Splenda use won’t set up consumer for diabetes

Ask Dr. Keith Roach M.D

Splenda use won’t set up consumer for diabetes

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a

75-year-old man in good health and not obese (my BMI is around 20-21). I like coffee, and drink four or five cups a day. But I like it with a packet of Splenda, and the same thing goes for my breakfast cereal. Am I setting myself up for diabetes? — D.G.D. ANSWER: Splenda is made from sucralose, a poorly absorbable artificial sweetener. Sucralose does not raise blood sugars or insulin levels, so it will not increase your risk for diabetes. It is excreted unchanged in the urine. However, powdered Splenda, like many artificial sweeteners, is mixed with the sugars maltodextrin or dextrose, both of which are absorbed and do affect insulin levels. A packet of Splenda contains about 1 gram of these sugars. Two packets a day is then the equivalent of a little over a tablespoon of a typical soda, which I still see people consuming liters or more of at a time. You may have your Splenda without worry. People with a low BMI have low, but not zero, risk of diabetes. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I was scheduled for an MRI due to sciatica/disk issues two years ago. When I mentioned I had eyeliner tattooed on over 20 years ago, the technician said I should not get an MRI because the ink contained metal particles. The people who do MRI at the hospital told me that they would put a wet washcloth over my eyes so I could still get an MRI. But I didn’t want to take a chance on hurting my eyesight, so I backed out the day before. I’m not sure if any of the tattoo is still there. Can you please discuss this? I’m having more health issues that require an MRI. ANSWER: Some permanent eyeliners are tattoos made with iron-based ink. Under the powerful magnetic field of an MRI, these can heat up. It’s not common: Less than 2 percent of people with permanent cosmetics noted any symptoms, such as tingling and burning. Loss of vision has never been reported as far as I could find. An ice pack or cold washcloth over the eye is a reasonable precaution. *** Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGood-Health@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.