May each of our readers take a moment to reflect on how wonderful life truly is, that natural health IS nature's intent for all human beings to possess and enjoy, and that exploring the world of holistic medicine is but one of life's natural wonders.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Dr. Hull.

The liver performs a wide variety of vital life functions, and is its own complex system. At this very moment, your liver is converting nutrients from your diet into forms your body can utilize and store for future use. It is regulating the composition of your blood by providing a doorway to your bloodstream. It removes toxins and waste from your blood at the same time it releases nutrients into your blood. What an organ!

Modern living can overload your liver, and that's an understatement! Chemical pollutants in the environment and chemicals pollutants in your FOOD, poor dietary habits, pesticides, artificial hormones in both medications and in processed meats, and stress all affect the liver. This can result in a poorly functioning and highly congested liver, which in turn results in fatigue, loss of appetite, skin problems, blood problems like high cholesterol, and a weakened immune system.

So, be good to your liver. Eat whole foods, drink lots of pure water and liquids that do not have man-made chemicals added, and supplement your diet with key nutrients (such as Dong Quai, calcium D-glucarate, and dandelion) that aid liver health. Taking care of your liver can regenerate liver tissue, protect your liver from free radical damage, reduce liver congestion, which supports other organs directly linked to the liver, and improves your immune function.

Amino acids are very important in neutralizing toxins in the liver, and they are important in the detoxification process, too. They have been found to reduce toxins to harmless substances and assist in their removal from the body. Some amino acids are key components in the formation of bile acids, which are required for the removal of toxins, fats, and metabolites. Don't forget that amino acids should be consumed in a group, specifically a minimum of eight, and are found in meats, dairy, nuts and lentils.

Many herbs promote liver health, such as chicory root, yarrow flower, and senna extract. These herbs suppress oxidative degradation and enhance detoxifying enzymes.

The natural compound calcium D-glucarate, found in many fruits and vegetables, has been shown to support the liver's natural detoxification mechanism called glucuronidation. This detoxification tool removes various carcinogens from the liver such as hormones, xenobiotics, the toxins in diet sweeteners, and fat-soluble toxins. When the liver is overly exposed to these types of toxins, a dangerous enzyme called beta-glucuronidase forms in the body, and this reverses the glucuronidation process and releases toxins (carcinogens) back into the bloodstream. Calcium D- glucarate has been shown to inhibit beta-glucuronidase activity.

The dandelion has long been recognized as a liver tonic because it promotes detoxification and reduces liver congestion. It relieves stagnation from hepatitis, jaundice, and gallstones by stimulating the output of bile.

Dong Quai strengthens the liver by improving oxygen utilization. It has been shown to increase the activity of enzymes in the liver and to protect it from damage from pain relievers such as Tylenol^®.

Lecithin has the ability to make fatty substances more water-soluble, and this helps the liver process fats by efficiently transporting them in and out of the liver. The liver's cell membranes are composed of lecithin, and these membranes regulate the passage of nutrients in and out. Not only does this enhance resistance to infections, but it also assists in the elimination of cholesterol and other blood fats.

Milk thistle is the most researched herb used for liver health. Acting as an antioxidant, silymarin, the flavonoid found in milk thistle, protects the liver from damage by increasing the synthesis of amino acids and the rate of liver regeneration.

Slippery Elm produces a protective lining for inflamed and ulcerated mucosal surfaces common in people who suffer from toxic livers and from abnormal bile production, gastritis, and stomach ulcers.

Zinc deficiency has been connected to liver disease. Enzymes in the liver necessary for the metabolism of alcohol are dependent on zinc. Zinc has also been shown to reduce levels of immunoregulatory protein associated with inflammatory reactions in the liver.

Supplementing with these various vitamins, minerals and herbs (Livertone) can enhance liver function. I recommend removing all food chemicals from your diet, particularly the diet sweeteners and many food preservatives, and this can quickly relieve stress on your liver. Limit your alcohol consumption, and make sure to eat a balanced daily diet with ample protein. Eat meals made at home more than you eat out, eat smaller portions of food more often throughout the day, and avoid eating a large meal after 6:00 PM.

This is the best way to be good to your liver, and when it needs a nutrient adjustment, believe me - it'll let your know. And when it does, always listen to your liver!

According to the Center for Disease Control over 20 million people in the United States have diabetes, with an additional 1.5 million new diagnoses every year. In addition, over 40 million people have the prediabetic condition of high blood sugar levels. Such statistics confirm that prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes have reached epidemic proportions in this country. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that results in hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). People suffering from Type 2 diabetes can develop insulin resistance, the inability to properly utilize insulin, a necessary hormone which mediates tissue glucose uptake. Insulin utilization is critical to maintaining healthy blood glucose balance and preventing diabetes-related complications such as coronary heart disease and stroke, obesity, nerve damage, kidney damage and blindness. Increased blood glucose levels often occur in people before the actual onset of diabetes. These individuals gradually develop a resistance to insulin. Studies show that most people with elevated blood glucose levels develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years. The term "prediabetes" has been used to describe this condition, and modest lifestyle improvements can delay or completely prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes in many people.

