************************************************************
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1067
eyelid contact dermatitis by formaldehyde from aspartame, AM Hill & DV
Belsito, Nov 2003: Murray 3.30.4 rmforall [ 150 KB ]
Rich Murray, MA Room For All
rmforall@...
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA 505-986-9103
[ Comments by Rich Murray are in square brackets. To increase the
readability of the dense, specialized, condensed text of a brief scientific
letter (usually not peer reviewed), I have added spacing without altering
text, while correcting minor typos.
I then offer some critical analyses and extensions of the references, since
the relevant scientific literature is contaminated by long-term, systematic
influence by corporate vested interests. ]
"A 60-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a 6-month history of eyelid
dermatitis...
By strictly avoiding formaldehyde and all formaldehyde releasers for the
next 3 weeks, she improved only slightly.
Her problem, however, was subsequently solved when a local pharmacist
advised her to avoid aspartame.
She had begun using an aspartame-based artificial sweetener 5 months prior
to the onset of her dermatitis. [ 12 months of low-level aspartame use until
stopping. ]
Within 1 week of discontinuing the aspartame, her eyelid dermatitis resolved
completely and has not recurred over 18 months without specific
treatment....
Our patient was consuming an average of 80 mg (1.13 mg/kg) of aspartame
daily, well below the levels previously studied."
[ A packet of tabletop sweetener gives 37 mg aspartame, while a 12 oz diet
soda gives 200 mg aspartame. An aspartame reactor can have immediate strong
symtoms from an under-the-tongue wafer with 4 mg aspartame. (Appendix A,
for comments, abstracts, and links.) ]
Contact Dermatitis. 2003 Nov; 49(5): 258-9.
Systemic contact dermatitis of the eyelids caused by formaldehyde derived
from aspartame?
Hill AM, Belsito DV.
DBelsito@...
Division of Dermatology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow
Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. PMID: 14996049
A. Michele Hill and Donald V. Belsito
Division of Dermatology, University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160, USA [ (Appendix B, for more
abstracts by Donald V. Belsito, selections, and institutions) ]
Key Words: allergic contact dermatitis; aspartame; eyelids; formaldehyde;
systemic contact dermatitis.
Formaldehyde is a common and ubiquitous contact allergen.
Sources of exposure include hair and skin care products, cosmetics, topical
medications, permanent press clothing, cleaning agents, disinfectants, paper
and even smoke. [ Also, new buildings, mobile homes, furniture, carpets,
drapes, particleboard, medical facilities, methanol, aspartame, dimethyl
dicarbonate, dark wines and liquors ]
Sensitization is reported in between 2.2 and 9.6% of patients patch tested
(1,2).
[ (Appendix C, for abstracts on rates of formaldehyde sensitivity in control
groups, as a possible first estimate of the impact of widespread exposure to
aspartame since 1981.) ]
Case Report
A 60-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a 6-month history of eyelid
dermatitis.
A corticosteroid-containing opthalmologic ointment improved but did not
clear the rash.
She failed to improve when she discontinued the use of all eyelid cosmetics
and nail polishes for 2 months.
She had had a facial dermatitis in 1995, for which she had been patch tested
and found to be allergic to formaldehyde, quaternium-15 and fragrances.
She had also had incidental, non-relevant reactions to neomycin and
ethylenediamine.
Her dermatitis had resolved with a change to formaldehyde-, quaternium-15
and fragrance-free facial and nail cosmetics.
There was no personal or family history of atopy or psoriasis.
Her only oral medication was celecoxib that she had taken for years prior to
the onset of her blepharitis.
She had also taken multivitamins, calcium and flaxseed oil for many years.
She worked as a homemaker and library volunteer. [ It is relevant as to
whether she had the standard urban diet with high protein and animal fats,
meats, milk products, some inorganic fruits and vegetables, high sugars,
and processed foods. Mercury dental amalgams and mercury contaminated fish
could also play a role. Was her water fluoridated or otherwise
contaminated? Were there toxic mold exposures in her environment? Was she
exposed to pesticides in her area? ]
Her eyelid dermatitis was kept clear with tacrolimus 0.03% ointment X2
daily.
She underwent patch testing to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group
standard tray, the University of Kansas' supplemental standard tray, and to
her cosmetics, cleansers, skin and hair care products and topical
medications.
She had relevant positive reactions at days 2 and 4 to formaldehyde (++),
quaternium-15 (++), diazolidinyl urea (+), DMDM hydantoin (+) and
imidazolidinyl urea (++), her hair care products and cleansers containing
multiple sources of these allergens.
She was extensively instructed in avoidance of formaldehyde and formaldehyde
releasers, as well as that of her multiple, currently non-relevant
allergens, including fragrance, benzalkonium chloride, neomycin, bacitracin,
p-phenylenediamine and black rubber mix. [ As a medical layman, I'm
disturbed to see all these chemicals that I know nothing about. ]
By strictly avoiding formaldehyde and all formaldehyde releasers for the
next 3 weeks, she improved only slightly.
Her problem, however, was subsequently solved when a local pharmacist
advised her to avoid aspartame.
She had begun using an aspartame-based artificial sweetener 5 months prior
to the onset of her dermatitis. [ 12 months of low-level aspartame use until
stopping. Aspartame reactors discover this possibiliy usually from the Net,
alternative medicine providers, media, nurses, friends, and pharmacists,
rarely from physicians. ]
Within 1 week of discontinuing the aspartame, her eyelid dermatitis resolved
completely and has not recurred over 18 months without specific treatment.
[ This quick healing response is typical of cases of low-level use with few
symptoms. Long-term heavy users , above 2 L, about 6 12-oz cans daily for
years, often have severe craving and withdrawal symptoms for weeks, with
gradual recovery for months. H. J. Roberts, MD has summarized over 1200
cases. (Appendix H) Three recent case reports are added here.
(Appendix I) ]
Unfortunately, she refused to undergo rechallenge with the sweetener.
[ This is usually the case. Commonly, there is inadvertent reexposure,
with immediate painful symptoms, even with low doses. ]
Discussion
The artificical sweetener, aspartame, is consumed by 54% of adults in the
USA (3).
It has been reported to cause dry eyes and difficulty in wearing contact
lenses (3) but never allergic contact dermatitis. [ Reference (3) is given
in full here. (Appendix H) Roberts H J. Dry eyes from use of aspartame
(Nutrasweet): Associated insights concerning the Sjogren syndrome.
The Townsend Letter for Doctors, January 1994. Appendix H also quotes
several cases of eyelid dermatitis from his review of 1200 cases in
Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic (2001). ]
Aspartame, an L-aspartyl-L-phynylalanine methyl ester, is hydrolysed in the
intestine to phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and aspartaic acid
methyl ester (10%).
The methyl ester is then converted to methyl alcohol (methanol) and carried
by the portal vein to the liver.
Methanol is there oxidized to formaldehyde that is converted into formic
acid (formate) by alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase and the
microsomal oxidase pathway.
This occurs not only in the liver, but also in other organs containing high
levels of these enzymes, including the eye (4,5).
Formaldehyde binds proteins and nucleic acids, forming adducts difficult to
eliminate via metabolism.
Trocho et al. (6) demonstrated the formation of formaldehyde adducts with
DNA and proteins after administration of 20 mg/kg 14C-labelled aspartame to
rats, concluding that these adducts were responsible for functional
alterations of proteins and for DNA mutations leading to autoimmunity, cell
death or malignant transformation. [ (Appendix E) gives links, comments,
and quotes for the debate on the key Trocho study. ]
In contrast to Trocho et al. (6), McMartin et al. (7) studied formaldehyde
levels after large doses (3,000 mg/kg) of 14C-labelled methanol and
14C-labelled formaldehyde in monkeys, which unlike rats are sensitive to the
toxicities of methanol.
No increased formaldehyde derived from methanol was found.
High levels of formic acid were found in all monkeys that were given
methanol or formaldehyde.
[ (Appendix F) reviews the major studies. Oppermann et al (1973, 1976)
found that 30% of the methanol from aspartame fed to monkeys remained in
body tissues, indubitably as toxic products of formaldehyde and formic acid.
They did not test methanol product retention in humans. McMartin et al
(1979) reported significant formaldehyde retention in the midbrain of one
monkey from oral aspartame, and substantial formic acid in liver, kidney,
optic nerve, cerebrum, and midbrain in two other monkeys. It is clear that
his formaldehyde assays were too insensitive to give valid measurements.
There has been a dearth of relevant primate and human studies ever since. ]
Based on the work of McMartin and al. (7), Tephly (8) concluded that the
radioactive carbon from methanol, which was found in DNA and protein by
Trocho et al., was due to the normal physiologic flow of single-carbon units
through the folate pathway.
Stegink et al. (9) have shown that doses of 100 mg/kg or greater of
aspartame are required to increase methanol blood levels (and thus,
presumable formaldehyde formic acid levels) above control.
This would be equivalent to consuming 35 cans of diet beverage at one
sitting for a 70 kg person. [ This is a typical aspartame industry PR ploy,
well designed to plant the impression that only absurdly huge amounts of
diet soda might supply damaging amounts of methanol-derived formaldehyde and
formic acid toxic residuals in body tissues, thus reducing methanol blood
levels. So, it is a classic red herring tactic to focus on methanol blood
levels.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/910
formaldehyde & formic acid from methanol in aspartame:
Murray: 12.9.2 rmforall
It is certain that high levels of aspartame use, above 2 liters daily
for months and years, must lead to chronic formaldehyde-formic acid
toxicity, since 11% of aspartame (1,120 mg in 2L diet soda, 5.6 12-oz
cans) is 123 mg methanol (wood alcohol), immediately released into the
body after drinking (unlike the large levels of methanol locked up in
molecules inside many fruits), then quickly transformed into
formaldehyde, which in turn becomes formic acid, both of which in
time are partially eliminated as carbon dioxide and water.
However, about 30% of the methanol remains in the body as cumulative
durable toxic metabolites of formaldehyde and formic acid-- 37 mg daily,
a gram every month. [Metabolism of aspartame in monkeys.
Oppermann JA, Muldoon E, Ranney RE.
J. Nutrition 1973 Oct; 103(10): 1454-1459.]
If 10% of the methanol is retained as formaldehyde, that would give 12 mg
daily formaldehyde accumulation, about 60 times more than the 0.2 mg
from 10% retention of the 2 mg EPA daily limit for formaldehyde in water.
Bear in mind that the EPA limit for formaldehyde in drinking water is
1 ppm, or 2 mg daily for a typical daily consumption of 2 L of water.
[
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/835
RTM: ATSDR: EPA limit 1 ppm formaldehyde in drinking water July 1999
5.30.2 rmforall ]
This long-term low-level chronic toxic exposure leads to typical patterns of
increasingly severe complex symptoms, starting with headache, fatigue, joint
pain, irritability, memory loss, and leading to vision and eye problems, and
even seizures. In many cases there is addiction. Probably there are immune
system disorders, with a hypersensitivity to these toxins and other
chemicals.
(Appendixes D, E, F, G, H, I, J) ]
Leon et al. (10) studied doses of 75 mg/kg of aspartame daily for 24 weeks
and found no change in blood or urine methanol levels and no symptoms of
methanol toxicity.
The dose used in Leon's study is 25 times the 90th percentile daily
consumption of aspartame (11). [ Appendix E gives an abstract by Davoli
(1986), using a properly sensitive assay, that proved a temporary rise in
blood methanol levels in humans from a single aspartame dose. Trocho
pointed out that formaldehyde adducts are persistent and thus cumulative. It
is reasonable to state that with long-term chronic formaldehyde exposure, it
may take a long time to both accumulate adducts and develop markedly
increased sensitivity and a series of complex symptoms . Adequate studies
would have to test substantial exposures over a year or longer with large
numbers of vulnerable types of people and record all symptoms. ]
Our patient was consuming an average of 80 mg (1.13 mg/kg) of aspartame
daily, well below the levels previously studied.
[ A packet of tabletop sweetener gives 37 mg aspartame, while a 12 oz diet
soda gives 200 mg aspartame. An aspartame reactor can have immediate strong
symtoms from an under-the-tongue wafer with 4 mg aspartame. (Appendix A,
for comments, abstracts, and links.) ]
However, it is possible that the eye, with its high level of metabolic
activity, could be affected by methanol (and subsequently formaldehyde)
released from these low levels of aspartame and respond as a localized
target organ to minute amounts of her known allergen, formaldehyde, or its
metabolite, formate.
It is also possible that the amplifying effects of cell-mediated immunity
might detect trace amounts of a chemical not identified by more standard
assays, such as blood or urine levels. [ (Appendix D gives Thrasher's data
about immune system reactions from long-term, low-level formaldehyde
exposure, while Martin Pall gives a complex general theory, specifically
discussing formaldehyde as a major trigger.)
http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_1990.html full text Jack Dwayne
Thrasher, Alan Broughton, Roberta Madison. Immune activation and
autoantibodies in humans with long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde.
Archives of Environmental Health. 1990; 45: 217-223. "Immune activation,
autoantibodies, and anti-HCHO-HSA antibodies are associated with long-term
formaldehyde inhalation." PMID: 2400243
Confirming evidence and a general theory are given by Pall (2002):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/909
testable theory of MCS type diseases, vicious cycle of nitric oxide &
peroxynitrite: MSG: formaldehyde-methanol-aspartame: Martin L. Pall: Murray:
12.9.2 rmforall
FASEB J 2002 Sep; 16(11): 1407-17.
NMDA sensitization and stimulation by peroxynitrite, nitric oxide, and
organic solvents as the mechanism of chemical sensitivity in multiple
chemical sensitivity.
Pall ML. PMID: 12205032 [ 162 references, received 1.3.2 ]
School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University,
Pullman, Washington 99164-4660, USA.
martin_pall@... ]
Such a hypothesis might explain why her dermatitis was limited to the
eyelids and give clinical support to Trocho's theory of formaldehyde
adducts.
Unfortunately, without rechallenging her with aspartame, we cannot test this
hypothesis.
Nonetheless, her long-lasting remission following discontinuation of
aspartame intake suggests that its breakdown to formaldehyde may have been a
possible mechanism for her prior blepharitis.
References
1. Christophersen J, Menne' T, Tanghoj P, Andersen K E, Brandrup F.
Clinical patch test data evaluated by multivariate analysis.
