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Topic: ASPARTAME Danger (Read 1088 times)

luci
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ASPARTAME Danger
« on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 10:24am »

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Since we've had a topic going on diet drinks, I looked this up for all to read. Before you drink or injest diet foods, READ the ingredient label. It could save you health! READ ON>>>>>>>>>>

Aspartame: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods.

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It was discovered by accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug.

Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr John W. Olney and Consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974 as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame Sad

2) Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," by James and Phyllis Balch, lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison." As you shall see, that is exactly what it is.

What Is Aspartame Made Of?

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Aspartic Acid (40 percent of aspartame)

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a professor of neurosurgery at the Medical University of Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing the damage that is caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from aspartame. Blaylock makes use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid (about 99 percent of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is glutamic acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.(3)

How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage

Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite" or stimulate the neural cells to death.

Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.

The blood brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins, 1) is not fully developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when intact.

The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75 percent or more) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to excitatory amino acid damage include:

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
ALS
Memory loss
Hormonal problems
Hearing loss
Epilepsy
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Hypoglycemia
AIDS
Dementia
Brain lesions
Neuroendocrine disorders
The risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with certain chronic health problems from excitotoxins are great. Even the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), which usually understates problems and mimics the FDA party-line, recently stated in a review that:

"It is prudent to avoid the use of dietary supplements of L-glutamic acid by pregnant women, infants, and children. The existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e., elevated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and individuals with affective disorders."(4)

Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid.

The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those reactions include Sad

5)

Headaches/migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pains
Fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain)
Sleep problems
Vision problems
Anxiety attacks
Depression
Asthma/chest tightness.
One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to combat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage. Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are concerned about excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSG.

A few of the many experts who have spoken out against the damage being caused by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental psychologist specializing in research design. Another is Olney, a professor in the department of psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of mice.)

Phenylalanine (50 percent of aspartame)

Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood. Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of seratonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame.(6)

Even a single use of aspartame raised the blood phenylalanine levels. In his testimony before the U.S. Congress, Dr. Louis J. Elsas showed that high blood phenylalanine can be concentrated in parts of the brain and is especially dangerous for infants and fetuses. He also showed that phenylalanine is metabolised much more effeciently by rodents than by humans.(7)

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published the "Wednesday Journal" in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.( Cool

As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring phenylalanine buildup in the brain were flawed. Investigators who measured specific brain regions and not the average throughout the brain notice significant rises in phenylalanine levels. Specifically the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus striatum areas of the brain had the largest increases in phenylalanine. Blaylock goes on to point out that excessive buildup of phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make one more susceptible to seizures.

Therefore, long-term, excessive use of aspartame may provid a boost to sales of seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures.

Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison) (10 percent of aspartame)

Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. Some people may remember methanol as the poison that has caused some "skid row" alcoholics to end up blind or dead. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounter the enzyme chymotrypsin.

The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g., as part of a "food" product such as Jello).

Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolites are toxic." They recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.(9)

Symptoms from methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioral disturbances, and neuritis. The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage, and blindness. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects.(10)

Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans. As pointed out by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte, director of the food science and nutrition laboratory at Arizona State University, "There are no human or mammalian studies to evaluate the possible mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of methyl alcohol."(11)

He was so concerned about the unresolved safety issues that he filed suit with the FDA requesting a hearing to address these issues. He asked the FDA to "slow down on this soft drink issue long enough to answer some of the important questions. It's not fair that you are leaving the full burden of proof on the few of us who are concerned and have such limited resources. You must remember that you are the American public's last defense. Once you allow usage (of aspartame) there is literally nothing I or my colleagues can do to reverse the course. Aspartame will then join saccharin, the sulfiting agents, and God knows how many other questionable compounds enjoined to insult the human constitution with governmental approval."(10) Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of the FDA, Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages, he then left for a position with G.D. Searle's public relations firm.(11)

It has been pointed out that some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, however, that methanol never appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts. Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans.(9) The troops of Desert Storm were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages, which had been heated to over 86 degrees F in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of aspartame such as DKP (discussed below) may also have been a factor.

In a 1993 act that can only be described as "unconscionable," the FDA approved aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to above 86 degree F (30 degree C).

Diketopiperazine (DKP)

DKP is a byproduct of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the occurrence of brain tumors. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitrosated in the gut, produced a compound that was similar to N-nitrosourea, a powerful brain tumor causing chemical. Some authors have said that DKP is produced after aspartame ingestion. I am not sure if that is correct. It is definitely true that DKP is formed in liquid aspartame-containing products during prolonged storage.

G.D. Searle conducted animal experiments on the safety of DKP. The FDA found numerous experimental errors occurred, including "clerical errors, mixed-up animals, animals not getting drugs they were supposed to get, pathological specimens lost because of improper handling," and many other errors.(12) These sloppy laboratory procedures may explain why both the test and control animals had sixteen times more brain tumors than would be expected in experiments of this length.

In an ironic twist, shortly after these experimental errors were discovered, the FDA used guidelines recommended by G.D. Searle to develop the industry-wide FDA standards for good laboratory practices.(11)

DKP has also been implicated as a cause of uterine polyps and changes in blood cholesterol by FDA Toxicologist Dr. Jacqueline Verrett in her testimony before the U.S. Senate.(13)

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luci
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #1 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 10:29am »

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OK, Rupey, you asked for this, now read it! Wink

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Rupey
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #2 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 10:34am »

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I did! That is scary, scary stuff. I'm scratching diet soda off my shopping list.

