OK! You have spent a fortune over the years getting both sick and fat from aspartame-laced "diet" products, gums, drinks and other stuff... NOW WHAT? Choice of directions to choose from: There are countless suggested means of ridding the body of poisons. I am sure that they differ in approach and scope, depending upon the type of poisoning encountered. I shall attempt to accumulate a number of regimens for eliminating the body of the leftovers from aspartame consumtion: methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid. I doubt there is any residual methanol because the liver either converts it to formaldehyde, or formic acid. I am told that the body cannot effectively eliminate formaldehyde, and has a difficult time eliminating it. So some of it is combined with water and stored in the fat (i.e. weight gain) or further converted by the liver into formic acid. I am told that poisoning from methanol, formaldehyde and formic acid causes cumulative damage (it adds up) and at some point the victim gets some bad news. The damage varies in type and amount from victim to victim... from immediate seizures or migraines to being on the verge of death from unknown factors fifteen years later. Two of the three poisons, formaldehyde and formic acid, are said to be carcinogens. I doubt that anything can be done about any effects of the tumor agent called DKP (diketopiperazine). What follows are as many different non-drug (i.e. natural) regimens for purging the body of these chemicals, and helping to repair the damage as I can find. I am not a medical doctor, herbologist, or any type of medical practitioner so all I can suggest is that you print out this WEB page, take it to a medical practitioner you trust, and formulate your own cleansing/renewal course of action. I neither recommend nor favor any over the other, because that is not my intent. I make no representations and therefore cannot accept either dissatisfactory or exemplary results. Common sense and help from those whom you trust in the medical community should prevail. Should anyone know of additional suggested means of recovery from this type of poisoning, please let me know. Townsend Letter for Doctors: [HOT!] Liver toxicity linked to ASPARTAME! [HOT!] Additional support by the 1998 Spanish "Barcelona" report. Dr. Allocca || Newton Labs || Dr. Sandra Cabot First... please read a preliminary note. Detoxification Method #1: Dr. John A. Allocca --------------------------------------------------------------------- Courtesy of Dr. John A. Allocca, 4/16/1997 This information has been excerpted from "Clinical Nutrition for the Balanced Body" (Book) Copyright (c) 1996. All rights are reserved. Dr. John A. Allocca, Sc.D., C.C.N. Medical Research Scientist, Certified Clinical Nutritionist 256 Main Street, Suite 1105 Northport, New York 11768 Phone (516) 757-3919 Fax (516) 757-3918 E-mail: john@allocca.com WEB site: http://www.allocca.com Introduction A great number of health problems can be attributed to exposure to toxins. Toxicity from foreign chemicals (exotoxins) can cause damage to almost all organs of the body. Symptoms include: fatigue, headaches, neurological disorders, chemical sensitivities, immune dysfunction, and liver disorders. Food is often the main source of toxins. There are approximately 3,000 chemicals used by the food industry during processing. There are approximately 12,000 chemicals used in food packaging materials. Pesticides found in 90% of foods. In addition to these external sources of toxins, the body also produces toxins called, endotoxins resulting from digestion, immune system functions, stress, etc. Endotoxins may also be produces as the result of food allergies and sensitivities. Increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) can result in an increased absorption of exotoxins, endotoxins, antigens, and microorganisms. Candidiasis and intestinal microflora imbalances (dysbiosis), and parasitic infections increase the amount of toxins entering the circulation. Congestive bowel toxicity can greatly increase the amount of endotoxins produced. (see the "Congestive Bowel Toxicity" chapter). Detoxification Pathways Fat-soluble toxins are easily absorbed but poorly excreted. They may accumulate in the body and cause damage to tissues and organs. Fat- soluble (lipophilic) chemicals are converted to water-soluble chemicals by enzyme conversion in the liver in a two step process so they can be excreted. In the first phase the lipophilic chemicals are oxidized, reduced, or hydrolyzed by the enzymes cytochrome P-450 or monooxygenase. Monooxygenase is the primarily used. During this phase, free radicals and toxic compounds are produced which can cause damage to organs and tissues. Adequate antioxidants must be present to detoxify these intermediate (bioactivated) compounds produced in the initial detoxification phase. In the next phase the intermediate compounds undergo enzymic conjugation by reacting with methyl donors, sulfhydryl donors, and other conjugating agents. The major conjugation reactions are glucuronidation, glutathione conjugation, amino acid conjugation, sulfation, acetylation, and methylation. These conjugated compounds are less toxic, water-soluble, and easily excreted in the urine and bile. Nutritional Support The first step is to eliminate foods from the