Do you have high blood pressure? You probably don’t kow for sure unless you have been to the doctor recently. 1 in 3 U.S. adults have the diseases.

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Soft drinks are addictive and full of high fructose corn syrup – it’s worse for you than sugar.  It’s making everyone unhealthy and fat.   Here is what Wikipedia has to say:

Corn syrup is a syrup, made using cornstarch as a feedstock, and composed mainly of glucose. A series of two enzymatic reactions are used to convert the cornstarch to corn syrup. Its major uses in commercially-prepared foods are as a thickener, sweetener, and for its moisture-retaining (humectant) properties which keep foods moist and help to maintain freshness.

Corn syrup is used to soften texture, add volume, prohibit crystallization and enhance flavour. Because cane sugar quotas raise the price of sugar in the United States^, domestically produced corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup are a less expensive alternative often used in American-made processed and mass-produced foods, candies, soft drinks and fruit drinks to help control cost.

What Soft Drinks are Doing to Your Body

Soda, pop, cola, soft drink — whatever you call it, it is one of the worst beverages that you could be drinking for your health. As the debate for whether to put a tax on the sale of soft drinks continues, you should know how they affect your body so … This means that drinking sodas and carbonated water increases your risk of osteoporosis. Add in the caffeine usually present in soft drinks, and you are in for even more trouble. Caffeine can deplete the body’s calcium.

Carbonated Soft Drinks – Fizzy Drinks – Weight Gain Drinks

Carbonated soft drinks have now been proved to have numerous health hazards including obesity, dental cavity, and diabetes. Some of the ingredients used in the making of these soft drinks are harmful and cause immensely harmful. … Research has also shown a co-relation between drinking carbonated drinks and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. The acid reflux caused by the fizz in the drinks damages the tissues of the stomach and increases free radicals.

Drink Your Fat, Kiddies

Below is a somewhat terrifying video of a man drinking fat (source: Man Drinks Fat). It’s a product of NYC Health Department’s Drinking Fat campaign. I. … I think the crowd found some momentary relief from the awkward tension, when I opened by inviting them to help themselves to the unlimited supply of softdrinks and candy that Google was providing. I’m not sure I saw Daines laughing. Nonetheless, this POV (not viral yet, per my previous post) drives home the message.

The Soft Drink Industry’s Secret Poison – Are You Getting Enough

Sodium benzoate is made from the sodium salt of benzoic acid, and it is a common preservative in processed foods, and soft drinks. It has been associated with virtually every type of health problem that we have heard of, in recent years. … Despite being knowledgeable of the risks involved, public pressure on soft drink manufacturers is not yet great enough for them to reformulate in the United States. They willingly place you, your children, and your unborn in danger.

Sugary cola drinks linked for first time to higher risk of obesity

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2001, from 1977 to 2001, soft drink intake increased from 4.1% to 9.8% for 19- to 39-year-olds. In percentage terms, soft drink intake was highest among this age group.

Related articles health risks of Soft Drinks

• Man drinks fake fat in NYC anti-soda video (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• The City Exacts Its Revenge [Ad Campaigns] (cityfile.com)
• 10 Ways To Stop Pouring Fat Directly Into Your Body (projectswole.com)

Flu is short for influenza.  It is a viral disease that affects the upper respiratory tract.  Flu is spread by contaminated droplets from coughing and sneezing.  Three different types of viruses cause the flu and once caught you gain immunity to it.  But the flu viruses constantly mutate so next flu season you may catch it again since it is different.

Symptoms of the flu are high fever and shivering, sore throat and sometimes a dry hacking cough, runny nose – sneezing, general weakness, headache, aching joints, sometimes breathlessness, nausea, insomnia, depression, and loss of appetite.

Home treatments include warm apple juice, hot lemon and honey with a cup of warm water, barley water is a traditional treatment for fever -> 2 tablespoons of pearl barley to a pint of water.  Boil 10 minutes, strain the barley and serve the water with lemon and honey.  You can also add ginseng to herbal tea.

