Last week Mike Adams’ Natural News published an article about agave, based on misinformation. Yesterday, a rebuttal was printed. Below are some excerpts. You can read the full article at Agave Nectar: A Rebuttal to Misinformed Attacks on this Natural Sweetener and my comments on agave at Sweet Savvy: Agave Nectar.

We hope that this rebuttal from Madhava will help bring more clarity to the agave nectar issue. Here is the full rebuttal from Craig Gerbore:

In response, I must first point out that Mr. Nagel’s article is based on the view of a sole individual, Russ Bianchi. I suppose we should thank Mr. Bianchi for pointing out some issues that may have contributed to Iidea’s (the initial manufacturer of blue agave nectar) demise from the market, however I want to be clear, this is not about Madhava or our agave nectar. Once a dominant supplier, as of this past summer Iidea is no longer a major supplier in the agave syrup business. The distributors using them as a supplier have quietly switched to newly formed blue agave companies for their supply. Madhava has always worked exclusively with Nekutli, the producer of agave nectar from the agave salmiana, a very different species of the agave.

However, there is no mention of our agave nectar from salmiana in the article, nor of the differences in the plant, the collection and production of our product. So, the author has blurred the line with his all encompassing attack on blue agave nectar, by his failure to present complete information on the subject of agave nectars…

I believe Mr. Bianchi, presented as the sole authority on agave nectar, was initially introduced to Iidea’s blue agave syrup product on their entry to the market in the late 90’s. At that time, Iidea was promoting a 90% fructose agave syrup. This is what I believe Mr. Bianchi is referring to. Unfortunately, he ignores the fact that this is not the agave sold on the market today, nor is it representative of Madhava’s product. In fact Mr. Bianchi has never even acknowledged the existence of our agave nectar from the salmiana variety. So, all his comments are apparently based on his experience with Iidea’s product, but I find ourselves caught in the blast.

In their zestful attack against the blue agave syrup he was introduced to initially, Mr.’s Bianchi and Nagel have also made inaccurate comments which reflect on agave nectar generally. …

Their discussion of the processing of agave nectar is in no way reflective of how Madhava’s agave nectar is produced. There are three ways to convert complex sugars into a simple sugar sweetener such as agave syrup. It can be done thermally, chemically, or enzymatically as ours is. There are no chemicals whatsoever involved in the production of Madhava’s agave nectar from agave salmiana, nor is it cooked. Our agave is subject only to low temperatures during the evaporation of excess water from the juice.

The author states “The principal constituent of the agave is starch, such as what is found in corn or rice.”

This statement, which is the foundation of much of their argument comparing agave nectar to corn syrup, has no basis in scientific fact, THERE IS NO STARCH IN THE AGAVE….

All plants store energy in one of two ways, as starches or fructans. All agave plants create fructans as their energy storing means.

So, agave plants have fructans, not starch. From Wikipedia: Inulins are a group of naturally occurring polysaccharides produced by many types of plants. They belong to a class of fibers know as fructans. Inulin is used by some plants as a means of storing energy and it typically found in roots or rhizomes. Most plants which synthesize and store inulin do not store other materials such as starch.

There is no starch in either species of agave, and agave nectar is not from starch as the author and Mr. Bianchi claim…

I personally spoke with the author during his “research”, as did at least one other in the industry. He chose not to include one word of the information given to him by us, which I will repeat below, and failed to make any distinction between Madhava’s Nekutli agave nectar from salmiana and that from the blue agave plant. He only mentions blue agave. The plants differ, the locations differ, the methods and production differ greatly…

Madhava’s source is exclusively agave salmiana. If you haven’t already reviewed our site at www.madhavasagave.com , you will find background information there. Briefly though, the native people supplying the juice collect it from the live plant, by hand, twice daily. There is no heat involved in the removal. The juice is immediately brought to the facility to remove the excess water as it will ferment rapidly if left standing. It is during the removal of the moisture that the only heat is applied. The juice is evaporated and moisture removed in a vacuum evaporator. The vacuum enables the moisture to be withdrawn at low temperatures. The temp is closely controlled. Subsequently, our agave is handled and packaged at room temperatures. No other heat is applied. And, rather than convert the complex sugars of the juice thermally, we use gentle enzymatic action. Just as a bee introduces an enzyme to flower nectar to make honey, we introduce an natural organic vegan enzyme for the same purpose. The technical term for the conversion of complex sugars into their simple sugar components is hydrolysis. Inulin is a fructan which is hydrolyzed into the simple sugars composing agave nectar, fructose and glucose. Honey is composed of the same simple sugars.

