Are artificial sweeteners truly safe, or are they driving health epidemics behind the scenes?

In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston sits down with registered dietitian and nutritionist Laura LaValle to cut through the social media noise and dive into the pure science of sugar substitutes. From the controversial headlines surrounding erythritol and blood clotting to the hidden dangers of under-the-radar chemicals, they break down what you actually need to know to make livable, healthy choices.

Key Topics Discussed:


The Reality of Sugar Addiction: How sugar hijacks the brain's dopamine reward centers and why healthcare providers are doubling down on the sugar warning.


Artificial vs. Natural Sweeteners: Breaking down the chemical differences behind Splenda (sucralose), Sweet'n Low (saccharin), Equal (aspartame), and stevia.


The Gut Microbiome Impact: A look into the September 2022 Journal of Cell study revealing how certain sweeteners alter gut bacteria and disrupt crucial GLP-1 production.


The Real Story on Cancer and Stroke Risks: Sifting through the data on the 2022 French study linking aspartame and Acesulfame K to increased cancer risks, alongside recent findings on erythritol and stroke.


The "Healthy" Sugar Traps: Why natural options like honey and agave might not be giving your liver the "pass" you think they are.

Connect with Us!


Visit Dr. Pinkston’s Website:drpbetterlife.com for previous episodes, health insights, and show notes.


Follow Laura LaValle, RDN: Find her on Facebook at Laura LaValle, Nutritionist or through her educational work with the Metabolic Code and A4M.

Are artificial sweeteners truly safe, or are they driving health epidemics behind the scenes?
In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston sits down with registered dietitian and nutritionist Laura LaValle to cut through the social media noise and dive into the pure science of sugar substitutes. From the controversial headlines surrounding erythritol and blood clotting to the hidden dangers of under-the-radar chemicals, they break down what you actually need to know to make livable, healthy choices.
Key Topics Discussed:
<ul data-path-to-node="8">
<li>
The Reality of Sugar Addiction: How sugar hijacks the brain's dopamine reward centers and why healthcare providers are doubling down on the sugar warning.
</li>
<li>
Artificial vs. Natural Sweeteners: Breaking down the chemical differences behind Splenda (sucralose), Sweet'n Low (saccharin), Equal (aspartame), and stevia.
</li>
<li>
The Gut Microbiome Impact: A look into the September 2022 Journal of Cell study revealing how certain sweeteners alter gut bacteria and disrupt crucial GLP-1 production.
</li>
<li>
The Real Story on Cancer and Stroke Risks: Sifting through the data on the 2022 French study linking aspartame and Acesulfame K to increased cancer risks, alongside recent findings on erythritol and stroke.
</li>
<li>
The "Healthy" Sugar Traps: Why natural options like honey and agave might not be giving your liver the "pass" you think they are.
</li>
</ul>
Connect with Us!
<ul data-path-to-node="11">
<li>
Visit Dr. Pinkston&rsquo;s Website: <a href="http://drpbetterlife.com" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahcKEwiF2NWV6YGVAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQKw">drpbetterlife.com</a> for previous episodes, health insights, and show notes.
</li>
<li>
Follow Laura LaValle, RDN: Find her on Facebook at Laura LaValle, Nutritionist or through her educational work with the Metabolic Code and A4M.
</li>
</ul>

Dr. Pinkston is working hard to create a new vision for health and wellness by re-entering the radio waves coming in April! Dr Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the Christus Santa Rosa family practice residency program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through diet, exercise, hormones, mind and body techniques she has regained her health and wants to help others discover their own path to wellness. She will have the local radio show with a national platform on Sirius XM and will have a podcast, blog and YouTube channel! Stay tuned as developments are happening EVERYDAY!