Many natural nutrients such as Alpha Lipoic Acid, Banaba Leaf Extract, and antioxidants are engineered by nature to help your body's natural mechanisms control and maintain healthy blood sugar levels, to promote insulin secretion, stimulate glucose transport into cells, and to improve insulin sensitivity. They contain insulin potentiators--compounds known to increase the potency of insulin, binding insulin to cell membrane receptor sites. Antioxidants are important blood sugar regulators because high blood sugar causes oxidative stress.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a vitamin-like compound that has antioxidant properties more potent than vitamins E and C. The antioxidant activity of ALA has been particularly beneficial in patients with diabetes because hyperglycemia typically causes increased oxidative stress in the body. Studies have shown the antioxidant activity of ALA reduces this oxidative stress in diabetic rats, reduces cardiovascular complications of diabetes, and slows down the effects of diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disorder which is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Studies have also shown that ALA improves insulin sensitivity by stimulating the signaling of insulin secretion.

Antioxidants are a critical component of blood glucose control. People with diabetes and prediabetes produce more oxygen free radicals in their bodies than people without a diabetic condition. This is believed to contribute to cataracts, microvascular problems, neuropathy and other complications resulting from diabetes. A number of high potency antioxidants, including Tumeric Extract, Bilberry Extract and Rose Hips Extract, contain high levels of naturally occurring vitamin C. This specific antioxidant defense system works to neutralize free radicals and may help prevent many complications resulting from oxidative stress. Quercetin and other flavonoid antioxidant compounds found in the extracts of Bilberry, Green Tea, and Blueberry Leaf have also been found to be particularly beneficial in promoting insulin secretion, protecting blood vessels, preventing cataracts, and supporting the immune system- all of which are important to those with diabetes.

Chromium is an essential nutrient required for insulin activity in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chromium is needed for glucose utilization by insulin in normal health. Chromium polynicotinate is the most bioavailable and safest form of chromium. Chromium polynicotinate consists of pure niacin-bound chromium, identified by researchers as the active component of true GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor). GTF is responsible for binding insulin to cell membrane receptor sites. Supplementation with chromium in patients with a high-risk of Type 2 diabetes (moderately obese and a family history of diabetes) was shown to reduce insulin resistance by 40 percent after four months of treatment. A recent human clinical study demonstrated that chromium complemented the antidiabetic drug sulfonylurea in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose control in Type 2 diabetes patients. These studies suggest chromium may be helpful for patients with a prediabetes conditions as well as diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

Banaba Leaf Extract (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has long been used in Philippine natural medicine for blood sugar control. Animal studies have shown that extracts of banaba leaf have anti-diabetic effects. The active compound in Banaba Leaf Extract is a triterpenoid called corosolic acid, which stimulates glucose transport into cells, and this regulates blood sugar levels and insulin in the blood. Recent human studies support the use of corosolic acid from Banaba Leaf Extract in lowering blood glucose levels.

Bitter Melon Extract (Momordica charantia) is the unripe fruit of a plant found in tropical locations such as East Africa, Asia, The Caribbean and South America. Bitter Melon has been used as an antidiabetic remedy in China, India and the West Indies. Bitter Melon has been shown to improve glucose tolerance and reduce fasting blood glucose levels without increasing blood insulin levels. Researchers in India found that patients with Type 2 diabetes who were supplemented with Bitter Melon had significant reduction in both fasting and after-meal serum glucose levels.

Cinnamon Extract contains water-soluble polyphenols, which have been shown to be excellent insulin potentiators, enhancing the activity of insulin to reduce blood glucose levels. These polyphenols also function as antioxidants. European researchers demonstrated the effect of cinnamon extract in a double blind clinical study. A significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels was seen in patients with Type 2 diabetes. In addition to lowering blood sugar levels, a USDA study also showed cinnamon reduced cholesterol and decreased triglycerides in patients with Type 2 diabetes, which is a critical function since diabetes and uncontrolled blood glucose levels are a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Dietary supplements taken for the promotion of normal blood sugar levels can help prevent blood sugar issues and possible diabetes in many people. Natural blood sugar nutrients are a good choice to help maintain optimal blood sugar levels.

By reducing habits that put a higher strain on your cardiovascular system, such as smoking, heavy drinking, eating high fat and high cholesterol foods, and stress, and by increasing habits that are good for your heart, such as good dietary choices and regular exercise, the risk of CVD can be significantly decreased. Early CVD is characterized by atherosclerosis, the formation of plaques within the arterial walls that interfere with coronary and cerebral circulation. The leading cause of atherosclerosis is hyperlipidemia, the elevation of lipids in the blood, most often due to diet and lifestyle. One of these lipids is cholesterol, which due to its insolubility in the blood, is transported around the body by two different lipoproteins--Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it transports cholesterol to the arteries, which when oxidized, causes the formation of plaques on the arterial walls. HDL is referred to as "good" cholesterol because it carriers cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver where it is removed. Healthy liver metabolism is essential for cholesterol removal. Fortunately, there are many vitamins, minerals and natural ingredients that help reduce LDL, raise HDL levels and promote a healthy liver. A health strategy that includes these natural ingredients, a proper diet, and increased exercise can cut your risk for CVD, heart attack and stroke.