diet that create allergies or sensitivities. The second step is avoid foods that contain preservates, pesticides, saturated fats, red meats and other meats containing additives, saturated fats, sugar, refined carbohydrates, excessive salt, alcohol, and caffeine. Also avoid foods that are over processed. The third step is to take digestive enzymes with cooked foods (see the "Digestive Enzymes" chapter). Raw foods are best. The fourth step is to properly combine foods. Fruits should be eaten alone. Do not combine animal proteins with starches (rice, pasta, bread, potato). (see the "Food Combining" chapter). The fifth step is to avoid over-eating which can lead to digestive problems and congestive bowel toxicity. The sixth step is to drink uncontaminated water. Tap water should be filtered to remove lead, chlorine, other heavy metals, and bacteria. The seventh step is variety of diet. Food allergies and sensitivities can develop from specific foods eaten continuously. Specific foods should not be consumed continuously for more than four days. The eighth step is to reduce oxidative damage. Depletion of antioxidants can occur from tissue damage from disease, injury, exposure to environmental pollution, radiation exposure, chronic drug and alcohol use, antibiotic and non steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) overuse, excessive iron supplementation, intestinal dysbiosis, and intestinal pathogens. The ninth step is to re-establish proper intestinal flora. Supplementation with probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus bifidus is important. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) can help to re-establish a healthy bowel flora. The tenth step is to eliminate intestinal pathogens. Candidiasis is the most common pathogen, which results in the overgrowth of candida albicans. (see the "Candidiasis" chapter). The eleventh step is to prevent and/or eliminate congestive bowel toxicity. Dietary fiber contains soluble and insoluble compounds. Soluble fiber is fermented by the microflora of the colon and produce short chain fatty acids such as butyric acid. Butyric acid is used by the mucosa of the colon as its main source of fuel. Butyric acid is metaboliszed to glutamine which is an essenial fuel for the small intestines. A high fiber diet should be followed on a regular basis. The high fiber diet should be supplemented with "fresh" fruit or vegetables and fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Fresh juice is made fresh from fruits or fresh vegetables using a "juicer" machine and served within one hour of production. Psyllium, oat products, guar gum and fruits and vegetables are a good source of soluble fiber. Most plant foods are a good source of insoluble fiber. Dietary fiber also binds with endotoxins and help eliminate them though the bowels. Bentonite can be used to bind with endotoxins to prevent their absorption. The Twelfth step is a two week bowel cleansing. During the first week take: Aloe Vera resin, Olive Leaf extract, Cascara Sagrada, Cayenne, and Valarian root. Cascara Sagrada (rhamnus purshiana) promotes peristaltic action in the intestines. Cayenne (capsicum frutenscens) stimulates nerves of the stomach, promotes digestive secretions, and assists peristaltic motion. Valerian root (valeriana officinalis) is a strong nervine having a sedative effect, used as a tranquilizer but leaving one feeling refreshed rather than sluggish. In this formula, the valerian root is used to relax the muscles of the intestines. During the second week, add psyllium husks and activated charcoal. Nutritional Supplementation The ability of the liver to detoxify is determined by the availability of the appropriate nutrients and enzymes. An adequate supply of antioxidants is vitally important after the first phase of converting lipophilic toxins which produce free radicals. Reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase are the primary antioxidants used in the body to scavenge free radicals. Other antioxidants include: beta carotine, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and N-acetylcysteine. Vitamin and mineral cofactors required for cytochrome P-450 reactions inlcude: riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, iron, and other trace minerals. Phytochemicals such as indoles from cruciferous vegetables and quercetin also help in the first phase of detoxification. Glutathione conjugation is the primary pathway for detoxification of intermediate (bioactivated) compounds. Supplementation with reduced L- glutathione and N-acetylcysteine increase levels of glutathione. Beta- glucuronidase is an enzyme produced by intestinal bacteria that reverses the glucuronidation reaction and releases previously conjugated toxins to be reabsorbed from the intestines. Calcium d-glucarate is a natural compound found in certain fruits and vegetables that inhibits microbial beta-glucuronidase production. Calcium d-glucarate is currently being investigated for its effects in preventing breast cancer in high risk women at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Other second phase conjugating agents include: amino acids such as glycine, cysteine, glutamine, methionine, taurine, glutamic acid, and asparatic acid. Vitamin, mineral, and protein deficiencies will decrease the activity of the detoxification pathways. Fats can promote the uptake of many chemical carcinogens. Olive oil and canola oil, (monounsaturated) have a neutral effect in promoting the uptake of carcinogens. The omega 3 polyunsaturated oils have a neutral effect in promoting the uptake of carcinogens. The omega 6 polyunsaturated oils have a postive effect in promoting the uptake of carcinogens. