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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/19/2011 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
I know that, generally, sugar substitutes are bad for us but has anyone tried stevia? Had any issues with it?
Posted 2/19/2011 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
I tried it a long time ago and wasn't crazy about it really but I'd be willing to give it another shot, I don't think it bothered me at all. I've been using agave nectar as sweetener, although I have read some things about it being just as bad as HFCS... I'm trying to choose the lesser of the the two evils I guess. HTH and good luck to you :)
Posted 2/19/2011 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks :) I use agave nectar the relative few times I have coffee or when I make tea. I'm getting back into the gym and martial arts in the next few weeks after having my 16 month ostomy removed in December and nearly all the protein powders)including the one I was using before I got bad 2 years ago) have sucralose in them and I have found that that seems to be bad for anyone let alone folks like us with crohn's. I found a brand that uses stevia and wanted to check around before I buy it and then find out stevia is worse or something. lol
Posted 2/19/2011 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
Well I did just find one that only uses fructose so maybe that's the way to go.
Posted 2/19/2011 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
I use Stevia, been using it for quite a few yrs since I discovered it...love it, just a touch goes a long way, too much makes whatever you're using it in taste bitter....lasts a long time due to the fact a tiny amount is all that is needed expeccially in tea/decafinated coffee, ect. Definitely worth googling! I haven't ingested sugar since finding out about Stevia!
Posted 2/19/2011 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
pb4, thanks for the info. I also notice you take bee propolis. I've seen that a few times in reference to Crohn's but haven't found anything about what, specifically, it does for it. Think you can fill me in a bit?
Posted 2/19/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
I think this post has convinced me to give Stevia another try haha. I've seen it in liquid form and powder now. I wonder how the 2 differ as far as potency? Pb4, do you know?
Posted 2/19/2011 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Dana,

I've never tried the liquid form of Stevia so I can't comment on the differences between powder form and liquid form...I just know that you're suppose to use a very tiny amount due to it's potency.
Posted 2/19/2011 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
firemedic here are some links re bee propolis...

http://www.beepropolis.info/benefits/medical-benefits/the-health-benefits-of-bee-propolis/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bee-propolis-benefits.html

http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/propolis-benefits.html

Posted 2/19/2011 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
As far as your Crohn's goes I think Stevia would have less chance of stomach upset than other artificial sweetners, but for overall health I would not use it. I went to a Family doctor who also was certified in homeopathy. She did not think I should use stevia, there is some info that says the way our body breaks it down creates free radicals, which is not good for your health.

I am of the school of thought that eat the whole food in moderation. Sugar in small amounts is better than any of the alternatives.
Posted 2/19/2011 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a pretty good link re: Stevia....

http://www.bentham.org/open/toobesj/articles/V002/101TOOBESJ.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

Stevia as Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Stevioside and steviol have been shown to exert antiinflammatory

effects on colonic epithelial cells [42]. Animal

studies exhibit stevioside’s inhibitory effect on intestinal

smooth muscle contraction, stimulation of which is linked to

hypermotility-associated diarrhea [132]. The effects of stevioside

and its analogs, steviol, isosteviol, dihydroisosteviol,

and isosteviol 16-oxime, on cAMP-regulated Cl secretion

were studied in human T84 colonic epithelial cells and in

vivo for their antidiarrheal efficacy [133]. Results indicated

the major aglycone derivative, steviol, and its analogs,

inhibited cAMP activated Cl secretion in intact T84 cells in a

dose-dependent manner. The ineffectiveness of stevioside

could be due to its molecular bulkiness, rendering it

relatively impermeable to cell membranes, and thereby

exhibiting a promising agent in antidiarrheal treatment
Posted 2/20/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
I've been using stevia for several years now and have had no negative effects. I don't think you need to worry about it harming your health. The main problem with stevia is that not everyone likes the taste. It doesn't taste quite like sugar so it takes a little getting used to. It is very sweet, and I use it in coffee, tea and oatmeal. Now that I'm used to stevia, I find that when I taste real sugar, it doesn't appeal to me so much (I used to be a real sugar addict - happily, no longer so).

By the way, stevia is a natural plant, not an artificial sweetener - I've got some growing in my garden. That doesn't guarantee that it's harmless, but anyway, it's not something manufactured in a lab.

Ironically, in the USA there is a product sold called Truvia, which is not true stevia that it is made from it. It's main "virtue" is that it allowed Cargill to patent this product (natural stevia is a food that can't be patented, just as you can't patent sugar or honey).
Posted 2/21/2011 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using Stevia now for almost 10 years - I have not had any problems. I use the liquid and powder form.

One thing you need to watch out for with the powder form is that sometimes it is mixed with those "sugar alcohols" (i.e. Truvia Brand) and some with the Pre-biotic Inulin that can cause "Gastric Distress" in some of us who already have sensitive systems.

I love the flavored liquid stevia for coffee - French Vanilla and Hazelnut are my favs. I used the plain for cooking and Iced Teas.

The brand I use is SweetLeaf Stevia Liquid.
Posted 2/21/2011 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Terrific thanks everyone, and pb4, thanks for the bee propolis stuff.
Posted 2/21/2011 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
No problem firemedic, wishing you lots of success!!
Posted 2/21/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I take several supplements, in addition to, my actual Dr. prescribed stuff and I'm always on the lookout for anything else that might help. I'm so very glad I found this forum so soon after being diagnosed. lol
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