Swine flu: The second wave

First swine flu deaths reported in Gaza

netIn the occupied West Bank, at least 1250 cases of swine flu have been reported, with nine deaths, according to government figures. In Israel, 67 people have …Swine Flu Hits Gaza StripVoice of AmericaSwine flu hits Gaza, …

New ad campaign pushes swine flu vaccinations

The CDC estimates some 22 million people have been infected with swine flu and 3900 have died from it.

Swine flu update: note from District Council

Swine flu is continuing to spread throughout the UK. So far, most swine flu cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu. Only a small number of people have had more serious symptoms. …

College Students Urged To Get Swine Flu Vaccine

The efforts to encourage vaccination come even though swine flu infection rates at U.S. colleges and universities recently dropped. On November 25, Bloomberg reported that swine flu infection rates at colleges and universities fell 37 …

Swine flu related articles

• Funeral for Toronto teen with H1N1 (cbc.ca)
• Study: Kids 14 Times More Likely than Elderly to Get Swine Flu (blogs.wsj.com)
• Swine flu: updates on vaccine thoughts (notratched.wordpress.com)
• H1N1 Tips for Real Life (fitnesstipsforlife.com)

• BioCryst, Answer for Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine Shortages? (BCRX … – BioCryst, Answer for Swine Flu H1N1 Vaccine Shortages? (BCRX). October 26, 2009 · Filed Under fda, flu. I have been a pretty upset US citizen so far this Fall ahead of flu season.
• Irish lad rushed to hospital after H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine shot … – Tags: Desiree Jennings Swine Flu vaccine shot horror story!, H1N1 treatment Tamiflu horror stories!, Killer nerve disease links to Swine Flu vaccine link, links to Swine Flu/H1N1 horror stories!, Obama’s daughters did not get the Swine flu.

• Flu Vaccines Hit A Wall – Scientists Struggle To Speed Vaccine … – Making a vaccine against seasonal influenza is a constant catch-up game. Scientists must predict which of the constantly mutating virus strains will be most virulent six months in the future, the amount of time it takes to manufacture.

• (NaturalNews) Swine flu infections have peaked out in the USA, even before drug companies could get their vaccines injected into everyone. According to CDC findings announced recently in Atlanta, one in five U.S. children have already experienced the flu this month, and most of those were likely H1N1 swine flu cases, the CDC says.

• Vaccinations for the First Family We’ve been asked about whether the President, Mrs. Obama, and Sasha and Malia have received their H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines. All four members of the Obama family have received their seasonal flu vaccine.  Malia and Sasha were both vaccinated for H1N1 last week, after the vaccine became available to Washington, DC schoolchildren.  President and Mrs. Obama have not yet been vaccinated for H1N1, and they will wait until the needs of the priority groups identified by the CDC – including young people under the age of 24, pregnant women, and people with underlying conditions – have been met.  The girls’ H1N1 vaccine was administered by a White House physician, who applied for and received the vaccine from the DC Department of Health using the same process as every other vaccination site in the District.

This seasons Swine Flu is a Hybrid Flu.  The Mayo Clinic tells us it contains genetic aspects of human, swine, and avion flu viruses.  This flu spreads quickly and easily, the World Health Organization has declared it a global pandemic.

Swine flu shot – lives endangered?

H1N1 Web News Round Up

• Some Parents Say No to Swine Flu Vaccines | Testing It Up – Drug … – While the virus that caused this swine flu pandemic is, indeed, new, the concept of a vaccine against the flu in general is not new. Swine flu vaccine is manufactured using the same process used in manufacturing seasonal flu vaccine.
• the truth behind swine flu: have cheap drugs & greed created a mass hysteria – refining the swine problem. even if global coverage on the potential swine flu pandemic may be an over-reaction and another sign of media manipulation, it’s clear that the outbreak is still a serious issue.
• ($GSK) GlaxoSmithKline Announces Swine Flu Vaccine Orders Increase – The current outbreak of swine flu pandemic can prove to be a major opportunity for vaccine manufacturers. In addition to GlaxoSmithKline, other major players in the vaccine segment such as Sanofi-Aventis (SNY), Novartis (NVS).

