The Stevia Plant

About Stevia

By now, most of us that concern ourselves with nutrition and healthy lifestyles have heard of and used stevia in some form. Most have tried it as a healthy substitute for processed sugar or more harmful artificial sweeteners. On my website [www.DiverticulitisInfo.com], I recommend it to not only those following the protocol for the Homeopathic Weight Loss but for those struggling with other gut issues where sugar and artificial sweeteners can cause flare-ups i.e. agave and IBS.

Stevia is the short name for Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni. The genus is named after Pedro Jaime Esteve (Stevus) a Spanish physician and botanist who first researched the plants from South America and the Swiss botanist Moises Santiago Bertoni who in 1899 described the particular plant and its sweet taste in detail.

Native to the northeastern rain forests of Paraguay, the indigenous Guarani people have been thought to use the plant consistently for the last 1500-2000 years. They referred to the plant as ka’a eirete meaning “leaf-like honey”. Long before modern man had the term for it, stevia was used by the shaman and herbalists to treat diabetes as well as other ailments such as upset stomach, heartburn, fatigue and even emotional issues. It is no wonder, as it has been discovered in modern research to have antibacterial, antihyperglycemic, antifungal, hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) properties and more. They reportedly used it topically for wounds, sores and even wrinkles!

In 1931, two French chemists (Bridel & Lavielle) researched the herb and isolated the glycosides that provide the sweetness found in the stevia plant and called them rebaudioside and stevioside. They found that these glycosides are 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose or table sugar.

During World War II, when sugar was being rationed in the U.S and Britain, much research was initiated into the production of stevia but before it could get under way and become feasible, the war ended and research was dropped. Once sugar was readily available again, the insatiable appetite for sugar was satisfied with subsidies of sugar cane and sugar beets.

The Japanese however, having to import all of their sugar, decided to investigate and invest in stevia following the war. In 1956, they researched the toxicology of stevia and improved on the extracting, processing and use of the various glycosides from the leaves of the plant and verified its safety.  In the early 1970s, they began cultivating stevia as an alternative to artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame, which were suspected carcinogens. . Since the Japanese firm Morita Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. produced the 1st commercial stevia sweetener in Japan in 1971, the Japanese have been using stevia in food products, (including Coca Cola) and for table use By 1987, there were 11 extraction factories in Japan for stevia ‘crystals’ (extract).  Japan currently consumes more stevia than any other country, with stevia accounting for more than 40% of their sweetener market though China is the largest grower and exporter.

More than just a sweetener

Though Stevia is generally used as a natural sweetener, (being 25-300 times sweeter than typical white sugar) there are medicinal values found in this plant. Having a glycemic index of 0, no calories or carbohydrates, it is perfectly suited to those with diabetes or for weight loss. It has also been found to actually improve insulin secretion and lower blood sugars in those dealing with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

Several studies have shown that whereas sugar causes much decay in teeth, stevia actually suppresses the growth of bacteria in the mouth aiding in preventing cavities.

In November 2003 Hsieh et al., found that after only one week of using stevioside a significant decrease in blood pressure occurred and continued throughout the 2 year study with no affects on heart rate or cardiovascular function. More than that, the participants reported an improvement in their ‘quality of life’ expressed in: better physical function, general body pain, vitality, social function and even emotional well-being. In another study done in September 2000 by Chan et al, 250 mgs of stevioside was administered 3 times a day to 60 patients with high blood pressure. After 3 months it was found that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure had decreased significantly and continued through the entire year of the study. This is good news for these patients as there were no side effects with the stevioside that are often found with their drug counterparts such as lipid changes, glucose effect and sexual performance.

It is interesting to note that as of 2010 there has even been an application for a patent by a pharmaceutical company for “a novel nutriceutical composition containing stevia extract or its constituents”, which would serve “as active ingredients to improve cognitive functions, such as learning, memory and alertness, as well as relieving psychosocial pressure.” Found in their study was that “mice treated with 150 mg/kg of Stevia extract showed a significantly better learning and memory performance than their age-matched controls.”

Dr. Jan Geuns, who has studied stevia and its extracted counterparts extensively has found that “It is not carcinogenic [cancer causing], not cariogenic [cavity causing] and no allergenicity [allergy causing] problems seem to be known”. [Info in brackets my additions].

1500 studies have now shown what indigenous people have long known, that stevia is not only a great sweetener without the bad effects of either table sugar or artificial sweeteners but also is beneficial and improves one’s health and well-being!

