CONTENTS
1) Editorial
2) Feature: Sweet Lies, the Truth About Aspartame
3) Issue Updates
--Keeping Canada’s Food Inspection System Independent
--Nuclear Power: A Second Coming in New Brunswick?
--Natural Health Products Research Proposals Wanted
--2004 Adverse Drug Reaction Stats Just Released
--Health Minister Dosanjh’s Statement on Clinical Trials
--Air Pollution Kills Estimated 5,900 Canadians a Year
4) Media Watch
--Codex Overview and Report on Bonn, 2004
--Debate Over Credibility of Natural Health Products Claims
--Wintry Canada to Use Solar Power to Heat Homes
--Task Force Takes Aim at Trans Fat
--Ginger Seems Safe for Easing Nausea in Pregnancy
--US Panel Hears of Breast Implant Woes, Benefits
--Statins, Omega-3s Lower Lipids, Reduce Cardiac Mortality
--Canada Finally Unveils Plan to Meet Kyoto Targets
--Experts Warn on Health, Wealth Expense of US drugs
--Judge Strikes Down FDA Ban on Ephedra
--Mom’s Diet May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk in Daughters
--About 70% of Older Adults Use Alternative Medicine
--Processed Meat Ups Pancreas Cancer Risk
--Debate Over a Leaching Chemical Heats Up
--EU Votes Ban on US Genetically Engineered Corn Gluten
--Study Links Vaccines to Autism
5) Calendar of Events
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1) EDITORIAL
Hello HANS Members and Friends;
Finally, Health Action magazine is out after a long drought without it! I’m once again reminded how valuable having a publication is, so that we can regularly communicate with our members, and you can participate, too. Please e-mail hans@hans.org with possible story ideas.
Health Action was an exercise in determination and love. We have many people to thank, none more so than Jane Shaak and Samarpan Fraasse of the Okanagan Valley. Generally speaking, the comments from members have been very supportive. Thank you!
And of course, the lessons we need to learn...
There’s an article in Health Action attributed to Warren Bell, MD. Much to his surprise, and ours, it wasn’t! The article was written by Phil Weld Jr, an advocate for self-care in the United States, and somehow the files were swapped. So, our sincere apologies to both of them. We trust the experience has helped us learn how to prevent it in the future.
Lots of website changes at www.hans.org! Health Action will soon be available online, and our Upcoming Events section is now up and running. Members wishing to post an event, please e-mail hans@hans.org.
Why not save our website as a favourite, and mark the additions that are taking place on a regular basis?
All the best,
Lorna J Hancock
Founding Member and Director
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2) FEATURE: SWEET LIES, THE TRUTH ABOUT ASPARTAME
By Sandra Tonn, RHN
Consumers have filed a $350 million class action against the world’s most-used chemical sweetener in a bid to expose aspartame’s deadly side effects.
The complaint was filed on September 15, 2004 in California on behalf of Joe Bellon. According to the National Justice League, which is handling the case, Bellon is representing a class of plaintiffs who are charging NutraSweet, the American Diabetes Association, and 51 individuals with “manufacturing and marketing a deadly neurotoxin unfit for human consumption, while they assured the public that aspartame (also known as NutraSweet/Equal) products are safe and healthful, even for children and pregnant women.”
The “deadly” evidence refers to an affidavit signed in early September by a former translator for the developer of aspartame, G.D. Searle Co. The affidavit describes the company’s initial studies that were conducted on people in developing countries in the early 1980s, and allegedly shows conclusive evidence that aspartame not only caused severe health problems, but also death. The evidence apparently was destroyed.
These are a few of the thousands of products containing aspartame: Equal, Gaviscon, Alka-Seltzer, Cool Mint Listerine, Diet Pepsi, Mylanta, Signature Range, Nutrasweet, Metamucil, Extra, Paracare, Diet Coca-Cola, Diet Schweppes, Powerade, Tylenol, Flintstones Vitamins, Pediacare, Zantac, Bio-Pharmaceutics, Naturelax, Diet Snapple, Jell-o Light, Carnation Hot Chocolate, Kool-Aid Light.
Sweet conspiracy?
In light of this news, one may think an aspartame ban is inevitable. However, the long, bitter history of aspartame reads so much like a conspiracy novel that nothing can be assumed.
Prior to 1981, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had refused to approve aspartame for use in food because of the seizures and brain tumours it produced in animal lab tests. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who at the time was Chief of Staff under President Ford, is mentioned throughout the California lawsuit and is believed by the plaintiffs to have used his political power to get aspartame approved.
Rumsfeld left the Ford administration in 1981 to become the CEO of G.D. Searle Co. The day after President Reagan took office, FDA Commissioner Arthur Hayes, who had recently been appointed by Reagan, approved aspartame against the wishes of his own Public Board of Inquiry. They advised that aspartame be withheld at least until the question concerning its possible cancer links could be resolved. Hayes also approved aspartame for use in carbonated beverages and then joined NutraSweet’s public relations firm under a lengthy, well-paid contract.