A new nasal spray vaccine has begun distribution and as before there are those with dire predictions and those who believe the vaccine in nothing more than a windfall for big pharmaceuticals. 

Dr. Mercola and others say that big doses of vitamin D are a safe alternative to vaccine.

Here is a round up of information about H1N1 Swine Flu.

Vaccine & Antivirals – H1N1 Flu Press Conference (CDC): 10/01/2009

• Swine flu death on Long Island, NY – US  Health officials say an adult on Long Island has died after suffering from swine flu. The Nassau County resident was over the age of 55 and had serious underlying medical conditions.
• president announces plan to expand fight against global h1n1 pandemic- today, President Obama announced the united states will continue to act aggressively to stop the global spread of the pandemic 2009-h1n1 influenza virus and is prepared to make 10 percent of its h1n1 vaccine supply available to others.
• Swine Flu Vaccine Arriving, But Don’t Line Up Yet  WASHINGTON — Swine flu vaccinations begin with squirts in the noses scheduled for some doctors, nurses and other health workers in Indiana and Tennessee. Monday, October 5, 2009. … A: Even though Sunday was the official start of flu season, this H1N1 wasn’t heeding the calendar — it’s already causing illness in nearly every state. That means getting vaccine to the people at highest risk is a race. So each week, states will distribute however much they have on hand. 
•  CDC reports widespread H1N1 influenza swine flu half nation CDC reported this morning that 26 states have been infected with widespread H1N1 influenza (swine flu). CDC map.
• H1N1 Swine Flu Quarantine of Navy Ships and Crew On September 30, 2009 at 10:24 pm UPDATE: H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Test Reportedly Infects Entire U.S. Naval Vessel, Kills Captain and Chief Petty Officer – also THREE OTHER U.S. NAVAL SHIPS reported to be under similar at-sea quarantine.
• Chen Qi -The World of Micro-Organism Virus | Swine flu | H5N1  NEW DELHI — Nine swine flu deaths in the country on Friday, including five from Maharashtra, took the toll due to influenza A (H1N1) in India to 286, health authorities said.

Minesota is reporting “widespread” outbreaks of flu and swine flu.  “Widespread” is he CDC’s highest classification of the spread of the disease.  It means that this condition has been reported in at least half of the states regions.  30 schools across the state have reported significan numbers of cases (reported by The Mineapolis Star-Tribune).

News from the CDC is good in regard to progress on the H1N1 vaccine. New progress is that only a single dose is required.

Watch the video archive* of the September 11, 2009 briefing on the current H1N1 situation (from www.Flu.gov). Top scientists and doctors from CDC, FDA and NIH provide information on current activities including an update on the H1N1 clinical vaccine trials. *The video archive is playing continuously and you may join the Webcast in progress. An on demand version will be available shortly

For protection vaccine is the best protection but until it is available be sure to wash your hands often, sneeze into your sleave and avoid contact with those who may be infected.  Here are 8 steps the CDC recomends to protect yourself and your family: 

1. Stay home if you are sick with influenza-like illness for example, fever or chills AND cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they are ill with influenza-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8° C] or greater) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. This would require employees to stay home for 3 to 5 days in most cases. CDC recommends this time period away from work regardless of whether or not antiviral medications are used.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
4. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
5. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
6. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean. For example, telephones, computer equipment, etc.
7. Try not to use other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If necessary, consider cleaning them first with a disinfectant.
8. Maintain a healthy lifestyle; attention to rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation helps maintain physical and emotional health.