Contact Dermatitis 1989: 21: 291-299.
2. Fransway AF, Schmitz N A.
The problem of preservation in the 1990s.
II. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing biocides: incidences of
cross-reactivity and the significance of the positive response to
formaldehyde.
Am J Contact Dermat. 1991: 2: 78-88.
3. Roberts H J. Dry eyes from use of aspatame (Nutrasweet):
Associated insights concerning the Sjogren syndrome.
The Townsend Letter for Doctors, January 1994. [ full text in Appendix H ]
4. Murray T G, Burton T C, Rajani C, Lewandowski M F,
Burke J M, Eells J T.
Methanol poisoning: A rodent model with structural and functional evidence
for reinal involvement.
Arch Opthalmol 1991: 109: 1012-1016.
5. Eells J T.
Methanol-induced visual toxicity in the rat.
J. Pharmacol Exp Ther 1991: 257: 56-63.
6. Trocho C., Pardo R, Fafecas I, Virgili J, Remesar X,
Fernandez-Lopez, J A.
Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue components in
vivo.
Life Sci 1998 1988: 63: 337-349. [ abstract and quotes in Appendix E )
7. McMartin K E, Mrtin-Amat G, Noker P E, Tephly T R.
Lack of a role for formaldehyde in methanol poisoning in the monkey.
Biochem Pharmacol 1979: 28: 645-649. [ abstract, quotes, discussion, related
studies in Appendix F ]
8. Tephly T R: Comments on the purported generation of formaldehyde from
the sweetener aspartame.
Life Sci 1999: 65: 157-160. [ letter, usually not peer-reviewed,
abstract in Appendix E ]
9. Stegink L D, Brummel M C, McMartin-Amat G., Filer L J, Baker G L,
Tephly T R.
Blood methanol concentrations in normal adult subjects administered abuse
doses of aspatame.
J Toxicol Environ Health 1981: 7: 281-290.
10. Leon A S, Hunninghake D B, Bell C, Rassin D K, Tephly T R.
Safety of long-term large doses of aspartame.
Arch Intern Med 1989: 149: 2318-2324.
11. Tschanz C., Butachko H, Stargel W, Kotsonis F N (eds).
The Clinical Evaluation of a Food Additive: Assessment of Aspartame
Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1996.
************************************************************
Appendix A:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/846
aspartame in Merck Maxalt-MLT worsens migraine,
AstraZeneca Zomig, Eli Lilly Zyprexa,
J&J Merck Pepcid AC (Famotidine 10mg) Chewable Tab,
Pfizer Cool Mint Listerine Pocketpaks: Murray 7.16.2 rmforall
Migraine MLT-Down: an unusual presentation of migraine
in patients with aspartame-triggered headaches.
Newman LC, Lipton RB Headache 2001 Oct; 41(9): 899-901.
[ Merck 10-mg Maxalt-MLT, for migraine, has 3.75 mg aspartame,
while 12 oz diet soda has 200 mg. ]
Headache Institute, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY
Department of Neurology
newmanache@...
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Innovative Medical Research
RLipton@...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/855
RTM: Blumenthall & Vance:
aspartame chewing gum headaches Nov 1997 7.28.2 rmforall
Harvey J. Blumenthal, MD, Dwight A Vance, RPh
Chewing Gum Headaches. Headache 1997 Nov-Dec; 37(10): 665-6.
Department of Neurology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine,
Tulsa, USA.
neurotulsa@...
Aspartame, a popular dietetic sweetener, may provoke headache in some
susceptible individuals. Herein, we describe three cases of young women
with migraine who reported their headaches could be provoked by chewing
gum sweetened with aspartame. [ 6-8 mg aspartame per stick chewing gum ]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/782
RTM: Smith, Terpening, Schmidt, Gums:
full text: aspartame, MSG, fibromyalgia 1.17.2 rmforall
Jerry D Smith, Chris M Terpening, Siegfried OF Schmidt, and John G Gums
Relief of Fibromyalgia Symptoms Following Discontinuation of Dietary
Excitotoxins.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2001; 35(6): 702-706.
Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA.
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatologic disorder that is
often difficult to treat effectively.
CASE SUMMARY: Four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome
for two to 17 years are described.
All had undergone multiple treatment modalities with limited success.
All had complete, or nearly complete, resolution of their symptoms within
months after eliminating monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame
from their diet.
All patients were women with multiple comorbidities prior to elimination of
MSG.
All have had recurrence of symptoms whenever MSG is ingested.
PMID: 11408989
Siegfried O. Schmidt, MD Asst. Clinical Prof.
siggy@...
Community Health and Family Medicine, U. Florida, Gainesville, FL
Shands Hospital West Oak Clinic Gainesville, FL 32608-3629
352-376-5071
Several recent pro-aspartame reviews simply ignore these reports by eminent
mainstream researchers, as well as the tidal surge of complaints by users.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/957
safety of aspartame Part 1/2 12.4.2: EC HCPD-G SCF:
Murray 1.12.3 rmforall EU Scientific Committee on Food, a whitewash
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1045
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/scf2002-response.htm
Mark Gold exhaustively critiques European Commission Scientific
Committee on Food re aspartame (12.4.2): 59 pages, 230 references
J Am Diet Assoc. 2004 Feb; 104(2): 255-75.
Position of the American Dietetic Association: use of nutritive and
nonnutritive sweeteners.
American Dietetic Association. PMID: 14760578
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1068
critique of aspartame review by American Dietetic Association Feb 2004:
Murray 4.1.4 rmforall
"Survey of aspartame studies: correlation of outcome and funding sources,"
1998, unpublished:
http://www.dorway.com/peerrev.html
Walton found 166 separate published studies in the peer reviewed medical
literature, which had relevance for questions of human safety.
The 74 studies funded by industry all (100%) attested to aspartame's
safety, whereas of the 92 non-industry funded studies, 84 (91%)
identified a problem. Six of the seven non-industry funded studies
that were favorable to aspartame safety were from the FDA, which
has a public record that shows a strong pro-industry bias.
Ralph G. Walton, MD, Prof. of Clinical Psychology, Northeastern Ohio
Universities, College of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry, Youngstown,
OH 44501, Chairman, The Center for Behavioral Medicine,
Northside Medical Center, 500 Gypsy Lane, P.O. Box 240 Youngstown,
OH 44501 330-740-3621
rwalton193@...
http://www.neoucom.edu/DEPTS/Psychiatry/walton.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartame/messages 770 members 16,692 posts ]
************************************************************
Appendix B:
D. V. Belsito has 71 items in PubMed since 1982.
Donald (Don) V. Belsito, MD Professor, Division Director Dermatology
+1 913 588-3840 fax +1 913 588-4060
DBelsito@...
Main Phone Number: (913) 588-6028 Fax Number: (913) 588-8300
Mailing Address: 4008 Wescoe Pavilion Mail Stop 2025
3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160-7319 USA
The University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5000, 913-588-7963 TDD KU Medical Center is a
campus of the University of Kansas and is affiliated with The University of
Kansas Hospital. The School of Medicine has a campus in Wichita.
http://www.centerwatch.com/professional/pro503.html
University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute
3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160-7702 USA
Phone: 913-588-1242 Fax: 913-588-5729
lkemble@...
The University of Kansas Medical Center comprises the School of Medicine,
School of Allied Health, School of Nursing, and an independently run
hospital with 415 staffed beds. KUMC is a regional health center treating
approximately 35,000 emergency room patients, 17,000 inpatients, and more
than 180,000 outpatients per year. KUMC is a 35 building, 50 acre campus
with a staff of nearly 5,000 employees.
The University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute is a private,
non-profit corporation established to promote and support medical research.
The Division of Clinical Trials at the Research Institute serves as the
central liaison between the pharmaceutical industry, faculty investigators
at KUMC, and the Institutional Review Board. The Division of Clinical Trials
also assists the sponsor with identifying suitable clinical investigators.
http://author.emedicine.com/DERM/topic549.htm
Dermatologic Manifestations of Neurologic Disease
Authored by Theresa Conologue, DO, Staff Physician, Department of
Dermatology, National Capital Consortium/Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Coauthored by Jeffrey Meffert, MD, Program Director, Dermatology Service,
San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium.
Theresa Conologue, DO, is a member of the following medical societies:
Association of Military Surgeons of the US
Edited by Donald Belsito, MD, Program Director, Professor, Department of
Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Kansas; Richard
Vinson, MD, Chief, Department of Dermatology, William Beaumont Medical
Center; Jeffrey P Callen, MD, Chief, Professor, Department of Internal
Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of
Medicine; Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of
Dermatology, Brown University; and Dirk M Elston, MD, Consulting Staff,
Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Author's Email: Theresa Conologue, DO Editor's Email: Donald Belsito, MD
eMedicine Journal, March 19 2003, Volume 4, Number 3
INTRODUCTION Section 2 of 12
Many disorders have a combination of neurologic and dermatologic findings in
patients. This chapter provides an overview of neurocutaneous disorders and
organizes them into clinically relevant groupings of use to the practicing
physician.
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/99/transcpt/3564t1.pdf
Center for Drug Evaluation
Dermatologic and Opthalmic Drugs Advisory Commitee
Thursday, November 4, 1999
Ballroom, Hilton Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Taithersburg Maryland
Guest Speaker: Donald Belsito, M.M.
6516 Aberdeen Road, Mission Hills, KS 66208
http://www.simplywhispers.com/htdocs/html/Press%20Releases/bodypiercing.html
Dr. Donald Belsito, professor of Dermatology at the University of Kansas in
Lawrence and a member of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, notes,
"Nickel allergies are on the increase - from 10.5 % cited in studies done
from 1985 to 1989 to 14.3 % in studies done in 1996. More men are showing up
with nickel allergies; coincidentally more men are having their bodies
pierced. This indicates a possible correlation between piercing and
allergies to nickel." In addition to setting off allergic reactions, Dr.
Belsito, notes, "Piercing cartilage around the top of the ear poses greater
risks than piercing the lobe. Cartilage is an inert material with very
little blood supply and takes a long time to heal from the puncture. Also,
when cartilage becomes infected, it is difficult to treat because of its low
blood supply.
"Also, the growth of overwhelming scars known as keloids can occur and the
condition is particularly prevalent among African Americans," says Dr.
Belsito, adding, "Keloids can grow to be as big as the ear itself. The cure
requires administering medication that reduces the tendency to develop
scars. If scars do develop, they need to be removed by a plastic surgeon.
The risk, of course, is that people who tend to scar, may not fare well in
surgery which can promote new scar tissue." When it comes to protecting the
consumer, Dr. Belsito adds, "I think hypoallergenic is a bad term since it
only tells you that the product is manufactured without an ingredient to
which most people are allergic. But it doesn't tell you other possible
allergy provoking ingredients. For example, some rubber gloves labeled
hypoallergenic are made without certain chemicals. However, these gloves
could be made of latex which is lethal to some people."
Drs. Bendetsen, Scheinman and Belsito favor legislation governing body
piercing due to the risk of nickel allergies, loss of sensation and
communicable diseases resulting from poor sterilization procedures. To date,
Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan and Washington have passed
legislation requiring parental consent for body piercing if you are a minor.
Several states including Delaware, Missouri, Texas and Hawaii have
legislation pending.
D. V. Belsito has 9 additional items that include formaledhyde in PubMed:
2. Ravis SM, Shaffer MP, Shaffer CL, Dehkhaghani S, Belsito DV.
Glutaraldehyde-induced and formaldehyde-induced allergic contact dermatitis
among dental hygienists and assistants.
J Am Dent Assoc. 2003 Aug; 134(8): 1072-8. PMID: 12956347
3: Thompson TR, Belsito DV.
Regional variation in prevalence and etiology of allergic contact
dermatitis.
Am J Contact Dermat. 2002 Dec; 13(4): 177-82. PMID: 12478532
4: Rietschel RL, Mathias CG, Fowler JF Jr, Pratt M, Taylor JS, Sherertz EF,
Marks JG Jr, Belsito DV, Storrs FJ, Maibach HI, Fransway AF, Deleo VA;
North American Contact Dermatitis Group.
Relationship of occupation to contact dermatitis: evaluation in patients
tested from 1998 to 2000.
Am J Contact Dermat. 2002 Dec; 13(4): 170-6. PMID: 12478531
5: Deleo VA, Taylor SC, Belsito DV, Fowler JF Jr, Fransway AF, Maibach HI,
Marks JG Jr, Mathias CG, Nethercott JR, Pratt MD, Reitschel RR, Sherertz EF,
Storrs FJ, Taylor JS.
The effect of race and ethnicity on patch test results.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 Feb; 46(2 Suppl Understanding): S107-12.
PMID: 11807472
6: Suneja T, Belsito DV.
Comparative study of Finn Chambers and T.R.U.E. test methodologies in
detecting the relevant allergens inducing contact dermatitis.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Dec; 45(6): 836-9. PMID: 11712026
7: Suneja T, Belsito DV.
Thimerosal in the detection of clinically relevant allergic contact
reactions.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Jul; 45(1): 23-7. PMID: 11423830
8: Shaffer MP, Belsito DV.
Allergic contact dermatitis from glutaraldehyde in health-care workers.
Contact Dermatitis. 2000 Sep; 43(3): 150-6. Review. PMID: 10985631
9: Marks JG, Belsito DV, DeLeo VA, Fowler JF Jr, Fransway AF, Maibach HI,
Mathias CG, Nethercott JR, Rietschel RL, Sherertz EF, Storrs FJ,
Taylor JS.
North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results for the
detection of delayed-type hypersensitivity to topical allergens.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Jun; 38(6 Pt 1): 911-8. PMID: 9631997
10: Fowler JF Jr, Skinner SM, Belsito DV.
Allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde resins in permanent press
clothing: an underdiagnosed cause of generalized dermatitis.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1992 Dec; 27(6 Pt 1): 962-8. PMID: 1479102
************************************************************
Appendix C:
"Sensitization is reported in between 2.2 and 9.6% of patients patch tested
(1,2)."
