the little miracle company limited

Hello and welcome to the little miracle company webspace.

This space belongs to me, Steve Smith, homoeopath, and for the moment is dedicated to putting information on the net regarding recent provings. The information is placed here for the benefit of everyone and is not copyrighted.

I've been trying for some time to provide details of all our provings (by us I mean The South Downs School of Homoeopathy) on the web for all to share, but the problems are that web space is limited and I am a bit of a dunce at getting all the information uploaded.

The files are huge - Nitrogen alone runs to over 70 pages...so I have decided to make the information available in CD format.

If you'd like the full text of the four provings (Nitrogen, Mobile Phone Radiation, Aspartame, and Chlamydia) you can contact me at:-

homoeopath@ntlworld.com
homeopath@freenetname.co.uk
littlemiracle@freeuk.com

...or you can write to me at

58 Valley Drive
Brighton
Sussex
BN1 5FD
U.K.

...and I'll be happy to send you a copy of all the provings. The text is in Word format (Word 2000 in fact)

To cover postage, packing, and general tenderness there is a charge of £10 - we are not making any money from these provings
NB This is highly technical stuff and very unlikely to be of interest to those with only a casual interest in homoeopathy

If you have a proving that you'd like to add to the CD and make available to the world please feel free to get in touch

Below are a few salient details about each of the provings

Please feel free to use this information to heal the sick.

For some brief details on the Mobile Phone Radiation Proving click here

For some brief details on the Nitrogen Proving click here

For some brief details on the Aspartame Proving click here

For some brief details on the Chlamydia Proving click here

Proving of Mobile Phone Radiation

Acknowledgements

Proving of Nitrogen

  This proving was carried out by students at the South Downs School of Homeopathy between January and April 2001.  My thanks to the students for their commitment to the proving and diligence in carrying out their roles as provers and supervisors, in what was a very challenging and long last proving.   My thanks also to Grazyna Baran who has shared the work of writing up this proving, and Judith Mapleson who did the repertorisation.

WHY THIS PROVING?
My colleague and friend, Grazyna Baran mentioned in conversation that she had been looking at a case recently in which she wondered of Nitrogen might be the indicated remedy – but there was no proving - only Jan Scholten’s speculations based on his work on the periodic table.  It struck me as intriguing that an element that comprised 78% of our atmosphere should not have been proven. 

THE REMEDY
The remedy was already available from Helios Pharmacy.  Some clinical experience with the remedy had been obtained, but it had never been proven.

THE PROVERS
The proving was started in January 2001.  It was conducted using the guidelines contained in “The Dynamics and Methodology of Homeopathic Provings” by Jeremy Sherr. 

LAYOUT OF PROVING
The following text includes information on the substance itself and the proving symptoms grouped according to key themes using the provers’ own language.  No attempt is made to integrate this pure information or to suggest a material medica picture.  A fuller synthesis suggesting a material medica picture is written separately and will be published in appropriate journals.  Toxicological data on Nitrogen has not been included at this stage in the repertorisation although it would be beneficial to add this in to expand the picture and suggest additional rubrics if time permits at a later stage.

REPERTORISATION
All rubrics are from the Complete Repertory.

NITROGEN
Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic gas that represents 78% by volume of the earth’s atmosphere, making it by far the most abundant gaseous element on Earth.  Its atomic number is 7 and it is the first element in group 15 or VA of the Periodic table.  It is an essential constituent of all living matter and makes up about 16% of all animal and plant proteins.  Nitrogen is an essential part of the amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.  The atomic weight of Nitrogen is 14.007.

  It was isolated by the British doctor Daniel Rutherford in 1772 and recognised as an elemental gas by the French chemist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier in about 1776.

  It is produced commercially by liquefying air and then removing the Nitrogen at its boiling point of –195.79°C.  Liquid nitrogen is a colourless liquid, which can be compressed into a colourless, crystalline solid with a melting point of –210.01°C .

  Pure Nitrogen is inert and serves as a diluter for oxygen in burning and respiration processes.  The gas is used in the chemical, electrical and metal industries to provide an inert atmosphere, and in the food industry to prevent spoilage by mould.  Liquid nitrogen is easily prepared and is used as a refrigerant and medically to freeze/burn off warts and other neoplasms.

  It only combines with other elements at very high temperatures or pressures. Once combined however its compounds are very reactive.  These compounds have many industrial uses including their use in explosives.

  One of the main industrial uses is in fertilisers where the Nitrogen is obtained from Ammonia (NH₃) or Nitric Acid (HNO₃). 