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and cabbage enhance the first phase of detoxification. They contain indoles such as indole-3-carbinol and indole-3-acetonitrile which increase monooxygenase activity. Plant flavonoids such as quercetin diminish the mutation of many carcinogens. This action probably occurs through the modulation of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme activation. Thank you Doctor Allocca for this free help. **************************************** Detoxification Method #2: HELP FOR ASPARTAME POISONING Courtesy of R. S. Bell, D.A. Hom 6/25/1996 Newton Labs, Inc. 2360 Rockaway Ind. Blvd. Conyers, Georgia 30207 (USA) Tollfree: 1-800-448-7256 Telephone: 770-922-2644 FAX: 770-388-7768 Email: No longer active WEB site: http://www.newtonlabs.net Forward Aspartame poisoning, is a legitimate and growing concern for millions of people. Many are desperately in need of simple, affordable solutions to assist in the recovery of their health. Accumulation of toxic poisons result in metabolic deficiencies that weaken the function of specific organs or whole organ systems. Symptoms of a chronic nature are not directly related to the aging process, but only exacerbated by a general decline in health which begins with toxin accumulation at an early age. Aspartame toxicity (formaldehyde, formic acid, wood alcohol, etc.) is a specific systemic condition in the body that requires a systemic approach to rid the body of these toxins in order for true health to again become possible. In order to understand the holistic protocol to follow, it will be important to understand how the body works to maintain health on a daily basis. The main organ responsible for the constant cleansing of the body is the liver. The environmental toxins that are present today enter our bodies via chemically grown foods, chemically treated water, and air pollution, among many other sources. Normally, the liver is able to prepare these many toxins for elimination via the kidneys and colon, but once overwhelmed, a slow, but steady accumulation begins in the body. This is the real root of the problem of diseases in the majority of the population. Once the liver becomes toxic and congested, any organ or organ system becomes susceptible to toxin infiltration and its resulting complications. In the case of aspartame and its breakdown components, the liver is largely unable to transform these poisons into an excretable form. When this happens, these toxins may infiltrate almost any area of the body that is weak and susceptible. Many of the symptoms that result can be found in greater detail on the dorway web pages. Most commonly, however, excess water and fat is retained by the body as a protective measure against the accumulated poisons. This is why a crash low-calorie diet is not recommended for weight loss. You may actually liberate the deadly poisons without assisting the body in their safe removal, further endangering vital organs and/or organ systems. Typically the nervous system, is the most susceptible. Beyond the liver, a major contributing factor in all these disease symptoms is the state of the intestinal tract. The liver is intricately linked to digestion. When it becomes toxic and unable to perform its duties, the terrain of the intestine becomes unhealthy, resulting in poor assimilation of nutrients. This contributes to a downward spiral of nutritional deficiency resulting in a host of aberrant conditions in the body, ultimately affecting the very tools of life: enzymes and hormones. In this case, aspartame poisoning is only one part of the equation, albeit an important one, but it leads us to understand why a comprehensive approach is necessary in order to restore true health and vitality. There are very simple steps to take to begin the healing process so that health can be restored. First, to address the congested/overburdened liver, homeopathic detoxification formulas should be taken on a daily basis, such as the #1 Detoxifier from Newton Homeopathy. Herbs such as the dandelion and milk thistle can also be beneficial to assist with the cleansing of the body. The health of the intestines can be assisted by use of a special homeopathic formula designed to normalize its function, such as the Newton #29 Bowel Discomfort. Restoring intestinal health can also be assisted by herbal colon cleansing products available in health food stores. This, along with addressing the liver, will go a long way toward overcoming the cycle of deficiency diseases so often accompanying aspartame toxicity. The specific homeopathic formulation designed to assist the body in removing aspartame and its breakdown components is the Newton #58 Food Additive Formula. It will also assist in the removal and resulting sensitivity to many of the artificial colors, flavors and additives found in the commercial food supply today. As with any health situation, if symptoms persist, consult your holistic health