Widespread use of aspartame since 1981 must cause some of the formaldehyde
sensitization found in many studies of control groups, so I offer a relevant
abstract, which is the only data I know of that starts to assess
the prevalence of aspartame disease in otherwise healthy people:
"One (2 percent) control subject had a reaction to glutaraldehyde, and one
other (2 percent) had a reaction to formaldehyde." "51 nondental
professionals "
Aspartame use must sensitize some users. This study's control group hints
that about 2% of a control group of 51 professionals showed a sensitivity to
formaldehyde in a skin patch test. Are there any data for nonusers of
aspartame?
J Am Dent Assoc. 2003 Aug; 134(8): 1072-8.
Glutaraldehyde-induced and formaldehyde-induced allergic contact dermatitis
among dental hygienists and assistants.
Ravis SM, Shaffer MP, Shaffer CL, Dehkhaghani S, Belsito DV.
University of Miami, USA.
BACKGROUND: Research has found that among health care workers, dental
personnel are especially likely to have reactions to glutaraldehyde and
formaldehyde.
METHODS: The authors conducted patch test evaluations with a voluntary
cohort of randomly recruited, healthy dental hygienists, or DHs,
and dental assistants, or DAs, and nondental professionals
to determine the incidence of glutaraldehyde-induced and
formaldehyde-induced allergic contact dermatitis, or ACD;
the potential for coreactivity between glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde; and
the correlation between training methods in safe handling of sterilizing
solutions and the sensitivity to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde among DHs
and DAs.
RESULTS: The researchers enrolled 101 DHs and DAs and 51 nondental
professionals in the study.
All except one DH/DA subject were female.
The dental subjects' mean age was 34.3 +/- standard deviation of 10.7 years;
the nondental subjects', 33.8 +/- 11.0 years.
DHs and DAs had worked in their profession for a mean of 11.0 +/- 9.3 years.
Among the dental professionals, 80 (79.2 percent) had had a known exposure
to cold sterilizing solutions, while the remainder were unable to provide a
known history of exposure.
Eleven (10.9 percent) dental professionals had clear reactions to
glutaraldehyde,
four (4.0 percent) were questionably allergic to glutaraldehyde, and
two (2 percent) were definitively allergic to formaldehyde.
One (2 percent) control subject had a reaction to glutaraldehyde, and
one other (2 percent) had a reaction to formaldehyde.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL: IMPLICATIONS: The authors found a statistically
significant disparity in the rates of glutaraldehyde sensitivity among
healthy DHs and DAs versus healthy control subjects (10.9 percent versus 2
percent reactively; P = .02).
They found no evidence of cross-reactivity between glutaraldehyde and
formaldehyde. The preponderance of reactions among the DHs and DAs suggests
that their present safety practices are largely ineffective in protecting
against sensitization to glutaraldehyde in sterilizing solutions. PMID:
12956347
************************************************************
Appendix D:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/915
formaldehyde toxicity: Thrasher & Kilburn: Shaham: EPA: Gold: Murray:
Wilson: CIIN: 12.12.2 rmforall
Thrasher (2001): "The major difference is that the Japanese demonstrated
the incorporation of FA and its metabolites into the placenta and fetus.
The quantity of radioactivity remaining in maternal and fetal tissues
at 48 hours was 26.9% of the administered dose." [Ref. 14-16]
Arch Environ Health 2001 Jul-Aug; 56(4): 300-11.
Embryo toxicity and teratogenicity of formaldehyde. [100 references]
Thrasher JD, Kilburn KH.
Sam-1 Trust, Alto, New Mexico, USA.
http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_embryo_toxicity.html full text
Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Sep; 111(12): 1461-4.
Elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite theory of multiple chemical sensitivity:
central role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the sensitivity mechanism.
Pall ML.
School of Molecular Biosciences, 301 Abelson Hall, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
martin_pall@...
The elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite and the neural sensitization
theories of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are extended here to propose
a central mechanism for the exquisite sensitivity to organic solvents
apparently induced by previous chemical exposure in MCS.
This mechanism is centered on the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)
receptors by organic solvents producing elevated nitric oxide and
peroxynitrite, leading in turn to increased stimulating of and
hypersensitivity of NMDA receptors.
In this way, organic solvent exposure may produce progressive sensitivity to
organic solvents.
Pesticides such as organophosphates and carbamates may act via muscarinic
stimulation to produce a similar biochemical and sensitivity response.
Accessory mechanisms of sensitivity may involve both increased blood-brain
barrier permeability, induced by peroxynitrite, and cytochrome P450
inhibition by nitric oxide. The NMDA hyperactivity/hypersensitivity and
excessive nitric oxide/peroxynitrite view of MCS provides answers to many of
the most puzzling aspects of MCS while building on previous studies and
views of this condition. PMID: 12948884
http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_1990.html full text Jack Dwayne
Thrasher, Alan Broughton, Roberta Madison. Immune activation and
autoantibodies in humans with long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde.
Archives of Environmental Health. 1990; 45: 217-223. "Immune activation,
autoantibodies, and anti-HCHO-HSA antibodies are associated with long-term
formaldehyde inhalation." PMID: 2400243
"Inhalation exposure to formaldehyde (HCHO)
is associated with symptoms of irritation to mucous membranes, (1,2)
chronic health problems (e.g., asthma, (2) nasopharyngeal cancer, (3)
and multiple subjective health complaints. (4,5) )
Recent observations have shown that both humoral-and cell-mediated
immunologic mechanisms occur in humans with long-term HCHO exposure.
Antibodies of all isotypes to HCHO conjugated human serum albumin (HCHO-HSA)
are demonstrable in HCHO anaphylaxis, (6) hemodialysis patients, (7) mobile
home residents, (4) persons with occupational exposures, (5,8) office
workers, (9) and in persons in other environments. (4)
In addition, changes in cell-mediated immunity include increases in
eosinophils, basophils, and T-suppressor cells following acute exposure of
patients with HCHO asthma. (10)
Moreover, individuals with multiple subjective health complaints associated
with long-term HCHO inhalation have evidence of immune activation and the
presence of autoantibodies. (4,5)
The patients in our study had symptoms and complaints related to several
organs, as described previously, (4,5,9) which were similar to symptoms of
workers with multiple chemical sensitivity,(11) cacosmia,(12) and other
chemical exposures. (13-15) We report on the differences in humoral and
cell-mediated immunity in humans with long-term inhalation exposure to HCHO
vs. asymptomatic students (controls) who experienced short-term, periodic
exposure to the chemical."
[
http://lassesen.com/cfids/cacosmia.htm
Cacosmia (a.k.a. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) Details:
* Chemical odour intolerance induced headache, itching eyes, irritated or
congested nose, dry and/or sore throat, cough, dizziness, and itching or
rash.
* Cacosmics reported increased prevalence of physician-diagnosed nasal
allergies, breast cysts, hypothyroidism, sinusitis, food sensitivities,
irritable bowel, and migraine headache. Resource:
http://www.mcsrr.org ]
"Symptoms. All patients in this study had sought continuous medical
attention because of multiple organ symptoms involving the central nervous
system (CNS) (headaches, memory loss, difficulty completing tasks,
dizziness), upper- and lower-respiratory symptoms, skeletal-muscle
complaints, and gastroenteritis. Three common symptoms
were expressed:
[1.] and initial flu-like illness from which they had not fully
recovered; [2.] chronic fatigue; and [3.] an olfactory sensitivity to
ambient conditions containing low concentrations of chemicals. (4,9,11)"
"It is recognized that chemicals and therapeutic drugs are associated
with a Lupus-like syndrome. (28,29 ) The observations made on the
patients in this study support this concept."
"Five groups of subjects exposed to HCHO,
who gave informed consent, were included in this study.
[1.] Controls consisted of students of chiropractic medicine
(16 males, 12 females), mean age = 29 +- 9 y) exposed to HCHO
for 13 h/wk for 28 wk while studying human anatomy. Immunologic tests
were performed 12 mo following the last classroom exposure.
No measurements of HCHO concentrations were made.
It is assumed that classroom ambient concentrations were at least
0.43 ppm. (1) The students stated that during exposure they experienced
eye, nose and throat irritation and that there was a pungent odor of
HCHO. They did not have residual health complaints (symptoms), and
they were asymptomatic at the time blood was taken.
[2.] Mobile home residents consisted of 19 patients (6 males, 13 females),
mean age 41+-20 y) who currently lived in mobile homes. The patients had
lived in their environments for 2-7 y and reported multiple symptoms. (4,9)
Measured HCHO concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 ppm at the time
blood samples were taken.
[3.] Office workers included 21 patients
(5 males, 16 females, mean age of 40 +-10 y)
who worked in new office buildings where there was inadequate ventilation
(closed buildings). The patients had multiple health complaints. (9)
It was determined from medical histories that their symptoms commenced
with employment, waned when away from work (i.e., weekends, holidays,
vacations) and became worse upon return to work.
No HCO measurements were done; however, closed buildings have ambient
concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.77 ppm. (1,16)
[4.] This group included 21 patients (10 males, 11 females,
mean age of 35 + -17 y) who had multiple symptoms and who had been
removed from their original sources of HCHO exposure (mobile homes
and/or particleboard subflooring) for at least 1 y. The HCHO
concentrations measured during their exposures ranged from 0.14 to 0.81 ppm.
[5.] Ocupationally exposed patients
(6 males, 2 females, mean age of 45 + -11 y)
had HCHO exposures from the following: biology and human
anatomy classes, mortuary, pathology, physical therapy, formica
furniture (particleboard), and carbonless copy paper. Information on
six of these patients was previously published. (5)"
"In conclusion, measurements of changes in WBCs, T cells, and H/S
ratios in individuals with apparent chemical sensitivities appear to be
inadequate immune parameters to examine. If one assumes that these
individuals respond immunogically to environmental chemicals,
investigations into autoimmunity and immune activation and
perturbations in the interleukins, luekotreines, prostglandins, and
other immunologic mediators appear to be fruitful areas for further
research. (29-32) Thus, it appears that HCHO sensitivity is a real
phenomenon and requires further research. (4,27-32 )"
************************************************************
Appendix E:
"In all, the rats retained, 6 hours after administration, about 5% of the
label, half of it in the liver."
They used a very low level of aspartame ingestion, 10 mg/kg, for rats, which
have a much greater tolerance for aspartame than humans. So, the
corresponding level for humans would be about 1 or 2 mg/kg. (Many headache
studies in humans used doses of about 30 mg/kg daily.)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/925
aspartame puts formaldehyde adducts into tissues, Part 1/2
full text, Trocho & Alemany 6.26.98: Murray 12.22.2 rmforall
http://ww.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html full text
Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue components in
vivo.
Life Sci June 26 1998; 63(5): 337-49.
Departament de Bioquimica i Biologia Molecular,
Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
http://www.bq.ub.es/cindex.html Línies de Recerca: Toxicitat de
l'aspartame
http://www.bq.ub.es/grupno/grup-no.html
Sra. Carme Trocho, Sra. Rosario Pardo, Dra. Immaculada Rafecas,
Sr. Jordi Virgili, Dr. Xavier Remesar, Dr. Jose Antonio
Fernandez-Lopez, Dr. Mariŕ Alemany [male]
Fac. Biologia Tel.: (93)4021521, FAX: (93)4021559
Sra. Carme Trocho "Trok-ho" Fac. Biologia Tel.: (93)4021544,
FAX: (93)4021559
alemany@... bioq@... josefer@...
rafecas@... remesar@...
Abstract:
Adult male rats were given an oral dose of 10 mg/kg aspartame,
14C-labeled in the methanol carbon.
At timed intervals of up to 6 hours, the radioactivity in plasma and several
organs was investigated.
Most of the radioactivity found (>98% in plasma, >75% in liver) was bound to
protein.
Label present in liver, plasma and kidney was in the range of 1-2% of total
radioactivity administered per g or mL, changing little with time.
Other organs (brown and white adipose tissues, muscle, brain, cornea and
retina) contained levels of label in the range of 1/12th to 1/10th of that
of liver.
In all. the rats retained, 6 hours after administration, about 5% of the
label, half of it in the liver.
The specific radioactivity of tissue protein, RNA and DNA was quite uniform.
The protein label was concentrated in amino acids, different from
methionine, and largely coincident with the result of protein exposure to
labeled formaldehyde.
DNA radioactivity was essentially in a single different adduct base,
different from the normal bases present in DNA.
The nature of the tissue label accumulated was, thus, a direct consequence
of formaldehyde binding to tissue structures.
The administration of labeled aspartame to a group of cirrhotic rats
resulted in comparable label retention by tissue components, which suggests
that liver function (or its defect) has little effect on formaldehyde
formation from aspartame and binding to biological components.
The chronic treatment of a series of rats with 200 mg/kg of non-labeled
aspartame during 10 days results in the accumulation of even more label when
given the radioactive bolus, suggesting that the amount of formaldehyde
adducts coming from aspartame in tissue proteins and nucleic acids may be
cumulative.
It is concluded that aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard because
of its contribution to the formation of formaldehyde adducts.
PMID: 9714421
[ Extracts ]
"The high label presence in plasma and liver is in agreement with the
carriage of the label from the intestine to the liver via the portal vein.
The high label levels in kidney and, to a minor extent, in brown adipose
tissue and brain are probably a consequence of their high blood flows (45).
Even in white adipose tissue, the levels of radioactivity found 6 hours
after oral administration were 1/25th those of liver. Cornea and retina,
both tissues known to metabolize actively methanol (21,28) showed low levels
of retained label. In any case, the binding of methanol-derived carbon to
tissue proteins was widespread, affecting all systems, fully reaching even
sensitive targets such as the brain and retina....
The amount of label recovered in tissue components was quite high in all the
groups, but especially in the NA rats. In them, the liver alone retained,
for a long time, more than 2 % of the methanol carbon given in a single oral
dose of aspartame, and the rest of the body stored an additional 2 % or
more. These are indeed extremely high levels for adducts of formaldehyde, a
substance responsible of chronic deleterious effects (33), that has also
been considered carcinogenic (34,47). The repeated occurrence of claims
that aspartame produces headache and other neurological and psychological
secondary effects-- more often than not challenged by careful analysis--
(5,9,10,15,48) may eventually find at least a partial explanation in the
permanence of the formaldehyde label, since formaldehyde intoxication can
induce similar effects (49).
The cumulative effects derived from the incorporation of label in the
chronic administration model suggests that regular intake of aspartame may
result in the progressive accumulation of formaldehyde adducts. It may be
further speculated that the formation of adducts can help to explain the
chronic effects aspartame consumption may induce on sensitive tissues such
as brain (6,9,19,50). In any case, the possible negative effects that the
accumulation of formaldehyde adducts can induce is, obviously, long-term.
