Dr Mike would you please discuss the effect of sugar on the body - organs etc. If it causes inflammation why is it loaded into most of our foods? is it OK to use splenda as a substitute? thanks!

Any and all artificial sweetners are a derivative of MSG and should be avoided at all times.  Also, MSG and its derivatives are cummulative.  In other words, you never "####" them out.  They remain in your system.  But you're right.  Refined sugar does cause inflammation of the arteries.  If you desire pure organic raw sugar try Rappadura.  It's high in iron and nothing is filtered out.  Fantastic.