Is Your Sugar Substitute Making You Fat?

On today’s Good Day Health Show - ON DEMAND…Host Doug Stephan and Dr. Ken Kronhaus of Lake Cardiology (352-735-1400) cover a number of topics affecting our health. First up, Doug and Dr. Ken begin with a simple smell test that can  possibly help prevent Alzheimer’s by early detection. While sense of smell is important, so are the other senses. This leads to a conversation between Doug and Dr. Ken on how loss of senses can affect the brain, and vice versa. When it comes to hearing, there has been data that shows a loss of the auditory sense can lead to a loss in memory and create a higher likelihood of developing a neurologically-degenerative disorder. When patients find themselves hard of hearing, they’re a lot less likely to seek medical assistance and get hearing aids. This raises the question of “Why,” especially when you consider the fact that if someone has trouble seeing or some kind of vision issues, they seek medical advice from an optometrist without hesitation and start wearing glasses, contacts, or get corrective surgery when applicable. Continuing on with brain health and the potential for developing Alzheimer’s, Doug poses the question to Dr. Ken on whether or not animals get Alzheimer’s. Dr. Ken states some animals are prone to age-related degenerative diseases, while Alzheimer’s is typically a human issue, though some primates have showed similar neurological results. However, we don’t have to worry about our fur babies getting it, as dogs and cats may age, they won’t develop Alzheimer’s. In female health news, the FDA has approved the first home-based OTC/non-prescriptive diagnostic test for various sexually transmitted infections in women. Then, the conversation shifts to a focus on sugar substitutes, and why they may be just as harmful as regular sugar, but for a different reason. Doug and Dr. Ken break it down, and why Sucralose (the primary sweetener in Splenda) could increase your appetite and feelings of hunger. Going a step further, what happens for children of obese mothers. It’s a focus of a new study that most children who struggle with obesity, typically have an obese mother. It may not always be as simple as what people eat, and mores a genetic makeup and predisposition to obesity. On the other hand, a mother’s poor choices in eating and health habits can have a negative affect on their children, leading them down the same path. Lastly, Doug and Dr. Ken address listener questions, starting with the Avian Influenza outbreaks and how humans are affected, and potentially infected, especially for those who work on the farm. Plus, Doug uses his own health status to share a relatable story of needing procedures and the out of pocket price for the insurance company, and how much the actual doctor’s receive.  Website: GoodDayHealthShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks