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http://www.mdlabs.com/Aspartame.html
The Dangers of Aspartame. by Dr. Chris Lydon

What is aspartame?
l-aspartyl-1-phenylalanine methyl ester (a.k.a. Equal, NutraSweet,
Spoonful, Equal measure, etc.) has three components:
phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%), and methanol (a.k.a. wood
alcohol, 10%). Aspartame proponents have argued that the two amino acids
phenylalanine and aspartic acid which comprise 90% of aspartame by
weight, are a "harmless" and "natural" part of our diet. Moreover, they
insist that aspartic acid is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, a
substance already present in the human central nervous system. While
phenylalanine and aspartic acid are amino acids normally supplied by the
foods we eat, they can only be considered "harmless" and "natural" when
consumed in combination with other amino acids. As isolates, they enter
the central nervous system in abnormally high concentrations, causing
aberrant neuronal firing and even cell death. The neurotoxic effects of
phenylalanine and aspartic acid have been linked to headaches, mental
confusion, balance problems, and even seizures. (1,2,3,4)

I can hear your protests: "I've never had these symptoms from using
aspartame. Nothing bad has ever happened to me."
Reality check: the damage caused by excitotoxin food additives is not
usually dramatic. In most instances, the effects are subtle,
cumulative, and develop over a long period of time. Moreover,
excitotoxins have been shown to stimulate the generation of free
radicals which can impact tissues and organs outside the central
nervous system. Available evidence indicates that free radical
production accelerates many degenerative illnesses such as
atherosclerosis, cancer, coronary artery disease, and arthritis. (5)
Hence it should come as no surprise that joint pain is a major complaint
among aspartame reactors (individuals who report adverse reactions). (6)

Perhaps even more worrisome, 10% of aspartame intake is absorbed by the
bloodstream as methanol, or wood alcohol. The Environmental Protection
Agency defines safe consumption as no more than 7.8 mg/day of this
dangerous substance. A one-liter aspartame-sweetened beverage contains
about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products
ingest as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.
(3,7) And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Aspartame's breakdown
products, or metabolites, are even scarier than its components.
Phenylalanine, exposed to warm temperatures or prolonged storage,
decomposes into Dikeyopiperazine, or DPK, a known carcinogen. And even
at cold temperatures, methanol will spontaneously give rise to
formaldehyde. (3,8,9,10) Independent studies have shown that
formaldehyde formation from aspartame ingestion is very common and
accumulates within the cells, reacting with cellular proteins like
enzymes and DNA. The fact that aspartame collects with each dose could
spell grave consequences for those who consume aspartame-laden diet
drinks and foodstuffs on a daily basis. (1,3,5)

Is everyone at the same risk for these side effects?
The blood brain barrier is a system of specialized capillary structures
designed to exclude toxic substances from entering the brain. There are
any number of medical conditions which can render the blood brain
barrier incompetent. Hypertension, diabetes, head trauma, brain tumors,
strokes, certain drugs, smoking, drinking, Alzheimers, vitamin and
mineral deficiencies, hypoglycemia, heat stroke, radiation, multiple
sclerosis, aging, and certain infections have all been shown to
compromise the integrity of the blood brain barrier. Aspartame
reactions tend to be magnified among individuals who fit these
profiles. (5,7,8,11)

Before birth and during the first twelve months of life, the blood brain
barrier is incomplete and will allow dangerous excitotoxins such as
aspartic acid and phenylalanine free access to the developing nervous
system. (12) As if this weren't enough, the concentrating effects of the
placenta are able to magnify blood phenylalanine by as much as four to
six fold in the fetus. (10,12) Fetal phenylalanine has the potential
to reach levels that kill cells in tissue culture. It's not much of a
stretch to presume these concentrations harbor the threat of mental
retardation and birth defects in the developing infant. Experimentally,
we know that infants are four times more sensitive to excitotoxins than
adults. (5) During the first year of life, irreversible brain damage
can even occur through agents contained in breast milk. Despite this,
the American Dietetic Association recommend aspartame for pregnant and
nursing women! (12) Surprise, surprise. . . the Monsanto Corporation,
manufacturers of NutraSweet and Equal, generously fund the American
Dietetic Association. (12,13) What a bunch of humanitarians!

