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Ask the Dietitian is not a substitute for a consultation with a professional
who can inform you of all the facts of your particular situation. We answer
questions in general terms only, to give you information that may
used as a starting point.
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| TOPIC - Diet Supplements |
| Question |
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Are there any side effects to consuming too much sweeteners such as aspartame, which is
commonly found in "diet" foods such as sugar-free sweets and diet coke? Also, other than
causing calcium loss, are there any side effects of consuming 1-2 cans of diet coke a day?
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| Answer |
Aspartame is generally well tolerated by most people with the exception of a small number of
people--about 1 in 16,000--who have the hereditary disease phenylketonuria. Aspartame contains
phenylalanine, which should be avoided by the these people. People with advanced liver disease
and pregnant women with high levels of phenylalanine in the blood also may have trouble
metabolizing the substance.
The FDA considers aspartame to be one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives
the agency has ever approved. More than 100 toxicological and clinical studies the agency has
reviewed confirm that aspartame is safe for the general population. The Acceptable Daily Intake
(ADI) for aspartame set by FDA and reevaluated and reaffirmed several times is 50 milligrams
per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight per day. At this level, for example, a 150-pound (60-kilogram)
person would need to consume 15-16 cans (12-ounce) of diet soda containing aspartame to reach
this level of intake.
The calcium losses are due to the presence of phosphorus in carbonated beverages. Phosphorus
(usually listed on soda as phosphoric acid) binds to calcium in the gut, thereby preventing the
calcium from being absorbed and making its way to bone. Another theory is that calcium and
phosphorus need to be eaten in a particular ratio to maintain bone health. Presumably, consuming
a lot of phosphorus without taking additional calcium – like in soda pop – could throw off the
delicate calcium/phosphorus balance. 1-2 cans of diet coke is a reasonable intake, taking too
much of any one food is discouraged.
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Does Splenda have any calories in it per gram?
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SPLENDA® is the brand name for sucralose; it is made from cane sugar and is converted to a
no-calorie, non-carbohydrate sweetener. It has an insignificant calorie value per serving,
although it contains a very small amount of dextrose and/or maltodextrin for volume.
The amount of these ingredients is small, so SPLENDA® meets FDA's standards for "no calorie"
sweeteners.
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I've started on a 1700 calorie per day diet. Do I require vitamin supplements as
I intend to continue this diet for a while to come?
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Answer
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If you are eating a well-balanced diet (which is possible to do on 1700 calories),
you do not need to take vitamin supplements. However, if you are omiting any food
or food group from your diet, such as no fruit or dairy products, then you may need
to supplement your diet with the missing vitamins or minerals to ensure that you are
not creating a deficiency over the long term.
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Can I know about taking weight loss pills?
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Answer
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I am not in a position to comment on the safety or effectiveness of medication or drugs as it is
not my area of specialty. I am aware, however, that many weight loss pills have side effects and
may interact with other medication that you may be taking (including cough/cold medication, herbal
supplements and vitamins). Some of the weight loss pills you should not be using if you have a
health condition such as hypertension, over-active thyroid or if you are allergic to certain
medication.
A series of warnings have been issued by both the Food and Drug Administration in the US and
leading medical researchers regarding the dangers of taking a popular diet drug, phentermine
(brand name: Ionamine) particularly when used in combination with fenfluramine (another weight
loss drug). This is just one example; there are many others.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO TAKING THESE MEDICATION AS THEY HAVE
SIDE EFFECTS AND MAY INTERACT WITH OTHER MEDICATION THAT YOU ARE TAKING. You should not start
on ANY medication without first consulting your physician and you should let him/her know of all
the medication you are currently taking, including herbs, health supplements and off-the-shelf
medication.
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