1. Rajbhandari A, Roberts MF, The flavonoids of Stevia Rebaudiana leaves. J Nat Prod. 1983
2. Kinghorn AD, ed. Stevia: The Genus Stevia, New York, NY. Taylor and Frances; 2003
3. Jeppesen PB, Gregersen S, Rolfsen SE, et al. Antihyperglycemic and Blood Pressure-reducing effects of steviaside in the diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat. Metabolism 2003
4. Geuns, JMC. The safety of stevioside used as a sweetener. Proceedings of the First Symposium; The Safety of Stevioside. April 16, 2004
5. Hsieh MH, Chan P, Sue YM, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of oral stevioside in patients with mild essential hypertension: a two year study, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clinical Therapy 2003 Nov
6. Chan P, Tomlinson B, Chen YJ, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside in human hypertension. Br J Clinical Pharmacology. 2000 Sept.
7. Patent Application No. 12/745.421 Novel Nutraceutical Compositions Containing Stevia Extract Constituents and Uses Thereof. Pub date: February 17, 2011.
8. May JA, Stevia: Versatile Sweetener and Effective Medicinal. Price-Pottenger Journal of Health and Healing, Spring 2012

.

Pink Slime Being Removed From Many National Grocery Stores! Your Voice As A Consumer Can Make A Difference !

.

News about the ‘pink slime’ in ground beef has recently swept the nation and caused an uproar with much of the country. If you haven’t heard about ‘pink slime’ yet, it is an additive present in many beef products made from low grade beef trimmings from spinal, rectal, and other intestinal sources that has been further treated with ammonia to kill the harmful bacteria. Consumers were, understandably, outraged to learn that their meat contained ‘pink slime.’

Many grocery stores like Fresh & Easy, Kroger and Safeway’s have heard the public outcry and have taken many of the products containing pink slime out of their stores. This is wonderful news for those that continually fight towards safe and healthy whole foods. Although it’s a small victory compared to what many would like to see as far as clean whole food in our country goes, it is a victory nonetheless. It shows us that your voice as a consumer can be heard!

Phil Lempert of the Huffington Post has written an article on what he thinks will happen after pink slime is taken out of ground beef. Some say that it will force grocery stores to grind fresh meat on the spot with the help of skilled butchers (who have nearly disappeared from grocery stores with the mass production of cheap meats and preservatives). However, it is hard not to take a pessimistic view of the situation and assume that the meat industry might just find another additive that is less harmful.

This news has once again brought the issue of the safety of mass produced meat to light. Many have already made the move to buy only local and grassfed meat, having been disturbed by the problems with factory farmed meat in the past (mad cow disease, e-coli, etc.). However, with each new issue the more and more people become convinced that local and grassfed is the way to go and that we should know where our food comes from!

To read the full article by Phil Lempert visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-lempert/pink-slime-beef_b_1383645.html

How do you keep yourself informed when it comes to healthy food choices?

What do you think will happen after pink slime is outlawed as an additive?

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

Processed vs. whole foods: Video showing how they are processed through the gastrointestinal tract

Artist Stefani Bardin along with Dr. Braden Kuo conducted a clinical trial to show how the gastrointestinal tracts processes whole foods vs. processed foods. Amazingly, using a small pill sized camera they were able to record the entire process of the route to digestion. You will be shocked to find that even after 2 hours of eating processed ramen noodles they retain their shape because of the ingredient TBHQ which is essentially an antioxidant made from petroleum that is related to butane. The homemade noodles on the other hand broke up within 20 minutes after eating them. In addition the Gatorade that one patient drank retained it’s color even in the digestive tract. Having this kind of extensive research on how the body processes food is a real eye opener to many who still commonly eat processed foods.

To watch this eye opening video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi_DaJKsCLo&feature=player_embedded

Do you notice a difference in your digestive process or how you feel after eating processed foods?

Do you notice a difference with whole foods? what is the difference?

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

Why You Don’t Need to Take Probiotics Forever

Do you need probiotics if you have colitis, diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome?

The short answer is yes…and no…depending on the circumstances. Many companies push consumers to take probiotics in large quantities for unlimited periods of time as well as and other supplements that we may not even need.

For most issues involving the gut such as diverticulitis, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome probiotics alone simply do not work. A lowered quantity of your ‘good bacteria’ (flora) or too much of the wrong intestinal flora is certainly a contributing factor to poor digestive health and gut issues, but always remember that you can’t get healthy just from taking a supplement or drug. If you are experiencing digestive distress or any of the above problems, it is better to take a look at other factors (your diet and nutrition, sleep cycles, drinking habits, and use of medications) in addition to taking the appropriate supplements.

However, there are benefits to taking probiotics. Maintaining a proper balance of intestinal flora may very well be an important part of a recipe for a long and healthy life. Why is it then that simply taking large amounts of Probiotics for an extended period of time does not completely alleviate gut issues like ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome?

There are several reasons:

1)      Probiotics are a result of your eating habits (in addition to life and health habits) over months and years. Taking one kind of supplement (ANY kind) will not negate years of  destructive diet and lifestyle.