New Guidance for Small Business
	New guidance includes help for small businesses on writing a preparedness plan and provides ten tips to help protect the health of your employees. Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business  (PDF - 3.74 MB) See more information

• Swine Flu School Closings: Fort Worth ISD, Lewisville, Ponder … – I’ve been paying close attention to the Swine Flu school closings in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, especially since I live in Plano TX myself. 
• 2009 H1N1 Flu: International Situation Update – This situation report provides an update to the international situation as of September 11th, 2009. As of September 6th, the World Health Organization (WHO) regions have reported over 277607 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 …
• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for State and Local Health Officials – H1N1 Influenza (Flu) Resources for State and Local Health Departments.
• US Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths … – As of 6:00 PM ET on September 11, 2009, CDC is reporting 1380 hospitalized cases and 196 deaths. For the 2009-2010 influenza season, states are reporting based on new case definitions for hospitalizations and deaths effective August 30.

Symptoms of Swine Flu – Know the Difference Between H1N1 Flu and Regular Flu
By Arunraj V.S.

Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada and Mexico before H1N1 flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of four months, the disease has spread to almost all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a big epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.

Risk factors of Swine Flu
Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for H1N1 flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions and lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk.

Symptoms of Swine Flu
In children, the symptoms of H1N1 virus include:
1. Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration
4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever

In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever

The symptoms of H1N1 is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu and so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat and fatigue are common. Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of this flu, also known as Influenza A.

How do I catch swine flu?
H1N1 is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it and then bringing to their nose or mouth.

How can someone with swine flu infect it to someone else?
Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there are also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.

How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against H1N1virus?
There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Flu. You can only maintain hygiene and take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against the flu:

1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze into it.

2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, especially after you cough or sneeze.

3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.

4. Avoid contact with people who are infected. This is sad but then the disease is highly infective.

5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.

6. Do not venture into crowded spaces.

7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.

8. Sleep well, eat nutritious food and practise healthy habits so that you are physically active and immune to the flu.

How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs and furniture?
According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces and infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of H1N1 can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people and then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or desk of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, and touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract the virus.

What are the medicines and treatment options?
Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat H1N1 but they should be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune system strong and keep the flu viruses at bay and stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you should start taking antiviral drugs within two days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.

How do I prevent getting H1N1 in high risk areas?
If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you should stay home and avoid contact with these people. If you develop flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance and take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is required.

Does WHO recommend using a MASK?
If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not required to wear a mask. If a near and dear one is sick with H1N1, you need to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact and wash and clean your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.

How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu?
You cannot tell the difference without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories.

Home remedies for swine flu:
There are no home remedies, especially when you have to figure out if it is H1N1 or season flu. The H1N1 requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu and strengthen your immune system by doing the following:
1. Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water.
2. Wear face mask before going outside. If someone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose and mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets into the body through the mouth and nose.
3. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties.
4. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well.
5. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms.

Know more about Swine Flu treatment and also discuss Swine Flu Precautions

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arunraj_V.S.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Symptoms-of-Swine-Flu—Know-the-Difference-Between-H1N1-Flu-and-Regular-Flu&id=2748043

• The Haverblog » Blog Archive » Sir Tom (Donnelly) – arbor day arboretum Astrid Farnsworth AYA bees Ben Affleck campus life Clinton visit commencement customs week dogwood Emma Buckingham fencing Fringe Haver-film haverfest holiday traditions Joan Countryman Joe Schwartz ’83 legends Lloyd Hall Luke Wilson nature trail Norm Pearlstine ’64 Obama visit Parks you don’t get much more winning-er than this. For you alums who competed under Tom, enjoy this video clip. To put this man into perspective, running into Tom in his element is like running into Sir Paul McCartney outside Abbey Road Studios.
• Swine flu: 10 things you need to know – Swine flu: 10 things you need to know.
• The TB crisis that gets ignored – The national media covered tuberculosis carrier Andrew Speaker wall-to-wall earlier this month. […] Read the rest »
• Follow The Money – Seeker401 | Swine Flu vaccine makers get total … – In 2006, PREPA was passed due to fear of an avian flu pandemic, in the event the avian flu virus mutated to enable person-to-person spread. Avian flu then had a 70% death rate. EVEN BEFORE THE VACCINE’S SAFETY, OR THE SAFETY OF THE VACCINE ADJUVANTS HAVE BEEN TESTED.

