Aspartame Problems Documented
All my research on sugar substitutes appeared to indicate that Aspartame was relatively safe when used as a sugar-substitute. However the latest report makes it quite clear that this substance is one of the most dangerous on the market, that is added to food. Thanks to a friend of my blog site and a dedicated “Healthy Eating” enthusiast.
Actually, it does upset me that Americans are being fed a pack of lies about the safety of the products on the market. We are led to believe that yogurt is good for us and then we see that the “Nutrition Facts” reveal as much as 39 grams of sugar. Instead of identifying “High Fructose Corn Syrup” for what it is, they now call it by other names like modified corn starch, Fructose or Sucralose.
Some of our most successful food manufacturers state that their product contains: Fructose, Sucralose, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium and on the same container claim to be “Light & Fit”, O% Fat and only 80 calories. They contain fruits we all recognize as healthy such as: Blueberries, Pomegranate, Black Cherries, Peaches, Apple, raspberries and black berries. So you see it is a case of a healthy picture of fruits we like and calories we recognize as healthy and 0% fat.
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 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: (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?
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 acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.
How Aspartate (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 radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive 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 the 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 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 and
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 of 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 cortical 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.”
Actually, it does upset me that Americans are being fed a pack of lies about the safety of the products on the market. We are led to believe that yogurt is good for us and then we see that the “Nutrition Facts” reveal as much as 39 grams of sugar. Instead of identifying “High Fructose Corn Syrup” for what it is, they now call it by other names like modified corn starch, Fructose or Sucralose.
Some of our most successful food manufacturers state that their product contains: Fructose, Sucralose, Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium and on the same container claim to be “Light & Fit”, O% Fat and only 80 calories. They contain fruits we all recognize as healthy such as: Blueberries, Pomegranate, Black Cherries, Peaches, Apple, raspberries and black berries. So you see it is a case of a healthy picture of fruits we like and calories we recognize as healthy and 0% fat.
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 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: (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?
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 acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.
How Aspartate (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 radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive 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 the 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 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 and
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 of 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 cortical 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.”
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: 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 caused by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D, an experimental psychologist experimenting 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)
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 caused by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D, an experimental psychologist experimenting 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 in 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 serotonin 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.
Natural sweetness like that found in fruits and vegetables, raisins, honey and sugar cane are more to my liking and created by a pharmacist, chemist or biochemist I trust ~ namely, our creator. The chemical taste of sweetness can be more about the taste and less about the consequences or side effects. Many of these chemicals are dangerous and the cause of many of our problems of obesity and the improper dietary habits of the American people!
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 in 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 serotonin 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.
Natural sweetness like that found in fruits and vegetables, raisins, honey and sugar cane are more to my liking and created by a pharmacist, chemist or biochemist I trust ~ namely, our creator. The chemical taste of sweetness can be more about the taste and less about the consequences or side effects. Many of these chemicals are dangerous and the cause of many of our problems of obesity and the improper dietary habits of the American people!
posted by Stan Kent at
6:31 PM
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