  There are few inorganic or mineral deposits containing Nitrogen because most of its compounds are soluble in water.  The exception is Sodium Nitrite (Chile Saltpetre), which is found in Chile and some other areas with a dry climate.  The saltpetre is mined for use as a fertiliser or to make explosives.

  THE NITROGEN CYCLE
Although most animal and vegetable proteins are made of 16% nitrogen, most organisms are unable to use nitrogen directly from the air for the manufacture of the proteins they require for growth and tissue maintenance.  The nitrogen cycle is the process in which atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil and becomes part of living organisms, before returning to the atmosphere.

  Plants take up nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrates, nitrites and ammonium salts.  Animals absorb most of the nitrogen they require from eating plants or other animals.  There is therefore a vital relationship between plants, animals, the soil and the nitrogen in the air.  This interdependence is known as the nitrogen cycle:

1. Nitrogen finds its way to the soil in rainwater as dilute Nitric Acid (HNO3) and Nitrous Acid (NHO2) after the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere initiated by lightning and cosmic radiation. 
2. Certain bacteria, found in the roots of such plants as beans, peas and clover can convert atmospheric nitrogen directly into proteins, which plants then use. 
3. Nitric and nitrous acids react with bases in the soil to form salts, which most other plants can use to form proteins in order to grow and mature.
4. Not all of this combined or fixed protein is held in the soil – some is broken back down to nitrogen by bacteria and returns to the atmosphere. 
5. Decaying plant tissues release ammonia to the soil – which builds up there as ammonium salts.  More bacteria convert these salts into nitrates and nitrites which are used once more by plants for the production of protein
6. When animals and plants die and decay much of the nitrogen in animal protein is returned to the soil.
7. Plant proteins ingested by animal are excreted mainly as urea which again returns nitrogen to the soil by reacting with water to produce carbon dioxide and ammonia

  AMMONIA
Ammonia (NH₃) is a hydride of nitrogen and one of the most important compounds of the element.  It is pungent smelling and very soluble.  It is used in fertilisers, in the production of nitric acid and nylon, as a refrigerant and as a neutralising agent.

  HYDRAZINE
Another hydride of nitrogen is hydrazine (N₂H₄), which is a colourless, unstable liquid and a strong reducing agent.  It was used as fuel for German ME-163 rocket fighters, during World War II.  It is used currently in pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals and foaming agents.

  OXIDES OF NITROGEN
There are eight oxides of Nitrogen, which include Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), otherwise known as laughing gas – also used as an anaesthetic.

Aspartame Proving

BACKGROUND
This proving was carried out by students at the South Downs School of Homeopathy between January and April 2002.  My thanks to the students for their commitment to the proving and diligence in carrying out their roles as provers and supervisors, in what was a very challenging and long last proving.   My thanks also to Christian Taylor who did most of the work of writing up this proving, and Gill Bowden who did the research on the remedy substance.

WHY THIS PROVING?
I read a spate of articles in the press and on the Internet about the possible side effects of using this artificial sweetener in our diet obsessed world.  It’s use is very widespread in diet drinks and foods and I was curious to see first of all if the homeopathic proving mirrored the reported side effects of the material substance, and wondered if there might indeed be an Aspartame constitution or layer engrafted on those who ingested a lot of the substance either directly, or indirectly in the womb.

THE REMEDY
The remedy was made up by Helios Pharmacy.  It is an entirely new remedy.

THE PROVERS
The proving was started in January 2002.  It was conducted using the guidelines contained in “The Dynamics and Methodology of Homeopathic Provings” by Jeremy Sherr. 

  The provers were instructed to take up to a maximum of three doses, twice a day, for a maximum of two days and to stop as soon as symptoms appeared.  There were seven provers:

ASPARTAME

L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanyl methyl ester, also known as aspartame, NutraSweet, Equal, Candarel, Spoonful and E951 in Europe.

Chemical Structure

A white, crystalline, odourless powder.

Composed of two amino acids; aspartic acid (40%) and phenylalanine (50%), with a methyl ester bond (10% methanol)

  Very stable in it’s dry state[1]. At 105 centigrade a loss of approximately 5% (conversion to DKP) occurred after 100 hours of treatment. At 120 centigrade a 50% loss is obtained after 80 hours.

