397:519-27.
37. Yang JY, et al. Enhanced inhibition of adipogenesis and induction of apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with combianation of resveratrol and quercetin. Life Sci 2008;82:1032-9.
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