The alteration of protein integrity and function may needs some time to
induce substantial effects. The damage to nucleic acids, mainly to DNA, may
eventually induce cell death and/or mutations. The results presented suggest
that the conversion of aspartame methanol into formaldehyde adducts in
significant amounts in vivo should to be taken into account because of the
widespread utilization of this sweetener. Further epidemiological and
long-term studies are needed to determine the extent of the hazard that
aspartame consumption poses for humans."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/864
Murray: Butchko, Tephly, McMartin: Alemany: aspartame formaldehyde
adducts in rats 9.8.2 rmforall
Prof. Alemany vigorously affirms the validity of the Trocho study
against criticism:
Butchko, HH et al [24 authors], Aspartame: review of safety.
Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 2002 April 1; 35 (2 Pt 2): S1-93, review
available for $35, [an industry paid organ]. Butchko:
"When all the research on aspartame, including evaluations in both the
premarketing and postmarketing periods, is examined as a whole, it is
clear that aspartame is safe, and there are no unresolved questions
regarding its safety under conditions of intended use."
[ They repeatedly pass on the ageless industry deceit that the methanol
in fruits and vegetables is as as biochemically available as that in
aspartame-- see the 1984 rebuttal by Monte in (Appendix G). ]
In the same report, Schiffman concludes on page S49, not citing any
research after 1997, "Thus, the weight of the scientific evidence
indicates that aspartame does not cause headache."
Dr. Susan S. Schiffman, Dept. of Psychiatry, Duke University
sss@... 919-684-3303, 660-5657
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/911
RTP ties to industry criticized by CSPI: Murray: 12.9.2 rmforall
Subject: Re: Murray: Butchko:
Tephly: critique of Trocho report Apr 2002 8.29.2
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 09:49:56 +0200
From: Mariŕ Alemany <
alemany@...>
To: "Rich Murray" <
rmforall@...>
References: 1
Dear Rich,
Thank you for the opportunity to say something about the "paper" by Tephly
that followed our study on the incorporation of aspartame-derived methanol
label into DNA and protein of rats.
I don't know if responding to that publication is worth the effort.
Surprisingly, a serious journal, such as Life Sciences published a rebuttal
of our previous paper as a normal "research paper", but including no new
information neither experimental work. This is only a sample of the
"scientific" power of the advocates of aspartame.
Anybody can extract conclusions from this anomaly, but it seems to me that
there was nothing new in that pamphlet that may add information to what we
already explained in our paper. The responses to the questions raised by
Tephly are already in our paper, which means that either that it was not
read or, worst, it was misread.
The presence of aspartame-derived label in DNA and protein adducts is
unquestionable and unquestioned, and agrees with previous studies.
Then, what importance has the mechanism of incorporation? There were
adducts, and they represent loss of function and mutation. That was our
thesis.
The reference to previous studies showing very low levels of formaldehyde in
blood do not refute our data.
First of all, measuring formaldehyde is tricky,
and in any case, the circulating levels would be below the current limit of
detection for most of the methods used. That is the current explanation for
the low levels of methanol in plasma after aspartame loading: they are zero,
using most of the methods available for methanol, since the expected levels
are currently below the limit of detection...
In addition, it is not logical to expect to find measurable levels of
formaldehyde in a medium (blood) containing a huge amount of protein.
Formaldehyde reacts immediately with proteins because it is highly reactive:
that is the reason why we have found it in cell protein and DNA. It is
absurd to expect it to forfeit binding with cell proteins and go all the way
into the bloodstream! Remember that formaldehyde is used to preserve
corpses precisely because it binds protein (including those of putrefactive
bacteria) and prevents its degradation.
The "alternative" point expressed by Tephly, suggesting that aspartame
methanol-label goes all the way into formic acid and the C1 pathway was
thoroughly refuted by us, using experimental data. There was no labelled
methionine nor thymine in protein and DNA respectively in the rat protein we
recovered from rats treated with aspartame. This means--unequivocally-- that
the label present in DNA and protein adducts was NOT incorporated into amino
acids or nucleic acid bases. The only explanation for our data was that the
label was in the form of formaldehyde adducts.
If this explanation does not satisfy other scientists, they are free to
repeat the experiment and show where we went wrong, or to probe and prove
experimentally their hypotheses.
Otherwise, our results stand unchecked and, consequently, should be deemed
true.
I hope that this information will help any attentive reader understand why
we have left for good this field of study.
Best regards.
------------------------------
Prof.Dr. Mariŕ Alemany
Grup de Recerca Nitrogen-Obesitat
Departament de Nutrició i Bromatologia
Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona
Av. Diagonal, 645; 08028 Barcelona Espanya/Espańa/Spain
tel. +34 93 403 4606; fax: +34 93 403 7064; E-mail:
alemany@...
Life Sci 1999; 65(13): PL157-60. [ letter, usually not peer reviewed ]
Comments on the purported generation of formaldehyde and adduct
formation from the sweetener aspartame.
Tephly TR Thomas R. Tephly 319-335-7979
thomas-tephly@...
ttephly@... Department of Pharmacology
The University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
A recent paper by Trocho et al. (1) describes experiments meant to
show that formaldehyde adducts are formed when rats are administered
the sweetener aspartame.
These authors assume that the methanol carbon of aspartame generates
formaldehyde which then forms adducts with protein, DNA, and RNA.
Doses employed range widely.
In this letter, studies which have been published previously and which were
not cited by these authors are reviewed in order to put into perspective the
disposition of methanol and formaldehyde in monkeys and humans, species
relevant to the toxicity of methanol and its toxic metabolite, formic acid.
PMID: 10503962, UI: 99431287
[ A number of pro-aspartame studies by Tephly and associates, invariably
funded by the aspartame industry (Monsanto, NutraSweet) are criticized in
detail at:
"Scientific Abuse in Aspartame Research"
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/methanol.html
Aspartame Toxicity Information Center Mark D. Gold
www.HolisticMed.com/aspartame 603-225-2100
mgold@... 12 East Side Drive #2-18 Concord, NH 03301
Gold points out that industry methanol assays were too insensitive to
properly measure blood methanol levels.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/34
Davoli: aspartame causes rise in blood methanol 1986: Mario Negri
Institute for Pharmacological Research: Murray 10.30.99 rmforall
[selection]
Davoli, E., Cappellini L, Airoldi L, Fanelli R, 1986.
"Serum Methanol Concentrations in Rats and in Men
After a Single Dose of Aspartame,"
Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 24, No. 3, page 187-189.
Abstract:
Serum methanol concentrations were measured in rats and in humans
given oral aspartame.
The dose given to rats was the FDA's projected 99th percentile daily intake
for humans, assuming aspartame were to replace all sucrose sweeteners in the
diet (34 mg/kg).
Four male adult volunteers each received 500 mg, equivalent to 6-8.7 mg/kg,
which is approximately the FDA's estimate of mean daily human consumption.
Both treatments caused a rise in serum methanol.
In rats the mean peak value was 3.1 mg/litre 1 hr after administration;
serum methanol returned to endogenous values 4 hr after treatment.
In the men, the mean rise over endogenous values was 1.06 mg/litre after 45
min.
Two hours after treatment, serum methanol had returned to basal levels.
The temporary serum methanol increase showed peak values within the range of
individual basal levels. PMID: 3957170, UI: 86166135
Enrico Davoli has 22 citations in PubMed.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 35, S1-S93 (2002)
doi:10.1006/rtph.2002.1542, available online at
http://www.idealibrary.com $ 35.00
Aspartame: Review of Safety
page S1 0273-2300/02 $35.00
C 2002 Elsevier Science (USA) All rights reserved.
Harriett H. Butchko 1
Medical and Scientific Affairs, The NutraSweet Company,
Mt. Prospect, Illinois
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at Medical and Scientific
Affairs, The NutraSweet Company, 699 Wheeling Road, Mt.
Prospect, IL 60056. Fax: (847) 463-1755.
harriett.h.butchko@....
W. Wayne Stargel
Research and Development, The NutraSweet Company,
Mt. Prospect, Illinois
C. Phil Comer
Graystone Associates, Inc., Macon, Georgia
Dale A. Mayhew
Regulatory Affairs, The NutraSweet Company, Mt. Prospect, Illinois
Christian Benninger (EEGs and Cognitive Function in PKU Heterozygotes)
Department of Pediatrics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
George L. Blackburn (Appetite, Food Intake, and Weight Control)
Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Leo M. J. de Sonneville (Neuropsychological Function and Phenylalanine)
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Vrije Universiteit, Medical
Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Raif S. Geha (Allergy)
Division of Immunology, The Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, Massachusetts
Zsolt Hertelendy (Liver Disease)
Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of
Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Adalbert Koestner (Brain Tumors)
Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Ohio State University School of
Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
Arthur S. Leon (Long-Term Safety in Humans)
Division of Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development and
Department of Medicine, The Medical School,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
George U. Liepa (Renal Disease)
Department of Human, Environmental, and Consumer Resources, Eastern
Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Kenneth E. McMartin (Methanol)
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Louisiana State University
Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
Charles L. Mendenhall (Liver Disease)
Digestive Diseases Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ian C. Munro (Preface)
Cantox Health Sciences, Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Edward J. Novotny (Seizures and EEGs)
Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Andrew G. Renwick (Preface)
Department of Pharmacology, University of Southampton, Southampton,
United Kingdom
Susan S. Schiffman (Headaches)
Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North
Carolina
Donald L. Schomer (Neurochemistry, Seizures and EEGs, Behavior,
Cognitive Function, and Mood)
Department of Neurology, Division of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center,
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Bennett A. Shaywitz (Behavior, Cognitive Function, Mood in Children,
Seizures, and EEGs)
Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Child Study, Yale University
School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
Paul A. Spiers (Behavior, Cognition, and Mood)
Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, and
Clinical Research Center,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts
Thomas R. Tephly (Methanol)
Department of Pharmacology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
John A. Thomas (Metabolism and Endocrine)
Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science
Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
Friedrich K. Trefz (Phenylketonuria)
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Reutlingen, University
of Tubingen, Reutlingen, Germany
Received January 8, 2002
DEDICATION
The authors dedicate this supplement to the memories of Lewis D.
Stegink, Ph.D., and L. J. Filer, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., from the University of
Iowa. Their early research on aspartame metabolism in humans formed the
basis for
much of the future research on aspartame that is discussed in this
supplement. Their objectivity and long-standing dedication to science as
well as their medical and scientific expertise are greatly missed.
pages S36 to S41 of S1 to S93
Safety of Methanol from Aspartame and the Diet
[Thomas R. Tephly (Methanol)
thomas-tephly@...
Department of Pharmacology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Kenneth E. McMartin (Methanol)
kmcmar@...
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Louisiana State University]
page S39 [Extract]
Evaluation of Recent Issues Regarding Methanol Safety from Aspartame
Trocho et al. (1998) concluded from a study in rats that aspartame may be
hazardous because formaldehyde adducts from aspartame may accumulate in
tissue proteins and nucleic acids.
However, according to Tephly (1999), the dose of aspartame used in the study
(20 mg/kg body wt =2 mg of methanol/kg body wt) would not yield blood
methanol concentrations outside control values.
Further, the administration of aspartame at 200 mg/kg body wt (equal to that
in a single bolus of about 25 liters of beverage sweetened 100% with
aspartame) to adult humans results in no detectable increase in blood
formate concentrations (Stegink et al., 1981).
Administration of [14 C] methanol itself at 3000 mg/kg body wt to monkeys
produces no detectable [14 C] formaldehyde in body fluids and tissues
(McMartin et al., 1979), while there is ample accumulation of formate.
An alternative explanation for tissue incorporation of label from [14 C]
aspartame as described by Trocho et al. (1998) would be incorporation into
amino acids and nucleotides via one-carbon moieties from the
folate-dependent metabolism of formate.
The lack of formaldehyde accumulation at very high doses of methanol
questions considerably the conclusion that formaldehyde adducts are forming
from low doses of methanol (derived from high doses aspartame).
Thus, Tephly (1999) concluded, "the normal flux of one-carbon moieties
whether derived from pectin, aspartame, or fruit juices is a physiologic
phenomenon and not a toxic event." (Next, Appendix F critiques the McMartin
study.) ]
Mariŕ Alemany <
alemany@...>,
Thomas R. Tephly <
thomas-tephly@...>,
Kenneth E. McMartin <
kmcmar@...>,
Harriett H. Butchko <
harriett.h.butchko@...>,
Susan S. Schiffman <
sss@...>,
Arthur S. Leon <
leonx002@...>,
Christian Benninger <
Christian_Benninger@...>,
George L. Blackburn <
gblackbu@...>,
Leo M.J. de Sonneville <
lmj.sonneville@...>,
Raif S. Geha <
raif.geha@...>,
Edward J. Novotny, Jr. <
edward.novotny@...>,
Andrew G. Renwick <
agr@...>,
Donald L. Schomer <
dschomer@...>,
Bennett A. Shaywitz <
bennett.shaywitz@...>
************************************************************
Appendix F:
The exponential fragmentation of science into a fractile structure of ever
more atomized specialties ensures that every expert is a layman outside his
own specialty.
Capable laymen play an essential role by summarizing and integrating
scattered lines of inquiry that certain vested interests have long-term
campaigns for obscuring, since outright opposition would tend to attract
discussion and scrutiny that would soon vitiate billion dollar products.
Most professionals simply do not have the free time to investigate such
arcane, but possibly crucial, details. Capable laymen now join together on
the Net to establish credibility by common sense, polite mobilization of
specialized research, backed by support from informed specialists. For
instance, I started investigating aspartame in early January 1999 and within
two months was being given papers by Woodrow C. Monte and Ralph G.Walton.
The route of aspartame to methanol to formaldehyde to formic acid is a
classic example. Were this line of inquiry already suspected to be sure to
establish the harmlessness of aspartame, then the industry would have every
motive to spend a few paltry millions to both complete the research in
humans and widely publicize the results.
The fact that on the contrary, there is no industry funded research in
humans at all in the public domain on the specific biochemical and tissue
outcomes of formaldehyde and formic acid from aspartame leads to a
reasonable surmise that the industry has reason to fear, obscure, and derail
this inquiry. Following the crooked but unmistakable trail of missing
research, i.e., avoided, ignored, misstated, discounted, obscured, explained
away, or simply never mentioned, is an excellent strategy for uncovering the
lurking secret.