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is within everyone's control--it is a matter of making healthy choices. Natural food nutrients can regulate cholesterol synthesis, prevent cholesterol transportation to the arteries, and reduce inflammation, which increases plaque build-up. Antioxidant compounds can help control oxidation of LDL and, therefore, reduce plaque formation in the arteries. Nutrients found in a healthy diet or natural supplements can be a first defense in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and improving your heart health.

Vitamin supplementation plays a crucial role in lowering LDL levels and reducing risk of heart disease. In addition to their antioxidant activity, a combination of Vitamin E and C has shown positive results in decreasing carotid artery IMT (intima-media thickness), a marker of early atherosclerosis. Niacin (vitamin B3) has been used for decades to lower the plasma concentrations of cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglycerides in humans, and has been shown to raise levels of the protective high-density lipoprotein by up to 35%. Recent research suggests niacin's anti-inflammatory properties also help in reducing atherosclerosis. A combination of the B Complex vitamins, vitamins B6, folic acid and B12, aids the body in processing homocysteine, an amino acid-like compound that, at elevated levels, increases the risk for heart disease.

Green Tea Extract contains naturally occurring anti-oxidant compounds called polyphenols, and green tea's cardio-protective properties are well established. Studies have linked green tea to the lowering of LDL cholesterol and serum triglycerides, while elevating HDL levels and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Green tea also inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which prevents certain enzymes in the body from constricting blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure and makes the heart beat stronger.

Policosanols are a mixture of fatty alcohols derived from the waxes of such plants as sugar cane and yams, as well as beeswax. These powerful natural substances have been linked to significantly lowering LDL and increasing HDL, and in some cases with as little as 5-10 mg taken per day. One study suggests Policosanols may also reduce platelet aggregation, endothelial damage, and decrease total cholesterol and
LDL levels.

Medicinal mushrooms, also used in Traditional Chinese medicine to promote health and longevity, lower the risk of cancer and heart disease and boost the immune system. Research specific to mushrooms and cardiovascular health, provide various mechanisms to help lower cholesterol. Maitake mushrooms alter lipid metabolism by inhibiting both the accumulation of liver lipids and the elevation of serum lipids. Reishi mushrooms inhibit cholesterol synthesis, and Cordyceps mushrooms prevent cholesterol deposition in the aorta by inhibition of LDL oxidation via an antioxidant mechanism.

Phytosterols, such as beta sitosterol, have a similar chemical structure to cholesterol, which, therefore, allows them to compete with cholesterol for transportation. More than 50 years of research has proven that phytosterols are highly effective in lowering cholesterol levels in animals. Numerous human studies have also shown the positive effects of plant sterols in humans. A recent review from the Mayo Clinic concluded that increased consumption of plant sterols lowered LDL levels by 20%. Combining soy lecithin with phytosterols may further reduce cholesterol absorption.

Studies have shown that the active compounds found in guggul, such as guggulsterone, are antagonist ligands for the bile acid receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which is an important regulator in cholesterol homeostasis. Guggul Extract is derived from the gum resin of the guggul tree, which grows in the dry regions of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Guggul has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2000 years to treat a number of disorders, including inflammation and lipid imbalances. In a recent in vitro study, guggul and guggulsterone were shown to significantly inhibit LDL oxidation.

HMG-CoA reductase is necessary for cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Red yeast rice forms naturally occurring hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) inhibitors. Red Yeast Rice has been used in China for centuries as both food and medicine. It is made by fermenting yeast over red rice. As a result, the medicinal properties of red yeast rice favorably impact lipid profiles of hypercholesterolemic patients.

Vitamin supplementation plays a crucial role in lowering LDL levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is within everyone's control--it is a matter of making healthy choices, and believe me, those choices are out there!

A: Yes, I can help! We all use the peppermint liquid chlorophyll in our bottled water - oh, yum! Organic liquid chlorophyll adds nutrients and tastes great. Actually, we don't drink as much water when it is not added to the bottled water supply. We are all so used to it, now - it tastes great, makes water fun, and is soooooo healthy. But make sure to buy the peppermint-flavored form by World Organics. The regular type tastes OK, but it is not as refreshing. And kids love it, too!

The best in health.

The Safety Of Fructose

Q: Dr. Janet, thanks again for sharing with us your valuable articles. Your knowledge and clear descriptions of the threat of synthetic sweeteners have made me more alert to the ingredient content of beverages and general foods.

Nevertheless I wonder if fructose is safe for hypo or hyper glycemics, and if not, why not? What are safe dosages?

A: I prefer natural forms of natural sugars over any artificial sweeteners, but beware of how manufactured they are; meaning, how far away from their natural form have they been altered by man? If the form of fructose is close to the dried fruit itself, then it will not typically irritate the bowels, but if manufacturing has processed it too much, most forms of fructose will cause stomach aches and cramping, diarrhea and severe intestinal irritation. If it is used in the manufactured form, then use it sparingly.

Thank you for your kind comments on the newsletter, and I am so glad you subscribe to it.

Kind regards.

Parkinson's and Aspartame

Q: They say I have Parkinson's disease. Could this aspartame stuff be a factor?