Is Swine Flu dangerous, if you’ve read through these resources you can at least begin to answer that question for yourself.

Swine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

How Swine Flu Is Spread

Influenza virus is believed to be spread by respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.  The droplets can be propelled through the air and are pulled in to the nose and mouth of people nearby.  The virus may also spread when a person touches the infected droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose before they wash their hands.  Containing the droplets and clean hands are the best prevention we have just now.

Government Swine Flu Information Source

Swine flu promises a larger outbreak this fall and will fall in along side seasonal flu.  The government has created a website that has the latest alerts and information on the spread and how to prevent Swine Flu (h1n1): http://flu.gov/ Check the site to find live webcasts.

Pregnant Women And New Mom’s Are At A Higher Risk From The Flu

This webcast from Health and Human Services talks about what pregnant women and new mom’s should be aware of in regard to swine flu dangers.

Here Is What The Department of Health And Human Services Reports Now:

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with this H1N1 virus were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. All U.S. states have since reported cases of H1N1 flu infection in humans. As part of the federal government response to the H1N1 virus, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration on April 26, 2009.(Press Release)  On July 23, 2009, Secretary Sebelius signed a renewal of the determination that a public health emergency exists.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world.

Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

Other Swine Flu Reports From Around The Web

• The Haverblog » Blog Archive » Sir Tom (Donnelly) – arbor day arboretum Astrid Farnsworth AYA bees Ben Affleck campus life Clinton visit commencement customs week dogwood Emma Buckingham fencing Fringe Haver-film haverfest holiday traditions Joan Countryman Joe Schwartz ’83 legends Lloyd Hall Luke Wilson nature trail Norm Pearlstine ’64 Obama visit Parks you don’t get much more winning-er than this. For you alums who competed under Tom, enjoy this video clip. To put this man into perspective, running into Tom in his element is like running into Sir Paul McCartney outside Abbey Road Studios.
• WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases – WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases.
• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Related Links – H1N1 Flu related links resources page.
• What’s Up With this Swine Flu—Oops, I Mean the H1N1 Virus – What do you make of all this business of the swine flu? I watch these news stories with all these people walking around wearing masks and wonder what to make of the whole thing. I guess because my whole life I have been around people …

Aspartame contains three primary chemicals, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol.  It turns out that methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body.  Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin and is better known as embalming fluid.  It has even been shown to cause long-term genetic damage.  The other two chemicals are troublesome too.  They are called excitotoxins and stimulate neural cells.  They also have been shown to have long term harmful effects and are a danger.

Here is a summary of information about aspartame from around the net.

• Aspartame Health Risk – Aspartame health risk are MS heart attacks ADD ALS Lou Gehrig’s disease hormonal imbalance anxiety depression slurred speech insomnia MSG leukemia autism overweight headaches diabetes diarreha joint pain dizziness allergies brain damage …
• aspartame withdrawal Your source for aspartame withdrawal … – aspartame health risk Your source for aspartame health risk. aspartame free gum Your source for aspartame free gum. aspartame msds Your source for aspartame msds. allergic reaction to aspartame
• Aspartame Health Risk – Author: Lindasothervideos Keywords: Aspartame Nutrasweet Canderel Artificial sweetener Sugarfree Pepsi Alzheimers Parkinsons Fox News Health Medicine Added: July 21, 2008.
• Aspartame Health Risk – Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains. Dr. Arthur Kramer is a Professor in the University of Illinois Department of Psychology, the Campus Neuroscience Program, the Beckman Institute, and the Director of the Biomedical Imaging Center.

