I watch Dr. Oz almost every day.  He’s on during my lunch hour, so I make a point to see what it is he’s promoting, and how it correlates…or does not…to what I practice and promote in my life, and to my program participants.

I would say overall that I am a “fan” of the show.  I like the guy, I like and support 80% of what he teaches, while disagreeing strongly with about 20% of it.  

The unfortunate part about this 20%, is that it is a crucial 20% that I personally believe is leading people astray, and into the hands of long-term, chronic ill health IF the viewer does not take it upon him/herself to research further what is being taught.

I cover several of these topics on the Maintenance Motions site.

The thing is, I “get” it…I get what he is doing, and likely why.

On today’s episode, mid-March of 2012, he had a guest doctor on discussing artificial sweeteners.

The only thing that the three of us would agree upon, is that they…aspartame, splenda, etc…cause weight gain.

And I cover why this is the case in my program, as I have for years now.

However, I disagree strongly with their notion that aspartame is harmless.  

They cited research that proves it is not a neurotoxin, but did not, as I recall, reference the studies that demonstrated this.

And I want to read those studies.

But of perhaps equal importance, is that they did not reference the word “excitotoxin”…which it has also been suggested it is.  And there can be a difference between a neurotoxin and an excitotoxin, despite the fact that they’re both toxins.

And we always, always MUST be vigilant and aware of these kinds of stances; the words they’re using, and how these studies actually read.

What I “get” about this from Dr. Oz’ standpoint is that he’s in “the machine” as I call it; he is a nationally-known figure, a respected internationally-known doctor, and he earns what is likely a tremendous living from what he does.

And I have no problem with him making as much money as he can.

But when one is in the spotlight…what one then promotes seems to, without exception, be “steered” in a direction that best suits vested interests in what is being promoted.

Aspartame, if you look into its origins, is virtually a product of politics, as compared to simply being an artificial sweetener.  

That is a topic for another time.

What I can say for now, is that there are alternative researchers, such as Dr. Blaylock and Martini, who have practically devoted their lives to proving that this artificial, lab-made product is something that is not only unfriendly to the body…as any foreign substance likely is…but potentially also extremely destructive to it.

Shall we just ignore their research?

They do not have any product that they promote and make money off of in return, such as an alternative sweetener that would compete with aspartame, although they may have research/books that they sell to outline the effects of this substance.

And again, I have no problem with people making money off their research, in an effort to inform others about potential dangers of a substance that is being widely digested.

Goodness knows that kids are growing up with more and more health and mental issues.  As are adults, in a myriad of forms.

And although aspartame perhaps can’t be directly tied to these problems, the list of reported side effects to the FDA regarding aspartame ingestion is quite long…

…Long enough that I won’t touch the stuff ever again.

(I personally had headaches after ingesting it almost like clockwork, as do many others).

The good news is, Dr. Oz DID promote stevia as an alternative.

I think as long as he doesn’t bash aspartame…which he has every right to do if he just reads the side effects that are public domain…then he can also “play in the machine”…(money, politics)…and promote something with a 30 year track record in Japan (stevia) that is naturally derived from a plant and has no reported side effects.

I tend to believe Dr. Oz is a good person who does want to help people.

BUT…

YOU must be your own authority.

Listen to Dr. Oz about aspartame and stevia…

And also listen to Blaylock and Martini…

…Which sweetener will YOU choose?

Love, Happiness, Health and Peace……………..Tim