Artificial sweeteners broaden waist size

Two new studies have suggested that taking diet sodas as healthy alternatives to control weight gain might be a self-defeating behaviour. 

Epidemiologists from the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that diet soft drink consumption was associated with increased waist circumference in humans, and a second study found aspartame raised fasting glucose (blood sugar) in diabetes-prone mice.

"Data from this and other prospective studies suggest that the promotion of diet sodas andartificial sweeteners as healthy alternatives may be ill-advised. They may be free of calories but not of consequences," said Helen P. Hazuda, Ph.D., professor and chief of the Division of Clinical Epidemiology in the School of Medicine.

To examine the relationship between diet soft drink consumption and long-term change in waist circumference, the Health Science Center team assessed data from 474 elderly Mexican Americans and European Americans. 



Diet soft drink users, as a group, experienced 70 per cent greater increases in waist circumference compared with non-users.

Frequent users, who said they consumed two or more diet sodas a day, experienced waist circumference increases that were 500 per cent greater than those of non-users.

In the related project, Ganesh Halade, Ph.D., Gabriel Fernandes, Ph.D., the senior author and professor of rheumatology and clinical immunology, and Fowler studied the relationship between oral exposure to aspartame and fasting glucose and insulin levels in 40 diabetes-prone mice.

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener widely used in diet sodas and other products.

The mice in the aspartame group showed elevated fasting glucose levels but equal or diminished insulin levels, consistent with early declines in pancreatic beta-cell function.

"These results suggest that heavy aspartame exposure might potentially directly contribute to increased blood glucose levels, and thus contribute to the associations observed between diet soda consumption and the risk of diabetes in humans," noted Fernandes.

The study was presented June 25 at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions. 

Tips to relieve a dry scalp



Here are some simple ways to get rid of dry scalp
- Get rid of the soap. If you are still using soap to wash your hair, you could be doing it more harm than you realise. It is very harsh on the hair, and also strips the scalp of essential oils, resulting in itching.
- Choose a good shampoo. A pH-balanced shampoo is required to keep your scalp from drying out. Try a sample pack, before buying the whole bottle.
- Using olive oil helps. Massage some warm oil into your scalp and wait for 20 minutes before you shampoo it off.
 A mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar is also helpful. Rinse your hair in clear water and apply this mixture on to the scalp with cotton balls. Rinse with cool water.

- Making some changes in your diet can be beneficial. Increase your intake of essential fatty acids. Oily fish boasts of a naturally high oil content. Alternatively, you can take a supplement of evening primrose oil.
- Avoid using strong scented shampoos and conditioners as they may dry out your scalp. Some ingredients in shampoos as well as the product build-up left by conditioners can cause itchiness of the scalp. Try a gentle cleansing shampoo instead.
- If the problem persists, make an appointment with your dermatologist. They will be able to guide you and may prescribe a scalp relief ointment that will give you relief.