A: Any time a disease is "diagnosed" and aspartame is used, it is always a possible cause of that disease. The way to know for sure is to remove ALL diet sweeteners and most ALL food chemicals, and typically the health symptoms disappear. Doctors call this "remission", but it is merely removing the cause of the symptoms. Before you permanently take medications that may or may not help you "cure" this health issue, remove the aspartame and see if those symptoms get better or completely disappear. This will not only save your body unnecessary stress and also allow it to heal, but it will save you lots and lots of money you would have spent on drugs.

Good luck!

- Janet Hull

• When people are laughing, they're generally not killing one another. - Alan Alda


• The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. - Ben Franklin


• Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy. - Cynthia Nelms


• A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road. - Henry Ward Beecher


• At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. - Jean Houston


• Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. - Josh Billings


• Nobody ever died of laughter. - Max Beerbohm


• You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. - Stephen King


• A clown may be the first in the kingdom of heaven, if he or she has helped lessen the sadness of human life. - Rabbi Baroka


• Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. - Victor Borge


• I want to make people laugh--so they will begin to see things seriously. - William Zinser


• I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose. - Woody Allen

We have Sweet Potato Pie; Red Lemonade, sour but good; and Soy Chicken; topped off with Strawberry Soda Pop, for a truly traditional meal.

In modern times, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas an entire month, marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Juneteenth.com

Debbi's Sweet Potato Pie

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour
Yields 8 servings

3 fresh sweet potatoes to make 1-1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup raw sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of sea salt
1 frozen 9-inch pie shell of choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make the filling, peel the sweet potatoes, slice in 1-inch crosswise sections. Place in a pot, cover with water and boil until tender (where they can be pierced easily with a fork). When done, remove from heat and drain.

Put butter and sugar together in a bowl and whip until fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes if using an electric mixer. Measure 1-1/2 cups sweet potatoes and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Add potatoes to the bowl with the butter and sugar and mix well.

Add the eggs and buttermilk, and beat until well combined. Add the vanilla, spices, and salt, and blend well. Pour the filling into the pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean.

From The San Diego Museum School (Adapted from Debbi Fields' Great American Desserts by Debbi Fields)

Red Lemonade

Yields 6 servings

Juice of 7 lemons
1-1/2 cups of raw, unprocessed sugar
1 quart water
16 ounces fresh or frozen, unsweetened raspberries
Fresh mint sprigs or lemon for garnish

Combine lemon juice, sugar and 1 quart water

Puree berries, place in a bowl and cover with 1 cup water. Strain berries through a sieve by gently pressing them with the back of a spoon.

Mix strained raspberry juice with lemonade and additional sugar to taste.

Garish with fresh mint sprigs and/or lemon slices.

From The San Diego Museum School

Soy Chicken
Bake at 400 degrees for 1 1/2 hours, and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes before serving
2 lbs of chicken wings
1 cup soy sauce
2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ginger powder
sea salt (optional)
Wash chicken and dry as much as possible. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken in a deep baking dish. Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl. Pour over chicken. Place in oven for 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is done and sauce is sticky.
Due to the hot cooked sugar, chicken will be extra hot and easy to burn. Be careful and let chicken sit for at least 20 min before serving.

From The San Diego Museum School

Scientists are still learning how and why laughter benefits our health. Laughter is a natural impulse. It may not be as important or automatic as breathing or blood-pumping, but it is right up there with crying or scratching an itch, only better. You know that laughter is good because it feels great at the time, and you feel better afterward. But is laughter beneficial enough to warrant a laughter therapist? We'll discuss how laughter benefits can make you healthier, and cover the three C's: connecting, coping and control.

Laughter Health Benefits
Ever since Norman Cousins wrote his book, Anatomy of an Illness, in which he personally explored the benefits of laughter, scientists have been researching laughter benefits. What they know for sure is that laughter relieves pain. Cousins liked to watch the Marx brothers and Candid Camera on television when he suffered from a debilitating disease of the spine, and claimed that 10 minutes of laughter helped him sleep for two hours without pain.

Since then multiple studies have been conducted. Although critics of some studies say that the tests were biased and the results cannot be trusted, there is enough proof to back up what doctors and philosophers have taught for millennia: laughing is good for you. Some doctors now recommend getting 15 minutes of laughter every day, in addition to eating a healthy diet and exercising. Scientists believe laughing benefits health in the following areas:

Good Hormones - Laughter produces the natural feel-good endorphin hormones, which can help reduce stress, aid relaxation and sleep, and produce a natural "high." It is also thought that the laughter-producing endorphins build up the body's immune system. Mini Workout - Pioneer researcher William Fry compared exercise to laughter, concluding that just one minute of "hearty laughter" elevated his heart rate to the same level it reached after 10 minutes on a rowing machine.

Heart Health - According to a 2005 press release from Eurekalert.org, laughing increases blood and expands the inner walls of your arteries. This in turn helps prevent heart disease.

The Social Benefits of Laughter and Connectivity
Sure, you can laugh when you watch a funny movie or TV show, join a laughter yoga class or hire a laughter therapist, but most of us do not want to hang out at comedy clubs just to feel better.

The most satisfying laughter is shared. Think back to the last time you really laughed. Were you alone? Probably not.

"Laughter is not primarily about humor," says Robert Provine, Ph.D., in Laughter: A Scientific Investigation, "but about social relationships."