The Aspartame Report

By Peggy Huff

Aspartame Defined

Aspartame is a synthetic chemical made up of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine and a methyl ester that breaks down into methyl alcohol (wood alcohol). It is 200 times sweeter than sugar (but considered to be calorie-free) and was approved by the FDA in 1981 as a tabletop sweetener and for use in gum, breakfast cereals and other dry products. The use of aspartame was expanded to soft drinks in 1983 and then for use as a general-purpose sweetener in all foods and drinks in 1996. It is marketed under the names Equal, NutraSweet and Canderel and is found in over 6000 foods (including many chewable vitamins) and beverages worldwide. The current “acceptable daily intake” of 50 mg/kg body weight represents the projection of animal studies based on lifetime intake.

Metabolism of Aspartame

Upon ingestion, aspartame breaks down into several chemicals, including phenylalanine, aspartic acid, methanol and formaldehyde, to name a few. Phenylalanine naturally occurs in the human body and aspartame’s breakdown to this essential amino acid poses a health risk to those born with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited disease that prevents phenylalanine from being converted into tyrosine and eventually metabolized. All aspartame-containing foods sold in the United States must state “Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine” on their product labels.

Alcoholic beverages contain methanol impurities, the body is protected from methanol by the preferential metabolism of ethanol.

The human body lacks the enzyme required to split methanol from pectin in fruits and vegetables, so the methanol is never released into our bodies when consuming alcoholic beverages. There is so much more ethanol than methanol in alcoholic drinks that the body does not have time to metabolize the methanol and it is excreted naturally through the breath and urine. (You’d need to drink 58 bottles of Jack Daniels at once to reach toxic levels of methanol…)

The bad news is, when we ingest aspartame, humans do possess the enzyme required to separate methanol from the amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine in this case). Methanol is then released and absorbed into the body, is unstable in the body and gets converted into formaldehyde, characterized as a class A poison, which is used to prevent dead bodies from decaying, i.e. embalming fluid. Some formaldehyde will be converted into formic acid, which can cause central nervous system depression, coma and death, in certain quantities. Adverse effects of formaldehyde include irreversible genetic defects, degeneration of white blood cells, leukemia, and nose/throat cancer.

Adverse Effects

By 1995, the FDA received 7,232 complaints about aspartame. (See Table 1). Continued use of aspartame can cause aggravation of diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, convulsions, headache, depression, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, arthritis and brain tumors. Aspartame use can create symptoms that simulate multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, System Lupus Erythematosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) to name a few. Aspartame intake can result in increased food consumption, damage to the retina or optic nerves and can affect the amino acid-derived neurotransmitters. In addition, aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline.

Table 2 below shows a breakdown of specific complaints associated with aspartame use. (Roberts, HJ. Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 2001, www.sunsentpress.com)

Complaint – #
Eye
Decreased vision, blurred vision, tunnel vision, “bright flashes” ,etc. 302
Pain (one or both eyes) 87
Decreased tears, trouble with contact lens, or both 95
Blindness (one or both eyes) 27

Ear
Tinnitus (“ringing”) 146
Severe intolerance for noise 80
Marked impairment of hearing 57

Neurological
Headaches 516
Dizziness, unsteadiness, or both 376
Confusion, memory loss, or both 376
Severe drowsiness and sleepiness 150
Parenthesis (“pins and needles”) or numbness of limbs 183
Convulsions (grand mal epileptic attacks) 129
Petit mal attacks 36
Non-classified seizures 21
Severe slurring of speech 124
Severe tremors 101
Severe “hyperactivity” and “restless legs” 78
Atypical facial pain 70
Simulation of multiple sclerosis 28

Psychological/Psychiatric
Severe depression 281
Suicidal ideas/attempts 46
Extreme Irritability 194
Severe anxiety attacks 201
Marked personality changes 167
Recent severe insomnia 169
Severe aggravation of phobias 77
Addiction to aspartame 32

