Susan's Page

I have been strongly urging people for years to not use NutraSweet at all. Here is additional info regarding its harm. If you or anyone you know is using this product in any form, please stop.

A new long-term animal test from an Italian cancer institute raises new safety questions about the artificial sweetener aspartame, which is marketed generically as well as under the NutraSweet and Equal brand names. A dozen toxicology and epidemiology experts and the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest are calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review the study, which found increases in lymphoma, leukemia, and breast cancer in rats. If the FDA concludes that aspartame does cause cancer in animals, the agency is required by law to revoke its approval for the controversial sweetener, which is used in Diet Pepsi, Diet Coke, tabletop packets, and countless other foods. Aspartame also enters the diet through sugar-free or reduced-sugar gums, candies, yogurts, and hundreds of other products. Many aspartame-containing products are likely to be consumed by kids, including sugar-free Kool-Aid, Jell-O gelatin dessert, pudding mixes, and some Popsicles.

The new study, conducted by the Ramazzini Foundation and published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found statistically significant increases in lymphoma and leukemia in rats that were fed as little as 20 milligrams of the sweetener per kilogram of body weight -- an amount that?€™s in the ballpark of what some people consume. The new study is superior to a similar one released in 2005 in that it began exposing the rats to aspartame before their birth.

As a result of the new study, for the first time CSPI downgraded aspartame on its online Chemical Cuisine directory from a ?€?use caution?€? rating to ?€?everyone should avoid.?€? CSPI also urges everyone to avoid the artificial sweeteners acesulfame potassium and saccharin.

~Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 10:26 PM | Permalink

If you aren't already aware of it, I will be on vacation with my family from July 19th-July 27th. We are going to Michigan for a mini family reunion, a family wedding, some down time with just the four of us and delivering our son, Eli, to northern MI for a two month working vacation with some great friends of ours.

The office WILL be open some hours during this week for supplement purchasing and appointment scheduling. Please call the office for further details.

I will be back and ready for patients on July 30th!

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 06:14 PM | Permalink

As the sun has kicked into high gear again, I have had some patients bringing in different sunscreen products to be tested. I am happy to say that there is a company producing a product that seems pretty ideal. The company is called Mexitan and the SPF 30 formula tested really well. I have started using this for my family and it worked great on July 4th.

Here?€™s some info on it: The active ingredients are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which are not harsh chemicals, they are natural minerals derived from clay which reflect and scatter both UVA and UVB rays away from the body ?€“ forming a physical barrier to shield skin, without irritating or clogging the pores. It has no fragrance, parabens, mineral oil or synthetically-produced compounds.

Mexitan sunscreen protection stays on the surface of the skin, unlike chemical sunscreens which absorb into the skin. On certain skin types, and when applied heavily, the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide has a noticeable white appearance. This mineral sun block is on your skin to reflect UV rays, rather than absorbing into your body and to your vital organs. SPF 30 is their most concentrated lotion and it leaves a more visible white shield on your skin than the SPF 8 or SPF 15 formula. Mexitan is water resistant. There are 2 Mexitan SPF 30 products, one marketed for family and one for surfer/swimmers. The products are actually identical.

A major ingredient in their formula is Green Tea which is effective in reducing sunburn according to researchers at Case Western Reserve University. Green Tea is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals from UV radiation, and helps protect skin cells.

Mexitan has a minimum of 2-3 years shelf life. Occasionally you need to shake the bottles well to help it stay fresh, and for best results store it for prolonged periods at 50-80 degrees.

Throughout the USA there are numerous beach and surf shops, natural food stores, and salons that carry Mexitan products, as well as several Walgreens. Most of these retail outlets do not stock a complete line of Mexitan or only carry it during seasonal periods, so it is often more convenient to order this online: www.mexitanproducts.com.

~Susan

Reference: Mexitanproducts.com

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 05:33 PM | Permalink

Blueberries are one of the most healthful foods you can eat. They beat out 39 other fruits and vegetables in the antioxidant power ratings, making them a great hedge against cellular damage that contributes to heart disease and cancer.

One study also found that rats that gobbled blueberries were more coordinated and smarter than rats that didn?€™t. Men?€™s Health Magazine says, ?€?make it your goal to eat a pint of blueberries every week.?€?

Blueberries are also on the ?€?low in pesticides?€™ list, which is helpful for the body (and wallet) as well.

~Susan

Reference: Men?€™s Health

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 04:57 PM | Permalink