The blue agave plant is harvested and the blue agave nectar is produced by a completely different method. I will have to leave it to the blue agave nectar sellers to comment on the production themselves. While I know of it, I have not witnessed it as I have Nekutli’s. Unlike the author, I won’t comment publicly on something I cannot verify.

To clarify further on another claim, “Agave Nectar as a final product is mostly chemically refined fructose”. As regards Madhava’s agave nectar, there are no chemicals involved in our production whatsoever. The sugars in our agave nectar come from the breakdown of the inulin molecule through the introduction of the enzyme to break apart that molecule. It is in no way chemically refined, there are no chemicals involved in any part of the production or packaging process. Our agave nectar is refined only in as much as the excess moisture is removed from the juice of the plant.

“HFCS is made with GM enzymes”. Bianchi’s states “they (agave and corn syrup) are indeed made the same way” This is another false assertion as regards Madhava’s agave nectar at least. Our agave nectar is certainly and clearly not made the same way as corn syrup. There is no starch in our agave. There are no chemicals, no refinement beyond the evaporation of water. And, there are no GMO’s whatsoever. The agave salmiana has never been subject to this and the enzyme is a natural, non GM organic, vegan enzyme.

Other points regarding fructose apply to sugars in general and are a consumption, or overconsumption issue. Certainly consuming large amounts of sweeteners of any kind will be detrimental to one’s health. Suggesting fructose could cause health issues when concentrated amounts are eaten is a statement which should really apply to the overconsumption issue. The information the author links to agave nectar is the result of megadose testing of pure clinical fructose. Not the same thing as normal daily use of agave nectar in the course of our meals.

The antisweetener advocates just have to admit that it is the overconsumption of sugars that is the problem. Used in moderation, sugars serve a purpose, to make other foods and beverages more palatable. Imagine a world without sweeteners if you can. Affinity for sweet taste is a human trait that most want to satisfy. For those who use sweeteners, there are limited choices available and many choose agave for its particular attributes. It is a good choice. Madhava Agave’s neutral flavor suits the purpose. It is in fact low glycemic, organically certified and non allergenic. Many with diabetes and other special diets find it suitable for their use where other sweeteners are not. It’s easy to use and you can use less.

And, we guarantee the purity of our product. Attached is a letter from the CEO of Nekutli stating this guarantee that Nekutli agave syrup is pure and unadulterated, from the natural juice of agave salmiana.

While it remains up to the individual to maintain balance in their diet and monitor their overall consumption of sweets, Nekutli/Madhava’s Agave Nectar does have advantages over other sweeteners and that is why it has become so popular and received so much attention today.

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Question from Katie

Can anyone recommend a good brand of spray bottle for homemade cleaners? I’m looking for bottles with pump-mist tops that will not clog when used for homemade furniture polish and other cleaners containing vegetable oils and/or essential oils.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Stephan

Hi Fellow MCS’ers and green building advocates:

I just bought a house with a nice old hardwood floor and need to refinish it. My consultant recommends the biocide-free urethane made by Charles Bailey, who is a cabinetmaker on the East Coast specializing in furniture for the chemically sensitive. Has anyone had any experience with this particular product? Also, the floors were waxed with Johnson’s No-Buff Floor Wax, which will need to be removed, and I’m assuming that a deep sanding will do the job. Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Charles Bailey Cabinetmakers

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Julie Burns

Hi,

I’m trying to order a truly healthy couch, and am finding that even the so-called eco fabrics are treated with a Crypton finish – do you know if this is an issue in terms of off-gassing, and if there are other alte

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Anne T

I developed MCS about 3 yrs ago. One of the issues I have the most trouble with is reading any printed matter. Newspapers are the worst offenders, then paperback books,then hardback books and magazines. I assume it’s the ink because photos printed from a computer also bother me alot. How does one know if ink used in printing contains toxins? Guess it could be the paper too. I would appreciate comments on this matter.I am considering one of the reading devices that books can be downloaded onto but most of them are plastic which I also have trouble with. Any thoughts, ideas or experiences would be appreciated. This blog has been very very helpful to me. Thank you so much.

Debra’s Answer

All inks contain some toxic chemicals, to the best of my knowledge. There are links to the MSDS for many different types of printing inks at http://www.vansonink.com/ts_msds.aspx.

Even “eco-friendly” inks contain toxic chemicals, though in smaller amounts, as shown in this ad: http://www.gansink.com/Eco-Sure.asp.