  Degradation in solution depends on pH, buffer concentration and^,[2]. Decomposition products also vary depending on temperature, they are L-aspartic acid (Asp), L-aspartylphenylalanine (Asp-phe), L-Phenylalanine methyl ester (PME), L-phenylalanine (Phe), 3,6-Dioxo5-phenylmethylpiperazine acetic acid (DKP)[3] beta-aspartame [4]

  In a buffer solution of phosphate citrate, the degradation is slightly slower at pH2 than at pH4. At between pH2 – 6 the major degradation product is L-Phenylalanine methyl ester[5], although it has previously been reported to be DKP[6]. When repeated at 25 centigrade the result remained that PME was the major product. At pH 7 to 10, the major product is DKP and at pH12 it is L-Aspartylphenylalanine (Asp-Phe) [7]

  In solution at 30-80 centigrade it degrades into DKP[8], this leads to loss of sweetness and makes it unsuitable for use in cooking and other high temperature uses.

Breakdown of methyl part of aspartame in small intestine when encounters enzyme chymotrypsin. Absorption is speeded up with the ingestion of free methanol, which is created if aspartame is heated to 30 degrees c (86 Fahrenheit). Methanol is broken down to formaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver[9]. In turn this formaldehyde is converted to formic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase in liver and by formaldehyde dehydrogenase in the blood.

Uses

Aspartame is classed as a non-nutritive sweetener (i.e. offers no nutritional energy) as its nutritional value is negligible at approx. 4 kcal/g from metabolisation of amino acids. It is high intensity sweetener, which is 160-220 times sweeter than sugar, thus requires little volume to produce sweetness.

  It was approved by the FDA for dry use, chewing gum and carbonated drinks in 1981, and for general use in 1996. It is approved for use in over 100 countries, and by organisations such as the World Health Organisation, EC scientific Committee on Foods and the European Parliament. It is found in over 6000 products including puddings, frozen desserts, carbonated soft drinks (70% of demand), breath mints, vitamins and cold preparations. In most products it is combined with either sugar or saccharine, but the trend is towards it’s use as the sole sweetener in processed foods, for example Pepsi & Coca-Cola have announced that they will use only aspartame in their soft drinks.

World-wide sales of aspartame have risen from 72 million dollars in 1981 to 800 million dollars in 2001, with 50% of consumption being in the United States [1] Aspartame is marketed particularly at slimmers, due to it’s low calorific value, and at diabetics as it is claimed to satisfy sugar cravings without affecting blood sugar levels and is recommended by the American Diabetic Association. It is claimed be free from any side-effects in the majority of people, though it must be used with care in those suffering from PKU, a rare genetic disorder (we will discuss later).

History

The history of aspartame is extremely controversial, with claim and counter-claim being made by the manufacturers and a number of, mainly, Internet sites as to the safety of aspartame. Each side argues the validity and objectivity of it’s own research, and the inaccuracy and bias of the other side. It has been extensively tested but still doubts remain as to its safety, or otherwise.

  Aspartame was discovered by James Schlatter, a chemist at G.D. Searle in 1965. While testing a peptic ulcer drug Schlatter spilt some on his fingers and, on licking it off, found the substance to be incredibly sweet. In 1967 G.D. Searle began the safety tests required by the FDA for approval of food additives. [2]Dr Harold Waisman, a biochemist at the University of Wisconsin, conducted safety tests on infant monkeys on behalf of GD Searle. Seven monkeys were fed aspartame mixed with milk, of these 1 died after 300 days and 5 had grand mal seizures [3]The results of this experiment were not submitted to FDA until 18^th August 1985, 27 months after aspartame was approved for dry use. Searle maintained that it had been overlooked[4]

  In November 1970 Cyclamate, the leading brand of low-calorie sweetener was withdrawn due to a suspected link with cancer. At the same time the safety of saccharine was being questioned, leaving the field open for a new sugar substitute.

  In the Spring of 1971, the neuroscientist, Dr John Olney (whose work on the effects of Monosodium glutamate resulted in it being removed from baby foods) informed GD Searle that his studies had revealed that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of baby mice. These results were replicated by one of Searle’s own researchers in a similar study.

Searle applied for FDA approval in February 1973, submitting more than 100 studies to support its claims that aspartame is safe. The FDA reviewed this data but on the 5^th of March 1973 stated that “the information provided (by Searle) is inadequate to permit an evaluation of the potential toxicity of aspartame” and calls for further clinical tests. However, on the 26^th July 1974 the FDA granted first approval for use in dry goods. In August Jim Turner & Dr. John Olney filed first objections to aspartame approval on safety ground, and in December 1975 the FDA stayed approval until Searle’s safety studies could be audited [5]

