(published at:
http://www.projecta.com/sentienttimes/july98articles/julyframe.html)

Stevia - A Natural Choice
by Betty Martini

Stevia is widely-used as a no-calorie herbal sweetener - a replacement
for sugar and for the more toxic artificial sweeteners such as
Monsanto's aspartame/neotame (NutraSweet©). Stevia has been used for
centuries without adverse reactions and it is said to be particularly
helpful for diabetics. Extensive independent laboratory studies have
shown no danger from stevia use.

The use of stevia as a sweetener is common in Japan, Korea, and South
America. Because people are getting off of artificial sweeteners,
stevia's popularity is growing rapidly in the United States. However,
the FDA continues to try to prevent stevia from being used as a
sweetener with actions that many assume are intended to protect
Monsanto, the manufacturer of aspartame/neotame.

Zoltan P. Rona, M.D. wrote about Stevia in the Aug/Sept 1996 issue of
Health Naturally. He said that stevia is a perennial shrub, the extracts
of which have been used for centuries as a safe, natural sweetener by
people in Paraguay and Brazil. Virtually calorie-free, stevia prevents
cavities and does not trigger a rise in blood sugar. It is well known
for aiding diabetics because it helps in the metabolism of sugar. If
asked in many countries where it is used what it is, the reply would
probably be "it a sweetener."

 For years Stevia was embargoed in the U.S. and many felt that the FDA,
with strong loyalty to Monsanto, didn't want competition. After years of
pressure, they finally agreed to approve stevia as a dietary supplement
and lifted the embargo.

The public doesn't care what you call Stevia as long as there is finally
something with a record of thousands of years of safety that they can
rely on, and something that will allow diabetics to sweeten their food
and add taste enjoyment to life. Aspartame, on the other hand, according
to diabetic specialist H. J. Roberts, M.D., causes destruction of the
optic nerve, out-of-control blood sugar, and even convulsions, in
diabetics. Many suffer from the agonizing joint pain triggered by
aspartame (which hardens the synovial fluids), believing they are
suffering from diabetic neuropathy .

According to Dr. Rona there has never been a report of an adverse
reaction linked to stevia, while complaints flood in which blame
seizures, blindness, brain tumors and even death on aspartame. The FDA
Report itself lists 92 documented symptoms, including death. They are
not even acknowledging to the press the true number of complaints and
even in Congress it was admitted that they have gone so far as to refer
complaints to the AIDS Hotline to prevent their record. A paper
distributed at the First International Conference on Emerging Diseases
written by Dr. Roberts has declared Aspartame to be a disease and
worldwide epidemic.

Dr. Rona said in his article "For apparently no good reason other than
political, stevia is under attack by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. In 1991, the FDA banned stevia imports for use in foods
at the request of an aspartame manufacturer. Stevia is also non-
patentable, another undesirable feature for the drug barons." Dozens of
well-designed studies of stevia's safety, chemistry and stability for
use in different food products have been published worldwide.

Called a "Super Volunteer Activist," by H. J. Roberts, MD, FACP, FCCP in
the May, 1996 Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Atlanta resident
Betty Martini is the force behind Mission Possible International, a
hands around the world campaign, with a worldwide volunteer force,
warning the world off NutraSweet©. As Betty says, "Teamwork is the fuel
that allows common people to produce uncommon results," of which this
large grassroots effort is proof. Betty Martini can be reached at:

Mission Possible International
9270 River Club Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097
(770) 242-2599, Fax (770) 242-2596
bettym19@mindspring.com