In spring 1999, an eminent pro-aspartame scientist Christian Tschanz had
NutraSweet Co. give me their $ 130 review text of their research, "The
Clinical Evaluation of a Food Additive: Assessment of Aspartame" (1996), by
Christian Tschanz, Harriett H. Butchko, W. Wayne Stargel, and Frank N.
Kotsonis, all apartame stalwarts.
Chapter 5: "Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Radiolabeled Aspartame in
Normal Subjects", by Aziz Karim and Thomas Burns, has 10 pages and 10
citations. Page 63, Figure 4, Metabolic products derived from aspartame,
beta-aspartame, and DKP, does not list formaldehyde or formic acid.
The tangle of black arrows includes two paths from Aspartame to Methanol to
"CO2 + Body Constituents". Now, that's pretty good public relations spin,
eh? "Body Constituents", indeed? This is systematic and persistent deceit,
as pernicious as it is profitable. Aziz Karim, PhD is a "Distinguished
Research Fellow and Sr. Director, Clinical Research, G.D. Searle and
Company, Skokie, Illinois", where Thomas Burns, M.S. is a "Clinical Research
Manager".
They state that "in monkeys" with methanol or aspartame labelled in the
methyl ester, both with 14C, "...excretion of 14CO2 in the expired air
occured to the same extent (about 70% of the 14C dose) with both compounds,
indicating complete hydrolysis of the methyl ester moiety of aspartame
(Figure 6)." They said nothing about resulting levels in blood plasma,
urine, feces, or any body tissues. This is the typical commission by
omission strategy of industry research on aspartame.
J. Nutrition 1973 Oct; 103(10): 1454-1459.
Metabolism of aspartame in monkeys.
Oppermann JA, Muldoon E, Ranney RE.
Dept. of Biochemistry, Searle Laboratories,
Division of G.D. Searle and Co. Box 5110, Chicago, IL 60680
They found that about 70% of the radioactive methanol in aspartame put into
the stomachs of 3 to 7 kg monkeys was eliminated within 8 hours, with little
additional elimination afterwards, as carbon dioxide in exhaled air and in
the urine. They did not mention that this meant that about 30% of the
methanol must transform into formaldehyde and then into formic acid, both of
which must remain as toxic products in all parts of the body. They did not
report any studies on the distribution of radioactivity in body tissues, nor
give the absolute levels for declining blood plasma proteins. This study
did not monitor long-term use of aspartame, which might reveal cumulative
effects.
The low oral dose of aspartame and for methanol was 0.068 mmol/kg,
about 1 part per million [ppm] of the acute toxicity level of 2,000 mg/kg,
67,000 mmol/kg, used by McMartin (1979). Two L daily use of diet soda
provides 123 mg methanol, 2 mg/kg for a 60 kg person, a dose of 67
mmole/kg, a thousand times more than the dose in this study.
By eight hours excretion of the dose in air and urine had leveled off at
67.1 +-2.1% as CO2 in the exhaled air and 1.57+-0.32% in the urine, so 68.7
% was excreted, and 31.3% was retained. [This data is the average of 4
monkeys.]
"...the 14C in the feces was negligible."
"That fraction not so excreted (about 31%) was converted to body
constituents through the one-carbon metabolic pool."
"All radioactivity measurements were counted to +-1% accuracy..."
This indicates that the results could not be claimed to have a precision of
a tenth of a percent. OK, so this is a nit-pick-- but I believe espousing
spurious accuracy is a sign of scientific insecurity.
The abstract ends, "It was concluded that aspartame was digested to its
three constituents that were then absorbed as natural constituents of the
diet."
Thus, the concept is very subtly insinuated that methanol, as a constituent
of aspartame, is absorbed as a natural constituent of the diet. "Dietary
methanol is derived in large part from fresh fruits and vetetables."
Nowhere in this report, or in the book chapter are mentioned the dread
words, "formaldehyde" and "formic acid".
Woodrow C. Monte, a Professor of Food Science at Arizona State University in
Tempe, drew completely opposite conclusions in his seminal review in 1984.
(Appendix G)
The same three reserchers, plus F.G. McMahon of Tulane University Medical
School, published a follow-up study, "Comparative metabolism of aspartame in
experimental animals and humans", J. Toxicology and Environmental Health 2:
441-451, 1976.
The abstract says, "Hydrolysis of the methyl group by intestinal esterases
yielded methanol, which was oxidized in the one-carbon metabolic pool to
CO2."
"The hypothetical pathways of metabolism, which aspartame was expected to
follow, are diagrammed in Fig. 1....The principle used to test the validity
of this hypothetical description of the metabolism of aspartame..."
Figure 1. shows in an nice orderly sequence that:
(a) MeOH ---> one-carbon metabolic pool ---> CO2 + formyl metabolites .
Meanwhile, this sentence jumps from p. 441 to 442 under Figure 1., "The
absorbed methanol would be incorporated into the one-carbon pool and would
be converted [ page jump in sentence ] primarily to CO2 (Makar et.al., 1968;
Tephly et al, 1964), although a small fraction might be incorporated into
body constituents."
The graphs present the same methanol in monkey data as in 1973, but the
nowhere is the specific percentage of exhaled CO2 mentioned. Methanol and
aspartame were also given to a few [ unspecified ] number of rats: "The
major fraction of the 14C was excreted in the expired air (Fig. 2)...Plasma
levels of 14C reached a peak [ absolute data not given ] at about 3 hr..."
In this follow-up report, for methanol and the methyl group in aspartame,
excretion in urine and feces were not mentioned in either the former monkey
or the new rat studies, the absolute plasma levels were not given, and, of
course, no measures were taken of 14C in body tissues. The only hint of the
possible role of formaldehyde and formic acid was the rather diffident term
"formyl metabolites" in Figure 1. Overall, we see consistent patterns of
avoiding any focus on the actual disposition of extremely toxic
formaldehyde and formic acid, both persistent and cumulative, products in
body tissues. Subtle equivocation and qualification was expressed by such
words as "hypothetical", "was expected to follow", "would be", "primarily",
"although a small fraction might be incorporated into body constituents",
"major fraction".
Methanol from aspartame was not studied in the other species: rabbits, dogs,
and humans.
It pays to investigate early studies, because then the coverup was less well
organized, more patchy. The loosely organized world-wide exponential
growth of science ensures that the line of inquiry of methanol to
formaldehyde and formic acid will pop up here and there, but no one is
encouraged to make the connection with aspartame, widely proclaimed as "the
most thoroughly tested food additive in history"-- until the momentous,
unheralded Trocho study established explosive results in June 1998.
(Appendix E)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1025
aspartame & formaldehyde toxicity: Murray 9.9.3 rmforall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/910
formaldehyde & formic acid from 11% methanol in aspartame:
Murray: 12.9.2 rmforall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/872
immune system reactions due to formaldehyde from the 11% methanol in
aspartame: Thrasher: Tephly: Monte: Murray 9.27.2 rmforall
Life Sci 1991; 48(11): 1031-41. The toxicity of methanol. Tephly TR.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
"Abstract:
Methanol toxicity in humans and monkeys is characterized by a latent period
of many hours followed by a metabolic acidosis and ocular toxicity.
This is not observed in most lower animals.
The metabolic acidosis and blindness is apparently due to formic acid
accumulation in humans and monkeys, a feature not seen in lower animals.
The accumulation of formate is due to a deficiency in formate metabolism
which is, in turn, related, in part, to low hepatic tetrahydrofolate (H4
folate).
An excellent correlation between hepatic H4 folate and formate oxidation
rates has been shown within and across species.
Thus, humans and monkeys possess low hepatic H4 folate levels, low rates of
formate oxidation and accumulation of formate after methanol.
Formate, itself, produces blindness in monkeys in the absence of metabolic
acidosis.
In addition to low hepatic H4 folate concentrations, monkeys and humans
also have low hepatic 10-formyl H4 folate dehydrogenase levels, the enzyme
which is the ultimate catalyst for conversion of formate to carbon dioxide.
This review presents the basis for the role of folic acid-dependent
reactions in the regulation of methanol toxicity.
Publication Types: Review Review, Academic PMID: 1997785"
p. 1035 "In the past, formaldehyde has often been suggested as the methanol
metabolite which produces toxicity (34,35). Today, a great deal of
information is available concerning its lack of such a role. The presence
of elevated formaldehyde levels in body fluids or tissues following methanol
administration has not been observed. No formaldehyde has been detected in
blood, urine or tissues obtained from methanol-treated animals (36,37) and,
in methanol-poisoned humans, formaldehyde increases have not been
observed....
About 85% of a low dose of 14C-formaldehyde [radioactive label] is
excreted as pulmonary 14CO2 (49,50)....."
[ This suggests that 15% of the formaldehyde is indeed retained in the
body, a very significant result, considering its extreme and complex
toxicity. ]
49. W.B. Neely, Biochem. Pharmacol. 13: 1137-1142 (1964).
50. Xenobiotica 1982 Feb; 12(2): 119-24.
Formaldehyde metabolism by the rat: a re-appraisal.
Mashford PM, Jones AR.
1. The metabolism of [14C]formaldehyde has been investigated in the male
Sprague-Dawley rat.
It is extensively oxidized to CO2 and formate, which is excreted in the
urine.
2. Two radioactive compounds isolated from the urine of rats dosed with
[14C]formaldehyde have been identified as N-(hydroxymethyl)urea and
N,N'-bis-(hydroxymethyl)urea, and shown to be urinary artefacts.
3. Previous studies of the metabolism of formaldehyde by rats have been
re-appraised.
Differences in the rate of oxidation of formaldehyde in various strains of
rats result in the excretion of different urinary metabolites and, in some
cases, formaldehyde.
Excretion of formaldehyde leads to the formation of several artefacts
depending on the components present in the urine. PMID: 6806997
Biochemical Pharmcacology 1979: 28; 645-649.
Lack of a role for formaldehyde in methanol poisoning in the monkey.
Kenneth E. McMartin, Gladys Martin-Amat, Patricia E. Noker
and Thomas R. Tephly
The Toxicology Center, Dept. of Pharmacology,
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
K.E. McMartin and T.R. Tephly, authors of many pro-aspartame studies, in
Biochemical Pharmacology (1979) remarked, "It is now generally accepted
that the toxicity of methanol is due to the formation of toxic metabolites,
either formaldehyde or formic acid." They put damage doses of methanol
into the stomachs of three monkeys, and, using insensitive tests, found no
formaldehyde in many tissues-- except for a single datum in the midbrain,
1.5 times the detection limit. They did report widespread accumulation of
formic acid in five tissues. The use of inadequate tests is common in
industry research that is funded to claim the safety of profitable toxins.
Since then, industry scientists have been very wary of doing studies on
primates, which all too easily show the dangers to humans.
"Abstract [ not given in PubMed ]: [ My briefer comments are in square
brackets. ]
Methanol was administered [ by nasogastric tube ] either to untreated
cynomolgus monkeys [ 2-3.5 kg ] or to a folate-deficient cynomolgus monkey
which exhibits exceptional sensitivity to the toxic effects of methanol.
Marked formic acid accumulation in the blood and in body fluids and tissues
was observed.
No formaldehyde accumulation was observed in the blood and no formaldehyde
was detected in the urine, cerebrospinal fluid, vitreous humor, liver,
kidney, optic nerve, and brain in these monkeys at a time when marked
metabolic acidosis and other characteristics of methanol poisoning were
observed.
Following intravenous infusion into the monkey, formaldehyde was rapidly
eliminated from the blood with a half-life of about 1.5 min and formic acid
levels promptly increased in the blood.
Since formic acid accumulation accounted for the metabolic acidosis and
since ocular toxicity essentially identical to that produced in methanol
poisoning has been described after formate treatment, the predominant role
of formic acid as the major metabolic agent for methanol toxicity is
certified.
Also, results suggest that formaldehyde is not a major factor in the toxic
syndrome produced by methanol in the monkey."
"It is now generally accepted that the toxicity of methanol is due to the
formation of toxic metabolites (1,2), either formaldehyde or formic acid."
So, this is an acute toxicity study, with little relevance for chronic
long-term, low-level exposure.
Monkeys, like people, are susceptible to methanol toxicity.
This team cites their six previous methanol in monkey studies, from 1975 to
1977.
The report is difficult to understand, since the three monkeys were treated
differently, and different assays were used.
For the methanol sensitive, folate-deficient monkey A, the assay used was
the chromatropic acid method, with a detection limit of .025 mmol/L. None
of the five tissues showed any formaldehyde with this assay, except the
midbrain, 0.14 mmol/kg wet weight tissue [ units converted from their 0.14
micromole/gm ]-- just 1.5 times the detection limit of .09 mmol/kg wet
tissue weight (given on p. 648).
[ Since 1 kg of water is 1 L, 1 mmol/kg is equivalent to 1 mmol/L. ]
Meanwhile, in the methanol sensitive, folate-deficient monkey A, the blood
formate level rose by 18 hours from 0.18 to 10.02 mEq/L. [ I assume that a
mEq is equivalent to a mmol-- let me know if I'm wrong. ] The formate
detection limits for the assays were not given in this report. The formate
level in the vitreous humor of the eye of monkey A was 7.90 mEq/L. It is
well known that formate is extremely damaging to the eye. For unexplained
reasons, formate levels in the five tissues and cerebrospinal fluid were not
measured in the methanol sensitive, folate-deficient monkey A., in the
cerebrospinal fluid of monkey B, or in the optic nerve of monkey C.
Formaldehyde was not measured in the optic nerve of Monkey A. The kidney
formate level for monkey B was 6.33 and for C was only 0.44, with no comment
or explanation given.
The experiment seems arbitrary, capricious, and erratic.
For monkey A, after 18 hours, the urine formaldehyde level was below
detection level, while urine formate was 115.80 mEq/L-- so much of the
formaldehyde had been converted into formic acid, another cumulative, potent
toxin.
"In the presence of high formate values and definitive evidence of toxicity
in methanol-poisoned monkeys, no measurable formaldehyde was found in the
body tissues that were tested."