The Turner & Olney petition triggered a FDA investigation in March 1976, looking at the laboratory practices at GD Searle. The investigation found Searle’s testing procedures shoddy, inaccurate and with “manipulated” test results ([6]). On the 10^th January 1976, the FDA formally requested that US attorneys office to begin grand jury proceedings to investigate whether indictments should be filed against Searle for “concealing material facts and making false statements” in aspartame safety tests. With grand jury proceedings underway Sidley & Austin, the law firm representing G.D. Searle, begin job negotiations with U.S. attorney in charge of the investigation, Samuel Skinner on the 26^th of January 1977. It is worth noting that Skinner’s wife already worked for Sidley & Austin. Sam Skinner left the District attorney’s Office to take up his new position on the 1^st of July 1977; he later went on to be the White House Chief of Staff under George Bush. It is claimed that Skinner’s resignation and subsequent departure led to the drawing out of the case until, on the 8^th December 1977, the statute of limitations on aspartame charges runs out and the grand jury investigation is dropped.

  In the meantime, GD Searle hire prominent Washington insider, Donald Rumsfeld as CEO in an attempt to turn the company around.  Then, on the 1^st August 1977, The Bressler Report, compiled by FDA investigators and headed by Jerome Bressler, is released. It finds that in one report 98 of the 196 animals died during one of Searle’s studies but weren’t autopsied until up to a year after death. Many other inconsistencies are found, including one rat being reported as dead, then alive, then dead again, and a mass, a uterine polyp and ovarian neoplasms were found in the animals but not reported by Searle. On 1^st June 1979 The FDA established a Public Board of Enquiry with a remit to rule on the safety issues surrounding aspartame. The panellists were Peter Lampert, Professor & Chairman of the Department of Pathology at the University of California, Vernon Young, PhD of the University of Nutritional Biochemistry at MIT, and Walle Nauta, MD, PhD, Institute Professor of the Department of Psychology at MIT. Dr Olney objected to Dr Young’s appointment as he suggested that Young was unqualified in neuropathology and would therefore be unable review aspartic acid’s neurotoxicity. However his objections were overruled and the panel was maintained. The panel were told to assess the safety of aspartame only in dry goods, Dr Nauta has stated that he would “definitely” have considered other tests and factors if he had known that aspartame was planned for use in soft drinks [7]. The PBOI concluded unanimously, in September 1980 approval should not be given until further investigation had taken place into possible brain tumours in animals. The board states that it “ has not been presented with proof of reasonable certainty that aspartame is safe for use as a food additive”.

However on the 21^st January 1981, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the new President of USA. Reagan’s transition team, including Donald Rumsfeld (CEO of GD Searle), handpicked Dr Arthur Hull Hayes to be new FDA commissioner. In March 1981an FDA commissioner’s panel was established to review issues raised by PBOI. This panel (consisting of Dr Robert Condon, Dr Satya Dubey & Dr Douglas Park, 3 of the 6 in-house FDA scientists) advised against approval of aspartame, stating that the Searle tests are unreliable and not adequate to determine approval[8]. On the 1^st July 1981 Dr Hayes, the new FDA commissioner, ignored the PBOI and the recommendation of his internal FDA team, and approved aspartame for dry use. Hayes stated that aspartame has been shown to be safe for it’s intended use and says that few compounds have withstood such thorough testing and repeated close scrutiny. This conclusion was based on a Japanese report that the other PBOI panellists had not had access to. The PBOI chairman, Dr Nauta later wrote to Dr Hays that if the panel had had access to this information they would have given aspartame “unqualified approval”[9]

  On the 15^th October 1982, the FDA [10]announced that Searle has applied for approval as a sweetener in carbonated drinks, other liquids, and children’s vitamins. This was followed on the 1^st July 1983 by a request by the National Soft Drink Association (NSDA) to the FDA to delay approval pending further testing, as aspartame is very unstable in liquid form. When liquid aspartame is stored at 85 degrees + it breaks down into DKP and formaldehyde, both known toxins. When FDA approval is granted on the 8^th July 1983, the NSDA files an objection and requests a hearing, stating that Searle has not provided “responsible certainty” that aspartame and it’s degradation products are safe for use in soft drinks.

  On the 8^th August 1983 Jim Turner of Community Nutrition Institute and Dr. Woodrow Monte, Director of Food Science and Nutritional Laboratories at Arizona State University, filed suit with the FDA objecting to approval on the grounds of unresolved safety issues. This is denied by the FDA[11] In September 1983 the FDA commissioner Hayes resigns under a cloud of controversy about his taking unauthorised rides in the private jet belonging to General Foods, a major customer of NutraSweet. Burson-Marsteller, Searle’s PR firm immediately hired Hayes as a senior scientific consultant.

