Reprinted from OXYGEN MAGAZINE October issue
Could There Be Evils Lurking In Aspartame Consumption?
By Christine Lydon, MD
I have used aspartame for years. I've also wholeheartedly recommended
products containing NutraSweet to my clients, as well as promoting its use
in recipes. So, when I was recently contacted by a sports nutrition company
to do some consulting work on the health risks associated with aspartame
ingestion, was understandably reluctant to accept the assignment. I
questioned their marketing director, What if I don't think there are any
significant health risks associated with aspartame?" His response was to
send me a couple of scientific publications. "Just read the articles. If, in
your medical opinion, aspartame poses no health risks, then we won't
pursue it further."
The next day I sat down with a pile of literature two inches thick. After
making it through the first 10 pages, I stormed into my kitchen and fed
every item of food containing aspartame to the garbage. Since that time, I
have not had so much as a stick of aspartame sweetened gum.
Sweet Beginnings
Scientifically known as 1-aspartyl 1-phenylalanine methyl ester, consumers
recognize aspartame in the forms of Equal, NutraSweet and Spoonful.
Aspartame has three components: phenylalanine (50 percent), aspartic
acid (40 percent) and methanol, also termed wood alcohol (10 percent).
Those in support of this popular artificial sweetener, state that the two
primary amino acids, which comprise 90 percent of aspartame by weight,
are a harmless and natural part of our diet. They insist that aspartic acid is
a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, which is present in the human central
nervous system. This is only a partial truth.
Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are amino acids that are normally supplied
by the foods we eat; however, they can only be considered natural and
harmless when consumed in combination with other amino acids. On their
own, they enter the central nervous system in abnormally high
concentrations, causing aberrant neuronal firing and potential cell death.
The neurotoxic effects of these amino acids, when consumed as isolates,
can be linked to headaches, mental confusion, balance problems and
possibly seizures.
The damage caused by excitotoxin food additives is not usually dramatic.
In most instances, the effects are subtle, cumulative and develop over a
prolonged period of time.
Excitotoxins have also been shown to stimulate the generation of free
radicals (charged oxygen molecules with an unpaired electron). These can
have a negative impact on tissues and organs outside the central nervous
system. Evidence indicates that free radical production accelerates many
degenerative illnesses such as atherosclerosis, cancer, coronary artery
disease and arthritis. It comes as no surprise that joint pain is a major
complaint among aspartame reactors (individuals who have reported
adverse reactions).
Potentially more worrisome is the 10 percent of aspartame that is
absorbed into the bloodstream as methanol (wood alcohol). The
Environmental Protection Agency defines safe consumption as no more
than 7.8 milligrams per day of this dangerous substance. A one-liter
beverage, sweetened with aspartame, contains about 56 milligrams of
wood alcohol, or eight times the EPA limit!
Aspartame's breakdown products, or metabolites, are even scarier than its
components. Phenylalanine decomposes into diketopiperazine (DKP) a
known carcinogen, when exposed to warm temperatures or prolonged
storage. Even if products are consistently kept at cooler temperatures we
are not safe. At cold temperatures, methanol will spontaneously give rise to
a colorless toxin known as formaldehyde. Independent studies have shown
formaldehyde formation, resulting from aspartame ingestion, to be
extremely common. It accumulates within the cells, and reacts with cellular
proteins such as enzymes and DNA. This cumulative reaction could spell
grave consequences for those who consume aspartame-laden diet drinks
and foods on a daily basis.
Are We All at Risk?
The blood-brain barrier is a system of specialized capillary structures that
are designed to prevent toxic substances from entering the brain. There
are a number of medical conditions from diabetes, hypertension and
smoking, to simple aging which can render the blood-brain barrier
incompetent. Therefore, aspartame reactions have a tendency to be
magnified among individuals who fit these profiles.
Prior to birth and during the first 12 months of life, the blood-brain barrier is
incomplete; thereby allowing dangerous excitotoxins, such as aspartic acid
and phenylalanine, free access to the nervous system. Additionally, the
concentrating effects of the placenta are able to magnify the levels of
phenylalanine in the blood by as much as four-to six-fold in a fetus. Fetal
phenylalanine has the potential to reach levels that kill cells in tissue culture.
It's not much of a stretch to presume these concentrations harbor the threat
of birth defects in the developing infant. Experimentally, it has been
determined that infants are four times more sensitive to excitotoxins than
adults. During the first year of life, irreversible brain damage can occur
through agents contained in breast milk. Despite this, the American
Dietetic Association still recommends aspartame for pregnant and nursing
women.
