By one estimate, thirty-five million Americans are now reducing carbohydrates. As a result, the sky-rocketing demand for low carb foods and snacks has created a gold rush, "they'll buy anything with low carb on the label" attitude amongst many low carb brands.
Consequently, uninformed low carb consumers are purchasing products (mainly chocolates, snack bars and candies) that contain dangerously high levels of sugar alcohols. We are publishing the following brief article not to criticize any other company, but rather to educate the low carb community, prevent harm and hopefully discourage the use of excessive amounts of sugar alcohols.
We believe a fully informed consumer who is able to express her preference in the marketplace is far superior to more government regulation.
"As soon as I began my low carb diet, the pounds started peeling off! At the same time, I immediately realized I was going to have a lot of trouble living without one of my main "got to have" foods - which of course, is banned on low carb diets... CHOCOLATE! So I wandered the aisles of my local health food store, where I found sweet salvation...low carb CHOCOLATE!"
"With hands trembling and mouth watering I took that "street legal" snack bar straight to the check out counter! Wow, 2 grams of carb in the whole bar! I'm saved, I thought! On the way out of the store, I merrily tore the wrapper off, and with a self-congratulatory chuckle, wolfed that "low carb" bar down!"
"Just two blocks and a few minutes later, I found myself nearly doubled over by massive stomach gas, sudden bloating and could think of only one thing... "oh my god where's the nearest toilet?" Self-congratulation had suddenly turned to self-preservation! Good thing the local health food store is located only three blocks from my apartment!"
Our tale of gastrointestinal woe graphically illustrates why sugar alcohols should never be used in any low carb food or snack! We truly believe in "Caveat Emptor" - let the buyer beware! If you're serious about living low carb and staying healthy, it's time to learn what healthy low carb foods and snacks are REALLY all about.
Why Do So Many Low Carb Brands Use Sugar Alcohols in Their Products?
A surprisingly large number of low carb brands use excessive and irresponsible amounts of a sugar replacement called sugar alcohols. Why? Because sugar alcohols improve texture and are a lot cheaper to use than proven, safe sugar alternatives such as Splenda (sucralose) and Sunnett(AceK). Suprised? Don't be. The lust for short term profits over consumer safety and satisfaction is practiced by some of the very best known names "serving" the low carb community
What Are Sugar Alcohols?
Sugar alcohols (polyols) are alcohols created from hydrogenation of sugars distilled from corn, milk and birch. They are commonly known on the label as maltitol, lactitol, sorbitol, or xylitol.
If they're so dangerous, why are they permitted in foods?
That fact is some of the world's leading food companies commonly use sugar alcohols at the safe limit of about 2 - 5 grams per serving with no adverse effects. However, any informed food scientist would find it hard to believe that certain low carb brands would produce snacks with nearly 40 grams of sugar alcohols in each serving of their foods
The specific problems and dangers of high levels of sugar alcohols are:
• Immediately knocks any low carb dieter out of ketosis which stalls fat burning metabolism.
• Causes stomach cramping and diarrhea! This is caused by alcohols drawing water in the bowel (ie diarrhea) and causing fermentation of undesirable bacteria present in the bowel.
• Metabolic acidosis, which can lead to dangerous acid reflux, a risk factor for cancer of the larynx.
• Electrolyte loss and dehydration, a risk factor for heat stroke, muscle cramping and cardio vascular problems.
• Excessive thirst, which can lead to bloating and increases in blood volume that is undesirable for anyone at risk for hypertension.
• Children are extremely sensitive to the gastrointestinal side effects of sugar alcohols as they have known to binge on these types of foods. This type of substitute addiction can trigger a rush of hormones and enzymes in the body ultimately leading to an insulin spike, fat storage and childhood obesity.
• Epileptics or those with seizures who follow ketogenic (high fat, high protein diet) are particularly vulnerable and may suffer dramatic increases in seizure rates as a result of excessive sugar alcohol consumption.
• Those with yeast (candida) problems should avoid sugar alcohols entirely.
Lactitol:
The most undesirable sugar alcohol, lactitol, is derived from lactose which can cause serious gastrointestinal problems for those who are lactose intolerant. In fact, lactitol may cause side effects in anyone, even in small amounts. But too many low carb brands continue to use it, oblivious to the risk of side effects.