It is reasonable to surmise that more sensitive assays would have found
formaldehyde and formate bound to and reacted with a variety of cellular
substances in all tissues-- just as the 1998 Trocho study confirmed.
(Appendix E)
Monkeys B and C were normal, not extra vulnerable to methanol, and were
given 3,000 mg/kg methanol, and samples taken at 18 hr. Formaldehyde was
detected only in the blood of Monkey B, while formate was found in 8 and 10,
respectively, of the 10 fluid and tissue samples in Monkeys B and C. For
instance, the lowest value of formate, except for zero-time blood, for each
monkey was in the midbrain, 2.16 mmol/kg for Monkey B (24 times the
detection limit for the chromatropic acid method) and 1.02 mmol/kg (1.3
times the detection for the dimedon method) for Monkey C. This shows
accumulation of formate in liver, kidney, optic nerve, cerebrum, and
midbrain.
"Thus, whereas one can associate formate intimately with ocular toxicity in
the monkey, no association of formaldehyde with ocular toxicity can be made
at this time. It is not possible to completely eliminate formaldehyde as a
toxic intermediate because formaldehyde could be formed slowly within cells
and interfere with normal cellular function without ever obtaining levels
that were detectable in body fluids..."
"Acknowledgements-- This research was supported by NIH grant GM 19420
and GM 12675." [not funded by the industry]
Often, pro-aspartame studies have titles and summaries that are not
supported by a close study of the details:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/891
flawed test for aspartame DNA damage: Jeffrey & Williams 2000:
Murray: 11.20.2 rmforall
************************************************************
Appendix G:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/870
Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Interest 1984:
Monte: Murray 9.23.2 rmforall
Dr. Woodrow C. Monte Aspartame: methanol, and the public health.
Journal of Applied Nutrition 1984; 36 (1): 42-54.
(62 references) Professsor of Food Science [retired 1992]
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287
woodymonte@...
[ Summary: The methanol from 2 L of diet soda, 5.6 12-oz cans, 20 mg/can, is
112 mg, 10% of the aspartame. The EPA limit for water is 7.8 mg daily
for methanol (wood alcohol), a deadly cumulative poison. Many users
drink 1-2 L daily. The reported symptoms are entirely consistent
with chronic methanol toxicity. (Fresh orange juice has 34 mg/L, but,
like all juices, has 16 times more ethanol, which strongly protects
against methanol.) ]
"Fruit and vegetables contain pectin with variable methyl ester content.
However, the human has no digestive enzymes for pectin (6, 25)
particularly the pectin esterase required for its hydrolysis to methanol
(26).
Fermentation in the gut may cause disappearance of pectin (6) but the
production of free methanol is not guaranteed by fermentation (3). In
fact, bacteria in the colon probably reduce methanol directly to formic
acid or carbon dioxide (6) (aspartame is completely absorbed before
reaching the colon). Heating of pectins has been shown to cause
virtually no demethoxylation; even temperatures of 120 deg C produced
only traces of methanol (3). Methanol evolved during cooking of high
pectin foods (7) has been accounted for in the volatile fraction during
boiling and is quickly lost to the atmosphere (49). Entrapment of these
volatiles probably accounts for the elevation in methanol levels of certain
fruits and vegetable products during canning (31, 33)."
"The scientific literature indicates that a fair estimate of methanol
content of commonly consumed fruit juices is on the order of 40 parts
per million (Table 1). Stegink, et al. points out that some neutral
spirits contain as much as 1.5 grams/liter of methanol (51);
what is not mentioned is the fact that if these spirits are at least 60
proof (30% ethanol) this still represents the presence of over 200
molecules of ethanol for every molecule of methanol that is digested.
An exhaustive search of the present literature indicates that no testing of
natural substances has ever shown methanol appearing alone; in
every case ethanol is also present, usually, in much higher
concentrations (15, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35, 44, 45).
Fresh orange juices can have very little methanol (0.8 mg/liter), and
have a concomitant ethyl alcohol content of 380 mg/liter (28)."
"-- Data obtained in a Department of Agriculture survey of the food intake
of a statistically sampled group of over 17,000 consumers nationwide
(1), indicate that the 17.6% of the population that consume orange juice
daily take in an average of 185.5 gm of that juice. These statistics
indicate that 1.1% of the population consume an average of 173.9 gm of
grapefruit juice while only 1.8% drink approximately 201 gm of tomato
juice daily. Table 1 shows that under normal conditions these
individuals would only be expected to consume between 1 and 7 mg of
methanol a day from these sources. Even if an individual consumed two
juices in the same day or a more exotic juice such as black currant,
there would still be some protection afforded by the ethanol present in
these natural juices.
Consumption of aspartame sweetened drinks at
levels commonly used to replace lost fluid during exercise yields
methanol intake between 15 and 100 times these normal intakes (Table 1).
This is comparable to that of "winos"
but without the metabolic reprieve afforded
by ethanol. An alcoholic consuming 1500 calories a day from
alcoholic sources alone may consume between 0 and 600 mg of methanol
each day depending on his choice of beverages (Table 1).
The consumption of aspartame sweetened soft drinks or other beverages
is not limited by either calories or osmolarity,
and can equal the daily water loss
of an individual (which for active people in a state like
Arizona can exceed 5 liters). The resultant daily methanol intake might
then rise to unprecedented levels.
Methanol is a cumulative toxin (8)
and for some clinical manifestations it may be a human-specific toxin."
Recent research [see links at end of post] supports his focus on the
methanol to formaldehyde toxic process:
"The United States Environmental Protection Agency in their Multimedia
Environmental Goals for Environmental Assessment recommends a minimum
acute toxicity concentration of methanol in drinking water at 3.9 parts
per million, with a recommended limit of consumption below 7.8 mg/day
(8). This report clearly indicates 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." (8)...
Recently the toxic role of formaldehyde (in methanol toxicity) has been
questioned (34). No skeptic can overlook the fact that, metabolically,
formaldehyde must be formed as an intermediate to formic acid
production (54).
Formaldehyde has a high reactivity which may be why it has not been
found in humans or other primates during methanol poisoning (59)....
If formaldehyde is produced from methanol and does have a reasonable
half life within certain cells in the poisoned organism the chronic
toxicological ramifications could be grave.
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (57) producing squanous-cell
carcinomas by inhalation exposure in experimental animals (22). The
available epidemiological studies do not provide adequate data for
assessing the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde in man (22, 24, 57).
However, reaction of formaldehyde with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
has resulted in irreversible denaturation that could interfere with DNA
replication and result in mutation (37)..."
************************************************************
Appendix H:
http://www.dorway.com/tldaddic.html 5-page review full text
Roberts HJ Aspartame (NutraSweet) addiction.
Townsend Letter 2000 Jan;
HJRobertsMD@...
http://www.sunsentpress.com/ sunsentpress@...
Sunshine Sentinel Press P.O.Box 17799 West Palm Beach, FL 33416
800-814-9800 561-588-7628 561-547-8008 fax
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/669
1038-page medical text "Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic"
published May 30 2001 $ 60.00 postpaid data from 1200 cases
available at
http://www.amazon.com
over 600 references from standard medical research
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/790
RTM: Moseley:
review Roberts "Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic" 2.7.2 rmforall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/883
three texts by H.J. Roberts, 1958, 1971, 1979: Murray 11.6.2 rmforall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/880
Roberts 45 clinical research reports in mainstream journals:
Murray 10.20.2 rmforall
[ I found two cases reported that specificly described eyelid
dermatitis. ]
Aspartame Disease (2001), pages 330 to 370, Chapter VIII, Allergies and Skin
reactions: Immunologic Perspectives:
p. 337 "B. Itching and Hives: In this series of 1,200 aspartame reactors,
87 (7 %) developed severe itching without a rash, 47 (4 %) hives, and 108 (9
%) other eruptions....As with other foods and additives, hives due to
ingesting aspartame products generally occurred within 6-12 hours....The
high incidence of such reactions among females (see above) is also
noteworthy."
p. 346 "Reports by Others:
In its initial monitoring of adverse reactions to aspartame, the FDA
received reports of 111 rashes and 80 cases of hives among 3,326 aspartame
complainants.
Tollefson, L., Barnard, R. J., Glinsmann, W. H.: Monitoring of adverse
reactions to aspartame reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In, Proceedings of the First International Meeting on Dietary Phenylalanine
and Brain Function, edited by R. J. Wurtman and E. Ritter-Walker, Wash.,
D.C., May 8-10, 1987, 347-372.
Kulczycki (1986) initially described two patients with aspartame-induced
hives and angioedema.
[...Hives of the eyelids,...]
* "Hives of the eyelids, lips, hands, face and trunk, along with shortness
of breath and joint swelling, were precipitated by diet colas and an
aspartame table sweeetener in a 23-year-old female. The causative role of
aspartame was confirmed by open challenge and by two double-blind challenges
using opaque capsules of aspartame or a placebo. Itching and hives occurred
within one and a half to two hours after swallowing the aspartame. Their
severity tended to correlate with the challenge dose (25 or 50 mg). [A
12-0z can of diet soda gives 200 mg.]
*A 42-year-old woman developed hives and angioedema within one hour after
swallowing aspartame drinks. They reoccured within 90 minutes after
challenge with 75 mg aspartame in a double-blind study.
Kulczycki A, Jr.: Aspartame-induced urticaria. Annals of Internal Medicine
1986 Feb; 104(2): 207-208. PMID: 3946947
Kulczycki (1987) subsequently reported an additional 224 patients who
contacted him for possible aspartame sensitivity; 154 had chronic hives,
angioedema or both. Fifty of the first 75 refrained from ingesting
aspartame for two weeks, and noted complete resolution of their hives. Of
these 50 patients, 22 reacted positively when rechallenged with aspartame.
Kulczycki, A., Jr.: Aspartame allergy. Allergy Observer 1987; June: 6.
Kulczycki, A., Jr.: Aspartame induced hives (Letter) J. of Allergy and
Clinical Immunolology 1995 Feb; 95(2): 639-640. PMID: 7852678
Comment on: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1993 Oct; 92(4): 513-20.
Downham (1992) reported 23 patients with hypersensitivity skin reactions
attributable to drinking 12-72 ounces of aspartame sodas daily. Twenty were
women. Their reactions included urticaria (19), angioedema (2), macular
purpura (2), panniculitis (2), and eczematous dermatitis (1). In each
instance, the reaction recurred after rechallenge with a diet soda, or
coffee/tea sweetened with an aspartame product.
Downham, T. F. II: Possible hypersensitivity reactions to aspartame.
Clinical Cases in Dermatology 1992; 4 (Number 4): 12-15."
[ Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich, USA.
Thomas F. Downham, M.D. (1-800-436-7936)
Specialties: Dermatology
Locations: Taylor
Board Certifications: American Board of Dermatology
American Board of Dermatology: Dermatopath
Medical School Education: University of Michigan Medical School
Post Graduate Training: Henry Ford Hospital - Internal Medicine
Wayne State University - Dermatology
Clinical and Special Medical Interests: General dermatology, drug eruptions,
bullous dermatoses, lupus erythematosus
The physician-patient relationship is sacred and is the key to quality
medical care.
Downham Dermatology, Henry Ford Medical Center-Taylor
24555 Haig Street Taylor, MI 48180 313-375-2101 Fax: 313-375-2140
info@...
Thomas F. Downham II, MD Chairman, Internet Committee
Michigan Dermatological Society June 15, 2001
thomasd@.... ]
[ ... a painful violaceous rash of the eyelids... ]
p. 352 "Case VIII-E-2: A 57-year-old medical secretary suffered aspartame
disease. Many of her manifestations were previously diagnosed as systemic
lupus erythematosus. She had been seen in consultation by an allergist, two
hematologists, two opthalmologists, a neurologist, an internist, an
endocrinologist and three dermatologists! Repeat ANA titers were elevated
to 1:2,560 or higher.
She experienced pain in both eyes, marked photosensitivity (interfering with
her ability to drive or travel), dry eyes, loss of hearing in both ears,
unexplained facial pain, palpitations, pain of the tongue and lips, intense
thirst, a painful violaceous rash of the eyelids, other eruptions, and
thinning of the hair. Various diagnostic procedures had been negative--
including skin biopsies of the lids and arms, a salivary gland biopsy, and
various antibody studies.
The patient was told about aspartame disease by her pharmacist-son. Her
daily consumption included up to 12 packets of an aspartame tabletop
sweetener, one or two cans of diet cola, eight ounces or more of an
aspartame yogurt, and other aspartame products (cereal, gelatins, gum,
mints, juice cocktails). Her eyes began to improve within several days
after avoiding aspartame products."
[ "Dry eyes, ocular irritation from contact lens, or both, occurred in 46
(8.3%) aspartame reactors, In addition to the sensation of local
discomfort and "sand" in the eyes, the eyelids of such patients tend
to become swollen and infected, at times with loss of eyelashes.
The causative or contributory role of aspartame was indicated by
these clear-cut clinical correlates: (1) prompt and gratifying
improvement of ocular and other symptoms following the cessation
of aspartame, generally within several days; and (2) their recurrence
shortly after resuming such products. This sequence predictably
recurred after rechallenge with aspartame, known or inadvertent." ]
"DRY EYES" FROM USE OF ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET): [ full text ]
Associated Insights Concerning the Sjogren Syndrome
The Townsend Letter for Doctors, Jan. 1994, by H. J. Roberts,
M.D., FCCP, FACA.
"It is of use from time to time to take stock, so to speak of our
knowledge of a particular disease, to see exactly where we stand in
regard to it, to inquire what conclusions the accumulated facts seem
to point to, and to ascertain in what direction we may look for
fruitful investigations in the future." Sir William Osler
Abstract
"Dry eyes" and associated difficulty in wearing contact lenses were
prominent complaints offered by 56 (8.3%) of 551 aspartame
reactors. Xerostomia (dry mouth) was a frequent concomitant. The
symptoms promptly improved after they stopped
aspartame-containing products, and predictably recurred on
aspartame rechallenge. The concomitant joint pains, severe
confusion, memory loss and depression also have clinical
significance, with special reference to the Sjogren syndrome.
