SWEET POISON
PRAISE FOR SWEET POISON
“Sweet Poison is the remarkable story of a remarkable person. Janet determined that aspartame consumption was the probable cause of her affliction–and then proved it to all, including me, by its disappearance after avoiding this chemical. Unfortunately, most endocrinologists and journal editors refuse to believe or publish this phenomenon. Yet, ‘anecdotes’ such as this have paved the way for significant advances in medicine and science.”
–H.J. Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P
“Now, years after my first encounter with aspartame, a significant number of my colleagues are becoming aware of the multiple problems with the drug and are using this knowledge in their diagnosis and treatment. This book will bring awareness to the general public alerting them to the problems associated with using aspartame.”
–James B. Hays, M.D., Federal Aviation Administration Designated Medical Examiner
“Sweet Poison reveals the truth a government agency (FDA) and giant artificial sweetener industry don’t want you to know—aspartame is toxic. Read it and learn. Then take action!”
–Mary Nash Stoddard, founder of Aspartame Consumer Safety Network
“I am very supportive of Jan’s efforts, and believe that she has chosen to fight a very important fight.”
–Erik Millstone, Science Policy Research Unit, Sussex University, England
“Sweet Poison is a provocative book documenting the author’s life threatening illness due to aspartame poisoning, and her search for the answers she desperately needed to overcome her illness. This is essential reading for those who value their health and wellness.”
–Dr. James R. Johnston, Director of American Health Science University and National Institute of Nutritional Education (Sole institution in the United States to award federally required Certification in Nutrition)
SWEET POISON
How the World’s Most Popular
Artificial Sweetener is Killing Us
- My Story-
by
Janet Starr Hull, M.S., C.N., Ph.D.
New Horizon Press
Far Hills, New Jersey
Copyright © 1999 by Janet Starr Hull, M.S., C.N., Ph.D.
Second Reprint 2006
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, including electronic, mechanical or any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to:
New Horizon Press
P.O. Box 669
Far Hills, NJ 07931
Hull, Janet Starr, M.S., C.N., Ph.D.
Sweet Poison: How the World’s Most Popular Artificial Sweetener Is Killing Us - My Story
Interior Design: Susan Sanderson
Library of Congress Control Number: 98-66171
ISBN: 978-0-88282-472-7
New Horizon Press
DEDICATION
To my sons
DISCLAIMER
This book is based on my experiences, and reflects my perceptions of the past, present and future. The personalities, events, actions and conversations portrayed within the story have been reconstructed from my memory, hospital records, letters, personal papers, and press accounts. Some names and events have been altered to protect the privacy of individuals. Events involving the characters happened as described; only minor details have been altered.
CONTENTS
8. Time Out
9. Hold Onto Your Lab Coats
10. The Best Little Symposium in Texas
11. Fit to Fly?
12. Starr Wars
13. Bittersweet Monster
14. A Revolving Door
15. Behind Closed Doors
16. Alive and Well
17. Katrina
18. Back to Basics
19. Prioritize Your Poisons
Afterword
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
References
We can trust our government to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Right? Well, guess again. You can trust your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis and then prescribe an appropriate remedy. Right? Well, almost. If your child or your spouse seems out of sorts, not up to par, has aches and pains, complains about fatigue, and a few other vague symptoms, he/she must be anemic, be under stress, or has parasites. Maybe so, maybe not.
When I started practice, armed with the latest knowledge of drugs and how to use them, I did what I had learned in medical school. Pain? I treated with pain killers. Sick? A prescription for an antibiotic. Hyperactivity? Rx for Ritalin or an amphetamine. Allergy? A shot of cortisone. We had it all. And people knew that we had the answers and the prescription pad.
A few smart-aleck parents, however, wanted to know why the kid got sick in the first place.