Body of evidence
Today, both the FDA and Health Canada defend aspartame, claiming that many studies prove its safety. John T. Linnell, managing director of Mission Possible Canada, part of an international group lobbying to ban aspartame, says, “Aspartame is not a nutritive sweetener, as Health Canada claims, but a metabolic poison.”
Health Canada says that methanol, which is a byproduct of consuming aspartame, is not foreign to the human diet. While this is true, studies show that an average person’s daily intake of methyl alcohol from natural sources is less than 10 milligrams. Aspartame beverages contain approximately 55 milligrams per litre.
In 1996, Dr. Ralph G. Walton, chair of The Center for Behavioral Medicine and professor of clinical psychiatry at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, analyzed all of the peer-reviewed medical literature on aspartame. He discovered that all 74 studies with sponsorship ties to the aspartame industry declared no problems with the sweetener. On the other hand, 92 per cent of the 90 independent studies identified problems.
Deadly reactions
The effects of aspartame are documented by the FDA’s own data, which they were forced to release in 1995 under the Freedom of Information Act. At that time, aspartame accounted for more than 75 percent of all adverse reactions reported to the FDA’s Adverse Reaction Monitoring System. According to the National Justice League, the FDA stopped taking adverse reports about aspartame in 1996. The original 92 symptoms recorded range from dizziness and headaches to seizures and death.
According to H.J. Roberts, MD, author of the book Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic (Sunshine Sentinel Press, 2001) there are thousands of adverse side effects and diseases triggered by aspartame. In his experience, the effects of aspartame are often misdiagnosed as arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. According to the National Justice League, the American Diabetes Association rejected Dr. Roberts’ claim that aspartame precipitated diabetes and reacted harmfully with insulin.
How is one to decide what’s best for one’s health? Radio show host and former British Columbia cabinet minister Rafe Mair, who is a diabetic, contends, “This is the rub. You either buy into the Canadian Diabetes Association, which gets funding from the chemical companies, listen to propaganda, or you do your due diligence on the Internet--a daunting task.”
Mair notes, “I have no idea whatsoever whether aspartame is an innocent sweetener or a poison. What I do know is that if I were a juror and listened to all the evidence, I would have very grave doubts about this compound. Very grave doubts indeed.”
Reprinted from alive Magazine, December 2004. Sandra Tonn, is a registered holistic nutritionist, writer, and natural health educator in Vancouver, BC. www.sandratonn.com.
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3) ISSUE UPDATES
Keeping Canadian Food Inspection System Independent
PRESS RELEASE - Canada risks losing its ability to adopt independent testing and the inspection capacity it needs to protect the health and safety of Canadians if Bill C-27, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, is passed, say prominent Canadian and US scientists who addressed the House Standing Committee on Agriculture on April 12, 2005.
Dr. Lester Friedlander, former US Department of Agriculture veterinarian and meat inspector, says “rules and regulations are broken every day in the United States because the government is not enforcing them, allowing, for example, animal protein to be fed back to cattle.”
He has seen this occur in the US and believes it is a growing problem in Canada. Warning Canadians against adopting US inspection rules and practices, Dr. Friedlander says, “The public must insist that the food safety regulatory function be separated from the governmental agency promoting corporate agribusiness. We need a genuine, separate department of consumer protection.”
Dr. Gerard Lambert warns against relying on other countries’ testing. “If food is not tested properly it will contaminate our food chain very rapidly. Testing after the fact is too late.” He adds, “Bill C-27 is about harmonizing with US regulations. It is not about protecting the health of Canadians.”
Bill C-27 would allow the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to accept testing and certification results from other countries. The government has said this legislation will make Canada’s food and agriculture regulatory system more similar to the American system. However, the US system currently permits irradiation of meat, which is not allowed in Canada, has failed to meet World Health Organization guidelines for preventing BSE, and relies on voluntary compliance when companies are found in violation of its regulations. Furthermore, US whistle-blower scientists who act in the public interest are not protected.
“This government’s ‘Smart Regulation’ legislative renewal project, which includes Bill C-27, is what I describe as the ‘Corporatization of Knowledge’ -- instituting private interests ahead of the public good,” says Dr. Shiv Chopra, who along with colleagues Dr. Margaret Haydon and Dr. Gerard Lambert, blew the whistle on conflicts of interests in Health Canada’s drug approval process. “We request the postponement of the entire legislative renewal process until after a full public inquiry into what we, as scientists, have been suffering on account of the pressure exerted on us to pass drugs and other products and methods of questionable safety.”
These scientists appeared as witnesses at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food, April 12.
Canadians opposed to Bill C-27 can fax a letter to their MP from the Beyond Factory Farming Coalition website, www.beyondfactoryfarming.org. Also visit the Council of Canadians campaign at www.canadians.org.
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Nuclear Power: A Second Coming in New Brunswick?
