‘The worldwide market for artificial sweeteners is estimated at $22.2 billion, and still increasing, with nearly $3 billion in the last two years.’
NEW large-scale studies found that a high intake of artificial sweeteners (particularly aspartame and acesulfame-K, the most used ones worldwide) is linked to a 13 percent increased risk of cancer in general, with the highest probability of breast cancer and those malignancies related to obesity. The research involved 102,865 adults, studied from 2009 and followed up for 7.8 years.
Nearly 165 million adults in the United States consume artificial sweeteners. The worldwide market for artificial sweeteners is estimated at $22.2 billion, and still increasing, with nearly $3 billion in the last two years. The statistics in 2017 show 41.4 percent of American adults and 25.1 percent of children use artificial sweeteners.
The sweeteners that are becoming more popular are “natural,” from Stevia rebaudiana leaves, like NuNatural, Splenda, Truvia, Stevia, etc. These natural sweeteners appear to be safe, with zero calories, and are an excellent substitute for sugar, especially healthy for those with diabetes mellitus.
While Agave has a low glycemic index, it has higher calories than granular sugar and has higher fructose content, which is not healthy.
COVID-19 toll on diabetics
Among those who lost their lives to COVID-19 infection, diabetics have been hit the hardest, accounting for a staggering 30 to 40 percent of all US COVID-19 deaths. There are about 96 million diabetics in the United States, 1.5 million new ones diagnosed each year.
Diabetics with COVID infection have been found to have a higher need for hospitalization, intubation, the use of ventilators, and a higher mortality rate. Diabetic patients are usually with other co-morbidities like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, coronary heart disease, and arthritis.
Second booster?
The US FDA recently authorized a second booster (shot #4) for those 50 years old and older, and for those who are immunocompromised, at least four months after the first booster because of waning protection from the previous vaccinations. The Omicron sub-variant, BA.2, Stealth Omicron, is also part of this concern. Those infected with the original COVID-19, or the Delta variant, or the Omicron, even with the two shots and a booster, are not immune to Stealth Omicron or any other future variants. The second booster is aimed at protecting the most vulnerable. There is a high probability that the second booster might be recommended for everyone.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been infected with COVID-19 for the second time, one in November 2020, and on March 28, 2022. The most compelling statistics came from an Israeli study that showed adults older than 60 who had the second booster were 78 percent less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who got only three shots.
Those who had been infected with COVID-19 now have some natural immunity, but vaccination is still recommended because immunity from the vaccine is much more protective and more stable than natural immunity. They are also recommended to have a second booster shot for better protection.
Ivermectin ineffective
While we are all praying and hoping for medications that would prevent or cure COVID-19, which has so far killed almost 6.2 million around the world, more than one million in the United States, and almost 60,000 in the Philippines, we had high hopes for a veteran anti-parasitic drug called Ivermectin, which was introduced in the late 70s. Anecdotal reports claimed it was effective in preventing the progress of early COVID-19 infection.
Several studies have been done since, and like this one performed on 10,467 outpatients screened for trial, 679 were treated with Ivermectin and 679 with placebo. The median age of both cohorts was 49 years old and 58.2 percent were females. The team found no substantial differences between the ivermectin-treated and the placebo-treated in the clinical course, hospitalization rate and length of stay, viral clearance, recovery, risk of death, and the number of days mechanical ventilation was required or time of death.
Furthermore, there was no difference between the two groups in the PROMIS global-10 score or the mental component score.
COPD from GERD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is very commonly associated with smoking, which, over time, “burns” the lung tissues and renders them less efficient in the air exchange and production of oxygen for the entire body. The lung tissues are basically destroyed and emphysema develops. The person becomes short of breath. COPD is the third leading cause of death around the world.
COPD could also be caused by Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where the sphincter (valve) between the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach becomes incompetent (loose). Normally this valve is closed tight, preventing stomach acid and food from going back up (regurgitate) to the esophagus. The stomach normally produces hydrochloric acid to aid in digestion and keep the stomach content sterilized, free from bacteria. When the valve is not competent (loose), it allows the acid fumes to float upwards, which get inhaled by the person every few minutes, especially at night in bed.
The acid fumes destroy the lungs, much like among smokers, albeit less with GERD.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
