Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Aspartame: By Far the Most Dangerous Substance Added to Most Foods Today

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Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It was discovered by accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug.

What you don't know WILL hurt you. Find out the dangerous effects of artificial sweeteners to your health.Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr. John W. Olney and consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974, as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious, including seizures and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include:
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Dizziness
  • Seizures
  • Nausea 
  • Numbness
  • Muscle spasms 
  • Weight gain
  • Rashes
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Tachycardia
  • Insomnia
  • Vision problems
  • Hearing loss
  • Heart palpitations
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Anxiety attacks 
  • Slurred speech  
  • Loss of taste
  • Tinnitus
  • Vertigo 
  • Memory loss
  • Joint pain            
According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:
  • Brain tumors
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Alzheimer's
  • Mental retardation
  • Lymphoma
  • Birth defects
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Diabetes                                                               
Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James and Phyllis Balch lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison." As you shall see, that is exactly what it is.

What Is Aspartame Made Of?

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Aspartic Acid (40 percent of Aspartame)

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a professor of neurosurgery at the Medical University of Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing the damage that is caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from aspartame. Blaylock makes use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid (about 99 percent of monosodium glutamate or MSG is glutamic acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.

How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage

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Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite" or stimulate the neural cells to death.

Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins), it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.

The blood brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins, 1) is not fully developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when intact.

The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75 percent or more) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to excitatory amino acid damage include:
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)  
  • Parkinson's disease
  • ALS
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Memory loss
  • AIDS
  • Hormonal problems
  • Dementia
  • Epilepsy
  • Brain lesions
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Neuroendocrine disorders
The risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with certain chronic health problems from excitotoxins are great. Even the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), which usually understates problems and mimics the FDA party-line, recently stated in a review that:

"It is prudent to avoid the use of dietary supplements of L-glutamic acid by pregnant women, infants, and children. The existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e., elevated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and individuals with affective disorders."

Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid.

The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those reactions include:
  • Headaches/migraines    
  • Fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain)           
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Nausea 
  • Sleep problems
  • Depression
  • Abdominal pains
  • Vision problems
  • Asthma/chest tightness
One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to combat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage. Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are concerned about excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSG.

A few of the many experts who have spoken out against the damage being caused by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental psychologist specializing in research design. Another is Olney, a professor in the department of psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of mice.)

Phenylalanine (50 percent of aspartame)

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Don't let artificial sweeteners fool you! Order now and find out the risks of using aspartame.Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood. Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame.

Even a single use of aspartame raised the blood phenylalanine levels. In his testimony before the U.S. Congress, Dr. Louis J. Elsas showed that high blood phenylalanine can be concentrated in parts of the brain and is especially dangerous for infants and fetuses. He also showed that phenylalanine is metabolized much more efficiently by rodents than by humans.

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published by the Wednesday Journal in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.

As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring phenylalanine buildup in the brain were flawed. Investigators who measured specific brain regions and not the average throughout the brain notice significant rises in phenylalanine levels. Specifically the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus striatum areas of the brain had the largest increases in phenylalanine. Blaylock goes on to point out that excessive buildup of phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make one more susceptible to seizures.

Therefore, long-term, excessive use of aspartame may provide a boost to sales of serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures.

Methanol a.k.a wood alcohol/poison (10 percent of aspartame)

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Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. Some people may remember methanol as the poison that has caused some "skid row" alcoholics to end up blind or dead. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounters the enzyme chymotrypsin.

The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g. as part of a "food" product such as Jello).

methanolMethanol breaks down into formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde." They recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.

Symptoms from methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioral disturbances, and neuritis. The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage, and blindness. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects.

Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans. As pointed out by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte, director of the food science and nutrition laboratory at Arizona State University: "There are no human or mammalian studies to evaluate the possible mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of methyl alcohol."

He was so concerned about the unresolved safety issues that he filed suit with the FDA requesting a hearing to address these issues. He asked the FDA to:

"...[S]low down on this soft drink issue long enough to answer some of the important questions. It's not fair that you are leaving the full burden of proof on the few of us who are concerned and have such limited resources. You must remember that you are the American public's last defense. Once you allow usage (of aspartame) there is literally nothing I or my colleagues can do to reverse the course. Aspartame will then join saccharin, the sulfiting agents, and God knows how many other questionable compounds enjoined to insult the human constitution with governmental approval."

Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of the FDA, Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverage. He then left for a position with G.D. Searle's public relations firm.

It has been pointed out that some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, however, that methanol never appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts. Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans. The troops of Desert Storm were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages, which had been heated to over 86 degrees F in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of aspartame such as DKP (discussed below) may also have been a factor.

In a 1993 act that can only be described as "unconscionable," the FDA approved aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to above 86 degree F (30 degree C).

Diketopiperazine (DKP)

DKP is a byproduct of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the occurrence of brain tumors. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitrosated in the gut, produced a compound that was similar to N-nitrosourea, a powerful brain tumor causing chemical. Some authors have said that DKP is produced after aspartame ingestion. I am not sure if that is correct. It is definitely true that DKP is formed in liquid aspartame-containing products during prolonged storage.

G.D. Searle conducted animal experiments on the safety of DKP. The FDA found numerous experimental errors occurred, including "clerical errors, mixed-up animals, animals not getting drugs they were supposed to get, pathological specimens lost because of improper handling," and many other errors. These sloppy laboratory procedures may explain why both the test and control animals had 16 times more brain tumors than would be expected in experiments of this length.

In an ironic twist, shortly after these experimental errors were discovered, the FDA used guidelines recommended by G.D. Searle to develop the industry-wide FDA standards for good laboratory practices.

DKP has also been implicated as a cause of uterine polyps and changes in blood cholesterol by FDA Toxicologist Dr. Jacqueline Verrett in her testimony before the U.S. Senate.

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Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-most-dangerous-substance-added-to-food.aspx

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Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Herbs For Kidneys

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Over 20 million people in the USA alone suffer from chronic kidney disease - and many are not even aware they have it! An additional 20 million others are at increased risk, as per the USA National Kidney Foundation. [1] However, finding safe and effective herbs for promoting kidney health however may seem quite challenging. Whereas many herbs for liver and colon health have been studied, conclusive studies on herbs for kidney maintenance remain somewhat scarce in the Western world. [2]

While research on herbs for the kidneys is somewhat limited, the National Kidney Foundation consents there are some herbs that can indeed promote kidney health when used in sensible amounts. [1] Here are 10 herbs and natural remedies that have been studied and which are thought beneficial for the kidneys:

10 Herbs For Kidneys

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Green Tea

The young, "unfermented" leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) are widely considered to have the best nutritional qualities. Most green teas are unfermented or very lightly fermented, as opposed to oolong teas which are semi-fermented and black teas which are fully fermented.

Tea has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, astringent and diuretic properties. It also contains compounds called polyphenols that have been known to inhibit kidney stones and even prevent certain cancers. [2] It is these polyphenols that are widely investigated for their anti-oxidant activities to prevent diseases caused by oxidative stress like kidney related disorders. As one recent Japanese study has shown, the biological activities and low toxicity of polyphenols have beneficial effects on pathological states related to oxidative stress renal disease. [3]

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Couch Grass (Elymus repens)

Rich in polysaccharides, volatile oils, mucilages and other nutrients, couch grass has been traditionally used to increase urine production and in treating urinary tract infections like cystitis and urethritis. Because it has diuretic, demulcent and antibacterial properties, couch grass is also used to partially dissolve kidney stones. [2] Consequently, researchers in Italy discovered that when combined with potassium citrate, dry extract of couch grass significantly reduced total number of stones, size of urinary stones and uric acid urinary excretion among the treated group after a 5 month follow up period in a randomized controlled study. [4]

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Rehmannia

Rehmannia is a herb that is less well known in the West but has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine since ancient times. The steamed roots of rehmannia have been widely used a kidney tonic against various renal diseases. A 2009 study showed that this herb possesses reno-protective effects in progressive renal failure by reducing serum creatinine level, 24-h urinary protein excretion and glomerulosclerosis. [5] Phytosterols, antioxidants, along with iridoid glycosides are reported to be responsible for rehmannia's therapeutic benefits on the kidneys. [2]