What is "Aspartame Disease?"
Aspartame disease refers to a constellation of symptoms attributed to
the use of products containing aspartame. Its frequent features include
headache, dizziness, poor equilibrium, confusion, impaired vision,
convulsions, tinnitus, slurred speech, tremors, chronic fatigue
syndrome, motor and sensory disturbances affecting the limbs, and even
neuropsychiatric disorders. (14) Since its introduction as a food
additive in 1981, aspartame has accounted for more than 75% of all
complaints reported to the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System.
In February 1994, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
released this extensive list of aspartame-induced reactions which
encompassed everything from chronic fatigue syndrome and seizures to
infertility and death. (2,9) By the FDA's own admission, fewer than ONE
PERCENT of those who react to a product ever report it. This balloons
the 10,000 documented accounts to roughly a million people who likely
experienced a reaction. Moreover, most victims don't have a clue that
aspartame may be the cause of their problems. (2,4,12,15)

Brain Damage and Seizures
The flooding of the brain with large amounts of phenylalanine,
disturbances of endogenous neurotransmitters, and methanol-induced
cerebral edema are just some of the many proposed mechanisms by which
aspartame is believed to cause cerebral dysfunction. Aspartic acid is a
neuroexcitatory toxin present in damaging amounts at the accepted daily
intake for aspartame. Formaldehyde derived from methanol accumulates in
certain areas of the brain which correspond to the neurodegenerative
symptomatologies of Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and ALS (Lou Gherig's
Disease). (7,10) Of note, these conditions are all associated with free
radical injury, a known effect of the excitotoxins phenylalanine and
aspartic acid. (5) While aspartame is probably not a primary cause of
neurodegenerative diseases, it could well precipitate these disorders
and certainly exacerbate their symptoms. (2,10)

Studies have established that aspartame has seizure-promoting activity
in animal models. It's believed that the sweetener can increase seizure
frequency among epileptics and even initiate seizures in susceptible
individuals with no prior history. (4)

Brain Tumors
According to the National Cancer Institute, there has been a 10%
increase in the incidence of common primary malignant brain cancers
since 1985, and perhaps as early as 1984. This phenomenon occurred 1-2
years following licensing of the chemical aspartame for beverages in
July 1983 and includes a disproportionate rise in glioblastoma,
astrocytoma, and primary brain lymphoma among young women, who are
known to be consuming considerable amounts of aspartame. There has also
been an increased occurrence of gliomas among children whose mothers
consumed aspartame during pregnancy. The significance of this escalation
is underscored by the high incidence of brain tumors in rats after the
experimental administration of aspartame. (9,10)

Vision Impairment
Each of the components of aspartame and their multiple breakdown
products are potentially toxic to the retina and optic nerves. Methanol
poisoning is notorious for causing vision problems and blindness. Its
primary metabolite, formaldehyde, is also known to cause retinal damage.
Aspartame use has been linked to visual disturbances which include
blindness in one or both eyes, blurring, flashes, tunnel vision, double
vision, eye pain, dryness, retinal detachment and bleeding. (2,7)

Dr. H. J. Roberts of West Palm Beach Florida has treated hundreds of
aspartame reactors. One fourth of his patients experienced decreased
vision or blindness, which he considers "the most serious complication"
of aspartame use. According to Roberts, the optic nerve swelling,
retinal degeneration, and visual impairment associated with heavy
aspartame use is identical to the pathology that was observed in cases
of methanol toxicity from drinking wood alcohol during the days of
Prohibition. (9)

And if that isn't enough to scare the blue stuff right out of your
double latte, take a lesson from the armed services. In the May 1992
edition of their "Journal Flying Safety", the United States Air Force
warned all pilots off of aspartame, stating: . . . some people have
suffered aspartame related disorders with doses as small as that carried
in a single stick of chewing gum. This could mean a pilot who drinks
diet sodas is more susceptible to flicker vertigo, or to flicker-induced
epileptic activity. It also means that all pilots are potential victims
of sudden memory loss, dizziness during instrument flight and gradual
loss of vision. (16)

Multiple Sclerosis
High aspartame consumption has been known to cause word slurring, loss
of equilibrium, and other neurological sequelae. Methanol toxicity
secondary to aspartame has been so frequently misdiagnosed as multiple
sclerosis, that some experts recommend deferring the diagnosis of MS for
several months after abstinence from NutraSweet and related products.
(2) In the cases of methanol toxicity, the neurological symptoms
resolve after aspartame is eliminated from the diet. (7)