It is a way to communicate approval, understanding, and agreement.

More often than not a shared laugh is not about a joke or anecdote. In fact, if you later try to tell someone else about the hysterical instance, it will be lost on them. To which your appropriate, polite response is: "You had to be there." You can bet the third party would not have grasped the humor of your private joke even if they were present at the time.

Couples know that laughter is a superglue-like bonding experience, able to achieve intimacy and smooth over ruffled feathers with a single snort. Laughter in the context of love puts you at ease with one another. You can feel perfectly comfortable being ridiculously silly with one another, in ways you would never dream of with anyone else. Couples who frequently make each other laugh are blessed with long, happy marriages, and are envied more than any svelte Hollywood pair.

Families benefit from shared laughter as well. Siblings can become best friends. After all, it is hard to dislike a person that makes you laugh, even if that person is an irritating sibling you have often wanted to strangle in the past. It can only happen if you spend time talking and playing together. Reminiscing and laughing about the past has a way of soothing hurts and grudges, and cements those relationships into some of the strongest bonds we can experience in life.

The Psychological Benefits of Laughter and Coping
"It seemed horrible at the time, but I can laugh about it now." How many times have you said this after telling your friends some life-related curve ball? Those who have a good sense of humor can recuperate more quickly, and it all has to do with a self-evaluating ability for perspective. With a little time, and a few conversations with your best friend about the horrible-incident-turned-funny-story, you can quickly heal from small wounds, and weather many of life's worst storms with the strength of a battleship.

The human mind is capable of overcoming difficulties on a scale from paper cuts to the atrocities of war. Some bounce back, and others do not. Having a sense of humor helps. And laughter is not a selfish solution. By finding the humor in bad situations (and moving on), you are helping those around you to find the courage to do the same. Laughter is infectious, and so is resilience. Your choice to respond to problems positively is certain to cheer someone else around you, including your friends, spouse and children. It is the perfect gift, and it can be handed out freely every day.

And the Last "C": Control
Laughter gives you the ability to make choices when everything seems to be out of your control. Instead of falling apart at provocation, you can choose to laugh about it, which in turn makes you feel like you are in control. Laughter can help you survive, with your sanity intact.

Laughter can be used as a Band-Aid treatment instead of dealing with the real causes behind stress, anger, bitterness or even grief. Over 3,000 years ago, wise King Solomon said, "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief." (Proverbs 14:13) Laughter should never be sought as the cure-all for every ailment of the body or heart. We as human beings react in different ways to emotions, many of which are beneficial. Thoughtful meditation and having a good cry are equally beneficial. When the feelings subside you may reach the ability to make necessary and positive life changes.

These may be somber reactions, and we generally do not like to experience them, but in their own way they can produce something even better than laughter--true joy.

But let's not throw the baby (laughing) out with the bathwater (using it as a panacea). Laughter helps us cope when there is little else to cling to. It helps us see how utterly stupid we were to let the mole hill grow into Mt. Saint Helen's, about to pop its top. Laughter is the key ingredient to happy social gatherings, and is the marker for all of those great moments we remember. ("Remember the time...?") Laughter is helpful in large and small doses, but it is best when it is spontaneous. Let the scientists go on with their studies, and let the critics disdain the results; the rest of us will go on with life as we always have, doing the best with what we've got, thankful for the happiness and the laughter benefits that come with it.

A review by scientists from the University of Pretoria and the University of Limpopo was published recently in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and indicated that high consumption of the sweetener aspartame may lead to neurodegeneration.

03-Apr-2008 - Excessive intake of aspartame may inhibit the ability of enzymes in the brain to function normally, suggests a new review that could fan the flames of controversy over the safety of the sweetener aspartame.

Aspartame is made up of phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methanol (10%). It is commonly used in food products for the diet or low calorie market, including soft drinks and chewing gums. It was approved for use in foods in the US and EU member states in the early 1980s.

The sweetener has caused much controversy amid suspicions on whether it is entirely safe, with studies linking the ingredient to cancer in rats.

It has also previously been found that aspartame consumption can cause neurological and behavioural disturbances in sensitive individuals. Symptoms that have been reported include headaches, insomnia and seizures.

Writing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the scientists behind this new review state: "The aim of this study was to discuss the direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain, and we propose that excessive aspartame ingestion might be involved in the pathogenesis of certain mental disorders, and also in compromised learning and emotional functioning."

The researchers found a number of direct and indirect changes that occur in the brain as a result of high consumption levels of aspartame, leading to neurodegeneration.

They found aspartame disturbed the metabolism of amino acids, protein structure and metabolism, the integrity of nucleic acids, neuronal function and endocrine balances. It also changed the brain concentrations of catecholamines, which include norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine.

Additionally, the researchers noted that the breakdown of aspartame caused nerves to fire excessively, which indirectly leads to a high rate of neuron depolarisation.

The researchers added: "The energy systems for certain required enzyme reactions become compromised, thus indirectly leading to the inability of enzymes to function optimally.

"The ATP stores [adenosine triphosphate] in the cells are depleted, indicating that low concentrations of glucose are present in the cells, and this in turn will indirectly decrease the synthesis of acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)."