  Further objections to the use of aspartame in soft drinks are filed by the Arizona Dietetic Association, the Central Arizona Dietetic Association on the 9^th December 1983, as is a supplement to Dr Woodrow Monte’s previous objection. The objections are denied by the FDA in February 1984 on the grounds that they fail to raise any genuine or substantial issue of fact [12]

  In 1984, it is claimed that the FDA told it’s regional offices not to report aspartame toxicity to its Washington D.C. headquarters [13]. These claims are repeated on the 3^rd November 1987, when James Turner of the Community Nutrition Institute gave testimony to the U.S. Committee on Labour & Human Resources that the FDA redirected calls regarding aspartame reactions to the AIDS Hotline.

  1985 was a mixed year for G.D.Searle, with the company being bought by Monsanto and a number of further reviews into aspartame safety. The FDA’s review but failed to find a consistent pattern of symptoms.[14], and The Council of Scientific Affairs of American Medical Association stated “Available evidence suggests that consumption of aspartame is safe and not associated with serious adverse health effects”. However, in March in Congressional Record, Dr Wurtman, MIT stated, “Aspartame has been demonstrated to inhibit the carbohydrate induced synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin blunts the sensation of craving carbohydrates and this is part of the body’s feedback system that helps limit consumption to appropriate levels. Its’ inhibition by aspartame could lead to anomalous result of a diet product causing increased consumption of carbohydrates”

In 1996 the FDA granted approval for aspartame to be used in all food & beverages. In order to do this without public notification, the FDA would have to show that they are receiving fewer complaints. The FDA told the Wall Street Journal that they have had only 11 complaints, however it is claimed that the FDA will not accept any complaints regarding aspartame at all (see 1984, 1987).[15]).

  In October 2000 Food Advisory Committee in the UK puts aspartame on agenda for discussion; 500 papers were sent to EC Scientific Committee on Food with a suggestion that this is a sufficient number to review. Review expected early 2002.[16](However information is not available at this time). In the same year Monsanto sold all of its aspartame units to an investor group, NutraSweet Co.

Safety & Health Issues

Acceptable Daily Intake set at 40mg/kg body weight/day by WHO committee of Experts on food additives (JECFA), 1980

Underestimated  - FDA assessed at 34mg/kg/day intake – a 30kg child drinks 2/3 of a 2 litre bottle of diet coke on a hot day = 23mg/kg (99^th centile) – add one of 6000 other aspartame containing products -> excess of FDA “loading dose” [17]o funded trade organisations such as the American Diabetic Association and the American Dietetic Association [18]. (However it is claimed that these agencies are funded by NutraSweet [19]

Amino acids and methyl esters found naturally occurring in meats, milk, fruit & veg – body handles them like those found in food daily[20]

Thoroughly tested[21]) – 74 tests submitted to FDA by GD Searle, no problems but 90 independent studies, 83 problems (www.cfs-recovery.org)

Aspartic Acid

Aspartic acid makes up 40% volume by weight of aspartame. It is claimed that reports of brain damage is built on faulty premise that large amounts of aspartame leads to a build-up of aspartic acid in the blood, which circulates to brain & kills nerve cells by over stimulation. NutraSweet claim that due to the nature of the aspartic acid transport system it doesn’t cause any neurotoxilogical effects as, it does not cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore doesn’t accumulate in the brain [22]. However Ketchner & Hollenbeck (1991) stated that, although this is normally true, at high doses it can cross into the brain, where it acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter and, potentially cause brain damage[23]. High levels of aspartic acid in its unbound form significantly raise blood plasma level of the neurotransmitter, Aspartate. Excess levels of aspartame allow the influx of too much calcium into the cells, which, in turn triggers excess free radicals that kill the cells. Again, the point is made that some parts of the brain are not protected by the blood-brain barrier.[24]

As aspartame has very similar characteristics to Glutamate (as in Monosodium Glutamate), researchers looked into the effects of combined levels of aspartame and MSG. According to Stegink et al (1980) [25]a 200mg/kg body weight dose of aspartame was given resulting in a peak of combined plasma levels of 7mM/100mL. This level is only 1/20^th of that necessary to produce brain damage in infant mice[26] [27]. NutraSweet also state that aspartic acid is eliminated through the lungs as CO2 and that even large amounts of aspartame over a long period do not result in large levels of aspartic acid [28], as shown by Stegink (1984) which showed no significant increase in plasma levels of aspartic acid following an orally administered dose of 34mg/kg of body weight of aspartame.[29]

Brain Lesions/Tumours

Aspartame doesn’t enter blood stream so can’t travel to essential organs; it is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine & methanol. American Cancer Society, FDA, National Cancer Association (www.nutrasweet.com)