Chest/Heart
Palpitations, tachycardia or both 193
Shortness of breath 110
Atypical chest pain 85
Recent hypertension 64

Gastrointestinal
Nausea 127
Diarrhea 106
Abdominal pain 125
Pain on swallowing 61

Skin/Allergies
Severe itching without a rash 87
Severe lip and mouth reactions 54
Uricaria (hives) 47
Severe genital itching, rash, or both 25
Lupus Erythematosus-type eruption 7
Other rashes 101
Marked thinning or loss of hair 71
Aggravation of respiratory allergies 17
Dual sensitivity to MSG 14

Weight Disorders
Paradoxical marked weight gain 83
Marked weight loss 40

Rheumatologic/Muscular
Severe joint pains 163
Fibromyalgia 27
Leg and hand cramps 28
Myasthenia gravis 8

Endocrine/Metabolic
Problems with diabetes (loss of control/aggravation of diabetic complications, etc.) 118
Aggravated hypoglycemia 74
Menstrual changes (reduction or cessation of periods) 76
Hyperthyroidism (Grave’s Disease) 8

Fluid/Urinary Disturbances
Frequency of voiding, burning on urination, or both 126
Intense thirst 116
“Bloat” 100
Fluid retention and swelling (feet and legs) 43
Kidney stones 3

Aspartame Disease

The term “aspartame disease” has been coined to encompass the reactions to the chemical sweetener. For a chemical that was originally being tested to prevent ulcers, it has been shown to create peptic ulcers. In addition, aspartame use has been reported to mimic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post-poli Syndrome, Lyme Disease, Grave’s Disease, Mainer’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Hypothyroidism, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Parkinson’s Disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Attention Deficit Disorder.

Health professionals are often unable to diagnose a case of aspartame toxicity when they see one since other disease’s may be mimicked. The American Diabetes Association (which receives considerable funding from the aspartame industry), suggests that aspartame is useful in managing diabetes. Aspartame is known to interfere with production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter important in appetite regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that ingestion of aspartame can lead to carbohydrate craving.

Many individuals who reported complaints in Table 1 and 2 reported recurring symptoms after re-challenge with the product. In one study, nearly 2/3 of aspartame reactors experienced symptomatic improvement within two days after avoiding aspartame. With continued abstinence, their complaints generally disappeared. 6 pilots lost their licenses for unexplained seizures while consuming aspartame products. All had been in otherwise excellent health. They purposefully re-challenged themselves to be “absolutely certain” of the causative role of aspartame. All sought to have their licenses reinstated by such objective confirmation on re-challenge.

Timeline of FDA approval

(see rense.com/general33/legal.htm and mercola.com/article/aspartame/fda.htm)

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by a chemist from Searle company who was working on an anti-ulcer drug.

Based on data submitted from Searle to the FDA, aspartame was approved for limited use in 1974.

A researcher from Washington School of Medicine (Dr. John Olney) revealed that holes in the brains of mice appeared after consumption of aspartic acid, a major ingredient of aspartame. This prompted the FDA to organize a Task Force (1975) to investigate Searle’s original research.
One of these studies was by Dr. Waisman who did a study for Searle (1969) in which aspartame was mixed with milk and given to seven infant monkeys; five monkeys had gran mal seizures and one died.

The FDA discovered that when Searle submitted the Waisman study, all the negative data had been omitted.

Upon further investigation, the FDA uncovered serious deficiencies in Searle’s animal research to accurately determine toxic potential which overall, compromises the scientific integrity of the studies.

The FDA discovered that Searle researchers cut out tumors in animals that were fed aspartame and neglected to report all of them. Some animals were “reported as dead” but later were reported alive again. Investigators report they “had never seen anything as bad as Searle’s testing” finding their procedures shoddy, full of inaccuracies and “manipulated” test data.
The FDA discovered that Searle falsified data from a IUD product which eventually was pulled off the market due to a lawsuit.