Diabetes Mellitus
Many diabetics experience difficulties specifically attributed to using
aspartame products. These include the loss of diabetic control, the
intensification of hypoglycemia, the occurrence of presumed insulin
reactions (including convulsions), and the precipitation, aggravation
or simulation of impaired vision and neuropathy. In most cases,
symptoms improve once aspartame products are discontinued. (13)
Despite overwhelming evidence that aspartame use can worsen diabetic
complications, the American Diabetic Association continues to promote
aspartame use for diabetics. Hey, guess what? The unflappable
philanthropists at the Monsanto Corporation donate generously to the
American Diabetic Association. In fact, they sponsor the diabetic
walk-a-thons, and everyone wears Equal t-shirts. (12,13)

Headaches
Headache is the most frequently reported adverse reaction to aspartame
products. It is a major complaint in one out of two aspartame reactors.
Aspartame products must be considered as a causative agent or
aggravating factor in persons having unexplained headache. Similarly,
patients who are subject to migraine and other types of recurrent
headache should avoid exposure to all products containing aspartame.(11)

Hypertension
Dozens of aspartame reactors, never previously diagnosed with
hypertension, experience elevated blood pressure after ingesting
products containing the sweetener. Others with known hypertension are
not adequately controlled on their maintenance medication when using
even small amounts of aspartame. The elevation in blood pressure
presumably reflects the effects of phenylalanine and its metabolic
products, which include dopamine, norepiniphrine, and epinephrine. (17)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Probably without ever intending to do so, the United States government
in conjunction with soda companies succeeded in performing a large scale
aspartame experiment on humans. During the Persian Gulf War, truckloads
of diet soda were sent to our troops. The cans sat for up to eight
weeks on pallets in the 120° Arabian sun, and thirsty soldiers drank
the stuff all day long. Is it really any surprise that Desert Storm
Syndrome symptoms are identical to aspartame disease? Thousands of
troops returned home complaining of memory loss, vision problems,
chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, headaches, manic depression,
dizziness, equilibrium problems, confusion etc. The Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome and Immunologic Disease Society (CFIDS) claims 6000 troops to
date have perished as a result of "Desert Storm Syndrome." (12)

But how will I ever stay on my diet without aspartame?
The fact that aspartame may actually cause weight GAIN is perhaps the
cruelest irony of all. Phenylalanine and aspartic acid, the amino acid
components of aspartame, are known to stimulate insulin release. This
insulin spike clears glucose from the bloodstream and can result in
hypoglycemia and sugar cravings. (10) Moreover, aspartame has been
demonstrated to inhibit the carbohydrate-induced synthesis of the
neurotransmitter seritonin, which signals that the body is sated.
Inhibition of seritonin leads to food cravings, increased carbohydrate
consumption, and ultimately, weight gain. (9,12) At least one study
indicated that switching to an aspartame-free diet translates to an
average weight LOSS of 19 pounds. (9)

The Truth Behind The Lies.
Consumption of aspartame has vastly exceeded what was expected when the
original toxicology was done in the early 1970's by Illinois-based G.D.
Searle & Co., which owned the patent. (Searle was purchased in 1985 by
the St. Louis-based Monsanto Co., which now sells close to $1 billion
in NutraSweet annually through its subsidiary, the NutraSweet Kelco
Co.) (15) Many would argue that the current ingestion of aspartame
products by over half the adult population in the United States
constitutes an imminent public health hazard. Yet the industrial-medical
complex fails to warn even the high risk groups about the potential
dangers. (13) You may wonder how this stuff was ever approved by the FDA
in the first place.

For over eight years the FDA refused to approve aspartame because it was
known to produce seizures and brain tumors in lab animals. (2,10) One
pivotal study by Searle's researchers, the "Waisman Study," initially
indicated that aspartame ingestion caused convulsions and death in
primates. However, conclusions could not be reached because the study
was never completed. Searle blamed "limitations in inadequately skilled
laboratory personnel" for their decision to terminate the study. By
their own acknowledgement, Searle lacked competent research staff. (9)
Two FDA investigative task forces issued scathing reports on the quality
of the company's research and in 1976, the FDA's general counsel
requested a federal grand jury investigation of the company. For
whatever reasons, the investigation was never undertaken. (15)

Even the National Soft Drink Association (NSDA) initially rallied
against aspartame. In a 30-page protest submitted for congressional
review in 1983, they wrote: Searle has not characterized the
decomposition products of aspartame in soft drinks under temperature
conditions to which the beverages are likely to be exposed in the United
States. . . . Collectively, the extensive deficiencies in the stability
studies conducted by Searle to demonstrate that aspartame and its
degradation products are safe in soft drinks intended to be sold in the
United States, render those studies inadequate and unreliable. (18)

