It is not unusual for Bill Evans (our president) to pick on his friends and acquaintances about some of their eating habits. Typically, he tries to deliver his message in a courteous and caring manner, concealing the real frustration he is feeling. But there are also occasions when he is unable to arrest his concern for the importance of a given topic. One such topic of his attention is the artificial sweetener called Aspartame, or better known as Nutrasweet.

If Bill should happen to see you consuming a food or drink that contains aspartame, don't be surprised if he taps you on the shoulder and presents a strong suggestion to learn more about the potential side effects.

In this issue, Bill contributes a piece on Excitotoxins, of which aspartame is included. Many of us are sensitive enough to some food additives that we already do our best to stay clear. For the rest of you, this is information that should be seriously considered.

Also in this issue, I have contributed some information on an herb called Echinacea. We have had so many people around here that have come down with the flu that we thought it would be a good idea to promote the benefits of anything that is good for the immune system.

We also have included a testimonial letter from one of our customers. Her name is Nancy and she has been one of our most outspoken supporters. It is stories like hers that give us the drive to work the long days and weekends.

For your good health. . . .

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It amazes me how much is added to our foods, which we the public know little or nothing about. There often is information about something new being done to food products, that will supposedly benefit the consumer in one way or another.

Remember the problem years ago, about saccharin causing cancer. After years of use, the FDA agreed to caution consumers about its use. It seems like food manufacturers are always looking for a new substance to enhance the flavor of a particular product. The question is - are there sufficient tests run to see the actual affects these products have on our bodies?

Russell Blaylock, M.D. wrote a book entitled, "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills". Dr. Blaylock is a neurosurgeon who addresses the issue about the safety of MSG, Nutrasweet (aspartame), and other taste enhancers.

MSG, along with similar additives, have been added to our foods for many years, in quantities that have doubled every ten years since WWII. Because MSG is derived from an amino acid, there did not seem to be any question about the safety of the product. MSG was thought to help boost energy. It was not until the 1960's that tests started being done by two ophthalmologists - Dr. Lucas and Dr. Newhouse. These tests appeared to show otherwise. Instead of increasing energy in lab rats, they found a degeneration of the retinas, and their visual acuity.

John Olney, M.D., also ran tests, and by the end of the 1970's, he discovered that not only did MSG harm the retina, but the brain as well. He found the harm was more intensive in the younger animals - somehow they were more susceptible to the damage. Also, the young animals were found to grow shorter in height, have a tendency toward obesity, and have difficulty reproducing, when they had been raised on a diet including MSG. Dr. Olney found this particularly frightening because he knew the majority of baby food companies used MSG and other flavor enhancers in their products.

Dr. Olney first informed the FDA about the situation, but they did not react. Then his only hope was to appear before a Congressional committee. At this point, food manufacturers agreed to take MSG out of their products. Instead, the companies replaced the MSG with other chemicals, such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein (a combination of three other flavor enhancers, which are combined with MSG). Some believe this substance is even more dangerous.

In his book "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills", Dr. Blaylock refers to these various food additives as "excitotoxins". There is a whole class of chemicals that cause the same results - when neurons are exposed to these chemicals, they fire the neurological impulses very rapidly, until they shut down from exhaustion. Later, these same neurons die. Because of the similar reactions, neuroscientists have named this class of chemicals "excitotoxins" - they appear to "excite" the neurons to the point of total destruction.

Dr. Blaylock believes some baby food companies are still using these excitotoxins in their products - often found in the form of caseinate, beef or chicken broth flavoring, or hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Some scientists believe that these taste enhancers may have an effect on birth defects, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and attention disorders.

Along with concerns for children, it appears that excitotoxins also adversely effect adults, especially older adults, and may contribute to, or aggravate, symptoms of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, MS, Huntington's disease and other nervous system disorders.

Aspartame (Aspartate) is another excitotoxin additive that is found in the artificial sweetener Nutrasweet. Aspartame, like the other excitotoxins, may also lead to damage of the brain neurons. This additive is found in most diet foods and diet drinks.

According to Dr. Blaylock, in a letter to the Minneapolis Neuropathy Association (M.N.A.), approximately 75% of all food additive consumer complaints to the FDA are about Aspartame. He states "...Aspartame, an L aspartyl L phenylalanine methyl ester, is composed of two amino acids, aspartate and phenylalanine, linked by methanol. The methanol is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the tissues of the body. Within the tissues, substantial amounts of methanol's two metabolic breakdown products (formaldehyde and formic acid) have been shown to accumulate in many tissues."

Dr. Blaylock continues by discussing a study that has shown even small amounts of formaldehyde and formic acid are extremely toxic to the body, possibly carcinogenic. This same study also has shown that formaldehyde bonds with proteins and nucleic acids, and significant amounts are found in the tissues, after Aspartame is digested. Dr. Blaylock believes further evidence shows that "... methanol (as formaldehyde) accumulated in high concentrations in the liver (50%) and in lower, but substantial, concentrations in the kidney, adipose tissue, brain and retina." He goes on to say that they even found large amounts within the DNA. The doses used for this study were within the limits recommended by the FDA.

