AACE: Artificial sweeteners tentatively linked to Hashimotos thyroiditis
The most commonly used ones include aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. The sugar substitutes are attributed with a large number of health-related side effects in animal studies, ranging from obesity to various malignancies 6-9. Nonetheless, not much is known about the human implications of these findings, considering that the phenomenon of the excessive consumption of sugar substitutes is relatively new. ACE K (0.05%)-containing water caused both body weight gain and fat gain compared to 10% sucrose-sweetened water due to an improved energy efficiency in Sprague Dawley rats (5–6-week-old males) 34.
Additional Health Risks of Bromine and Bromides
- A registered dietitian assessed this list, but opinions may vary as rankings are not conclusive.
- Moreover, animal studies show that sucralose diminishes the thyroid axis activity.
- I am not a dietician but I do not like including anything artificial in my food.
- In rats and mice, aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose were reported to affect the composition of the microbiota.
- And there’s no need to worry about so-called goitrogenic foods if you have thyroid disease.
It is commonly known as NutraSweet, Equal, NatraTaste Blue or number E951. There are many other artificial sweeteners but I will focus on aspartame in this blog. Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar so very little is needed to achieve the same sweetness as sugar. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF21) is a known hormone that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism 45; FGF21 is a hepatokine secreted by the liver 46. The administration of FGF21 or its analogs to obese nonhuman primates has been shown to decrease food intake, reduce overweight, and improve plasma lipid profiles while increasing circulating adiponectin 47,48. Consistently, the acute administration or overexpression of FGF21 suppresses the intake of both sugar and non-caloric sweeteners.
I had noticed that some tricks can reduce my sugar cravings, which I usually have after dinner. Good adrenal support day formula works well for me if I notice experiencing lots of sugar cravings. Eating something fatty (few nuts or small piece of feta cheese) or sour (pickled or fermented vegetables) after a main meal has helped me personally. The trick for me is to be strong and wait minutes after that and the craving go away. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in some water before a meal also lowers my blood sugar and helps.
- Thus, the microbiota plays an important role in the development of saccharin-induced glucose intolerance 5.
- The administration of FGF21 or its analogs to obese nonhuman primates has been shown to decrease food intake, reduce overweight, and improve plasma lipid profiles while increasing circulating adiponectin 47,48.
- Sucralose also enhanced high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis 40.
- If your exposure to BVO and other sources of bromine are excessive, it could cause all the iodine in your body to be eliminated and replaced by bromide!
- Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein.
- In order to receive a complete and accurate thyroid function diagnosis, I recommend the Complete Thyroid Panel + Thyroid Antibodies from Direct Labs.
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Moderation is key when it comes to the use of any sweetener, but particularly when it comes to artificial products, which are often difficult for the body to metabolize and eliminate efficiently. Letters to the Editor should be no longer than 2 double-spaced typewritten pages and should contain no more than 4 references. They should be signed, with the expectation that the letters will be published if appropriate. The right to edit all correspondence in accordance with Journal style is reserved by the editors. Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is added to citrus drinks like Mountain Dew, Sun Drop, Gatorade, and some energy drinks.
- It is sold under the brand names Sunett and Sweet One and is often combined with other artificial sweeteners.
- Some individuals may be more sensitive to aspartame damage and may include pregnant women, growing foetus, children and older people who might not tolerate it well.
- “When patients come to me for Hashimoto’s and I diagnose them, I ask them if they use artificial sweeteners.
- Monsanto was in the public eye, accused of enthusiastic dissemination of genetically modified plants and foods.
- Still, some studies link artificial sweeteners to an increased risk of health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Aspartame and thyroid autoimmunity
Just take the test order slip to any LabCorp location to get your blood drawn and LabCorp will send it away for you. You’ll get your results in as little as 5 business days and can then discuss them with your doctor. Advantame is made from aspartame and vanillin, but science has shown that it is processed differently in the body than aspartame. Unfortunately, research is lacking regarding advantame and its impact on overall health.
Why has aspartame been demonised by the world’s press and countless websites? Monsanto was in the public eye, accused of enthusiastic dissemination of genetically modified plants and foods. People resent interference with foods, and synthetic food components are regarded with suspicion. However, aspartame comprises just two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine). Phenylalanine is a natural amino acid, and is toxic only in patients who have phenylketonuria.
A TSH test is the only way to determine if you’re managing your hypothyroidism.
Interestingly, advantame is also a flavor enhancer for dairy, fruit, citrus, mint, etc. Advantame is involved in milk products, frozen dairy, nonalcoholic beverages, and chewing gums. We appreciate the comments made by Dr. Roberts, who raised the possibility of aspartame-related Graves‘ disease synthroid celiac and pulmonary hypertension. Our literature search failed to reveal any association between autoimmune thyroid disorders and aspartame consumption.
Thyroid Top 40 Blog Award
Stevia can be sprinkled over your cereal, added to sugar-free drinks, and used in cooking and baking. Stevia doesn’t have the same chemical properties as sugar, so it may take some trial and error to find the proportions needed to create your desired textures. Some of these food particles, like gluten and dairy proteins, look a lot like thyroid cells to your immune system. Healthy thyroid cells become victims of mistaken identity and get attacked. After the attack, your damaged thyroid can no longer produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, and you become hypothyroid.
Aspartame, ACE K, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, and advantame are used worldwide as artificial sweeteners. Xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol belong to another group of sugar alcohols or plant-derived sweeteners. The truth is that while consuming aspartame can potentially cause or contribute to a thyroid condition, it does seem that most of the symptoms and conditions related to the consumption of aspartame are neurological in nature.
ACE K is present in tabletop sweeteners, carbonated beverages, frozen desserts, candies, chewing gum, dairy products, syrups, and sauces 1,13,14. ACE K is the potassium salt of 6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide. ACE K is a heat-stable sweetener and it is 200 times sweeter than sucrose. It has a bitter aftertaste at high concentrations and is blended with sucralose or aspartame.