David, I use Splenda and have been for two years without any known side
effects.  It is always a chemical when it is an altered substance.  They
replaced a couple of carbon molecules with a couple of clorine molecules to
keep our bodies from recognizing it as a sugar.

So, it is not paleo.  I guess I consider myself more low carb than paleo,
but definitely headed towards paleo.  I am married to a sweetaholic and have
to use Splenda in order to keep him LC in any way, shape or form!

You can probably find out more than you ever wanted to know about this stuff
if you put it in google and start searching.

HTH,
Jan in Colorado