Health & Wellness Roundtable 3 - The Sweetener Landscape
Explore the hidden truths behind sugar substitutes. This course dives into artificial and natural sweeteners, their effects on metabolism, gut health, and inflammation, and how to choose safer alternatives that nourish rather than harm.
Dr. Judy MikovitsDaniel BobinskiNatalie Nicole
Program Features
- Self-paced
- Interactive LMS Content
- Blockchain-based Certificate
Program Features
- Self-paced
- Interactive LMS Content
- Blockchain-based Certificate
Description
Sweeteners are everywhere — from sodas and snacks to “sugar-free” health foods — but not all are created equal. This course takes you inside the world of sugar substitutes, separating fact from marketing spin. With insights from nutrition experts, toxicologists, and wellness professionals, you’ll uncover the history, science, and controversies behind aspartame, sucralose, stevia, monk fruit, allulose, and more.
You’ll learn how different sweeteners affect nutrient sensing, the pancreas, brain, and gut microbiome, and why some may trigger inflammation, cravings, or even long-term health risks. The course also highlights stories of real-world impact — from harmful side effects to breakthroughs in developing functional, nutrient-based sweetener blends.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to read labels critically, understand the biochemistry of sweetness, and make informed choices that support energy, metabolism, and overall well-being. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, athlete, or simply someone navigating the food landscape, this course equips you to see through the hype and choose wisely.
Program Syllabus
In this course, you will learn about...
Introduction to Sweeteners
- Defining “sugar” and “sweeteners” — why terms are often misleading
- Natural vs. artificial sweeteners in today’s food system
- The history of sweeteners and the rise of the “sugar-free” diet movement
Artificial Sweeteners and Risks
- Aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin — how they were developed and approved
- Case studies of health effects and controversies
- Marketing, FDA approval, and political influence in food regulation
Metabolism and Nutrient Sensing
- How the body senses nutrients vs. synthetic compounds
- Pancreas, insulin response, and the cephalic phase
- Links to inflammation, mitochondrial energy, and immune dysfunction
Gut Health and Cravings
- The impact of sweeteners on microbiome balance
- Why artificial sweetness can drive hunger and cravings
- Trauma loops, addiction, and metabolic imbalance
Natural Alternatives and Functional Foods
- Monk fruit, allulose, agave inulin, yacon root, and vanilla
- Combining botanicals for balance and nutrient delivery
- Avoiding sugar alcohol pitfalls and digestive side effects
Reading Labels and Avoiding Traps
- High-fructose corn syrup, sugar alcohols, and hidden additives
- Spotting misleading health claims on packaging
- Practical strategies for shopping and food preparation
Building a Sweetener Strategy
- Comparing artificial vs. functional natural blends
- Designing your own approach to sugar and sweeteners
- Tools for long-term health, resilience, and informed food choices
Dr. Judy Mikovits
Dr. Mikovits earned a BA in Chemistry from University of Virginia in 1980 and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from George Washington University in 1992. In her forty-year quest to understand the causes, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, she has co-authored seminal papers culminating at least a decade of research in each of four fields: Immunology, natural products chemistry, epigenetics, and HIV/AIDs drug development.
In 2009, Dr Mikovits led the team that first isolated and characterized a new family of human disease-associated retroviruses, XMRVs. Dr Mikovits has co-authored more than 50 peer reviewed publications and book chapters, and holds a patent for Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer using Botanical Compositions and
Dr Mikovits is a New York Times Best selling author of the books Plague, Plague of Corruption, Ending Plague and the Truth about the Masks.
In 2020 Dr. Mikovits started DrJSolution, a company focused, not only on education, but on providing solutions for prevention and treatment of autoimmune/auto-inflammatory diseases resulting from viral infection, drugs and environmental toxins. Her heart and passion is to focus on natural products chemistry and plant based drug and nutritional therapeutic protocols.
Her current focus is on medical cannabis with breakthroughs in understanding of the pathophysiology of neuroimmune diseases such as vaccine acquired immune deficiency syndrome = vaccine AIDS.
Daniel Bobinski
Daniel Bobinski is the Founder/Director of GC2 Ministries and the Institute for Transformational Learning, LLC. He served as President and CEO of Leadership Development, Inc. for 35 years.
Daniel holds a Th.D. from North Central Theological Seminary and is completing his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning & Leadership at the University of Idaho. He earned his Master of Education from Idaho State University and his Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University in training and development, graduating summa cum laude.
Daniel served as an adjunct professor at Idaho State University and has organized regional conferences on educational methodology. He’s an international bestselling author of five books, including Creating Passion-Driven Teams and Become a Student of Your Students. Daniel has written for Christian Living Magazine for 12 years.
Daniel specializes in integrating biblical worldview with practical application, and has served as a teaching pastor, men’s minister, and youth leader. A Navy veteran, Daniel is married to Jeralynne and has called Idaho home since 1998.