Bee Well Kidz

What's the Buzz    August 2008

The official E-Newsletter of Bee Well Kidz

We hope you're having a wonderful and healthy summer.  There are many changes taking place at Bee Well that we are very excited about. Most notably, we are EXPANDING into Scottsdale, AZ.

Our newest office will be opening on September 1, 2008.

Enjoy this issue of What's the Buzz?? and please let us know if there are any topics you would like to see in future issues.

Bee Well,

Naomi Richman
(CEO and founder, Bee Well Kidz, inc.)

In This Issue:

Here's Farley!
Artificial Sweeteners
Cool Summer Drinks.

While Naomi takes care of opening our new office in Scottsdale, AZ, Farley Hom is taking over the Los Angeles clinc. He is an amazing acupuncturist who is fantastic with both kids and adults. 

 

You are in very good hands.

 

Farley's BIO:

 

Farley earned his masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, CA.  He has been working at Bee Well Kidz for three years helping children and families "Bee Well" utilizing Oriental Medicine to treat acute and chronic illnesses.  Farley is also a licensed Occupational Therapist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He graduated from USC with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and has over 14 years of experience treating patients with stroke, orthopedic issues, traumatic brain injuries, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and spinal cord injuries. He has also studied acupuncture and herbs at China's Cheng Du University. His specialties include pediatric and family medicine, orthopedic sports injuries and chronic pain.

Are Artificial Sweeteners Better Than Sugar?

Have you seen the commercial touting Splenda as a good sugar substitute for your kids? We all know that a lot of sugar is not good for our kids, but what of the artificial sweeteners?

When saccharin was first introduced for commercial consumption in the early 1900s, the FDA began investigating the safety of this new product.  Since that time, scientists have attempted to uncover a link between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and cancer.  Although there is some evidence linking the two, most studies are inconclusive and the FDA has all but given up the fight.

With no good studies to prove these products are bad for us, they must be safe, right?
Not exactly.

While studies linking artificial sweeteners to cancer may be inconclusive, a basic knowledge of human physiology points out a stunning and counter-intuitive fact.

Artificial sweeteners make us fat!

How? You ask.
Here’s the process.

Artificial sweeteners are 300-800 times sweeter than sugar. When we eat something sweet our taste buds recognize the sweet taste and send chemical messages to the body to prepare for incoming sugars. In response, cells in the pancreas release insulin. (Insulin movie)

Insulin is an extremely important hormone that affects many organs and systems in our bodies.  Most importantly, insulin balances the body’s blood sugar. An imbalance in blood sugar can cause heart disease, coma and even death.  Insufficient, improper or a complete lack of production of insulin leads to diabetes while the overproduction of insulin can also lead to serious health risks.

In addition to regulating our blood sugar, however, insulin also affects the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats in our bodies.  Specifically, insulin encourages the body to breakdown carbohydrates rather than fats for energy. It also “stimulates the accumulation of fat cells in adipose tissue.” [1] Insulin has a “fat-storing” or “fat-preserving” effect on our bodies. So the more insulin we produce, the more fat our bodies want to store. And, adding insult to injury, our fat cells actually release a protein that helps our pancreas release more insulin. So the more fat we have, the more insulin our bodies are told to produce.

What does this mean?
When we use artificial sweeteners we trick our bodies into thinking we have just taken in a whole lot of sugar.  It responds accordingly by releasing insulin.  This insulin freely floats around the body until it finds something to do. If you have eaten a hamburger with your diet-coke, the insulin will encourage the use of the carbs for energy and help the fat find its way to your stomach and thighs.  If there is no nutritional support, the insulin will act on the sugar that is currently in your blood, inducing lower energy levels and cravings for more carbs and sweets.

What does this mean for the health of your kids?

With the epidemic of obesity currently claiming 1/3 of the pediatric population in the US, keeping kids away from artificial sweeteners seems like a simple way to begin to combat the problem.  Water, watered down juices and fruit teas are a healthy alternative to sodas and other sugary drinks.  (See Watermelon Cooler Recipe below.)

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[1] Physiologic Effects of Insulin, R. Bowen, vivo.colostate.edu, hypertext.
 

According to Chinese Dietary Laws, watermelon is a cooling fruit, perfect for bringing down your temperature on hot summer days.

Ingredients:

3  cups  watiermelon, seeded and chopped

2  tablespoons  agave nectar

3  tablespoons  lime juice

2  cups  water (flat or sparkling)

Mint (optional)

Directions:
Choose *ripe* fruit. In a blender, smoothly puree measured fruit pulp and juice (a portion at a time, if needed) with avage nectar and lime juice. Add flavored fruit mixture to water, then rub through a fine strainer into a large jar or pitcher; discard pulp. If made ahead, cover and chill up to one week. As a decorative touch, add slices or chunks of matching fruit just before serving. Pour over ice into tall glasses. Makes 1 qt