The cause and management of "dry eyes" challenge
ophthalmologists and primary care physicians. This symptom was
unexpectedly and repeatedly encountered among patients
manifesting other reactions to products containing aspartame, a
sweetener currently being consumed by 54% of adults in the United
States. This complaint was encountered in both the routine
questioning of apparent aspartame reactors and a computerized,
9-page survey of such individuals. Many also volunteered difficulty
in wearing contact lenses due to decreased tears, dry mouth
(xerostomia), joint pains, confusion and memory loss - all
specifically attributed to the use of aspartame products.
Methods
Data were obtained from 551 persons who appeared to have
systemic reactions to aspartame. They consisted of 160 private
patients or aspartame reactors who were personally interviewed, and
391 individuals who described their adverse side effects in the
survey questionnaire...including observations after rechallenge. The
names of the latter group were supplied by Aspartame Victims and
Their Friends (courtesy of Mrs. Shannon Roth), the Community
Nutrition Institute (courtesy of Mr. Rod Leonard), and Dr.
Woodrow Monte of Arizona State University.
The completed questionnaires were analyzed with the assistance of
the Management Information System staff at the Good Samaritan
Hospital, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Results
Dry eyes, ocular irritation from contact lens, or both, occurred in 46
(8.3%) aspartame reactors, In addition to the sensation of local
discomfort and "sand" in the eyes, the eyelids of such patients tend
to become swollen and infected, at times with loss of eyelashes.
The causative or contributory role of aspartame was indicated by
these clear-cut clinical correlates: (1) prompt and gratifying
improvement of ocular and other symptoms following the cessation
of aspartame, generally within several days; and (2) their recurrence
shortly after resuming such products. This sequence predictably
recurred after rechallenge with aspartame, known or inadvertent.
These observations have been duplicated by more than a score of
patients complaining of dry eyes in subsequent aspartame reactors.
There were related problems. For example, a physician who
consumed considerable diet sodas developed a type of corneal
dystrophy generally associated with the chronic use of certain drugs
(e.g., indomethacin).
Computerized correlations between aspartame-associated dry eyes,
and "marked memory loss," "severe depression" and "severe mental
confusion" were done on the first 362 aspartame reactors who
completed the questionnaire. (There was a 30.8% response to the
initial mailing of 1,177 forms.) The correlates were as follows:
* Recent aspartame-associated dry eyes and severe depression - 18
(4.9%) * Recent aspartame-associated dry eyes and marked
memory loss - 20 (5.5%) * Recent aspartame-associated dry eyes
and severe mental confusion - 9 (2.4%)
Other complaints offered by the larger cohort had considerable
significance, with particular reference to the Sjogren syndrome.
They included excessive thirst due to dry mouth (xerostomia) in 65
(12%), and severe joint pains in 58 (11%). It is noteworthy that
three-fourths of patients in this and the large series of aspartame
reactors were women averaging 50 years, a phenomenon also
encountered in the Sjogren syndrome.
Representative Case Reports
Case 1 - A 47 year-old woman complained of severe dryness of the
eyes that required one bottle of artificial tears a week. Her
consumption of aspartame included 10-12 glasses or cups of
aspartame-sweetened beverages, the addition of a tabletop
sweetener to 3 cups of coffee in the morning, and considerable
aspartame pudding. She also suffered confusion, significant memory
loss, intense headaches (never previously a problem), impaired
hearing, lightheadedness, severe "nervousness," muscle cramps, and
depressions with suicidal thoughts. These symptoms markedly
improved after stopping aspartame, and disappeared within several
weeks. She no longer required artificial tears. Such dramatic
improvement enabled her to travel abroad several weeks later with
her church group for relief work.
Case 2 - A 36 year-old businesswoman complained of recent
difficulty wearing contact lenses. She had been consuming
considerable amounts of soft drinks and gum containing aspartame.
These and other symptoms - including lightheadedness, headache
and leg cramps - abated within two weeks after all aspartame
products were avoided.
Case 3 - a 61 year-old female court reporter developed dry eyes and
bilateral blurring of vision. Other recent complaints included marked
memory loss, severe headache, dizziness, extreme irritability, and
atypical facial and joint pains. As a result, she had been making
many errors at work. The patient improved "immediately" when she
ran out of aspartame-containing beverages, and resumed regular
sodas. She therefore deduced that aspartame products had been
causing her problems. Her previous daily consumption included 4
cans of aspartame soft drinks, 2 glasses of aspartame hot chocolate,
and 6 packets of an aspartame tabletop sweetener.
Comment
The unexpected associated of aspartame use and dry eyes offers
clues concerning this symptom and the Sjogren syndrome. Other
problems encountered in aspartame reactors, especially dry mouth
and joint pains provide related insights.
Two reactors who complained of "thick saliva" developed
enlargement and tenderness of the parotid glands. The secretory
structures of the salivary glands presumably had been affected by
aspartame, as well as the lacrimal glands. The affinity of aspartame
for salivary glands were demonstrated experimentally by the prompt
uptake of isotopically-labelled aspartame.
The Sjogren or sicca syndrome affects an estimated 2% of the adult
population. The reduction or absence of lacrimal and salivary
secretions results in dry eyes and dryness of the mouth. (The
diagnostic lipstick-on-teeth sign consists of lipstick adhering to the
upper front teeth). This disorder is presently regarding as a chronic
autoimmune disorder resulting from lymphocyte-mediated
destruction of these glands and changes in the points.
A vicious cycle is likely to ensue if considerable
aspartame-containing beverages are consumed because of the
intense thirst created by severe dryness of the mouth. Weiffenbach
et al. demonstrated that taste impairment is not a necessary
consequence of salivary gland dysfunction among patients with "dry
mouth" caused by the chronic absence of saliva. Accordingly, such
individuals may come to prefer the taste of aspartame in satisfying
their chronic thirst, with perpetuation of the sicca syndrome.
The systemic and central nervous system sequelae of the Sjogren
syndrome underscore the potential importance of these findings.
Cognitive impairment and lamenting features have been reported by
one-fourth of Sjogren patients. Severe confusion and memory loss
also were noted in 157 (28.5%) aspartame reactors in the present
series. Indeed, many reactors in their third and fourth decades
asked, "Could I be developing early Alzheimer's disease?" The
prompt and impressive regression of their confusion and memory
impairment after abstinence from aspartame proved reassuring.
Several phenomenon may explain cerebral dysfunction associated
with aspartame use. They include flooding of the brain with large
amounts of phenylalanine (50% of the aspartame molecule),
disturbances of neurotransmitters (especially dopamine), other
effects of its three chemical components (phenylalanine, aspartic
acid, methanol), methanol-induced cerebral edema, and glucopenia
due to increased insulin release and concomitant decreased food
intake in an attempt to lose weight.
************************************************************
Appendix I:
[ I have have not corrected text, typos, or spelling, except to assemble
longer lines. Each of these cases describes major improvements within
weeks of giving up aspartame. The varied symptoms are consistent with
chronic long-term low-dose formaldehyde toxicity ]
"...I had unexplained rashes, my hair started to fall out..."
TO: Rhonda and Randy Rhockinrho@*****
FROM:
bettym19@...
DATE: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 23:47:22 -0500
SUBJECT: Re: I'm a new person Aspartame Disease /Markle/World
Environmental Conference post
-0500,
Rhockinrho@... wrote:
Dear Ms. Betty,
Thank you for all your (and your friends) wonderful work. I
firmly believe it saved my life.
I was always a very active person, worked long hours, raised a
family and continued to follow my love of art. I started drinking
Diet Coke in the early 80's when it came on the market, but in very
small quantities. Over the years I started to have mood swings and
unexplained physical problems. Doctors wrote it off as having had a
hysteretomy at an early age or the stress of being a single parent.
In Aug. of 2000 I was injured at work and due to the nature of my
injury, cronic pain in both wrists, I began to see a round of Doctors
trying to get a diagnosis. In the mean time depression and anxiety
attacks started to take over my life. I had also started drinking 6,
8 and sometimes more 12 oz. cans of Diet Coke. I gained 30 pounds, on
my thin frame I looked bloated all the time. I had unexplained
rashes, my hair started to fall out, memory loss, loss of focus ( I
could no longer read a book and remember what I had just read - I've
always been an avid reader and this was devastating). My friends and
family started thinking that I was a cronic alcoholic due to my mood
swings and unpredictable behaivor. At first they tried to help but
then began to avoid me. My social life became going to doctors and
whoever happened to be on TV. (Sometimes I would change the channel and
forget what I had just watched on the other channel)
Doctors tested me for everything from Lupus and MS to having
several MRI and other types of scans. The only thing they didn't test
me for was leprosy and I was begining to think that was next.
I've only been married for 3 years (2nd time around) and I thank
God he is man he is . He stuck by me and encouraged me to find an
answer when most men would have bailed out . I was sick for 2 years of
our 3 year marraige, unable to perform even the most simple of tasks.
He would work and then come home to cook dinner and do most of the
household chores. I continued to go to doctors, both for my hands and
therapy for the depression. I was diagnosed with everything from
Carpal Tunnel to faking it, one Dr. at Vanderbuilt went so far as to
call me a liar. About 3 months ago I was told by a neurologist that I
had Accute Fibral Myalgia, the great dumping ground for "We don't know
what the heck it is".
I prayed so hard for something that whould head me in the right
direction. I was taking meds for the depression and panic attacks
then washing it down with Diet Coke. Then one day out of the blue my
brother sent me the Markle letter . That letter started me on the
path to finding you and the information I needed. Then on to finding
my health, I'm still recovering and still have plenty of problems but
now I have hope, something I didn't have 3 months ago. My entire
family has given up anything that says Sugar Free or Artificial
Sweetners.
I have lost 20 of the 30 pounds I gained, 17 of them in the first 2
weeks! My depression is under control for the most part but I'm still
fighting the panic attacks. After 20 years of partaking of something I
thought safe I'm sure it's going to be a long road back but at atleast
now I have a road map. I still have good days and bad days but now
the good is way ahead! My hands I'm afraid will probably never
recover fully as I have Peripheral Neuropathy, the outer coating of the
nerves in my wrists are worn off, due to the type of work I have
done. But atleast I know I'm not going crazy and my quality of life
has improved dramatically.
I don't know how to thank you and everyone else enough except to
spread the word. And I'm doing that the old fashioned way, by talking
to everyone I possibly can.
My husband made the comment to me when I finally discovered the
truth about this poison, He said " I tried it once and it smelled
like embaling fluid, and I just could't drink it" When Diet Coke
first came on the market worked for a funeral home and was quite
familiar with the smell. We never put the two together until I found the
dorway site. He too is thankful for your information and giving him
his wife back.
Keep up the good work and I will try to do the same on my end.
Thank you for giving us our life back.
With all Love and Respect, Rhonda and Randy
P.S. I just talked with my Aunt who's daughter is living with MS.
I have given her the web address but I'm also having lunch with her
tommorow and will continue the discussion. I'm praying that my cousin
is atleast open to the idea. If my talking, which I love to do, can
help one person, then I've accomplished something and all my pain was
worth it.
May the Angels be with you.
*********************
[ Wanda had a variety of eye, skin, and hair problems. ]
To: wlw <74218bjw@*****>
FROM:
bettym19@...
DATE: Sun, 15 Dec 2002 04:38:50 -0500
SUBJECT: Aspartame Disease: Joint pain, surgery effect, vertigo, etc.
(plus info on prolotherapy)
From: "wlw" <74218bjw@*****>
To: <
bettym19@...>
Subject: Aspartame Poisoning (You are a God Send)
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 19:56:18 -0600
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200
Hello
First I would like to thank you for all the information on the web about
aspartame poisoning. This is my story:
I have been sick for approximately the past six or seven years. I have
gone to the doctor so many times that I have lost count. Betty Martini
I can't thank you enough for the information on the web about Aspartame
Poisoning. If not for this site I truly believe that in a year I would
have been crippled and I would have finally died. I had lost my
spirit..my soul was leaving and I was beginning not to care. I had lost
most of my faith in the medical system and in doctors. I truly had lost
all faith in medication!!!!!!!! I truly have my own pharmacy here at
home!!!
About two months ago my health went spiraling down hill fast. When I
truly think back I was progressively getting sick even before that.
These were my symptoms:
Headache...Blurred Vision...Dizziness....Constant Sinus problems to the
point where the doctor had given me an inhaler...(it had progressed to
wheezing)...eyes burring at times...coughing at times
uncontrollably..tired all the time...bouts with diarrhea...nauseated all
the time..stomach bloated...forgetfulness..rash...chills..fever...chills
where I would be shaking...weight gain....Heart Palpitations....Chest
Pain...Mentral Cramps from HELL had started to plaque me that lasted the
whole time with terrible headaches...Itching...Hunger...numbness in my
legs sometimes and my hands..fingers...my skin started to get dry and
cracked..acne was baddd...started getting bad spots on my face and
really dry skin....my skin started turning dark in areas.....my finger
nails changed colors...started splitting and grew out with ridges in
them from the nail beds...toe nails to same thing....heart beating
fast..ringing in my ears...numbness in my face and my ear... my gums
changing colors....from a brown (I'm African American) to a light dull
red or pink...rash on my back and chest...had to hold on to the
bannister and the wall to walk down the stairs...when I got up in the
mornings I couldn't stand straight up for about an hour...had to work my
way up to it....
I went from doctor to doctor..dermatologist to dermatologist...and back
giving medication and all sorts of things that didn't work....I even
order proactive and it didn't work either.....I had growths on my face
that resembled moles but wasn't moles some kind of acne I uess...skinned
started to get wrinkled and around my eyes was turning "dark" above and
below and wrinkly... I was scared and didn't know what the hell was
going on with my body and the doctors couldn't tell me. I was having
hormonal symptoms to.
After awhile I stopped going to the doctor because all I got was
medicine that didn't work and I stop taking because it wasn't working
and I was losing faith in the medical system. I had to go to the
emergency room because I was having the following symptoms some of which
I had had all along but got worse. I packed my bags and called two of my
friends to let them know because I truly thought I was going to have a
heart attack or a stroke. Now these symptoms got progressively worse
because I went the second day to the emergency room. These were my
symptoms:
Headache....dizziness.....pain in my body and joints...muscle spasms
(painful) ...the right side of my face was numb..my right ear..down my
neck right side and behind right side....heart beating fast....ringing
in my ears...speed up for a while then slow down the speed up out of the
blue...I could feel it. When I got in the examining room I ask for a
bottle to urinate in because I made sure I drank enough so I would have
to urinate. The intern said she didn't think I would have to but I
insisted saying if the doctor doesn't need it then we can just throw it
away. She agreed. After talking to an intern and the doctor (Dr
Sellers) and the doctor doing a bunch of manual test on me the emergency
room doctor diagnosed me with Vertigo and sent me home. He gave me
something for nausea and dizziness (TIGAN and MECLIZINE).I asked alot of
questions but it just did not satisfy me because it didn't all fit. I
got home and looked up Vertigo on the internet and all the symptoms did
not fit. I knew something else was wrong or I needed to know what was
causing the vertigo. I got so sick on the way home I had to pull over
to the side of the road for a little while before proceeding home.
