From:
Nichole Grant
Date: 2004-10-01 18:58:46 UTC
Subject: Splenda
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-id: <415DA8E6.4030704@direcway.com>
I'm always weary about those artificial sweeteners. I know that the ferret is getting a small amount, and sometimes you have to do what is necessary to get the meds down. In small amounts it may not have any negative effect. *I'm not saying that you shouldn't use it or that it is wrong*. I just want to make sure that nobody gives too much. I thought I'd give post some info on Splenda. Sucralose (Splenda) is produced by chlorinating sugar. This involves chemically changing the structure of the sugar molecules by substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups. There was a study done in diabetic people using Splenda. It showed a significant increase in glycosylated hemoglobin. The FDA says that "increases in glycosolation in hemoglobin imply lessening of control of diabetes."
Research animals (Rats, mice,and rabbits) have shown; shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage), enlarged liver and kidneys, atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus, increased cecal weight, decreased red blood cell count, hyperplasia of the pelvis, and diarrhea. Remember that the research animals were probably given large amounts, and I can't find what that amount is. Most likely you would have to use the product for years before seeing negative effects, but I thought some of you may want to know. It was also found that 2% of the product contains heavy metals, arsenic, methanol, chlorinated disaccharides, and chlorinated monosaccharide.
Nichole