Atlantic Canada’s only nuclear power plant may be resuscitated by a $200 million infusion from the federal government.
New Brunswick’s Point Lepreau, a 22-year-old facility would require at least $1.4 billion to fix up. The province’s premier, Bernard Lord, is asking Ottawa to help cover the cost.
“This is a bad idea,” warns Greenpeace Canada. “Nuclear power plants are plagued with unresolved safety issues, high security risks, chronic under-performance problems, massive cost overruns and unresolved toxic waste issues.”
The group notes that federal support for Point Lepreau would set a costly precedent, as all of Canada’s nuclear reactors will need to be closed or refurbished over the next 15 years.
Instead, Greenpeace is urging the government to invest money in conservation and energy efficient strategies. Their Take Action campaign also encourages Canadians:
Please write to Prime Minister Paul Martin and Finance Minister Ralph Goodale and urge them not to subsidize the Point Lepreau nuclear station. Let Ottawa know that energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy can provide new jobs and cleaner, safer options for the people of New Brunswick.
The Right Honourable Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Finance
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Fax: 613-996-9790
E-mail: Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca
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Natural Health Products Research Proposals Wanted
The Natural Health Products Directorate of Canada is still accepting proposals for natural health products research. Their deadline is June 10, 2005. Visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/nhpd-dpsn/funding_....
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2004 Adverse Drug Reaction Stats Just Released
Health Canada received 10,238 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions last year, marking an 11.2 per cent jump from 2003 and the sixth year that reports have steadily risen. Visit http://hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2005/2005_...
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Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh Statement on Clinical Trials
Our Health Minister has announced his support for making drug clinical trial information readily available. “Health Canada is set to launch a new on-line database that will provide the public with more information on all drugs licensed in Canada since 1994,” he adds. Visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2005/s...
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Air Pollution Kills Estimated 5,900 Canadians a Year
This, according to an updated Health Canada report based on data from eight Canadian cities. Previous 2002 estimates in collaboration with John Hopkins University in the US put this figure at 5,000. Visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2005/2...
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4) MEDIA WATCH
CODEX Overview and Report on Bonn, 2004
http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?PageSource=index&C...
Debate Over Credibility of Natural Health Products Claims
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/8/983?etoc
Wintry Canada to Use Solar Power to Heat Homes
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/3...
Task Force Takes Aim at Trans Fat
http://www.hc-sc.gc/food-aliment/e_trans_fat.html
Ginger Seems Safe for Easing Nausea in Pregnancy
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&...
US Panel Hears of Breast Implant Woes, Benefits
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&...
Statins, Omega-3s Lower Lipids, Reduce Cardiac Mortality
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/54h181...
Canada Finally Unveils Plan To Meet Kyoto Targets
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=3...
Experts Warn on Health, Wealth Expense of US drugs
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-04-17-medic...
Judge Strikes Down FDA Ban on Ephedra
http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=7639
Mom’s Diet May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk in Daughters
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
About 70% of Older Adults Use Alternative Medicine
http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=7625
Processed Meat Ups Pancreas Cancer Risk
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&...
Debate Over a Leaching Chemical Heats Up
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-04-14-leach...
EU Votes Ban on US Genetically Engineered Corn Gluten
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57657...
Study Links Vaccines to Autism
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/c...
For more current titles, check out “News” at www.hans.org.
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5) CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine Open House
When: Tuesday, May 3
Time: 5–9pm
Where: Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
668 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster, BC
Cost: Free
Contact: 604-777-9981
E-mail: info@binm.org
Web: www.binm.org
Free lectures, information about naturopathic medicine, demonstrations, samples, mini health evaluations and testing.
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When the Body Forgets to Heal: An Integrative Approach to
Reactivating the Healing Response
Who: Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Steven Aung, sponsored by the Association of Complementary Physicians of BC
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 27 - 29
Where: U of Victoria and Royal Theater, Downtown Victoria
Cost: $225-440
Contact: 250-382-6356
E-mail: info@acpbc.org
Web: www.bodyheals.ca
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Herbs: How to Know Them and Use Them
Who: Lorene Benoit, Certified Master of Holistic Health, Herbalist, Iridologist, Contact Reflex Analyst and Regenesis Healer (emotional and energy balancing)
When: July 8-11, Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Where: 5175 Bills Road, Duncan, BC
Cost: $475, early bird before July 1st, $375
Contact: 250-748-6802
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Small Scale Seed Production for Organic Farmers
Who: John Navazio of the Organic Seed Alliance
When: July 12-14 - Tues 6-9pm, Wed and Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: Saanich, BC
Cost: $150, includes reading materials and meals
Contact: Chris Wells at 250-658-5420
E-mail: quinoa@shaw.ca
This workshop is being held midweek to accommodate farmers and weekend markets. Lunch and snacks provided on Wednesday and Thursday, with a light dinner provided on Tuesday evening.
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Founded in 1984, Health Action Network Society is a membership-based, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to gathering and disseminating health promotion information.
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