Hidden Carbs:
With regard to labeling of sugar alcohols, the low carb and diabetic community are being deceived! A very significant number of brands, simply do not list sugar alcohols in their total carb counts as required by the FDA. The Nutrition Facts panel must list sugar alcohols in the total carbohydrate count and the amount of sugar alcohol grams directly underneath it. Major food manufacturers whose products line the shelves of your local supermarket have been complying with the FDA regulations for years.
But for self-serving reasons too many low carb brands have felt the need to conceal the amount of sugar alcohols and total carbohydrate in their products. The fact is, if the low carb brands were to list the excessive amounts of sugar alcohols used in their products, the excessive use of sugar alcohols would be exposed, and informed low carb dieters would not buy the products.
The low carb brands pretending that sugar alcohols do not exist, rationalize the mislabeling of their low carb products based on the assumption that sugar alcohols are not metabolically active carbohydrates.
Therefore, there is no need to list them on the label. Unfortunately their rationalizations are based on falsehood! It is a scientific fact that sugar alcohols are indeed metabolically active at as low an amount as 2-3 calories per gram. While sugar alcohols are metabolized slowly in the digestive tract, they also raise blood sugar...although not as much as sugar.
Is Glycerine a Sugar alcohol?
A PROFOUND NO! Glycerine is not a sugar alcohol. It is not derived from sugar, nor is it chemically related to sugar. It does not produce the gastric side effects caused by sugar alcohols. Furthermore, glycerine is actually beneficial for anyone looking to improve health.
Glycerine or glycerol is naturally occurring in food such as coconuts, protein bars, beverages, or pure glycerine. The manner in which glycerine is metabolized depends on your energy status and whether you are in ketosis (fat burning) or utilizing glucose for energy.
The fact is, glycerine can be the perfect source of energy that does not trigger fat storage mechanisms. When glycerine is eaten it converts to glycerol metabolism which skips glycolosis (glucose metabolism) and bypasses insulin release.
With a caloric value of 4.32 calories per gram, glycerine can sustain energy, reduce low blood sugar, balance electrolyte levels, prevent dehydration and muscle breakdown, and reduce carb cravings.
Glycerine is used in protein bars to keep them pliable and soft due to its ability to retain water in the product, without decreasing shelf life. Bodybuilders use glycerine to keep water in their muscles to decrease cramping and to achieve a "ripped", defined muscular look as glycerine pulls water from outside the muscle to inside the muscle.
Glycerine was also used by the US government in desert storm to keep soldiers from becoming dehydrated in the 100F+ desert environment, saving many lives.
The labeling requirements for glycerine have changed recently. Over the past 4 years the FDA has been trying to figure out where to classify glycerine on the nutrition facts panel. To illustrate the problem, imagine protein as a square, fat as a circle, and carbohydrates as a triangle. Glycerine would be an octagon!
So what's the real "skinny" on glycerine? What is glycerine?
Is it a fat? While glycerine forms the chemical backbone for fat, it just can't be considered a fat because it does not contain fatty acids.
Is it a protein? Glycerine is not a protein, since it has no amine group (amino acids), a key requirement for proteins.
Is glycerine a carbohydrate? FDA considers glycerine to be a carbohydrate. But it's not so simple. Recent research has shown that glycerine does not significantly elevate blood insulin levels and only minimally elevates blood sugar levels. It is particularly interesting to note that some of these glycerine research studies were done after a 36 hour fast; a condition that lowers the body's glycogen stores and primes the body to elevate blood sugar and insulin.
The simple fact is, glycerine is a macronutrient that just doesn't fit into a predetermined slot! So it has been difficult to determine correct classification. But about 1 year ago the FDA decided to classify glycerine as a carbohydrate simply because it is neither a fat nor a protein! In fact, the present standard testing methodology for macronutrients measures only protein, fat, moisture and ash. Whatever is left over is considered carbohydrate. Even though many of these leftover substances do not exhibit the properties of carbohydrates, they are by process of elimination considered to be so.
So now you should definitely look for the amount of glycerine listed on the bar wrapper as a carbohydrate. It should be listed by all manufacturers responsible enough to comply.
For example, as Keto introduces new Keto Bar flavors and re-print their old labels, you will clearly see the amount of glycerine in grams. In any event, the most important thing to pay attention to is the "effective carbohydrate counts".
All in all, glycerine is a great tool for low carb dieters and a must have for those working out and looking to retain or build muscle.
Remember, if you see a protein bar with sugar alcohols in it, give it to somebody you want to keep busy for a while...or better yet...throw it in the trash!