Shortly after President Reagan took office, he appointed Dr. Arthur Hull
Hayes as the new FDA commissioner. In 1980, a Public Board of Inquiry
that was asked to review scientific data on aspartame voted 3-0 to keep
it off the market pending further studies on the brain cancer issue. Dr.
Hayes OVERRULED his own board of inquiry and in 1981, and aspartame was
licensed by the FDA for use as a tabletop sweetener. Then, in July of
1983, it was approved for use in beverages. In September of 1983,
Commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes left office and accepted a $400,000/year
position as senior medical advisor to a Searle Public Relations firm,
Burston Marsteller, who represented NutraSweet Kelco Co. (2,9,12)

Of approximately 100 independent studies conducted on aspartame, over
90% have demonstrated significant health risks. (9) So why hasn't
aspartame been banned? Simple: Money talks and disease stalks. In 1996,
ignoring the fact that aspartame breaks down faster when heated above
86°, the FDA decided to remove all restrictions on its use. (12,18)
There are now thousands of companies using aspartame in diet sodas,
powdered drinks, gelatin, tea cocoa, juices, frozen desserts, even
vitamins and medications. This translates to billions of dollars
worldwide: more than enough to provide agency officials with lucrative
future employment, politicians with campaign funds, non-profit
foundations with endowments, scientists with research grants, and the
media with advertising dollars. (19)

Today, FDA officials continue to resist proposals from concerned
scientists, physicians, and other groups for comprehensive studies of
the safety of aspartame.

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**********************************************************************

http://www.betterbodz.com/Chris/christine_lydon.html

Summary: VANCOUVER, Sept. 23 /PRN/ - Healthnet International Inc. today
announced that Christine Lydon, M.D., national spokesperson for Human
Development Technologies, has joined the MedicineCabinet.net team as a
staff writer and health expert.

http://medicinecabinet.net/home/
Christine graduated with honors from Brown University with a double
major in French literature and neurobiology. She went on to attend the
Yale School of Medicine where she conducted extensive research in the
areas of biomechanics and sports medicine, becoming one of the most
published medical students in the country. After graduation, Christine
declined a position as an orthopedic resident at the University of
Southern California to pursue a career as a writer.

The unlikely marriage of a medical background and a love for athletics
paved the way for Christine's involvement in the health and fitness
industry. While living in Los Angeles, she made a name for herself as a
widely photographed physique model and fitness expert. Christine has
appeared in numerous fitness magazines and was the cover model for
Playboy's inaugural issue of Hardbodies. She now hosts the nationally
syndicated workout show Infinite Power, and makes frequent guest
appearances on Jeff Everson's Planet Muscle.

Christine has also worked as a consultant for a number of leading
supplement companies and is currently the national spokesperson
for Human Development Technologies (HDT). She writes for several top
sport/fitness periodicals including Men's Fitness, Oxygen Magazine,
Body International, and Martial Arts Illustrated.
***********************************************************************


Three careful double-blind experimental studies prove asp.
causes headaches: Koehler SM et al, 1988, Headache, 28(1), 10-14.
Walton RG et al, 1993, Biological Psychiatry, 34(1), 13-17.
rwalton193@... Van Den Eeden SK et al, 1994, Neurology,
44, 1787-93. skv@... 550-450-2202

Woodrow C. Monte, Director, Food Science and Nutrition Laboratory
602-965-6938 Arizona State University, woody.monte@...,
"Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Health," 1984,
J. Applied Nutrition, 36(1), 42-54 (62 references):
The methanol from 2 L of diet soda, 5.6 12-oz cans, 20 mg/can, is
112 mg, 10% of the asp. 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.) This study is at: http://www.dorway.com/wmonte.txt

A radioactive tracer study proves that the methanol from
a low dose of of asp. binds formaldehyde, a deadly cumulative poison,
into tissues: Trocho C et al, Dec 1998, Life Sci, 63(5), 337-349.
Study available at: http://www.PRESIDIOTEX.COM/barcelona/index.html