Needless to say the medication did not work for I was still dizzy and
still nauseated.
Approximately three weeks later my health was spiraling down hill again
fast. I was scared but did not believe in the medical system anymore so
I didn't go to the hospital. Instead I just started to finally give up.
I had bad bad cramps in my stomach and stomach pain. I was
dizzy..blurred vision...slurred speech..body pain and just sick all
over. I just prayed about it and gave it to god literally. I told him
that I wasn't scared to die because my grandmother was up there and my
little dog.. my aunt and two uncles and a little cousin. I just wanted
to know why. Not why is this happening to me just why am I sick ....
what's the cause. Ms Martini I was really tired. I had already
withdrawn from ALL my friends never answered my door if I heard
it...didn't answer the phone to much. I guess I was depressed. I had
mood swings and just a overall attitude of why am I even here to keep
suffering like this and to make it worse "with no explanation". Then I
just laid down just to feel my heart beating sooooo fast and my head
hurting nauseated and running to the bathroom...chest pains..numbness in
my face again dizziness...so I got on the computer again and looked up
heart failure..diabetes...stroke...etc.
Then for some reason I just got mad and went in the bathroom and got
everything I use on my face...everything I bath with (all cosmetics)
everything that I eat and drink and brought it up here and put the
ingredients in this computer to look it all up. It took me awhile but
when I got to my CRYSTAL LIGHT and got to aspartame it hit me like a ton
of breaks. There it was POISON. I was slowly poisoning myself to
death. I drank Crystal Light All The Time for Years. I could not
believe it. All this time being sick. I had even made a comment to a
friend that if I didn't live by myself and cook my own food I would
swear that someone was poisoning me. Little did I know I was poisoning
myself with the APPROVAL OF THE FDA. Just sickening. Then I cried and
I cried and I cried because I was mad I was sooo very angry and when I
thought about all the older people I see putting those little packets of
poison in their coffee and tea it just made me more angry. I thought
about the kids who can't explain their symptoms and wonder do they even
care. Children are so precious and should not be hurt in anyway and the
elderly is just as precious. The should get old and die from old age
not from poison. Then the elderly would think they were just getting old
and getting sick like that was part of it. Then I thought about all the
people who don't know and I made a promise that I would tell EVERYONE I
know. I started making phone calls to Kraft Foods who were on a
different time zone from me but of course they didn't call me back but I
got a confirmation number. I went to their site and saw where people
asked about the phenylalaine and their answer was full of it. I went to
slim fast and their answer was even WORSE.
I called NatraTaste which I forgot to tell you. I went and bought some
Green Tea after the time that I went to the emergency room. I was
sweetening it with sugar. I thought that sweetened it with sugar was
just defeating the purpose of why I'm drinking the green tea in the
first place. I wanted to get some honey. When I went to get the honey
the store was out so I went to Wal-Mart and found NatraTaste instead. I
taste like sugar and even had almost the texture of sugar. I made my
green tea and put about two of those in it because it was a oversized
tea cup. Well I got a headache when I drank it but at the time I didn't
know that was the cause. I didn't put it together until after I read
your site. NatraTaste contains 100% aspartame. I sometimes got sugar
free jello and a few other sugar free or light things. Sometimes chewed
sugar free gum or gum sweetened with aspartame.
About March I had to go to the dentist because I had a growth on my gums
and they were getting sore. Now I truly believe it was caused by
aspartame usage. I drank Crystal Light all the time. I even took it to
work with me to keep me from going to the drink machine. I would even
buy diet sprite or diet 7up and sometimes added it to the Crystal Light
unknowingly to me making myself a poison cotail. I like Wine Coolers
but I don't drink that often but I do remember that they sometimes made
my body ache after I drank one ( something that I can't explain the
feeling throughout my whole body ). I remembered when my nephew came to
stay with me for the summer I let him drink crystal light to and not
coolaid because it had so much sugar. I remember him telling me that he
had a headache and I just told him to go lay down and I would come and
lay down with him. I thought it was because it was so hot so I just
made him drink water...(THANK GOD FOR THAT) he was just 6 years old
then.
The night I saw your website I was drinking Crystal Light. I threw it
out went and got some water and that's what I've been drinking every
since. After about 3 days my headaches decreased. My body didn't ache
so much and my VISION CLEARED. I wasn't so dizzy after about five days.
Not one more stomach cramp since I stopped. It has been about 3 weeks
now. I feel much better. I tell you what Ms Martini I feel better but I
think I have done some long time damage to myself.
My face on the right side still gets a little numb though not like
before. My ear on the right side gets numb. My ears still ring but not
like before. The pain in my neck is still here and behind my ear. When
I go back to the doctor I'm going to ask for a brain scan and a CT scan
to make sure I don't have a brain tumor because when I look up my
symptoms that's what comes up. I have some of them. My all over
headache is gone but I do have a headache sometimes on the right side of
my head above my ear and behind my ear in my neck somewhere close to the
base of my scull. I'm scared but I'm going. I know if I do that the
ASPARTAME did it.
There so many things that I can remember now and the common denominator
for all is ASPARTAME. I can remember a female stationed with me at Fort
Hood Texas. She use to have terrible migraine headaches to the point
where she had to be put on bed rest or quarters for days at a time and I
remember she use to drink Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi. Some people thought
she was faking but I could see the pain in her face. If they only
knew. I'm making a book and I want to take it to the head of the
hospital at Fort Leonard to let him know about this. I have called the
First Sergeants that I know and told them. I just retired last April
and the last years in the Army were filled with pain and sickness from
this poison. The doctor had even given me medicine for Arthritis and
that didn't help either. Nothing could help because I was still
drinking the poison. As I get better I realize different symptoms that
I had that are leaving and I know it was the Crystal Light ...Wylers
Lite ( same as crystal light just add something to make it dissolve
better in water) sugar free jello...sugar free gum....
Ms Martini you and the others are helping so many people and I CANNOT
THANK YOU ENOUGH. To think that I even drank that poison in Saudi and even
then I had to go to the doctor for pain. When I came back I was
still going to the doctor. I just cannot believe that the FDA or
congress will allow this to continue. Don't they care about the
CHILDREN.
I searched and searched for a case about crystal light making someone
sick and I found them. Well I will email you again after holidays. I'm
going to the doctor Wednesday to get those test.
THANK YOU AGAIN WANDA
"Early on I started with a condition under both arms and in the
groin that I considered to be "Jock itch". I started using Cortasone 10
cremes and if I used that at least every other day the condition could be
controlled and if not the sores were very raw and bloody and boy did it
burn. I continued to use the cortosone up until recently. Also about
that time I developed a thick scaling in the scalp and around the ears
that I thought might just be exzema or worse and I used head and
shoulders shampoo but it didnt control it."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1068
classic aspartame case, Fred Keville, 62, diabetic 3 years, quit aspartame
about 3 months ago: Murray 2.10.4
At 02:10 PM 3/9/2004, Fred Keville wrote [to Betty Martini]:
Hello, My name is Fred Keville. I am a 62 year old caucasion male who
retired as a deputy sheriff in 1997 and who became a metal artist. Every
thing in my life was going very well health wise until about three years
ago when my personal physician diagnosed me with Diabetes. From day one
he advised me to use diet foods and drinks such as "diet cokes and others"
as I would have to stay away from the consumption of regular sugar. I
didnt much like the taste of diet drinks or diet foods but he scared me
enough about my diebetes condition that I switched to only diet foods. I
began my diabetes life with oral medications of Glucaphage and Avandia. A
couple of years later I had continued to gain weight and I was falling
apart. I had occassional headaches that I couldnt explain as I never had
them before. All of my joints ached constantly especially my knees and
hands. I thought I had arthuritis and the diabetes was taking hold of my
health in a very negative way.
Early on I started with a condition under both arms and in the
groin that I considered to be "Jock itch". I started using Cortasone 10
cremes and if I used that at least every other day the condition could be
controlled and if not the sores were very raw and bloody and boy did it
burn. I continued to use the cortosone up until recently. Also about
that time I developed a thick scaling in the scalp and around the ears
that I thought might just be exzema or worse and I used head and
shoulders shampoo but it didnt control it. My lower legs and feet were
swelling and I could no longer wear my favorite cow boy boots and most of
the time I had to wear soft slippers.
Traveling became almost impossible. Besides all of these
problems I had frequent urination problems and rarely got more than two
hours of sleep at a time. I was becoming more and more irratable around
my wife. My Doctor during this period of time was totally exasperated
with me as I couldnt control my blood sugar levels and I continued to
gain weight and by this time I was up to 320 pounds.
About a year ago my Doctor put my on insulin in an effort to
control the blood sugar levels. He started me out on low doses at first
but with 3 months I was up to using 65 units of 70/30 humilin in the AM
and 60 units in the PM. Sometimes I would test in the morning and I
would be 105 and sometimes I would be 205. I was not eating very much at
all but I could never convince him of that. By this time I was
developing so many physical problems that I couldnt keep track of them
all. In the morning for the first few minutes my vision was blurry as if
I had a film coating over my eyes but then it would gradually
disappear. I started having ringing or hissing in my ears that woulnt go
away. Every morning I would run hot water over my hands so that I could
close them. My knuckes were swollen and again I blamed it on
arthuritis. I blamed every thing on my age and diabetes. If I got down
on my hands and knees to do something I was unable to get back up without
crawling over to the wall or some furniture.
One day as I was driving my 84 year old mother to her dialysis
appointment I began questioning her about any illnesses I might of had
while growing up. "I never took you boys to the Doctor while you were
growing up other than for broken bones." My brothers and I were very
active living in the country. Our diet in those days was meat, potato's,
fresh vegetables, fruit and home made bread and fresh milk.
My Mother then said, "you worse off than me" to which I replied
"He doesnt know what all is wrong with me as all my blood tests are O.K.
and everything, Im at my wits end. I was getting real depressed and even
contimplated ending it all. My whole life I had been very healthy and
real strong and now I was as weak as could be. I then started reading
books and surfing the internet. After a few weeks I found
"Dorway". Long story short, I cleaned out my pantry and kitchen of all
the sugar free Jello, pudding, No sugar added IceCream, sugar free
cookies and Diet Drinks that contained aspertame. Within 3 days I
noticed some improvement. Within 2 weeks I felt like a thirty year old
again. I could drop down and do about 5 push ups and wanted to go
walking around the farm. My knees completely cleared up and the head
aches went away. With the help of using Aloe Vera Gel in my scalp and in
my shower soap my skin condition cleared up 90 percent. I have not had
one bit of under arm and groin rash since I quit using
aspertame products. Did I mention that I also had been writting a book on
my computer but I was unable to concentrate on spelling even the most
simple of words until I got off that darn poison. I'm back to writting
again. I'm now starting up in my metal shop which I stopped doing nine
months ago.
Now here's the good part. I went in to see my Doctor about
six weeks ago about a cyst on my inner thigh that may or may not be
related to Aspertame use. Anyway he had already given up on me regarding
my Diabetes condition and scheduled me to see a Diabetic Specialist for
the 17th of this month. I had gain 18 pounds on the last visit with him
and my blood sugar levels were still out of control.
He asked me in general conversation, "well how you been
doing". I said "Great, never been better"
By the way Doctor do you still use sugar free food and
drinks? Sure, I drink diet pepsi, to which I replied, Well Doc you might
consider giving them up. You see Doc, Ive had Aspertame toxins in me
since you first advised me to use them three years ago. Besides feeling
great now, my blood sugar levels have come down to about 95 in the
morning and about 110 in the PM and besides did you notice what my weight
is today compared to three weeks ago. He checked his Nurses notes and
said your down considerably. about 20 pounds. I replied, Yeh Doctor and
I dont even crave any thing sweet any more. Hmm, very interesting, let
me know how your improving. He didnt have a clue about aspertame. I
then took the new prescription and went to my trusted Pharmacist who
didnt have a clue about the effects of Aspertame either.
Then it hit me, the medical profession doesnt have a clue
about food additives not even Aspertame. By the way I also told my
Doctor that probably a third of his patients probably has Aspertame
poisoning and he never knew it. To that he didnt have a response.
I'm now reading every thing I can get my hands on regarding
Aspertame. I've gotten three Diabetic friends off any thing sugar free
or diet.
If you dont remember the sixties very well there was a saying
back then. "Power to the People".
If I had my way there wouldnt be a congressman or Senator
serving one more term unless he got on the band wagon and helped all of
us victims of this terrrible injustice. We need to get literature out
just before election time so any one would know how to vote
responsibly. This is the only way we can get enough people
educated. "I'M WONDERING, WHAT MORE CAN I DO". Should I mail all my
sugar free drinks back to where they came from? No body and I mean
nobody is so big and powerful that they cant be crippled legally. Forget
your scientists and their truth ful results as that hasnt worked and
never will. Hit em where it hurts. You have to ask your self one more
question. If the movement to educated people like me is having any
success then how come this ol' cowboy had to go through three years of
living hell before I accidently "stumbled" across all the good word that
you are putting out.
I'm not going to apologize for the length of this e-mail
because it all had to be said. I'm just an average guy who fought for
his country and did everything asked of me only to be poisoned by my own
country the good ol' U.S. of A.
God Bless and Guide you now and always, Your Friend, Fred
Keville, Lodi, Calif. (209)333-0420 and e-mail /
<mailto:
country@...>
country@...
P.S. May I hear back from you, your thoughts./
************************************************************
Appendix J:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/927
Donald Rumsfeld, 1977 head of Searle Corp., got aspartame FDA approval:
Turner: Murray 12.23.2 rmforall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1039
three-page review: aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity:
Murray 11.22.3 rmforall
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspart (Message over 64k, truncated.)
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