In the same letter to the M.N.A., Dr. Blaylock reported that a 1997 study found aspartame is especially harmful to patients having autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. There appears to be evidence that Aspartame aggravates these conditions.

For the person with diabetes, Dr. Blaylock believes Aspartame can be even more damaging to the "...already weakened peripheral nerves in the diabetic situation. With the buildup of accumulated concentrations of formaldehyde and formic acid in nervous tissue, long term damage and rapid progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is almost a given. Experimentally, the same widespread brain lesions produced by MSG exposure can be produced by high dose aspartame exposure."

Many people have written of their experiences from a diet that includes frequent consumption of Nutrasweet. Symptoms have been reported to include "brain fog, aching joints, swollen tissues, migraine headaches, digestive problems, severe stomach aches, disorientation, loss of memory, sleep disorders, painfully dry skin, paranoia, depression, sexual dysfunction, heart palpitations and chronic fatigue." Some have reported a remarkable improvement in their symptoms after only one week, when they have cut all aspartame out of their diet.

If you, or others you care about, are consuming any of the aforementioned flavor enhancers or sweeteners, you may want to consider reading Dr. Blaylock's book, "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills". Another informative book is called, "Aspartame (Nutrasweet): Is It Safe? ", by Dr. H. J. Roberts. These titles can be found at our website bookstore (http://appliedhealth.com/bookstore.html).

You may also want to consider taking the time to research the internet for more information before you decide whether or not to continue including these types of chemicals in your diet. Be aware, however, that when surfing the net for sites that discuss some of these topics, you will likely stumble onto some that have a very angry tone to them. I can not help but raise my own suspicions of data credibility when I see it wrapped in a cloak of hostility, whether as a position of pro or con.

Only you, as the proprietor of your health, can decide what to do with the information presented to you. Some of us are lucky. We experience an immediate and significant reaction to some of these additives. For us, it requires no leap of faith to accept the results of some of these studies as valid. But for the rest of you, I feel compelled to assist in raising your awareness.

I have read Tamara's intro to this article and I have only one thing to say; she's right. I do, perhaps, lecture my friends too much. But, they are important to me and I am not comfortable with the idea of their being the subjects of a long term study. I especially get concerned if I learn that someone I care about is consuming significant quantities of diet soda. I will often pinch, prod, nag and harass until I think I am finally getting their attention.

Once I have their attention, I will do what I can to provide them enough data to make an informed decision for themselves. That's all I can do.

So, consider yourselves pinched, prodded, nagged and harassed. And if I have at least caused you to pause and say to yourself, "Hmmm...", then I am satisfied.

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Becoming more popular for its positive effects on the immune system, Echinacea stimulates the lymph nodes, liver and mucous membranes to strengthen the body's ability to fight viruses. It also can strengthen the immune system after extreme physical exertion, and is often recommended for athletes after an extra strenuous workout.

Echinacea can be helpful for viral infections, sore throats, sinus infections, skin inflammations, and minor abrasions. It is also beneficial for cold sores, when applied directly to the area as it begins to appear. For its skin healing properties, echinacea can be applied to the affected area by using compresses containing one part echinacea to two parts water.

Elson Haas, M.D., recommends echinacea at the onset of colds, in combination with Goldenseal, another natural immune builder. He says echinacea is good for cleaning the blood and lymph glands. He is one of the contributing doctors to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies", and is the director of the Marin Clinic of Preventive Medicine and Health Education in San Rafael, California. He is also the author of several books including "Staying Healthy With The Seasons." These books can be found in the AHS bookstore.

Dosage :

In the beginning, to activate the immune system, the suggested dosage is 80 drops, once a day, for 2 days. After that, the adult dosage can be reduced to 15 drops, 3 times a day. Echinacea should be taken on an empty stomach.

It is important to take echinacea for no more than eight days at a time, and then wait for at least four days if you need to start using it again. This will keep the immune system from building up a resistance to it.

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I am writing this letter, because I would like you to know how CellRenew has helped me.

In August 1997, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, osteoarthritis of the spine, and degenerative disc disease. My active life was gone, by all indications, forever. I was in excruciating pain, most of the time. Putting on shoes or climbing into bed caused screaming pain. On the x-ray, my spine looked like a rock pile.

I had to go on company disability. When I eventually returned to work, all I could handle was part-time. When I was not working, I had to rest flat on my back with ice packs. Fortunately, I found out about CellRenew. I started taking it, though I did not expect much to happen. Within just one month, the improvement was incredible. I was off the pain killers, off the ice packs, and returned to work full time.

That was four months ago. Yesterday, I loaded boxes into my storage unit. The day before, I scrubbed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. Recently, I walked briskly for 2-1/2 hours, and then tromped up and down stairs for another hour, looking at condos with my son.

Without a doubt, I know this remarkable return to health is because of CellRenew. I gratefully acknowledge how this product has changed my life.

Thank you,

Nancy P. Age: 63

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