Who pays the piper, calls the tune. Ralph G. Walton, Prof.
of Clinical Psychology, Northeastern Ohio Universities, Youngstown,
OH 44501, 330-740-3621 rwalton193@... , in an unpublished
66-page study (1998), listed 166 studies about asp. and health. All 74
studies funded by the industry were favorable, whereas 84 of the 92
non-industry studies identified a problem. Moreover, many industry
studies were published repeatedly with slight changes, from 2 to 6
times each, violating scientific ethics.
This study is available at: http://www.dorway.com/peerrev.html

Aspartame Victims Support Group Home Page
http://www.presidiotex.com/aspartame/

Aspartame Toxicity Information Center Mark D. Gold
www.HolisticMed.com/aspartame 617-497-7843
"Scientific Abuse in Aspartame Research"
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/methanol.html
mgold@... 35 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139

Mission-Possible-USA Betty Martini 770-242-2599
http://www.dorway.com Bettym19@...

Aspartame Consumer Safety Network 800-969-6050 214-352-4268 Mary Nash
Stoddard marystod@... "The Deadly Deception"
http://web2.airmail.net/marystod/index.html

Janet Starr Hull, "Sweet Poison" www.sweetpoison.com
jshull@...

H.J. Roberts, M.D.,P.A. hroberts@... 800-814-9800
Sunshine Sentinel Press http://members.icanect.net/~sunpress/index.htm
PO Box 17799 West Palm Beach, Florida 33416

Search medical reports: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed

"The Dangers of Aspartame" discussion forum with many long reports:
http://www.bevnet.com/bevboard/

The eminent British journal: The Lancet Interactive Discussion Group:
Aspartame Toxicity: fact or fiction? http://www.thelancet.com/

For a searchable archive: www.onelist.com/community/aspartameNM

Health Press hlthprs@... 505-474-0303
http://www.healthpress.com/in-bad-taste.html
George R. Schwartz, M.D. drgschwartz@...
"In Bad Taste: The MSG Symptom Complex"
http://www.healingresearch.org/ Healing Research Institute

For my 13-page summary: Aspartame: Methanol-Formaldehyde Toxicity
http://www.healthandmoneytips.com/aspartame/update.
**********************************************************************

April 21, 1999 Richard T. Murray, M.A. rmforall@...
Here is research in 1998 at a very low level of aspartame ingestion,
10 mg/kg, for rats, which have a much greater tolerance for aspartame
than humans. The same level for humans would be about 1 or 2 mg/kg.
Many headache studies in humans used doses of about 30 mg/kg daily.
A daily dose of 2100mg aspartame, about 4 L diet soda, used in many
experimental tests on humans, supplies 210mg methanol into the body.
Many cases report a typical serious symptom syndrome at this level.

This report shows that aspartame causes binding of methanol's product,
formaldehyde, a potent, cumulative toxin, into tissues.

Life Sci 1998;63(5):337-49 From PubMed
Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue
components in vivo.
Trocho C, Pardo R, Rafecas I, Virgili J, Remesar X,
Fernandez-Lopez JA, Alemany M, Departament de Bioquimica i
Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona,
Spain.

Sra. Carme Trocho, Sra. Rosario Pardo, Dra. Immaculada Rafecas,
Sr. Jordi Virgili, X. Remesar, Dr. Jose Antonio Fernandez-Lopez,
Dr. Marią Alemany Fac. Biologia Tel.:
(93)4021521, FAX: (93)4021559
alemany@... bioq@...

This report is available in full at:
http://www.PRESIDIOTEX.COM/barcelona/index.html

Abstract:
Adult male rats were given an oral dose of 10 mg/kg aspartame,
14C-labelled 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 rat 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 labelled 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 labelled 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-labelled aspartame during 10 days resulte 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, UI: 98378223

Mark D. Gold has an excellent, detailed analysis, "Scientific Abuse in
Methanol / Formaldehyde Research Related to Aspartame" at:

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/methanol.html#discussion

In short, biochemical evidence exists to motivate us to seriously and
respectfully consider anecdotal evidence of aspartame toxicity.

Mark D. Gold gives another detailed review, "Scientific Abuse in
Seizure Research Related to Aspartame", at:

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/seizures.html .

"If the seizures from aspartame are caused by the combination of
methanol/formaldehyde and the excitotoxic amino acid from aspartame,
as I believe may be the case, it is important to note that methanol is
10 times more acutely toxic in humans than in rodents (Roe 1982), and it
takes five times more excitotoxins given to rodents to simulate human
ingestion (Olney 1988, Stegink 1979, page 90)."