It’s interesting that you say you react most to newspapers. Most newspapers today are printing with soy-based ink because it doesn’t smudge like the old ink.

I don’t think your problem will be solved by looking for an ink you tolerate.

One solution for people with MCS is to use a reading box. I haven’t seen one of these in a while and nothing came up on my internet search. It’s basically a wood or metal box with a glass top. Holes are cut into the sides and long gloves are attached so you can reach in and turn the page without opening the box. They are pretty simple to make if you are handy, or know someone who is.

Has anyone seen a reading box lately, or have suggestions? I used to sit next to an air filter and have it blow directly in the air space between my nose and the book.

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Question from Acer

I’m currently trying to reduce a hyper-sensitivity to plastics that manifests by inflaming my throat and bronchi. I am slowly but steadily eliminating all avoidable plastics from my home, but I would also like to purchase an air purifier that excels at removing plastic off-gassing. Any recommendations?

And can you recommend a reliable supplier of multi-layer cotton face masks? The ones I’ve improvised on my own do give some relief.

Debra’s Answer

You’ll want to get an air filter that contains activated carbon or another filter medium that removes gasses. The filters I recommend are at http://dld123.com/debraslist/list.php?topic=Air#Air%20Filters. I would call the different companies and ask how effective their filters are at removing plastic. I know some filters have filter media that has been specially created to remove specific chemicals.

I don’t know about the face masks. Readers?

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Question from Lyn

Hi Debra,

I have a dilemma. I have an insurance company that will be purchasing an ergonomic office chair for me that, I am told, has memory foam. I have chemical sensitivities and can’t go into any store selling office chairs with memory foam without it making it difficult for me to breathe and my leaving immediately. I have asked that I get a used chair to avoid off-gassing of the fumes of the polyurethane foam. I am also allergic to latex so I can’t use natural latex in seating or beds. Is there any way to seal off the material with some other material to block the off-gassing of the memory foam? Or…is there an ergonomic office chair that has a memory foam made from safe materials for someone with chemical sensitivies? Any information from you or your readers would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Lyn

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of an office chair with safe memory foam, and I doubt there is one.

If your only option is to have this chair, I would devise some kind of cover that would block the fumes. The first thing that comes to mind is an aluminum “space blanket”, which would certainly block the fumes. You would need to wrap it around the chair in such a way to cover all the memory foam, and use foil tape to make a good seal.

Once you’ve done this, you can make a decorative cover of any material that pleases you.

Readers, any other suggestions?

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Question from Ellen

Is there such a thing as a safe electric (cordless) tea kettle? so many reviews from Amazon talk about plastic parts, metallic taste, etc.

Do I need to go to a stove-top model? If so, do you recommend glass or steel? Enameled cast iron? (although I hear you have to empty it out each time)

I drink a lot of tea, so I need something safe, quality and preferably fast (hence the cordless) although the other two criteria are more important.

Thank you so much.

Debra’s Answer

I just heat water for tea on the stovetop in a glass pot (yes, I know, some have been known to shatter).

I haven’t looked at cordless electric teapots. I try to minimize and multitask my kitchen things.

Readers?

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Question from Rachel

Hi! I am (or at least was) a professional artist who has recently gotten MCS. I am selling off all of my oil paints, and I’ve dropped out of my graduate program in art. My question is, is it still ok to use:

any advice on how to continue to be an artist with this condition would be so helpful- art has always been my primary means of expression, and I’ve become extremely depressed with out being able to paint for fear of toxic exposure.

Blessings,

Rachel

Debra’s Answer

I’m not a professional artist, but I find it acceptable to use water-based pens and markets and Prismacolor colored pencils.

Readers, your recommendations?

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Question from Ethel

I just purchased a pair of boots which I absolutely love! I have a a rather wide calf so its hard to find boots to fit. The only problem is that the Faux Leather Accents is emitting a rather plastic smell (The type of odor one would smell when walking down the shoe aisle at Target) I called the company I ordered from in hopes that they would be able to contact the manufacturer to find out the actual material but was told that was not possible. I’m assuming its a type of plastic maybe rubber or even vinyl but am not able to differentiate the smell.

I realize I haven’t given much information here on the material but I wanted your opinion on how worried I should be about this smell? Also if I placed the boots in their original box after wearing would that reduce the amount of offgassing in the air? As you can see i’m grasping at straws here… 🙂

Your professional opinion would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

Unfortunately, I’ll bet it’s polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the more toxic plastics (also causes cancer). Storing the boots in the box will only help a tiny bit.

Personally, I wouldn’t wear these shoes.

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