Brain tumour rates in US risen 17% between 1975 and 1992, in two distinct phases. First in mid-70’s, explained by new diagnostic methods. Second 1984, 10% higher rate which has persisted to present. Possibility that is due to aspartame consumption. Not enough evidence exists to prove link, further research needed. Potential risk low as total number of people affected is low. New study shows sudden 10% increase in malignancy and incidence starting 3 years after aspartame introduced. Rise didn’t continue, stabilised if larger % of the population not exposed would explain why rates didn’t continue to rise. Olney fed to immature rats and found that it destroyed nerve cells in the brain (www.dorway.com/betty/olneyup1). However Olney’s research ahs been criticised by a number of scientists (Levy PS, Hedeker D, 1996 “Statistical and epidemiological treatment of SEER incidence data”; J. Neurpathol. Exp. Neurol.; 55(12),1280)(Linet MS, Ries LA, Smith MA, Tarone RE, Devesa SS, 1999 “Cancer Surveillance series: recent trends in childhood cancer incidence and mortality in the United States: J. Natl. cancer Inst.: 91(16), 1382-1390)(Ross JA, 1998 “Brain Tumours and artificial sweeteners? Lesson on not getting soured on epidemiology, Med. Pediatr. Oncol., 30(1), 7-8)(Seife C., 1999 “Increasing Brain tumour rates: is there a link to deficit spending? J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol.; 58(4), 404-405) who claim that the conclusions do no stand if all the data between 1975 and 1992 is taken into account. The frequency did rise from 1975 until the mid-80’s and then stabilised, no relationship is given between the exposure of the population to aspartame and the frequency of brain tumours. An increase may be due to a number of factors including better diagnostic methods[30]

DKP (a breakdown product) is brain tumour agent. Dr Adrian Gross (1985), the late FDA toxicologist said “In view of all the indications that the cancer causing potential of aspartame is a matter that has been established way beyond reasonable doubt, one can ask: what is the reason for the apparent refusal of the FDA to invoke the food additive the Delaney Amendment to the Food and Drug and Cosmetic Act? Is it not clear beyond any shadow of a doubt that aspartame has caused brain tumours or brain cancer in animals, is it not sufficient to satisfy the provisions of that particular section of the law?”(www.dorway.com/betty/olney).

It is physiologically impossible for aspartame to be carcinogenic – digested in GI tract to small amounts of amino acid, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, all of which present in larger amounts in common food – aspartame never enters bloodstream – no analysis as to whether brain tumour patients ingested aspartame – brain tumour rates increasing in those age 70+, most aspartame users young-middle-aged – exclusion of data points 1973/4; would show that rate of increase higher pre-aspartame than post – no correlation between plotted line for cancer incidence and aspartame use (www.nutrasweet.com/infocenter/medialib/statements/nutrasweetstatement.asp)

Depression

In a study of 13 depression patients, Walton [31] concluded that administration of 30mg/kg/day for 7 days caused severe side effects, including nervousness, trouble remembering, nausea, depression and malaise and as such depressive patients should avoid aspartame. However 5 non-depressive patients did not show enough difference between placebo and aspartame to be significant. Walton’s earlier report in 1986 [32] reported a case of epileptic seizure and serious behavioural problems in a woman being treated with anti-depressants who consumed large quantities of tea containing aspartame. ([33]

Walton states, “When aspartame is ingested with a carbohydrate rich meal the usual physiologic increase in tryptophan is blocked while brain levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine are increased. These changes in amino acid neurotransmitter precursors could, I believe, alter indoleamine /catecholamine balance, and thus have a profound effect on mood and cognition…depressed mood, anxiety, dizziness, panic attacks, nausea, irritability, impairment and concentration”

Decreased serotonin levels in brain are also thought to cause altered mind state resulting in insomnia, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, suicide attempts, hostility and psychopathic states [34]

Diabetes

Beneficial to insulin dependent diabetics as satisfies sweet cravings without affecting blood sugar ([35])

American Diabetic association approves aspartame in moderation for diabetics, increases dietary choice – doesn’t affect long or short term blood sugar levels ([36].

Diketopiperazine  (DKP) Toxicity

According to JECFA (1980)[37], the daily acceptable intake of DKP has been established at 7.5mg/kg body weight, this is based on a level of 750mg/kg as established through long-term study on rats divided by safety factor of 100 [38].

