July/August 2005 Issue

The Role Of Aspartame, MSG
And Other Excitotoxins
By Russell L. Blaylock, MD

Over 460,000 people per year are now dying of a disorder called of sudden cardiac death according to CDC statistics.

This is a condition striking otherwise healthy people, who have experienced no obvious symptoms of heart disease prior to their deaths. An alarming number of these deaths are occurring in young athletes, both in high schools, colleges, as well as among professional athletes.

While cardiologists have found coronary disease and suspect previous scars from silent heart attacks in a number of these individuals, one mechanism is getting no attention at all, and that is excitotoxic damage caused by food additives and the artificial sweetener aspartame. This is despite growing evidence that the excitotoxic mechanism plays a major role in cardiac disease.

Previously, it was thought that excitotoxin food additives, such as monosodium glutamate and aspartic acid in aspartame, cause their damage in the cardiovascular centers in the brain stem and/or by over stimulating sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus of the brain. Both of these mechanisms have been shown to result in sudden cardiac death in experimental animals.

A particular deadly combination occurs in young athletes, which includes low magnesium intake, high calcium intake, low intake of omgea-3 fatty acids and excitotoxin food additives. Strenuous exercise- especially in extreme heat is known to deplete the body's magnesium stores, as is consumption of carbonated drinks and taking calcium supplements. In addition, adrenalin secretion, increased during exercise, increases heart muscle irritability and magnesium loss as well.

When calcium supplements are taken in the face of existing magnesium deficiency, both magnesium and calcium is driven into the bones, resulting in a sudden magnesium depletion crisis. Low magnesium is known to produce both seizures and cause sudden cardiac arrest. In a classic experiment, it was found that stressing animals who were magnesium deficient resulted in an almost 100% mortality from sudden cardiac arrest. Adding magnesium cut mortality dramatically.

A considerable amount of evidence has shown that low omega-3 fat intake significantly increases the risk and severity of cardiac arrhythmias, the main cause of sudden cardiac death. Likewise, a number of studies have shown that Americans are significantly deficient in these protective fats.

Finally, recent research has shown that the brain is not the only tissue having glutamate receptors.

Numerous glutamate receptors have been found within the heart's electrical conductions system, as well as heart muscle. When an excess of food-borne excitotoxins, such as MSG, hydrolyzed protein, soy protein isolate and concentrate, natural flavoring, sodium caseinate and aspartate from aspartame, are consumed, these glutamate receptors are over stimulated, producing cardiac arrhythmias.

When magnesium stores are low, as we see in athletes, the glutamate receptors are so sensitive that even low levels of these excitotoxins can result in cardiac arrhythmias and death. This is especially so when combined with the other factors mentioned. Under such condition, free radicals and lipid peroxidation products build up within the muscle cells, leading to the same outcome.

High consumption of aspartame adds an additional cardiac muscle toxin, methanol. A number of studies have shown that consuming aspartame and MSG (and similar excitotoxins) together greatly magnifies the toxicity. Young people live on junk foods, most of which contain a number of excitotoxin additives. Several studies have shown that the levels beings consumed by our youth equal those causing the damage in experimental animals. Humans are 5X more sensitive to these toxins than any animal.

These same factors operate in older individuals as well. Most over age 50 years are depleted of magnesium, have low omega-3 fat intakes, are under stress and take a number of medications that worsen nutrition, especially magnesium levels. Because they are more likely to also have coronary artery disease and other medical conditions, their risk of sudden cardiac death is even higher.

Both athletes and those over age 45 years should take magnesium supplements, antioxidants, omega-3 oils, eat more vegetables and avoid foods and artificial sweeteners containing excitotoxins such as aspartame and MSG. This will do a lot more than trying to rescue a person with an external defibrillator after the fact.
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Dr. Blaylock's web site is www.russellblaylockmd.com He is author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills and Health & Nutrition Secrets to Save Your Life. He can be seen in the movie, Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World on aspartame.

Is Growing
Your Business
Frustrating You?
By Charlotte Irwin

One Room Office to 200 Customers A Week

After a 19 year career with GM, I took a leap to become in charge of my life based on my skills and creativity. I started with very little money, but my passion to be my own boss made up for the lack of it. In the last few years, my business has grown from a one room office to a prospering Holistic Health Center servicing over 200 weekly customers. When I was asked how this happened I had to really reflect on what I did over the years to be successful.

The most important thing I could think of was this: As I concentrated on my own personal growth, my business grew too. My business was a reflection of me. I learned what my weaknesses and strengths were. I had to clean up my own psyche first so I could overcome the business and personal challenges that lay ahead. I evolved spiritually by finding my true self, what my purpose was in this world. Then I could apply those principles to my everyday business transactions with my staff, my clients and with my associates. I could grow my business faster because I understood everyone came for a reason, every person became an opportunity to learn more about myself. I learned where I needed help to be more successful, i.e. not being good at accounting, I hired an accountant; not good at marketing, I joined a coaching group, etc. If I had limiting beliefs, I learned positive thinking. It has truly been a learning, and the most creative and passionate, time of my life.

The Three Keys

Along with truly knowing yourself, here are some key strategies I also used to grow my business and still continue to practice on an everyday basis:
 

1.  Effective advertising,
2.  Group presentations, and
3.  Leveraging relationships.

1. Effective Advertising: Comes with 4 key factors. Interrupt, Engage, Educate and then make a low risk offer that will help them take the next step in becoming a client.
    