Furthermore, the functioning of glutamate as an excitatory neurotransmitter is inhibited as a result of the intracellular calcium uptake being altered, and mitochondria are damaged, which the researchers said could lead to apoptosis (cell death) of cells and also a decreased rate of oxidative metabolism.

As a result of their study, the researchers said more testing is required to further determine the health effects on aspartame and bring an end to the controversy.

Despite strong concerns being raised from some quarters over the sweetener, both the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not changed their guidelines regarding the safety of the ingredient or intake advice.

This new review challenges opposing findings that were published last year in the journal, Critical Reviews in Toxicology (Informa Healthcase) that considered over 500 studies, articles and reports conducted over the last 25 years - including work that was not published, but that was submitted to government bodies as part of the regulatory approvals process.

The earlier review concluded: "The weight of existing evidence is that aspartame is safe at current levels of consumption... No credible evidence was found that aspartame is carcinogenic, neurotoxic, or has any other adverse effect on health when consumed even at quantities many times the established ADI [acceptable daily intake] levels."

Source: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
2008, doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602866
"Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain"
Authors: P. Humphries, E. Pretorius, H. Naude

As of January 2007, approximately 266,000 people were diagnosed with MS in the U.S., and that rate of nearly 100 per 100,000 people was 50% higher than the recorded number from 25 years ago. Here is yet another health statistic that has doubled over the past 20 years; 20 years after aspartame was introduced into the food supply in 1981. And, MS is now becoming a growing issue in children.

Is the solution more drugs? Well, the website National MS Society thinks more pharmaceuticals is the answer, and this website states that these drugs aren't getting to people fast enough. "Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), writes National MS Society Executive Director Tim Coetzee, "For them and the millions of others worldwide living with this chronic disease, only six FDA-approved drugs exists that can reduce disease activity. For some people, these drugs may slow the progression of the disease but for many, these drugs do nothing at all."

Director Coetzee also states, "Today we know more about MS than ever before, but the gap in translating that knowledge into the commercialization of new treatments is growing wider every day. As that gap grows, many people with MS will go on without effective treatment."

I have a suggestion: while we scurry to find a "drug" to "treat" MS while we allow people who can't afford the drugs to remain without the "pharmaceutical" help they need (see above) - why don't we focus on removing the toxic chemicals in our foods and environments, make more effort to restore healthier food choices and whole-food nutrition into the public schools and other institutions feeding mass numbers of people, and then recognize the current research performed on the dangers of food chemicals, such as aspartame, as possible causes of MS.

Why does most of the research in America focus on finding more drugs as opposed to identifying the chemicals already in place - chemicals proven to cause disease - diseases like MS? A cure can also be the prevention of the disease, you know. By avoiding toxins known to cause neurological damage, you might avoid being diagnosed with MS. And if the disease has doubled over the past 20 years, why not study WHY and WHAT has caused this increase. Again, pay attention to the studies that have been performed since the 1960s proving aspartame causes neurological disease. There just might be link in your individual case.

I am not saying that all cases of MS are caused by aspartame, but knowing that aspartame has been proven to cause brain damage leads me to believe that many cases of MS may actually be reactions to aspartame, and can be more accurately diagnosed as AD - Aspartame Disease.

If you have been diagnosed with MS or know someone who has, I recommend carefully scrutinizing your diet for aspartame and removing it immediately. If your symptoms quickly lessen and eventually disappear, then you have just identified a personal reaction to the toxins in aspartame, and by eliminating the source of the problem, you may prevent any further health damage. What do you have to lose?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease where the body's defense system attacks myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The nerve fibers themselves can also be damaged. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing the variety of symptoms that can occur.

Most people with MS learn to cope with the disease and continue to lead satisfying, productive lives, but one question I must ask, "Is that person using diet products with aspartame?" Okay, two questions - "Do you take your medications with a diet cola?" If you use aspartame and have been diagnosed with MS, these are important questions. If you have been diagnosed with MS and do not use diet products, then searching for the cause of your diagnosis should become clearer over time.

People may not experience noticeable illness from short-term use of aspartame, and this has many times been interpreted as proof that there is no problem with its safety. Unfortunately, this position ignores the fact that the effects of aspartame poisoning are cumulative, and many current studies are showing research results that aspartame, indeed, has dangerous cumulative health effects.

In July 2005, a study performed at the University of Athens, Medical School in Greece showed that aspartame indeed causes neurological dysfunction. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate acetyl cholinesterase (AChE)2 activity in human erythrocyte membranes [also called red blood cells (RBC)] after incubation with the sum of the three aspartame metabolites, phenylalanine, methanol, and aspartic acid, as well as incubation with each evaluated separately.

The research study concluded that low concentrations of aspartame metabolites had little to no effect on the membrane enzyme activity, whereas high levels and cumulative toxic concentrations decreased the membrane AChE activity, resulting in memory loss. Additionally, neurological symptoms, including learning and memory processes, appeared in the study to be related to the high or toxic concentrations of the sweetener metabolites.