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Banaba

An ornamental plant indigenous to Australia, India and tropical countries in Southeast Asia, banaba has been used since ancient times as a natural diuretic and as a remedy for kidney and bladder problems. [6] While much research is focused on the herb's high levels of corosolic acid and how this may improve blood sugar levels among type II diabetics, the leaves of banaba have also been used to relieve urinary tract infections. Evidence also suggests regular intake of banaba leaf tea can alleviate discomfort associated with kidney stones and help prevent gallbladder stones. [7]

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Java Tea (Orthosiphon stamineus)

Listed in French, Indonesian, Dutch and Swiss pharmacopoeias as a remedy for kidney ailments, java tea has diuretic properties and increases the kidney's ability to eliminate nitrogen-containing compounds. Some experts believe java tea is effective against kidney stones, kidney infections and in promoting renal function because of the flavones, glycoside, volatile oil and potassium it contains. [2] Aside from these, recent studies of java tea reveal caffeic acid and rosmarinic contents which have antioxidant properties and trigger helpful biological mechanisms that support its use in folk medicine. [8]

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Cranberries

Initially thought to be beneficial in treating urinary tract infections, recent scientific studies revealed that cranberries may also contribute in preventing the formation of kidney stones. Research shows that cranberries are good sources of quinic acid, a very acidic substance which the body cannot dissolve so it remains unchanged until it is excreted as urine. This substance helps in making the urine acidic thereby preventing the phosphate and calcium ions to form as kidney stones.[9]

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Dandelion

When made into tea, dandelion makes an effective herb for the liver and the kidneys. In addition to its diuretic properties, dandelion is an excellent source of nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, and Vitamins A, C, D and B-Complex. The roots of dandelion contain active ingredients that help dissolve kidney stones. They continue to attack kidney stones until they break up and pass. [10]

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Ginger

For more than 2000 years, ginger has been widely used to treat different types of health illnesses including renal disorders. Scientific experimental evidences point that ginger contains active constituents that activate the antioxidant pathways resulting to increased renal protection. [11]

A good reservoir of valuable dietary elements like Vitamin C, folic acid, Vitamin B3, iron, calcium and protein, ginger is a wonderful herb that also aids in dissolving kidney stones. More than its ability to cleanse the kidneys, ginger can also be used to dissolve kidney stones.[12]

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Cucumber

According to research, cucumber is a vegetable consist of 97% water. When made into juice or taken raw, cucumbers are excellent sources of valuable nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, lutein, beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, protein, phosphorus and calcium. [13]

Noted for their diuretic and laxative properties, intake of cucumber is highly recommended to people suffering kidney problems. This vegetable helps in eliminating harmful toxins out of kidneys as well as in dissolving bladder and kidney stones. [14]

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Onion

Research shows that onions can really be helpful in eliminating pain associated with kidney stones. Regular intake of onion juice is thought to be useful in making the kidney stones pass within at least 24 hours. [15]


References:

[1] Use of Herbal Supplements in Chronic Kidney Disease. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/herbalsupp.cfm

[2] http://www.naturalnews.com/027211_tea_green_herbs.html

[3] Green Tea Polyphenols for the Protection against Renal Damage Caused by Oxidative Stress. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22844338

[4] Effects of the association of potassium citrate and agropyrum repens in renal stone treatment: results of a prospective randomized comparison with potassium citrate. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=couch+grass%2C+kidney

[5] Rehmannia glutinosa ameliorates the progressive renal failure induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19146934

[6] http://suite101.com/article/herbal-remedy-a27859

[7] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-banaba-leaf.htm

[8] Evaluation of the genotoxicity of Orthosiphon stamineus aqueous extract. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21044879

[9] http://www.livestrong.com/article/264679-what-are-the-benefits-of-cranberry-juice-on-kidneys/

[10] http://www.livestrong.com/article/546304-the-benefits-of-dandelion-leaf-root-for-the-kidneys/

[11] http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-ginger-kidney-function-3019.html

[12] http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Herbal-Remedies-Really-Dissolve-Kidney-Stones?&id=5895659

[13] http://www.livestrong.com/article/248685-what-are-the-benefits-of-lemon-cucumber-juice/

[14] http://www.livestrong.com/article/488376-vegetables-good-for-kidney-cleansing/

[15] http://www.ehow.com/way_5633357_onion-cure-kidney-stones.html

Article researched and created by Cathy Ongking and Elfe Cabanas, © herbs-info.com 2013

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