  

Bio

Dr. Marianne Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Practice Residency Program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe disabling inflammatory arthritis condition of all the joints that includes severe debilitating fatigue and other issues. Dr. Pinkston then began her journey into integrative and functional medicine where she has earned tens of thousands of hours in training and degrees in stem cell and peptide certification as well as anti-aging and regenerative medicine studies and in integrative medicine studies. Dr. Pinkston is a specialist of weight loss having her self gained up to 300 pounds and developed diabetes and high blood pressure, dr. Pinkston lost 162 pounds in a year and two months regaining her precious health. Dr. Pinkston also provides the best in hormone replacement therapy for men and women and treats autoimmune conditions as well as thyroid and diabetic and other inflammatory conditions. Dr. Pinkston is not limited to any certain disease or treatment style. Dr. Pinkston entered into the mass media scene in 2016 with KTSA 550 and the Dr Pinkston’s Radio Show and now has joined with KLUP-930 The Answer in San Antonio Texas where she will present many contemporary and integrative health topics as well as inspirational and guided life improvement topics and motivational speaking. Dr. Pinkston is a board of director and speaker for Global Pain Association having suffered chronic pain for 14 years and is the president of Pinkston Medical and Wellness Clinic under Total Care Physical Therapy And Rehab. She continues as a solo practitioner in San Antonio Texas treating all ages and men and women for all conditions. Dr. Pinkston is the premier specialist of Hormone Replacement Therapy and of wellness and anti-aging and is medical director of the Dolce Beauty and Laser medical spa. Dr. Pinkston has over 10,000 hours of teaching for medical students and Nurse Practitioner and physician assistants. She is extremely active in the community and in many philanthropic areas and continues in private practice. Dr. Pinkston is sponsored by PD labs in Austin Texas and join forces with pharmacist Ray Solano on Healthy Choices channel on Sirius XM and has developed a blog a podcast and a YouTube channel where you can find Dr. Pinkston at any time. Dr. Pinkston’s mission is to give patients and everyone everywhere the better life.

Dr. Pinkston is working hard to create a new vision for health and wellness by re-entering the radio waves coming in April! Dr Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the Christus Santa Rosa family practice residency program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through diet, exercise, hormones, mind and body techniques she has regained her health and wants to help others discover their own path to wellness. She will have the local radio show with a national platform on Sirius XM and will have a podcast, blog and YouTube channel! Stay tuned as developments are happening EVERYDAY!
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Bio
Dr. Marianne Pinkston is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Practice Residency Program. Graduating in 1997 and starting her clinical solo practice in 2000, Dr. Pinkston provided South Texas with the best general care in family practice until 2007 when she developed Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe disabling inflammatory arthritis condition of all the joints that includes severe debilitating fatigue and other issues. Dr. Pinkston then began her journey into integrative and functional medicine where she has earned tens of thousands of hours in training and degrees in stem cell and peptide certification as well as anti-aging and regenerative medicine studies and in integrative medicine studies. Dr. Pinkston is a specialist of weight loss having her self gained up to 300 pounds and developed diabetes and high blood pressure, dr. Pinkston lost 162 pounds in a year and two months regaining her precious health. Dr. Pinkston also provides the best in hormone replacement therapy for men and women and treats autoimmune conditions as well as thyroid and diabetic and other inflammatory conditions. Dr. Pinkston is not limited to any certain disease or treatment style. Dr. Pinkston entered into the mass media scene in 2016 with KTSA 550 and the Dr Pinkston&rsquo;s Radio Show and now has joined with KLUP-930 The Answer in San Antonio Texas where she will present many contemporary and integrative health topics as well as inspirational and guided life improvement topics and motivational speaking. Dr. Pinkston is a board of director and speaker for Global Pain Association having suffered chronic pain for 14 years and is the president of Pinkston Medical and Wellness Clinic under Total Care Physical Therapy And Rehab. She continues as a solo practitioner in San Antonio Texas treating all ages and men and women for all conditions. Dr. Pinkston is the premier specialist of Hormone Replacement Therapy and of wellness and anti-aging and is medical director of the Dolce Beauty and Laser medical spa. Dr. Pinkston has over 10,000 hours of teaching for medical students and Nurse Practitioner and physician assistants. She is extremely active in the community and in many philanthropic areas and continues in private practice. Dr. Pinkston is sponsored by PD labs in Austin Texas and join forces with pharmacist Ray Solano on Healthy Choices channel on Sirius XM and has developed a blog a podcast and a YouTube channel where you can find Dr. Pinkston at any time. Dr. Pinkston&rsquo;s mission is to give patients and everyone everywhere the better life.

The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston Podcast

Dr Pinkston jumps into the holistic and contemporary health, wellness, anti- aging scene with a dose of motivational and inspirational guidance to bring her listeners to experience The Better Life. 

Dr Pinkston jumps into the holistic and contemporary health, wellness, anti- aging scene with a dose of motivational and inspirational guidance to bring her listeners to experience The Better Life.