Popular Weight Loss Tool INCREASES Body Fat!?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 9, 2023
I’ve studied diet and nutrition for nearly my whole adult life.
One red flag has grown bigger with every passing year. And that’s how much extra weight Americans are carrying around.
A few extra pounds are no problem. But many of us are packing FAR more than a few.
We used to think of fat cells as containers to tuck away calories. But we now know they’re FAR more than a simple storage vessel.
They send messages to our bodies.
Fat tissue produces over 50 different kinds of signaling molecules. And the MAIN message being broadcast is to create INFLAMMATION.
In fact, it’s why being overweight often leads to heart disease, cancer, stroke, and dementia.
So, I’m a big supporter of any safe method that helps folks LOSE weight.
But one of the MOST popular weight loss tools in existence FAILS at both.
I’m talking about artificial sweeteners.
Sure, they SOUND like a dieter’s dream come true. They taste sweet, like sugar, but have no calories.
But perhaps our FIRST clue that we probably shouldn’t be scarfing down these creepy chemicals is their questionable past…
Sucralose was discovered when a researcher misheard a direction to “test” a compound as “taste” it and found it was sweet.
Several other popular artificial sweeteners… including saccharin, aspartame, Acesulfame-K, and cyclamate… were ALSO discovered completely by chance in similar lab mishaps.
In their cases, scientists accidentally spilled chemicals on their hands, and later inadvertency tasted them and discovered they were sweet.
No doubt if you or I did the same, we’d quickly wash out our mouths, scrub our hands clean, and move on.
But, instead, the scientists apparently thought, “Fantastic! Let’s figure out how to put this in our food.”
Now, even the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association are on board, recommending artificial sweeteners as part of a “healthy diet.”
And for years, mainstream doctors and nutritionists have encouraged using these fake sugars—promising they’ll help us shed excess fat and lose weight.
The trouble is these creepy chemicals do no such thing.
Even worse, they come with a disturbing list of side effects. They’ve been linked to microbiome (gut bug) disruption, blood-sugar changes, headaches, heart problems, and cancer.
And now, new research published in the International Journal of Obesity reveals that long-term consumption of artificial sweeteners (including aspartame, saccharin, and diet beverages) are ALSO ironically linked to INCREASED body fat.
Researchers are unsure why this is the case. And they’re calling for more research.
I’m all for that. After all, the more evidence we have about the dangers of artificial sweeteners, the better off we will be.
But I believe the destruction of the microbiome and the changes in blood sugar these fake sugars can cause are the most likely culprits behind the fat gain.
Whatever future research reveals, I advise removing artificial sweeteners from your diet as soon as possible. There’s already plenty of evidence that they’re harmful to your health.
P.S. WARNING… this so-called “safe” sweetener is putting you in HARM’S way.
Source:
“Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study.” International Journal of Obesity, doi. org /10.1038/s41366-023-01336-y.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Two-Week Diet Switch Transforms Your Health
You know how you feel sluggish and “off” after a vacation filled with fast foods and processed snacks? Well, it’s not all in your head (or merely guilt). When you switch to an unhealthy Western-style diet, there are physical consequences—and they kick in faster than you might think… The Western diet is characterized by ultra-processed...
WARNING—Your Water Bottle Is Hiding a Disgusting Secret
Recently, a few people have asked me if it’s true that their water bottle has more germs than a toilet seat. It’s a shocking comparison that’ll make you think twice about everyday objects you use without much thought. So, is this claim true? Well, I must warn you that you might not like the answer…...
Research Reveals 3-for-1 Brain Protection "Checklist"
Age-related brain diseases—including stroke, dementia, and depression—threaten our quality of life. They can take the shine right out of your Golden Years. But you don’t have to take these threats lying down. While there are no guarantees in life, there are steps you can take to turn the odds in your favor—especially when it comes...
Mailbag: Your “Healthy Diet” Might Leave You Running on Empty
“Do supplements really work?” Hopeful Skeptic Hi Hopeful, That’s a fantastic question! It gets straight to the heart of a vital fact about human biology. Our bodies are incredible machines. But they don’t work in a vacuum. They require outside help to function. For example, they can’t manufacture most vitamins and minerals on their own....
Forgotten 80s Superfood Reemerges as Artery Superstar
Do you remember when vitamin E was the talk of the town? This common nutrient had a surge of popularity in the 80s and 90s. But now I can’t remember the last time I had a patient ask me about it. Well, it turns out this forgotten 80s superfood deserves another moment in the spotlight....
Strokes CAN Strike Twice—This Simple Fix Cuts Your Risk 20%
They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But that old adage couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to strokes. If you’ve had a stroke, you might think you’re out of the woods once you recover. But the reality is far different… A comprehensive study published in JAMA revealed the...
Can Your Diet Defend Your Brain From Aging?
Our brains work hard every day, helping us solve problems, create memories, and connect with loved ones. But as we age, they face new challenges that can quietly chip away at our vitality. One of those challenges? The buildup of iron. Though iron is essential for many functions, too much can harm your brain, contributing...
Common Deficiency DOUBLES Risk of Your Body Attacking Itself
Most of us know vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin.” And many think of it mainly for bone health as we age. But research now suggests that this nutrient may be just as crucial for supporting our immune system throughout life, beginning as early as childhood. In fact, a lack of vitamin D, especially in...
What Is a Healthy Night’s Sleep? Three Critical Criteria
We’ve all heard the advice about how important getting enough sleep is to your health. Heck, I have even given this advice countless times. But here’s what the so-called sleep experts aren’t telling you—that perfectly uninterrupted eight hours of sleep they keep preaching about? It’s a myth. In fact, if you wake up several times...
Can Your “Poop Schedule” Predict Disease?
We all do it. If you’re alive, you poop. Some of us are so regular that we could set a clock based on our bathroom habits. Others, not so much. And yet, talking about bowel movements remains one of those taboo topics. Even your doctor skims over it during your annual checkup! But the truth...