Aspartame Disease
Aspartame disease refers to a constellation of symptoms attributed to the
use of products containing aspartame. Common occurrences include:
headaches, dizziness, and everything from confusion to ringing in the ears
and slurred speech. Since its introduction as a food additive in 1981,
aspartame has accounted for more than 75 percent of all complaints
reported to the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System. In February
1994, the US Department of Health and Human Services released this
extensive list of aspartame-induced reactions which encompassed
everything from chronic fatigue syndrome and seizures to infertility and
death. By the FDAs own admission, less than one percent of those who
experience a reaction to a product ever report it. This expands the 10,000
documented accounts to roughly a million people who have experienced
reactions to aspartame. Moreover, most victims don't have any idea that
aspartame may be at the root of their problems.
Brain Damage and Seizures
Cerebral disfunction, resulting from aspartame, is believed to occur through
flooding the brain with large amounts of phenylalanine, disturbances of your
endogenous neurotransmitters, methanol-induced cerebral edema and
other additional resulting irregularities Aspartic acid is a neuroexcitatory
toxin present in damaging amounts even at the accepted daily intake for
aspartame.
Formaldehyde, which is derived from methanol, accumulates in certain
areas of the brain which correspond to the neurodegenerative symptoms of
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ALS (Lou Gerig's Disease). These
conditions are all associated with free radical injury, a known effect of the
excitotoxins phenylalanine and aspartic acid. Although aspartame is
probably not a primary cause of neurodegenerative diseases, it may
precipitate these disorders and certainly exacerbates their symptoms.
Recent studies have established that aspartame has seizure-promoting
activity in animal models. It is believed that the sweetener can increase
seizure frequency among epileptics and even initiate seizures in
susceptible individuals with no prior history.
Brain Tumors
According to the National Cancer Institute, there has been a 10 percent
increase in the incidence of common primary malignant brain cancer since
1985, and perhaps as early as 1984. This phenomenon occurred one to
two years following the licensing of aspartame for beverages in July 1983.
It includes a disproportionately high rise in alioblastoma, astrocvtoma and
primary lymphoma among young woman known to consume considerable
amounts of aspartame. There has also been an increased occurrence of
glioma among children whose mothers consumed aspartame throughout
their pregnancy. The significance of this escalation is underscored by the
high incidence of brain tumors in rats after the experimental administration
of aspartame.
Vision Impairment
The individual components of aspartame, as well as their multiple
breakdown products are potentially toxic to the retina and optic nerves.
Methanol poisoning is notorious for causing vision impairment leading to
blindness. Formaldehyde, its primary metabolite, is also known to cause
retinal damage. Aspartame has been linked to visual disturbances which
include blindness in one or both eyes, blurred visibility, eye pain and more.
Dr. H.J. Roberts of West Palm Beach, FL has treated hundreds of
aspartame reactors. One fourth of his patients experienced decreased
vision or blindness; which, in Dr. Roberts opinion, is "the most serious
complication." According to Dr. Roberts, optic nerve swelling, retinal
degeneration and visual impairment, that is associated with heavy
aspartame use, is identical to the pathology observed in recorded cases of
methanol toxicity from drinking wood alcohol throughout the days of
prohibition.
If you haven't been frightened off aspartame yet, take a lesson from the
armed services. In the May 1992 edition of their journal, flying Safety, the
United States Air Force warned all pilots to stay off aspartame, stating:
some people have suffered aspartame related disorders with doses as
small as that carried in a single stick of chewing gum. This could mean a
pilot who drinks diet sodas is more susceptible to flicker vertigo, or flicker-
induced epileptic activity. It also means that all pilots are potential victims of
sudden memory loss, dizziness during instrument flight and gradual loss of
vision."
Multiple Sclerosis
Consumption of significant amounts of aspartame has been known to
cause vocal slurring, loss of equilibrium and other neurological sequelae.
Methanol toxicity secondary to aspartame has been so frequently
misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, that some experts recommend
deferring diagnosis of MS for several months following an abstinence from
NutraSweet and related products. In the cases of methanol toxicity, the
neurological symptoms resolve once aspartame has been eliminated from
the system.
Diabetes Mellitus
Many diabetics experience difficulties specifically attributed to ingestion of
aspartame products. Effects include the loss of diabetic control,
intensification of hypoglycemia, the occurrence of presumed insulin
reactions (including convulsions) and the precipitation, aggravation or
simulation of impaired vision and neuropathy. In most cases, symptoms
improve once aspartame products are discontinued. Despite
overwhelming evidence that aspartame use can worsen diabetic
complications, the American Diabetic Association continues to promote
aspartame use for diabetics.
Headaches
Headaches are the most frequently reported adverse reaction to
aspartame products. It is a major complaint in half of all aspartame
reactors. Aspartame products must be considered as a causative agent
and/or aggravating factor in people with unexplained headaches. Similarly,
patients who are subject to migraine and other types of recurrent
headaches should avoid exposure to all products containing aspartame.
