Re: Why is Stevia illegal?

[Guest guest]

Hi I just wondered why it is illegal since it is an herb?Thanks,Debbie

[Guest guest]

At 10:32 PM 6/8/2010, you wrote:

Hi I just wondered why it is

illegal since it is an herb?

stevia * caution * (E/list)

Stevia is an herb native to South America, and is now grown and

cultivated throughout the world. Stevia belongs to a family called

Terpenoids. According to The Organic Constitutents of Higher

Plants by Trevor , 2nd edition, page 158, “This class of

glycosides (terpenoids) often have physiological effects on mammals and

microorganisms.”

Elaine noted on the adult listserv that, “Its molecular structure

resembles a steroid. It is not SCD legal.” However, on the SCD-Autism

list, she indicated that it might be used in strictly limited quantities

for those children who absolutely cannot tolerate either honey or

saccharin.

Powdered stevia should be approached with extreme caution. At least one

manufacturer of organic stevia includes “erythritol” which they

claim is a “natural free flowing agent”. Erythritol is what is called a

sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols include things like mannitol, xylitol, and

sorbitol which are used in a lot of commercial “sugar-free” stuff.

They're allowed to get away with that because normally, our guts can't

digest those sugar alcohols. But the bad bugs in our guts can, and

will have a field day on them.

If you elect to use stevia as a sweetener, read all ingredient lists very

carefully, and research all ingredients. “All natural” or “organic” does

not mean “SCD Legal.” If you are using stevia, and do not appear to be

gaining any ground on SCD, it would be strongly recommended to eliminate

the stevia for several weeks and keep a food log.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle

[Guest guest]

Thank you!

Hi I just wondered why it is

illegal since it is an herb?

stevia * caution * (E/list)

Stevia is an herb native to South America, and is now grown and

cultivated throughout the world. Stevia belongs to a family called

Terpenoids. According to The Organic Constitutents of Higher

Plants by Trevor , 2nd edition, page 158, “This class of

glycosides (terpenoids) often have physiological effects on mammals and

microorganisms.â€

Elaine noted on the adult listserv that, “Its molecular structure

resembles a steroid. It is not SCD legal.†However, on the SCD-Autism

list, she indicated that it might be used in strictly limited quantities

for those children who absolutely cannot tolerate either honey or

saccharin.

Powdered stevia should be approached with extreme caution. At least one

manufacturer of organic stevia includes “erythritol†which they

claim is a “natural free flowing agentâ€. Erythritol is what is called a

sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols include things like mannitol, xylitol, and

sorbitol which are used in a lot of commercial “sugar-free†stuff.

They're allowed to get away with that because normally, our guts can't

digest those sugar alcohols. But the bad bugs in our guts can, and

will have a field day on them.

If you elect to use stevia as a sweetener, read all ingredient lists very

carefully, and research all ingredients. “All natural†or “organic†does

not mean “SCD Legal.†If you are using stevia, and do not appear to be

gaining any ground on SCD, it would be strongly recommended to eliminate

the stevia for several weeks and keep a food log.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

Babette the Foundling Beagle