Sugar Substitute Sweeteners

Nutritive Sweeteners

Fructose – Found in fruits, honey, and some sweet vegetables. Fuctose absorbs more slowly in GI tract than glucose and metabolizes directly in liver independent of insulin. Large intakes of 70+ grams per day can cause diarrhea.

Sorbitol – A sugar alcohol found mainly in plants and used in confectioneries (candy), gum, toothpaste, and diabetic desserts. After absorption, sorbitol oxidizes into fructose. Sorbitol results in a slower, less pronounced rise in blood glucose than sugar. More than 10 grams per day may result in diarrhea.

Xylitol – A compound derived from wood sugar. It causes least harm to teeth of all nutritive sweeteners. Does not increase blood glucose levels. Intake of more than 30 grams per day may result in diarrhea. Also, it may be associated with bladder stones and tumors.

Artificial Sweeteners

Acesulfame K – A synthetic sweetener that is very stable in heat. Marketed as Sweet One, Sunette, or Sun Sweet Tabletop.

Aspartame – Best known as NutraSweet, it is found mainly in soft drinks, gums, pudding mixes, and other foods. It consists of amino acids that break down in GI tract, then it absorbs and metabolizes. It has a very low nutrient and caloric value.

Saccharin – Better known as Sweet’n Low, Nutra-diet, and Sugar Twin, Saccharin is used primarily in soft drinks and canned fruit. It neither metabolizes or stores in body, but excretes in urine. Saccharin has a bitter aftertaste, is low in kcalories, and may be a possible carcinogen.

Sucralose – Available only in Canada to date. It contains no kcalories and is derived from sugar. It is used in cooking and baking.

Phaseolamine is Absolute Nutrition C-Block's active ingredient trademarked as Trim Plex or Phaseolus Vulgaris: It is "processed extract of northern white kidney bean," said to be an all-natural compound. It also contains compounds "chromium" and "vanadium," both said to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Weight loss requires stable blood sugar levels because chronically high insulin levels result in a remarkable "repartitioning of macronutrients" such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into stored fats or "adipose tissue."

Taken properly (that is, 1-2 tablets 15 minutes before each meal with a full glass of water), this fat loss supplement has potential to block up to 35 grams of unwanted starches per meal. Thirty-five grams of starch is roughly equivalent in size to a medium potato. Thus, we don't have to cut down on our carbs to achieve a toned body and less body mass. All we need to do is add to our shopping list that fat loss supplement product called Absolute Nutrition C-Block.

Though everyone, from our family physician to personal trainer would agree that proper diet and regular exercise are still best way to lose our unwanted fat and to attain best shape that we could be in, it doesn't hurt to help our weight loss targets by taking dietary supplements like Absolute Nutrition C-Block. Nevertheless, as in most weight loss programs, it is best to consult a doctor first before taking any fat loss and dietary supplements.

So here's an additional item on Bridget's "To do" List: Stock up on Absolute Nutrition C-Block.

John Doetsch is editor at the Bodybuilding Supplement Guide where you will find further nutritional supplement reviews.