2)      Taking isolated supplements in the body only work for temporary time periods as the body is built to recognize whole food sources.

3)      If damage has occurred in the gut, probiotics cannot flourish unless the injured area has been previously healed or is healing simultaneously. Probiotics are like seeds and your gut is like a garden. If that garden is full of weeds and you don’t weed, fertilize, compost or water, your seeds will not grow into healthy crops. You can plant all the zucchini and watermelon seeds you want, but you will never harvest anything worthwhile until you start good gardening practices. Only after you begin making healthy lifestyle choices should you plant the probiotic seed!

Your gut has between 3 and  7 pounds of flora! The intestinal flora you have is a product of the last several years of eating, life style and medications. We all have the exact flora that we have cultivated in our internal ‘gardens’! Consume all the probiotics you want but until you heal your gut with Prebiotics, change how you ‘feed and fertilize’ your garden, you are throwing your money away. There are a number of ‘weeds’ that can damage your digestive garden like sugar, excess grains, caffeine and alcohol. If you have recently (last 6-12 months) been on antibiotics, you have probably wiped out most of your beneficial flora or at best caused them to be out of balance. When you stop taking the antibiotics, you will definitely want to “seed” your digestive tract with beneficial probiotic flora AND prebiotics to heal and balance the gut again.

The faster you add your prebiotics in with your probiotics and improve your lifestyle by eating fresh whole food, balancing alkaline levels and eating fermented foods, the faster the beneficial flora in your intestine will multiply and crowd out the toxic bacteria and naturally flourish on its own. Once the good bacteria has flourished there will be no further need to supplement with probiotics because your body will do what it is supposed to do. One of the best ways to do this is to eat a primarily alkaline diet with healthy fermented foods and take Healthy Bowel Support which contains the Prebiotic, Probiotic and 1000mg of fiber. For more tips on a healthy digestive system including healthy food and lifestyle choices visit www.diverticulitisinfo.com!

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

Expansive Study by Swiss Government Shows Homeopathy’s Effectiveness

A recently released report of the study by the Swiss government shows that Homeopathy is indeed effective and cost-effective. The study was spurred by the Swiss public’s desire to include homeopathy and other Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as part of their national health care program. About half of the Swiss population use CAMs including homeopathy. This study, utilizing double-blind and placebo controlled clinical trials, is one of the most comprehensive to date on Homeopathy. Dana Ullman of the Huffington Post and author of several well known books on homeopathy noted that “The Swiss report found a particularly strong body of evidence to support the homeopathic treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Respiratory Allergies. The report cited 29 studies in ‘Upper Respiratory Tract Infections/AllergicReactions,’ of which 24 studies found a positive result in favor of homeopathy.”

This news comes as no surprise to many people who have been using Homeopathy for years and seen wonderful results. However, this study may provide an open door for skeptics and may help legitimize homeopathy and many CAMs that have been regarded as less effective than western medicine.

Have you used homeopathy and seen positive results?

Would you like to see Homeopathy and other CAMs included as part your health insurance?

Please leave a comment with your responses!

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

This post was linked to Real Food Wednesdays by Kelly the Kitchen Kop

.

Whole Foods Opts Not to Label

Genetically Modified Foods

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has put pressure on Whole Foods Markets to begin labeling items containing genetically modified foods. Many consumers are unaware that many products sold in Whole Foods that are labeled as “natural”  actually contain genetically modified ingredients. Whole Foods went on record as saying that the OCA is too “hard  line” for suggesting GMO Labeling.

“Recent polls indicate that many green-minded consumers remain confused about the qualitative difference between products labeled or advertised as ‘natural,’ versus those labeled as organic. Many believe that ‘natural’ means ‘almost organic,’ or that a natural product is even better than organic.” Says Ronnie Cummins of the OCA.

There are no guidelines or regulations for labeling a product ‘natural’. So, companies can sell conventional food products labeled as ‘natural’ at higher rates to unaware consumers thinking they are superior products.

To read more go to: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_24844.cfm

To take action go to: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_24845.cfm

Have you been confused by the what the label “natural” means on food products?

Do you think that there should be standards and regulations for labeling a product as “natural”?

Please leave a comment with your responses!

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

The Effects of Hypnotherapy on IBS Symptoms

The University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden

A new study,conducted at the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden shows that hypnotherapy may have an effect on relieving the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). During the study two trials were held to monitor the effects of hypnotherapy on IBS sufferers. One group was given gut-directed hypnotherapy at a private practice and the other group was given gut-directed hypnotherapy at a small county hospital. Compared to the control groups both of the groups given hypnotherapy showed a marked improvement in IBS symptoms. Whats even more interesting is that the group that went to private practices showed greater improvements than patients who went to county hospitals.

To see a more detailed account of the study go to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21971535 or http://www.ahha.org/Hypnotherapy-IBS.htm

What is your take on the efficacy of hynotherapy?

Have you ever used hypnotherapy to help you with a problem like smoking or weight loss? Was it a positive experience?

Please leave a comment with your responses!

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

Paula’s Killer Meatloaf with Mushroom Sauce

Preheat oven to 375°

Mix in a large bowl:
2 lbs. ground turkey, chicken or grass fed beef
1 cup cooked barley
1/2 cup raw whole oats
salt and pepper to taste
In a large cast iron pan, saute:
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp sesame oil
1 cup chopped onions
4 cloves chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup celery
Let saute for about 3-5 minutes then push veggies to side of pan and add:
1 can of tomato paste
1 tsp. fresh thyme
Cook until tomato paste gets darker ( about 3-5 minutes)
After this occurs add:
1- 1 1/2 cups of beans (pinto or black)
1/2 cup chicken broth or red wine
1/4 tsp of allspice, cayenne, ground cumin, oregano, marjoram
Smash mixture together using a potato masher
Add to meat mixture and beat in:
2 eggs
3 tbsp chopped parsley or basil
sprayloaf pan with extra virgin olive oil, put mixture in pan and cook for 45 min- 1 hour. Let sit for 10 min before serving.

Mushroom Sauce:

In a large skillet saute:
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp finely chopped onions
then add:
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tsp. dill weed
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp lemon juice
2 cups chicken broth

Mix 2 tbsp corn starch in 1/4 cup white wine and to sauce and let thicken.
pour over finished meatloaf and ENJOY!

The Environmental Cost of Genetically Modified Foods

As we are always saying here on www.diverticulitisinfo.com it’s so important to be an informed consumer. Recently genetically modified foods (GMOs) have become very popular in many processed foods. Companies like Monsanto have developed genetically modified seeds to profit from the sale and growth of crops like corn. Here is an interesting list from the Organic Consumers Association about the downside to GMOs developed by Monsanto and other big agriculture companies:

“Energy-intensive industrial farming practices that rely on toxic chemicals and genetically engineered crops are not just undermining public health, they’re destroying the planet.

Here’s how:

#1 Generating Massive Greenhouse Gas Pollution (CO2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide) and Global Warming, While Promoting False Solutions Such as Industrial Biofuels, So-Called Drought-Resistant Crops, and Genetically Engineered Trees

#2 Polluting the Environment and the Soil-Food Web with Pesticides, Chemical Fertilizers, and Persistent Toxins, Including Dioxin

#3 Draining and Polluting Wetlands and Aquifers, Turning Farmland into Desert

#4 Poisoning Wells and Municipal Drinking Water, Lakes, and Rivers

#5 Chopping Down the Rain forests for Monoculture GMO Crops, Biofuels and Cattle Grazing

#6 Increasing the Cost of Food, While Reducing Nutrition and Biodiversity

#7 Spawning Pesticide-Resistant ‘Superbugs’ and Weeds, and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

#8 Generating New and More Virulent Plant, Animal and Human Diseases

#9 Utilizing Wasteful Fossil Fuel-Intensive Practices and Encouraging the Expansion of Natural Gas Fracking and Tar Sands Extraction (Which Destroy Forests, Aquifers, and Farmland)

#10 Stealing Money From the 99% to Give Huge Subsidies to the 1% Wealthiest, Most Chemical and Energy-Intensive Farms and Food Producers”

-Excerpt from organicconsumerassociation.com. For a more in depth and detailed description of this list go to- http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_24800.cfm

Are you aware of the GMOs present in many processed foods?

Would you favor a law that requires foods that include genetically modified ingredients to be labelled?

Please leave a comment with your responses!

Paula Tipton-Healy L.M, CiHom

Homeopathic & Nutritional Consultant

www.diverticulitisinfo.com

Paula’s Thai Wraps

Here’s a fast, easy and healthy dinner that is a change up using your grass fed ground beef, turkey or chicken! Let me know how it turns out for you!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 minced onion
• 1 1/4 pound lean ground beef or turkey
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 juiced limes
• 1 bunch green onions, (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 thin sliced yellow or orange pepper
• 2 red jalepenos, seeded, de-veined, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• Cold lettuce leaves, (Butter lettuce, Boston, or iceberg work well)
• cooked brown or white basmati rice (optional)

Directions

1. Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Lightly sauté onion until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes then add garlic for 2-3 more minutes.
2. Add beef or turkey and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any juice or fat and turn off the heat.
3. Add fish sauce, soy sauce and lime juice to meat and stir. Taste for seasoning then put in a serving bowl.
4. To serve, put 1/4 cup of meat in a lettuce leaf, then top with some green onions, jalapeno pepper slices, orange (or yellow) peppers, a pinch of cilantro and mint, and a sprinkle of peanuts. Serve with hot rice if you like! Yummmmm…..