In solution, when stored at temperatures ranging from 30-80 degrees[39]. Or at pH 5 and above aspartame is progressively degraded into DKP. As not all solutions are pH neutral (e.g. Water =pH7) and aspartame is often used in non-ideal conditions, e.g. in hot tea and coffee, increasing the breakdown of aspartame into DKP, stability in solution is an area that requires further study [40]. Soft drinks are mainly acidic (pH<7) and are therefore suitable for aspartame use, however high levels of DKP may be produced if they are stored for long periods (in excess of 260 days) or exposed to high temperatures (in excess of 30 degrees).

In Olney’s research on brain tumours it was reported that when DKP is nitrosated in the gut it produces a compound similar to N-nitrosourea, a brain tumour causing chemical.

Also, according to Verrett, an FDA toxicologist, it is implicated in uterine polyps and changes in blood cholesterol. [41]

Formaldehyde Toxicity

Formaldehyde accumulates in body with repeated ingestion, causing immune system & nervous system changes, headaches, poor general health, genetic damage and a number of other health problems [42][43][44]. Wantke 1996, showed chronic exposure to formaldehyde caused systemic health problems in children at air concentration of only 0.043 – 0.070 parts per million.[45]

Gradual damage to nervous system, immune system, irreversible genetic damage at low-level long term use.

Causes retina damage, interferes with DNA replication, causes birth defects [46] Stored in fat cells, swelling of optic nerve & degeneration of ganglion cells in retina

Headaches

28.7% of reported aspartame toxicity to U.S. Food and drug administration Adverse Reaction Monitoring System[47] Schiffman –Duke University, funded by NutraSweet, 30mg/kg body weight  (equivalent 10 soft drinks for 70kg/154lb body weight) = no difference in subjective complaints asp v. placebo, placebo group complained of more headaches, statistically significant study[48])[49]). A small double-blind study over 4 weeks showed increase in frequency of headaches after ingestion of 1200mg/d[50][51]) 

Van Eeden, 1994 – 30mg/kg in subjects sure that aspartame caused their headaches – statistically significant study – result; aspartame causes headaches in small number of people aster long term large quantity use[52])

Koehler (1988) carried out a double-blind study on patients with medical diagnosis of migraine. After a period of tracking their headaches and diets, a dose of 330mg where given 4 times/day for four weeks. The placebo group had no increase over their baseline level of headaches, whilst approximately half of the subject group had a large increase in numbers of headaches [53]

Hyperactivity/ADHD

Several studies have shown no relationship between aggressive and hyperactive behaviours, thus children with ADHD needn’t avoid aspartame[54])[55]([56]

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency causes a number of symptoms ranging from high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, cramps, cold hands and feet and increased risk of heart attack and stroke[57]. According to Kovatsi & Tsouggas (2001)[58]aspartame ingestion leads to imbalance in magnesium levels in the body, with accumulation occurring in some organs and tissues (heart, kidneys, lungs, adrenals, hair and blood) and deprivation in others, such as the liver and testes. Aspartame use also decreases the concentration of magnesium in both urine and faeces, thus affecting excretion levels from the body.[59]

Methanol toxicity

Methanol accounts for 10% of aspartame by weight. Metabolised into formaldehyde, formic acid and CO2. 1 litre of diet drink produces approx. 48mg of methanol whereas a litre of fruit juice contains approx. 20-280mg of methanol.

Small amounts of methanol are produced when aspartame is ingested  (also in fruit, veg & juice; 1 cup of tomato juice contains 6x more methanol than 1 cup of aspartame sweetened soft drink) – needs 240-600 litres (675 – 1690 cans to produce toxic levels[60])

Methanol, wood alcohol is toxin – methanol = formic acid +formaldehyde – formaldehyde is neurotoxin  - EPA assessment; “methanol is a cumulative poison due to low rate of excretion once it is absorbed” – recommended max = 7.8mg/day – 1 litre of aspartame drink provides 56mg of methanol (www.dorway.com) – all natural sources of methanol also provide ethanol, the antidote to methanol toxicity (www.dorway.com) – formic acid slowly accumulates in body, inhibits oxygen metabolism (www.dorway.com

Ethanol, natural antidote to methanol, found in natural food at concentrations 5 to 500,000 times that of aspartame [61]

Trocho et al., 1998, Life Sci, 63(5), 337-349 – Radioactive tracer study – 10mg/kg given to rats, who have greater aspartame tolerance than humans (Roe 1982; methanol is 10x more acutely toxic in rats than humans) equivalent to 1 or 2 mg/kg – aspartame leads causes binding of formaldehyde into tissues forming adducts with DNA in brain, liver & retina cells ([62][63]. This leads to the conclusion that repeated ingestion may lead to problems with toxicity and carcinogenicity over the longer term. Criticisms levied at this report are that high doses have not lead to liver cancer in rats, and that Trocho did not identify the radioactivity found in the proteins and DNA [64]