practitioner. Perhaps the most wonderful thing about homeopathic medicine for those suffering from aspartame toxicity is that it does not result in an additional toxic burden on the body the way that allopathic (regular drugs) medicine does. A balanced diet composed of organically grown foods, clean well or spring water, and regular exercise all contribute to the restoration of good health so that overcoming this persistent disease state is not only possible, but likely. Following is a simple protocol for those poisoned by artificial sweeteners and other toxins: -- What remedies do I take and how often? Homeopathic regimen (dose for children is 2-3 drops): Newton #1 Detoxifier: 6 drops at bedtime* Newton #29 Bowel Discomfort: 6 drops before breakfast and dinner #58 Food Additive Formula: 6 drops, 1-3 times a day** *For severe poisoning, it is recommended to start with one drop, working your way up to six drops over the course of one to two weeks. **Start with one time daily, and increase to three times daily if you wish to accelerate the toxin removal. The homeopathic remedies are also available in the pellet form. In all cases, the dose will be the same, replacing “pellets” for “drops.” There is no difference in effectiveness, liquid drops seem to be easier for most people. -- Is homeopathy safe? Yes. In over 200 years of use, there has never been any reported toxic effect on the body (this includes children and the elderly). -- How much will the homeopathy cost? Less than you might think. Each bottle retails for around $9.00 or less at your local health food store or independent pharmacy. If you can not find it locally, please call Newton Laboratories directly at 1-800-448-7256 or (770) 922-2644 or at http://www.newtonlabs.net. -- How long will a bottle last? The #1 Detoxifier, taken once a day as directed will last over 2 months. -- What should I expect during the detoxification process? Cleansing toxins from the body is not always a pleasant process, however the homeopathic regimen is designed to be a safe and gentle (as possible) way to remove harmful toxins from the body. -- How does it work? Homeopathy works via the metabolism to stimulate normalization of function of any organ/organ system in the body, including the immune system. It gently sensitizes the body to begin to remove the harmful toxic residues “stuck” throughout the body. -- What about my diet? Because we are dealing with diseases of toxicity, it only makes sense that we reduce our exposure to environmental toxins from all sources. It is for this reason that the most beneficial diet is composed exclusively of food that is ORGANICALLY grown. This means food that is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, etc. After all, how do we expect to completely recover from diseases of toxicity if we continue to subsist on food loaded with toxic residues (some as bad or worse than aspartame)? Additionally, it may be wise to consider a low protein diet during recovery to reduce stress on the digestive system caused by uric acid, a normal waste product of protein digestion. Stress reduction and regular exercise will also speed recovery. --What about vitamins? A common sense, rational approach is always a good idea. A comprehensive multi-vitamin supplemented with minerals and trace minerals is a good idea to replenish a body that suffers from standard nutritional deficiencies due to toxicity (read article above). 2000 mg to 6000 mg of vitamin C daily can help to stimulate the metabolism (your needs may vary). If vitamin C (ascorbic acid) upsets your stomach, use the ascorbate form. -- Can herbs be helpful? Yes. Herbs are plant medicinals which your body uses as nutritional medicine. There are hundreds of books available on the subject of herbology. Two of the most common for assisting detoxification are the dandelion and the milk thistle. Two for boosting the immune system are echinacea and golden seal. Please consult your local health food store or herboligist for more complete information and dosages. Thank you Mr. Robert Bell for your suggestions. ***************************** Detoxification Method #3: By Dr. Sandra Cabot Courtesy of Dr. Sandra Cabot 10/18/97 Dr. Cabot's USA office is based with: Christine KI 6939 W. Sweetwater Ave Peoria AZ USA US Email: usahelp@qwest.net Austrailian Email: doctorcabot@ozemail.com.au WEB site: www.doctorcabot.com Order it from Amazon.com now! THE LIVER AND DETOXIFICATION The liver keeps us clean on the inside and prevents dangerous chemicals from penetrating their way deeper into our bodies. The liver is the gateway to the body and in this day and age has an enormous workload that frequently overloads its detoxification systems. The liver must cope with every toxic chemical in our food chain as well as excessive amounts of unhealthy fats and animal protein that are ubiquitous in fast foods. Let us examine in more detail the mechanisms by which the liver keeps our internal body clean. THE LIVER FILTER If we examine the liver under a microscope we see rows of liver cells separated by spaces called sinusoids. Sinusoids are structured like a filter or sieve through which the blood stream is filtered. During this process the filter removes unwanted particulate matter, microorganisms and metabolic waste products. These noxious thing are ingested by specialized cells