The Greek study shows that over-use of aspartame, as well as the long-term effects of aspartame, impair memory. When a healthy individual with normal cholinergic functioning, such as a young child for example, starts administering a cholinesterase inhibitor when no memory loss has occurred, aspartame ingestion (according to the study) will eventually lead to down-regulation of postsynaptic ACH receptors, and ultimately disrupt memory and learning. It is possible that over a long period of use, symptoms such as MS, form. (See original study The Tsakiris Aspartame Study)

If you have recently been diagnosed with MS or know someone who has, and you or they use aspartame, please stop use immediately and maybe, let's hope that MAYBE, your symptoms improve, and eventually lessen... in time, maybe they will completely go away. One can only hope......

1. Identify and remove all manufactured/processed food chemicals from all the foods you eat or drink, chew or swallow.
2. Detox your body at least once every quarter, or four times a year, for a minimum of four-weeks each quarter; high metal levels in the body may be a possible cause of MS, or at the very least, exacerbate MS symptoms.
3. Decrease animal protein and replace with plant protein.
4. Supplement with an upper and lower digestive enzyme (a full-spectrum enzyme) after every large meal or after a meal predominant in animal protein.
5. Eat organic meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables whenever possible, and make sure your soy choices are from properly fermented sources.
6. Replace hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, including margarine, with organic, cold-pressed seed oils.
7. Supplement at least five times a week with an omega-3 fatty acid from Cod Liver oil, oily nuts, flax seeds, evening primrose oil, and Alpha Lipoic acid.
8. Supplement at least five times to seven times a week with antioxidants, vitamin C from ascorbic acid (seven days a week), and a high-quality multivitamin + trace mineral complex.
9. Add taking an additional B-100 complex vitamin in the mornings at least four to five times a week.
10. Supplement with a pure form of B3 niacin that is NOT flush free; begin with 50-100 mg after a light meal and notice if you flush within 30 minutes; if a flush does not occur, then increase the dose daily by 50 mg until a flushing sensation is felt (and seen, as you will look sunburned for a few short minutes); stop increasing the dose when a moderate to heavy flush occurs, and maintain the maximum dose determined when a light flush regularly occurs within 20-30 minutes after supplementation.see Vitamins and Supplements
11. Get plenty of sunshine and/or supplement with vitamin D four to five times a week.
12. Keep your body active by doing some form of exercise on a regular basis, even if light walking.
13. Get to bed by 11:00 PM at the latest, even if you must read or meditate to fall asleep; if you cannot fall asleep quickly, stay on your back as this enhances relaxation; sleep should follow.
14. Get 8-10 hours of sleep every night; no more and no less; if you awaken tired, get up any way and try to nap for 20 minutes during the day.
15. Research positive healing techniques, and maintain faith that you can improve your MS symptoms.

Q: I no longer consume aspartame because I have just been diagnosed with MS. If I have another MRI, would it show that I no longer have the lesions if it is aspartame mimicking the MS symptoms?

A: Some physical damage may have already occurred inside your brain and on the myelin sheath, but that doesn't mean that once the aspartame is removed, any physical deterioration will continue. So, you can check your status with another MRI, or move forward with the faith that you have found the cause of this "diagnosis", removed that cause, and stopped any future damage to your brain. Then, repair any damage already done as best as you can by using a whole foods diet and quality vitamin program - forever! Have faith that your body will know how to repair itself when provided the correct tools, and then go forward with your life without the medical drama.

Many people have done this exact thing - we see it all too often. Yet, whensomeone heals from a diagnosis of MS, it is the most inspiring event to witness, and one that we hear about more often now that the connection between aspartame and MS is becoming more well known. Every day!

Q: I have just been diagnosed with MS, and after reading about the effects of aspartame and MS, I wondered if there is any research proving this connection that I can give to my doctor. He doesn't believe aspartame has any connection with my diagnosis.

A: Why, WHY, WHHHHY would any medical doctor - a supposed healer - NOT want to remain open-minded to anything and EVERYTHING that might, just MIGHT, help their patient, especially when that human being has just been diagnosed with a disease that can destroy their life???? If I can offer any help to someone trying to help themselves in a situation like MS, I'll do all I can and I stay as open to their questions and hopes and support them all the way. Geeze - what is happening to compassion within the medical field these days??? I see true healing only in the ER and in Hospice Units. Everywhere else, it's more like "take a number, please," or "who are you again???"

Yes this issue is real, and just because your doctor isn't paying attention nor is he/she keeping up with the times, their medical stupidity doesn't indicate that this issue doesn't exist.

Please go to the newsletter archives in www.janethull.com and click on Main Topics and locate the Feb 2006 issue that has 3 articles about aspartame research studies. I provide the original research in PDF format for you to download, and you can take these studies to your doctor and show him that the results are valid and that aspartame is a carcinogen and nerve toxin. He probably won't have the time to read it, because he really may not care. This is when you shop for a new doc. Find a person who cares about your recovery, no matter what that requires of you. If you get well by turning around 3 times while touching your nose 10 times- well then, your getting well is all that should matter! Anything it takes....

Good luck!