Parkinson’s Disease

Mission Impossible International & Aspartame Consumer Safety Network, FDA have received numerous reports of aspartame worsening Parkinson’s[65]– possibly due to effects of excitotoxins in combination with formaldehyde metabolite – excitotoxins implicated in development & worsening of Parkinson’s symptoms[66]– alt. theory by Pardridge, (1986) free-form (i.e. unbound to protein) phenylalanine is absorbed quickly and can spike levels of aspartame in the blood[67])([68])([69]). This sudden rise in phenylalanine levels interferes with L-DOPA used to treat Parkinson’s patients [70]

Karstaedt 1993 states, “ Aspartame consumption in amounts well in excess of what is consumed by heavy users of aspartame-sweetened products has no effect on PD (Parkinson’s Disease) patients” [71]Criticisms of this research: 1. Study only lasted 1 day. Neurological effects of aspartame use usually take middle to long-term use to appear in patients[72][73]2. Aspartame was given in capsules, which has been proven to eliminate sudden absorption of aspartame breakdown products)[74] Since the experiment was designed to test whether the spike of phenylalanine effected Parkinson’s patients, it was necessary that this spike occurred not eliminated.

3. The claimed  “high dose” of aspartame given was 20 – 40% of the FDA acceptable daily level of 50mg/kg/day. The estimation was based on projected of aspartame intake published shortly after aspartame was licensed for use in carbonated beverages [75]

Chlamydia Trachomatis

LAYOUT OF PROVING
The proving of a nosode appears to be slightly different to that of a mineral, animal, or plant remedy, in that it is difficult to know how much of the related disease symptomology to include in the proving.  We would include information from toxicological reports in the proving of a mineral or plant remedy, so is the equivalent toxicological report for a nosode the disease symptoms that can result from the action of this bacterium?  For the time being the effects of the Chlamydia bacterium have been kept separate from the effects of the proving.  It might be considered useful to integrate this information further in the future.  One is wary in doing this of over-interpretation of the proving results or suggesting spurious interpretations based on a perceived signature.  At this stage, only the provers’ symptoms have been repertorised, not those of the crude disease itself. There is a difficult balance here to be struck between suggesting a remedy picture based on a signature and relevant toxicological information.  Some of the incidental and anecdotal information about the dynamics of the running of the proving itself have been included within the text in italics, as they appear relevant to the remedy picture.

REPERTORISATION
All rubrics are from the Complete Repertory.

FEEDBACK
Please forward any more information, clinical experience or comments to Richard Bocock at 

richjb@lineone.net.   

Remedy made from cultured Chlamydia micro organisms – an interesting organism that for a long time was considered half way between a bacterium and a virus.  Now identified as a bacterium – an intracellular parasite.

SYMPTOMS
The organism causes three main types of diseases:

o        Chlamydial conjunctivitis – conjunctivitis of the newborn due to infection from mother to child with the Chlamydia micro organism during the birth process .  This is more frequently encountered than Opthalmia Neonatorum. 

o        Trachoma – a chronic contagious form of conjunctivitis, with hypertrophy of conjunctiva.  The disease affects 400 million people worldwide, mostly in Asia and Africa and the SW of the USA.  20 million people have been blinded by the disease. 

o        Transmitted by vaginal or anal intercourse

o        Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 6 weeks of infection but 70% of women and 50% of men do not produce symptoms – the disease remains hidden.  It is termed by doctors a “stealth” disease.

Females may have:

·                     No symptoms at all (up to 70% of women don't have any symptoms)

·                     Change in colour, amount or odour of vaginal discharge

·                     Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods (especially when on the Pill)

·                     Pain or bleeding during sexual intercourse

·                     Abdominal pain

·                     A burning feeling when passing water

·                     Change in periods, or more painful periods (especially after changing partners)

·                     The need to urinate more often

·                     Slight fever

·                     Pain under the ribs on the right hand side

·                     Proctitis – inflammation of the rectum

Males may have:

·                     No symptoms at all (up to 50% of men don't have any symptoms)

·                     Pain or burning sensation during urination

·                     Clear mucus-like discharge from the penis

·                     Slight irritation or itch at the tip of the penis

·                     Need to pass water more often

·                     Pain in the testicles

·                     Proctitis – inflammation of the rectum

Long-term effects
A recent article in a British tabloid newspaper described Chlamydia as a disease that causes “silent, devastating damage that can go unnoticed for years”

Female