List, I sent this post to another list I belong to, and here was a responce
that may also be of interest.
Hi Don et al:
I have provided some backup info regarding this issue. I have also
liberally quoted (could be over the limit) but FELT COMPELLED due to
the SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS of this chemical in our food stuff AND
how it EFFECTS The Brain of normal people and ALSO all PWC'S.
I strongly RECOMMEND all PWC'S AVOID ALL foods containing THIS.
IF reading labels is difficult, or you are in doubt - simply AVOID ALL
DIET FOODS or DIET BEVERAGES !!!! Eliminating them from your diet will
result in a reduction of the severity of your symptoms! (KEN)
Aspartame: the enemy? by Andrea Celmins
(02-17-2000) -
In 1981, after years of denial, the FDA finally approved the use
of aspartame in dry goods. Since then it has been approved as an
ingredient in every type of food product including baked goods.
It is currently sold under the brand names: NutraSweet, Equal,
and Spoonful. It appears on ingredient labels as aspartame. Food
abels must also contain warnings because of the phenylalanine
content in aspartame (2% of the population with the genetic
disorder phenylketonuria cannot metabolize this chemical).
Since FDA approval a significant portion of the population has become
hooked on sugar-free products that contain aspartame. Many Americans
are consuming upwards of 3 diet sodas a day, fooling themselves into
thinking they are doing a favor for their body by drinking sugarfree,
calorie free beverages. The recent outbreak of multiple sclerosis (MS),
systemic lupus and other mysterious illnesses have baffled the medical
community. Some believe it can be traced back to aspartame consumption.
Aspartame consists of three chemicals; it is:
50% phenylalanine,
40% aspartic acid, and
10% methanol or wood alcohol.
Diketopiperazine (DKP) is a by-product of aspartame metabolism.
Ingesting high amounts of the amino acid phenylalanine results in a
phenylalanine build up in the brain. This buildup potentially decreases
the amount of serotonin in the brain, resulting in depression and mood
disorders. Too much buildup may result in schizophrenia or
susceptibility to seizures. The phenylalanine content in aspartame
breaks down into DKP, a brain tumor agent.
Aspartic acid is an amino acid and when digested in its free from it
elevates the blood plasma concentration of aspartate and glutamate.
This excess allows a high concentration of calcium into the cells,
which invites free radicals thereby destroying neurons. Aspartate
and glutamate are referred to as "excitotoxins," since they
essentially "excite" or stimulate the neurons to death. High aspartic
acid consumption directly leads to neurological damage.
Once the methanol in aspartame is ingested it converts to
formaldehyde (a deadly neurotoxin) and then formic acid and
causes metabolic acidosis. This is referred to as methanol toxicity.
ree methanol is a by-product of aspartame when it is heated beyond 86
Fahrenheit. It presents a greater hazard when ingested since it is a
more eadily absorbed form of methanol.
Methanol toxicity closely resembles MS symptoms. People have been
misdiagnosed with MS when they actually suffer from methanol toxicity.
Systemic lupus is set off by aspartame consumption and the sufferer
is often unaware of the correlation so they continue to ingest
aspartame and end up aggravating their condition.
A February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services report
documented more than 90 symptoms of aspartame poisoning include
fibromyalgia symptoms, depression, shooting pains, numbness in
your legs, dizziness, joint pain, memory loss, slurred speech,
headaches, vision loss, and anxiety attacks.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry in 1993
proved that individual's with mood disorders are especially affected
by aspartame consumption.
Researchers have also singled out chronic fatigue syndrome,
fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, brain tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson's
disease, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects and diabetes
as being sensitive to aspartame consumption.
Despite the FDA's long term hesitation to approve aspartame they are
standing by their decision. The FDA responds to complaints by stating
that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are amino acids and methanol is
found naturally occurring in fruits. However, when aspartic acid and
phenylalanine are unaccompanied by other amino acids they are
neurotoxic and fruit also contains ethanol which protects against
the effects of the methanol. The FDA fails to address these major
differences.
Aspartame is in everything from gum to yogurt to hot chocolate.
Be aware of the apparent danger in consuming aspartame-containing
products. It is important to protect your health and now there are
zero-calorie all-natural sugar substitutes like stevia available in
packets.
Sources:
Walton, Hudak, and Green-Waite, "Adverse Reactions to Aspartame:
Double Blind Challenge in Patients from a Vulnerable Population."
Journal of Biological Psychiatry, Vol.34, 1993
Blazing Tattles, Vol. 4, Nos. 4, 5, 6, April-June 1995.
Trufax Organization
NOTE: Aspartame changes the brain's chemistry.
Respectfully,
Don