Searle later admitted that certain tumors were related to the ingestion of a breakdown product of aspartame, Diketopiperazine (DKP).

Due to all the above, a grand jury investigation of Searle was ordered by the FDA (1977) due to “concealing material facts and making false statements” in aspartame safety tests. This is the first time in the FDA’s history that they request a criminal investigation of a manufacturer. Conveniently for Searle, the statute of limitations ran out and the investigation was dropped. (FYI-Dec, 1977 William Conlon, one of the U.S. Attorneys in charge of the investigation leaves the U.S. attorney’s office and takes a job with Searle’s law firm).

1980 – Searle Chairman Donald Rumsfeld (recent Secretary of Defense through December 2006) vows to get aspartame approved (the FDA banned aspartame based on a 1980 FDA Board of Inquiry in which 3 independent scientists confirmed that it might induce brain tumors- the Board stated that it “has not been presented with proof of reasonable certainty that aspartame is safe for use as a food additive.”).

1981 – Ronald Reagan is inaugurated and Searle re-applies for FDA approval to use aspartame in food. Reagan appoints new FDA commissioner, Arthur Hayes Hull who appoints a 5-person commission to review the inquiry’s decision. The panel upheld the ban 3-2 but Hull installed a sixth member and the vote became deadlocked. Hull then personally broke the tie in aspartame’s favor, ignoring his own internal FDA team and he approves NutraSweet for dry products.

1983 – the National Soft Drink Association says that liquid aspartame, when stored above 85 F, breaks down into DKP and formaldehyde, both are which are known toxins.

1983 – Consumer Attorney, Jim Turner of the Community Nutrition Institute, files suit with the FDA objecting to aspartame approval based on unresolved safety issues.
1983 – aspartame is approved for use in diet soft drinks. Hull later leaves the FDA under allegations of impropriety and takes a position with a PR firm for Searle.

1985 – Monsanto company purchases Searle and formed a subsidiary for the aspartame product ultimately forming the NutraSweet Company.

1992 – the patent expires on aspartame.

1990s-2006 -FDA continues to refute studies showing adverse effects (see European Ramazzini Foundation research) of aspartame.

1995-list of adverse effects submitted to the FDA (see Table 1)

1996 – the FDA removed all restrictions from aspartame allowing it to be used in all foods
The FDA defines safe as “reasonable certainty of no harm”. Brain tumors and seizures in aspartame-fed animals indicate possible risk to humans.

So, is Aspartame “safe”?

This has been a topic of hot debate for many years. There are those who have very negative physical reactions to this product, and those who claim they do not. Our stance is that anything we put in our bodies has an effect, whether it is obvious or not. A healthy body is one that does not have pain, disease or some kind of physical issue, and our experience is that there are very few who can claim that. We recommend the avoidance of all chemicals and artificial products like Aspartame so that the cause of undesirable “symptoms” can be determined and corrected.

Detoxifying from Aspartame and Breaking Aspartame Addiction

Following are some steps you can take to detox from Aspartame:

Attend a Health Recovery Center, like Essence Recovery Center, who specializes in detoxification and a return to health through the use of holistic practices, including Orthomolecular Medicine, and the healing arts and sciences, or detoxify on your own by the following:

1. Discontinue use of all sugar-free products from your diet,
2. Eat plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables for natural sugar content,
3. If you need sweeteners, use natural products like honey or organic brown sugar sparingly,
4. Drink plenty of water,
5. Exercise regularly, and,
6. Get plenty of rest.

About the Author: Peggy Huff is the President and Executive Director of the Center for Massage & Natural Health in Asheville, North Carolina, specializing in massage therapy education, educational retreats and the healing arts and sciences.

For more information, please visit her website at http://www.centerformassage.com .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peggy_Huff
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Aspartame-Report&id=494175

That’s our wrap up of Aspartame Health Risks, Aspartame Effects, And Aspartame Side Effects we hope it is helpful.