• Nerve fibers inside and outside the brain are wrapped with many layers of insulation called the myelin sheath. Much like the insulation around an electrical wire, the myelin sheath permits electrical impulses to be conducted along the nerve fiber with speed and accuracy. When myelin is damaged, nerves don't conduct impulses properly.
• The myelin sheath is partially made of essential fatty acids.
• Multiple sclerosis is a disorder in which the nerves of the eye, brain, and spinal cord lose patches of myelin.
• Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease -- one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues.
• MS patients frequently have allergies.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common symptom with multiple sclerosis.
• Infection with bacteria known as C. pneumoniae may increase the risk of developing MS.
• Those with multiple sclerosis should avoid excessive body heat elevation such as in a sauna, whirlpool, sun bathing or spending time outdoors in high heat.
• Children who spend more time in the sun have a lower risk for developing multiple sclerosis as adults.
• Alpha Lipoic acid may prove useful in treating multiple sclerosis by inhibiting MMP-9 activity and interfering with T-cell migration into the Central Nervous System.
• Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of the Indian curry spice, turmeric, blocked the progression of multiple sclerosis in laboratory studies.
• Some treatments for Parkinson's disease have shown excellent results in MS patients.

Sweet & Sour Shrimp

Yields 4 servings

1/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 T. cornstarch
1 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper
1/4 t. dry mustard
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 T. soy sauce
A few drops hot pepper sauce
1 c. orange juice
2 oranges, cut into bite-size pieces
1 green pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 pound shrimp, shelled and de-veined
2 cups cooked rice

Blend brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and mustard in large frying pan. Slowly stir in lemon juice, soy sauce, hot pepper sauce, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in oranges, green pepper, onion, and shrimp. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender but still crisp. Serve over rice. Garnish with orange slices.

Fat: none
Oil: none

Golden Vegetable Bake

Bake at 350 F for 50-55 minutes
Yields 6 servings

2 T. oil
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 c. milk, scalded
1 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
3/4 t. paprika
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. shredded carrots
1 16 1/2-ounce can cream-style corn
1/3 c. chopped green pepper
2 t. chopped onion

Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium saucepan heat oil and gradually add flour. Slowly add milk, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened. Add seasonings. Stir 1/4 c. sauce into eggs. Add egg mixture to remaining sauce. Stir in vegetables. Pour into an oiled 1 1/2 quart casserole. Bake 50-55 minutes.

Fat - 1/3 t. per serving
Oil - 1 t. per serving

Scandinavian Cucumber Salad
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours
Yields 6 servings

1/2 c. vinegar
2 T. water
1/2 t. salt
3 T. sugar
1/8 t. pepper
3-4 t. finely chopped dill or 1/2 dill and 1/2 parsley
2 medium sized cucumbers

Combine all ingredients except cucumbers and mix well. Slice cucumbers very thin. Pour dressing over cucumbers. Cover. Let stand in refrigerator at least 3 hours. Serve undrained in the dressing.

Fat: none
Oil: none

Lipoic acid in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Multiple Sclerosis. 2005 Apr;11(2):159-65. Yadav V, Marracci G, Lovera J, Woodward W, Bogardus K, Marquardt W, Shinto L, Morris C, Bourdette D. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR

Alpha Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that suppresses and treats an animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK), tolerability and effects on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAMP-1) of oral Alpha Lipoic acid in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Thirty-seven multiple sclerosis subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups:

1. Placebo
2. Alpha Lipoic acid 600 mg twice a day
3. Alpha Lipoic acid 1200 mg once a day
4. Alpha Lipoic acid 1200 mg twice a day

Subjects took study capsules for 14 days.

We found that subjects taking 1200 mg Alpha Lipoic acid had substantially higher peak serum Alpha Lipoic acid levels than those taking 600 mg, and that peak levels varied considerably among subjects. We also found a significant negative correlation between peak serum Alpha Lipoic acid levels and mean changes in serum MMP-9 levels. There was a significant dose response relationship between Alpha Lipoic acid and mean change in serum sICAM-1 levels.

We conclude that oral Alpha Lipoic acid is generally well tolerated and appears capable of reducing serum MMP-9 and sICAM-1 levels. Alpha Lipoic acid may prove useful in treating multiple sclerosis by inhibiting MMP-9 activity and interfering with T-cell migration into the CNS.

Nicotinamide and Multiple Sclerosis
The Journal of Neuroscience, September 20, 2006.

Nicotinamide has shown considerable therapeutic potential by increasing concentrations in the nervous system of the vital compound NAD in a mouse study model of multiple sclerosis. Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B group. Collectively, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are called niacin. In the cells, niacin is incorporated into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), although the pathways for nicotinamide and nicotinic acid are very similar. NAD+ and NADP+ are coenzymes in a wide variety of enzymatic oxidation-reduction reactions.

In mice with the MS-like disease EAE, nicotinamide treatment profoundly prevented the degeneration of axons already showing signs of degeneration. Daily injections of nicotinamide in the EAE mice also prevented inflammation of the axons and loss of myelin - the underlying problem in MS - and delayed the onset and severity of disability.

Nicotinamide had beneficial effects on the mice even when treatment was delayed 10 days after the induction of EAE when most of the rodents had already developed clear signs of neurological disability. This leads researchers to believe that nicotinamide may have an impact at later stages of multiple sclerosis.

March's newsletter is an aspartame feast (no pun intended). I have written more articles about this continuous sweetener issue, and as this topic is heating up world wide, I hope this information brings you up to date about why aspartame and the many chemical sweeteners still on the market today are not healthy for you or your loved ones. Heads up!