Hypertension
Dozens of aspartame reactors, with no previous history of hypertension,
experience elevated blood pressure after ingesting products containing the
sweetener Others with known hypertension are not adequately controlled
on their maintenance medication when using even small amounts of
aspartame. The elevation in blood pressure presumably reflects the effects
of phenylalanine and its metabolic products, which include norepinephrine,
epinephrine and dopamine.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Unintentionally, the United States government, in conjunction with soda
companies, has succeeded in performing a large scale aspartame
experiment on humans. During the Persian Gulf War, truckloads of diet
soda were sent to the troops. The cans sat for up to eight weeks on pallets
in the 120+ degree Arabian sun. Thirsty soldiers drank it up, bottle after
bottle. Is it any surprise that Desert Storm Syndrome symptoms are
identical to aspartame disease? Thousands of troops returned home
complaining of memory loss, vision problems, chronic fatigue syndrome,
confusion, dizziness, joint pain, headaches, equilibrium problems and
manic depression. The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Immunologic
Disease Society (CFIDS) claim 6000 troops, to date, have perished as a
result of the Desert Storm Syndrome.
Dieting Without Aspartame?
In a cruel and ironic twist, aspartame may actually cause weight gain.
Phenylalanine and aspartic acid, found in aspartame, stimulate the release
of insulin. Rapid, strong spikes in insulin remove all glucose from the blood-
stream and store it as fat. This can result in hypoglycemia and sugar
cravings. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to inhibit carbohydrate
induced synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which signals that the
body is satiated. Inhibition of serotonin leads to food cravings, increased
carbohydrate consumption and, ultimately, weight gain. In a recent study, a
control group switching to an aspartame-free diet resulted in an average
weight loss of 19 pounds.
True Lies
The consumption of aspartame has vastly exceeded expectations at the
time of the original toxicology testing in the early 1970s, by the Illinois-
based and patent owning, Searle & Company. Sold in 1985 to the St Louis-
based Monsanto Corporation; today it sells close to one billion dollars
annually, through its subsidiary NutraSweet. Many would argue that the
current ingestion of aspartame products by over half the adult population in
the United States constitutes an imminent public health hazard. Even so,
the industrial-medical complex fails to warn even high-risk groups about
potential dangers. You may wonder how this stuff was ever approved by the
FDA in the first place.
For over eight years, the FDA refused to approve aspartame because it
was known to produce seizures and brain tumors in lab animals. One
pivotal study by Searle's researchers, known as the "Waisman Study,"
initially indicated that ingestion of aspartame caused convulsions and
death in primates. However, official conclusions could not be reached
because the study was never completed. Searle blamed -limitations in
adequately skilled laboratory personnel- for their decision to terminate the
study. By Searle's own acknowledgement, his team lacked competent
research staff. Two FDA investigative task forces presented scathing
reports on the quality of the company's research and in 1976, the FDA's
general counsel requested a federal grand jury investigation of the
company. For reasons unknown, the investigation was never undertaken.
Initially, even the National Soft Drink Association (NSDA) rallied against the
use of aspartame. An excerpt of a protest submitted for congressional
review in 1983 reads:
"Searle has not characterized the decomposition products of aspartame in
soft drinks under temperature conditions to which the beverages are likely
to be exposed in the United States. Collectively, the extensive deficiencies
in the stability studies conducted by Searle to demonstrate that aspartame
and its degradation products are safe in soft drinks intended to be sold in
the United States, render those studies inadequate and unreliable."
Soon after President Reagan took office, he appointed Dr. Arthur Hull
Hayes as the new FDA commissioner. In 1980, a Public Board of Inquiry
asked to review scientific data on aspartame voted three to zero to keep it
off the market pending further studies on the brain cancer issue. The board
of inquiry was overruled, and in 1981, aspartame was licensed by the FDA
for use as a tabletop sweetener. In July 1983 it was approved for use in
beverages.
Of approximately 100 independent studies conducted on aspartame, over
90 percent have demonstrated significant health risks. This would lead to
the question "why hasn't aspartame been banned?" In 1996, ignoring the
fact that aspartame breaks down faster when heated above 86 degrees
Fahrenheit, the FDA decided to remove any remaining limitations on its
use. Presently, there are thousands of companies using aspartame in diet
sodas, powdered drinks, gelatin, tea, coffee, cocoa, juices, frozen desserts
and even vitamins and medications. This translates to billions of dollars
worldwide. Unfortunately, this is more than enough to provide agency
officials with lucrative future employment, politicians with campaign funds,
non-profit foundations with endowments, scientists with research grants
and the media with advertising dollars.
Presently, FDA officials continue to resist proposals from concerned
scientists, physicians and other groups for comprehensive studies
regarding the safety of aspartame.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Wingate
California Director
SKYWATCH INTERNATIONAL
Anomalous Images and UFO Files
http://www.anomalous-images.com
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid
matters
and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html
<A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