in the sinusoids called "Kupffer cells" which break down and destroy these things, rendering them harmless. The sinusoids and Kuffer cells are like a "garbage disposal unit" inside the liver. Thus you can see that the liver is the filter and cleanses the blood stream which is of vital importance. DETOXIFICATION PATHWAYS Inside the liver cells (hepatocytes) we find sophisticated enzyme pathways or chemical pathways that have evolved over millions of years, to breakdown toxic substances. Every drug, artificial chemical, pesticide and hormone is broken down or metabolized by these pathways inside the liver cells. Basically there are two major detoxification pathways inside the liver cells which are called the Phase One and Phase Two pathways. PHASE ONE This is called the cytochrome P450 enzyme system where a liver cell takes a toxic chemical and through a process of oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis or hydroxylation turns it into a less harmful substance. During this process oxygen free radicals are generated, so there is a need for antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, to prevent cellular damage. For efficient phase one detoxification to occur the liver requires adequate amounts of the nutrients selenium, folic acid, vitamins B2, B3, B6, phophatidyl choline and bioflavonoids. If these nutrients are lacking, toxic chemicals will become far more dangerous. Fast foods and processed foods are deficient in these vital liver nutrients. Thus although many people are over-eating they are still suffering with malnutrition which exacerbates toxic overload. Dr. Sandra Cabot's Liver Cleansing Diet reduces the toxic load on the liver and also provides the vital nutrients required by the liver for detoxification. PHASE TWO This is called the conjugation pathway whereby the liver cells add either a glycine or sulphate molecule to a chemical to make it water soluble. It can then be excreted from the body via fluids such as urine or bile. Through conjugation the liver is able to turn drugs (xenobiotics and hormones), neurotransmitters and phenolic compounds into excretable substances. For efficient phase two detoxification the liver requires Vitamin E, carotene, sulphur containing amino acids (taurine, methionine, cysteine), glycine, glutamine, choline and inositol. Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts) are a good source of natural sulphur compounds for the liver. These things can spike up and support the phase two detoxification system. The liver cleansing diet has been designed to support and enhance the phase one and two liver detoxification systems. If the phase one and two detoxification pathways become overloaded, there will be a build up of toxins in the body. Many of these toxins are fat soluble and incorporate their way into the fatty cell membranes where they may stay for years, if not a lifetime. Some of these toxins, such as pesticides, petrochemicals and aspartame are highly toxic to the nervous system and endocrine glands producing chronic neurological and hormonal dysfunction. They are also carcinogenic and have been implicated in the rising incidence of breast, prostrate and brain cancer. If the filtering and/or detoxification system in the liver are inefficient this will cause harmful substances and micro-organisms to build up in the blood stream. This will increase the workload of the immune system, which may then become overloaded and hyperstimulated. This often is so in symptoms of immune dysfunction such as allergies, inflammatory states, recurrent infections, swollen glands, chronic fatigue or auto-immune disease. These disorders are very common today and usually get treated on a symptomatic basis with drugs. Unfortunately thousands of people visit doctors everyday complaining of these symptoms and rarely does anyone think of the liver. The simplest and most effective way to take the load off the immune system, is to improve liver function. Dr. Sandra Cabot has been able to help many people with chronic immune and liver dysfunction through her LIVER CLEANSING DIET BOOK. In this book she fully explains that you cannot have a healthy immune system if your liver is dysfunctional. This is a revelation for millions of people struggling with poor health. Should the reader be interested, Dr. Cabots book may be ordered by calling 1-888-782-7014. Thank you Dr. Cabot for your suggestions. ******************************************** A damaged/recuperating liver and system can use all the HELP it can get. Better (and less fattening) diets devoid of antibiotic/pesticide/hormone riddled animal fats is a better way to go! The http://www.vegweb.com/ site has over 2700 healthy recipes to choose from. The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients published "Liver Toxicity Linked to Aspartame" that strongly supports the liver-trashing capabilities of aspartame. Additional support by the 1998 Spanish "Barcelona" report. Looking for a good book on aspartame or detoxification? Links to others: http://www.sni.net/healthinfo/detox.html What SYMPTOMS to expect when you CHANGE your DIET http://www.healthy.net/cfm/book/bscart.cfm?ItemNumber=0890878145 The Detox Diet by Haas, Elson, M.D. http://www.best.com/~immune/articles/detox.html Detecting Symptoms of Toxic Exposure and Detoxing by Cheriel Jensen