Stevia

[tarak]

There is a plant called stevia which is a small shrub and has leaves which are nearly 20-100 times sweeter than that of sugar. Also there are several other such natures gifts and some others arewaiting to be discovered.Several tests have confirmed this herb as a safe natural sweetenerunlike aspartame based sweeteners which have some sideeffects.In the world of obese people running to gain diabetes what is stopping this herb from its use.Any ideas and suggestions are welcome??

[Queso]

no idea but i'd love to try some.

[C1ay]

In the world of obese people running to gain diabetes what is stopping this herb from its use.Any ideas and suggestions are welcome??

 

In the USA the problem is the FDA. Available toxicological information on stevia is inadequate to demonstrate its safety as a food additive so it has not been approved for use. There is actually an import alert from the FDA on food products containing it. It is used quite a bit in other countries.

 

In the US I recommend you try sucralose, sold under the brand name Splenda. It is a sweetener that is made from sugar, but does not have the calories. Unlike aspertame, you can also do some baking and candy making with it. Many new diet products are coming out that are made with it. It does have an after taste to adjust too but it is not unpleasant. Perhaps Stevia will be an option in the future as well.

[happyhealthy1]

I know all about Stevia if your still interested. It is very safe and delicious....there are new favors out in the liquid stevia that are so good....vanilla creme, english tofee, valencia orange, chocolate raspberry, lemon drop, apricot nectar. Let me know if you want to learn more. Peace n Love!

 

 

no idea but i'd love to try some.

[Racoon]

Look for Stevia as my Next Herb on Herbas and Herbal Supplements... :evil:

 

Going to work. ;)

[InfiniteNow]

In the world of obese people running to gain diabetes what is stopping this herb from its use.Any ideas and suggestions are welcome??

Please note that this is only referring to Type 2 diabetes. It used to be called "Adult-onset," but due to the increasing obesity in younger individuals a more accurate description is "Behavioral Diabetes." The pancreas shuts down because of the excessive strain placed on it.

 

The other kind, Type 1 Diabetes, is more genetic in nature, whereby the immune system attacks the pancreas as if it were a foreign body, and hence can no longer produce insulin. These types of diabetics can be skinny as rails, and still be diabetic.

 

 

Just fyi... too many people lump all diabetes inappropriately into a category of "it only happens to fat people."

[Racoon]

Type II diabetes is clinically Non-Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus, or NIDDM.

 

Exercise is the First line of treatment for Type II, because it influences all the Components for this Metabolic Syndrome.

[InfiniteNow]

Type II diabetes is clinically Non-Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus, or NIDDM.

 

Exercise is the First line of treatment for Type II, because it influences all the Components for this Metabolic Syndrome.

Even that distinction is getting somewhat archaic, as many Type 2 diabetics wind up injecting insulin because the pills are not enough, and/or diet and exercise haven't proven effective (or, they just don't) ;)

[CraigD]

There is a plant called stevia … In the world of obese people running to gain diabetes what is stopping this herb from its use[?]

Nothing. My wife has been an insulin-dependent diabetic for nearly 20 years, and uses stevia quite a bit. It’s inexpensive, and available in powder form at nearly every health-food store we’ve ever visited.

 

Like many non-caloric sweeteners, stevia has some differences between cane and beet sugar that limit it’s usefulness in cooking. It doesn’t granulate like sugar, isn’t as absorbent, and doesn’t seem to melt (carmelize) at any ordinary cooking temperature. It’s lack of widespread popularity is mostly due to these limitations, I think.

[Racoon]

Type II Diabetes mellitus comprises about 90% of cases. It is also highly associated with Family History, older age, obesity, and lack of exercise.

 

Treatment for Type II usually includes Diet modification (ie using Stevia), weight control, regular exercise, and oral Hypoglycemic agents..

 

Best thing someone can do with Type II is to exercise appropriately. It dramatically improves Insulin response..

[CraigD]

… The other kind, Type 1 Diabetes, is more genetic in nature, whereby the immune system attacks the pancreas as if it were a foreign body, and hence can no longer produce insulin.

Don’t forget an additional major know cause of diabetes, in which the pancreas produces normal or even elevated amount of insulin, but the body’s receptor cells fail to recognize and react to it properly. Sufferers from this form – which may coexist with other causes – are characterized by poor response to oral hypoglycemics (eg: Glucotrol), but effective treatment with low does of insulin. Often, they respond better to animal-extract based insulin than more modern, less expensive, genetically engineered human insulin.

Just fyi... too many people lump all diabetes inappropriately into a category of "it only happens to fat people."

Very true.

 

There’s a common saying among clinical endocrinologists: “live long enough, and you’ll be diabetic.” For whatever causes, the incidence of diabetes increases fairly smoothly with age after about 55, regardless of genetics or lifestyle.