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AoM
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #3 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 10:44am »

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It's bad for you if you already have a predisposition to any of those things. It can't really give them to you if you don't

Also, as they say, everything in moderation. If you have one diet drink every other day, no worries. a 6 pack every day and you could have problems. People have been drinking diet drinks for 30 years now. If this really was causing serious issues, it wouldn't be in the drinks anymore. Relax

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luci
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #4 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 11:31am »

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You might also read other labels, lite ice cream for one!
I switched to Splenda and now look at what's on the news this week.

Mr L is right, use with what is natural, and use in moderation!

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Rupey
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #5 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 11:48am »

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on Feb 16^th, 2005, 10:44am, Angelofmercy wrote:

If this really was causing serious issues, it wouldn't be in the drinks anymore. Relax

Well, Angel, this is one of those rare times when I have to respectfully disagree with you. I think that many times, the FDA is flawed in what they will allow on the market. Just look at all the drugs that have to be pulled because of the side effects. I wish there was a government-funded task force that would do studies on aspartame and release its findings to the public. Of course, it may be years and years before we begin to see the long-term effects of aspartame.

There's lots of stuff for sale out there that is detrimental to our health that we ingest everyday, I'm sure. The ill effects may not be seen immediately but I do think about what will happen over the years.

Just my two cents. And Angel, no hard feelings. You know that you and I usually see eye to eye on most issues discussed here.

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AoM
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #6 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 1:53pm »

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No hard feelings at all Rupey

I am just speaking as a scientist. If i really felt like it (which I don't *LOL*) i could cite lots of reports saying aspartame is safe. Its just like anything else I think. It's not going to kill you if you have it moderation.

Remember the whole wine thing? Wine prevents heart attacks!! No wait, wine CAUSES heart attacks. Wine is good for memory, wait, wine can lead to Alzheimers! There are a lot of conflicting reports and I guess the only thing i can say is if you feel safer not drinking it, don't drink it. But odds are if you have been drinking it this long and are fine, you will continue to be fine.

Ya live your life once, a diet soda here and there is not going to kill you.

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AoM
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #7 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 1:54pm »

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As for the FDA, if this were causing a problem, people would be suing coca cola and pepsi left and right for giving them cancer and so on. I haven't heard of a single lawsuit about this. ANd you know how litigation happy America is getting. I am surprised no one has tried and if they have tried they obviously couldn't prove it

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Addams
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #8 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 2:04pm »

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My most current issue of the University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter states that Aspartame is mad efrom two amino acides (the natural building blocks of proteins) and has almost no calories. It has been in wide use for 30 years. There is a warning label with respect to aspartame use for only people born with a rare genetic condition called pheylketonuria (PKU), usually diagnosed at birth, and these people lack the ability to process one of the two amino acides that make up asparatme.

"For everybody else it's safe, according to exhaustive research, as well as reviews by the FDA, the World Health Organiztion, and other authorities". Rumors have run rife on the Internet that asparatame causes headaches, dizziness, and almost every disease in the boo, but there are no data to back up these claims. Ten years ago the rumor was floated that aspartame causes brain tumors_another unsubstantiated claim. Some people find it has a chemical taste. It cannot be used in cooking."

This is a very reputable journal and it is dated March 2005 under a special heading discussing sweeteners.

I would like to see the scientific data that is properly supported in humans showing all these injurious effects that are mentioned above. Otherwise you create hysteria in some people and it is entirely unnecessary.

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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #9 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 2:05pm »

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like everything in life - moderation is best.

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luci
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #10 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 2:15pm »

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Well, if anyone on this forum gets hysteria from reading this article, they have a problem already. As I've never, ever been an alarmist about anything!

It wasn't posted for that reason.
Rupey asked me to find it last night and post it, so I did!
So people, read and don't over react!

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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #11 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 2:59pm »

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thanks Luci.

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Rupey
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #12 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 3:08pm »

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on Feb 16^th, 2005, 1:53pm, Angelofmercy wrote:

Remember the whole wine thing? Wine prevents heart attacks!! No wait, wine CAUSES heart attacks. Wine is good for memory, wait, wine can lead to Alzheimers!

Same story with estrogen in HRT. Good and bad reports abound and no two doctors can seem to agree. Therefore, I took myself off of estrogen. If there is a doubt about whether or not it can cause breast cancer, then I don't want to take my chances.

As for sweeteners, I WISH I could acclimate my taste to Stevia. However, I think it's a poor sweetener substitute. Blech!

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Rupey
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #13 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 3:09pm »

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Luci, I wanted you to start this thread because of something you mentioned in my diet soda thread. You told us not to drink diet sodas and that aspartame was bad.

I appreciate all the input in this thread, though. It's educational to hear both sides of the issue.

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shamon
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Re: ASPARTAME Danger
« Reply #14 on: Feb 16^th, 2005, 3:10pm »

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from a food scientists point of view:

the FDA is sound enough to catch any obvious boo-boos/carcinogens/tumor promoters/penis and boob shrinkers...(sorry inside joke).....

moderation please......

and when you read columns like this beware of .com (and .org) websites... they tend to be a little bias...

.gov and .edu's tend to be more scientifically based...

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