2. Group Presentations: Very powerful way to get your message across. Remember we are still pioneers for alternative medicine so you have a lot to offer at the informational stage. Develop your professional presentation, let someone you respect review it and then set out to do it. Companies are always looking for new presenters for their employees.
    

3. Leveraging Relationships: Relationships that we form in our business activities will help to get the word out about our product or services. People in small businesses all know we have to work together to be successful. We need to help one another, so why not refer someone to someone you know and have met, and believe they have a quality product? Why not tap into the experience and wisdom of coaches, accountants, computer wizards, and other business professionals who are there to support you and help your business grow?

Lastly, remember the primary source from which to grow your business will always come from connecting with your Higher self which knows what to do. Through meditation and reflection we get the true answers about what course to follow. The wisdom of the Masters are there for the asking, why not take advantage of it? Everything we have comes from God, business growth included. We can work really hard or we can give it up and let the Universe help provide us with the methods and actions we need to take so we don’t have to feel so overwhelmed... So remember, you’re never in it alone!

I am creating a resource for healing professionals at www.healersinabundance.com so you can learn how to grow your business. Visit us at www.HealersInAbundance.com for a free one-hour excerpt from a business building workshop.

Charlotte Irwin is the proprietor of Center for the Healing Arts in Sterling Heights, (586) 268-5444. www.center4thehealingarts.com.

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GCNM graduates qualify for Board Certification through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). The application will be mailed to you upon graduation from any of our programs. You may contact the AADP at 1-888-764-AADP.

New

The American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board will provide Certification to GCNM and GIFAM graduates. Certification is available for graduates of the HHP, MH and CHN programs. Graduates may become Board Certified in their chosen field by completing the application process and submitting their official transcripts. Please contact the ANMCB at 800-889-6103 for more information or email your inquiries to webmaster@anmcb.org.

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Medical Freedom Alert

Our health freedom remains under siege. Please support the following organizations, which are at the forefront of those working to protect our rights:

Citizens for Health http://www.citizens.org
(Sign their online petition to safeguard
health supplements.)

Institute for Health Freedom http://www.ForHealthFreedom.org

International Advocates
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http://www.iahf.com

Health Lobby (Monica Miller)
http://www.healthlobby.com.
 

Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life
by Russell L. Blaylock

Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life covers some of the hottest topics in health and nutrition: heavy metal toxicity, the food additive controversy, fluoride poisoning, how to protect your brain from the ravages of disease and aging, and protecting yourself and your loved ones from a biohazard attack.

This enormous book also presents the latest information on strokes and heart attacks, diabetes, protecting the digestive system, and the best ways to keep the immune system young and powerful.

Nutritional Consultant  (N.C.)
Home-Study Program  
 

Find out how Holistic Nutrition can change your life, health, and career options forever. Food can be medicine or a death sentence. The choices we make now will affect our wellbeing for many years to come. As a Nutritional Consultant you'll have the important task of educating others about nourishing their bodies for optimal health. 

Click here to find out more...

Holistic Health Practitioner  (H.H.P.)
Home-Study Program
 

Holistic healing will be the medicine of the future! As a Holistic Health Practitioner, you'll be trained in many aspects of natural medicine, including Nutrition, Herbs, and various Mind/Body therapies. Learn how to nourish the body, pamper the soul and utilize the gifts of nature.

Click here to find out more...
 

Master Herbalist (M.H.)
Home-Study Program  
 

With the increasing popularity of herbs and herbal medicine, the demand is also growing for qualified Herbalists. It's the perfect time to learn more about this exciting and rewarding field, not only to help others but also to enhance your own life and the lives of those around you.
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Try this at home!
Turmeric Shepherd's Pie

Ingredient:

• 1/4 head green cabbage
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1/2 cup short grain brown rice
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup mixed veggies
• 1 leek
• 3 medium potatoes
• 1/4-1/2 cup nut or rice milk
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Serves 3-4

Peel potatoes, rinse and cook in water with
1 teaspoon salt until soft. Wash and rinse rice. Add water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring rice to boil in a separate medium size pot. Turn down heat, add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric to rice and let simmer slowly for about 40 minutes (or until done). Shred cabbage and oil a medium size square casserole dish with 1 tsp. of olive oil and add first layer of cabbage. Sprinkle caraway seeds over cabbage layer. Add turmeric rice on top of cabbage. Preheat oven to 325. Wash leek, tear off and discard any old outer leaves and slice cylindrical pieces off the root end. (Save top green part of leek for soup stock). Layer leek slices on top of rice. Add layer of mixed frozen veggies on top. Mash the potatoes with the nut or rice milk and 2 tablespoons (or more) of olive oil, salt and black pepper to desired taste and consistency. Spread mashed potatoes to fill casserole dish and sprinkle on top with turmeric. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

GCNM programs are valid for the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA) continuing education.

Submit your natural health or nutrition related article to Ryan@gcnm.com.

GLOBAL COLLEGE
OF NATURAL MEDICINE
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Santa Cruz, CA 95060
www.GCNM.com

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FOR ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
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www.GIFAM.org

DRNATURA.COM Inc.
2642 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Suite A12
Henderson, NV 89052
www.DrNatura.com

"Some things you have to do every day. Eating seven apples on Saturday night instead of one a day just isn't going to get the job done".
- Jim Rohn

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