RTM: NutraSweet Co.: Neotame toxicity questions 7.9.2 rmforall

The FDA claims that its approval of Neotame on 7.5.2 was based on
over 113 studies on animals and humans, but a search on PubMed for
neotame gives only 5 reports, none of which are about safety, toxicity,
or its disposition in humans. A search on aspartame gives 711 items.
So far, not a single specific study on neotame has been cited. How can
the public access a list, abstracts, and the full text of these "over 113
studies"?

Who did them, how long ago, and under what funding, and where were
they published? Since the NutraSweet sites give a completely one-sided
and often actually false picture of the complex scientific picture about
aspartame toxicity, the world public must have complete access to all
the research about its close derivative, neotame.

You may search among 11 million medical citations on PubMed for any
topic or author, and for many studies get an abstract summary:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/

[In giving excerpts from NutraSweet websites and related sources,
I put my own comments in brackets.]

http://www.neotame.com/contact.asp
http://www.neotame.com/faq.asp
Frequently Asked Questions 7.9.2

What do you mean when you say neotame is a flavor enhancer?
Whether it's present at levels that provide sweetness,
or even at levels below that sweetening threshold,
neotame accentuates and "lifts" the flavors
in food. It's as if it has the effect of bringing the flavors to life.
[This sounds a lot like MSG, which also causes complex toxic reactions
in many people, many of whom report also reacting to aspartame.
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/ Truth in Labeling Campaign [MSG]
Adrienne Samuels, PhD P.O. Box 2532 Darien, Illinois 60561
858-481-9333 adandjack@... "The Toxicity/Safety of Processed
Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): A Study in Suppression of Information"
Accountability in Research (1999) Vol 6, pp. 259-310]

How was the safety of neotame tested?
Over 100 scientific studies were done to establish the safety of
neotame. A comprehensive battery of safety studies in animals and
humans demonstrated no adverse effects from neotame.
The FDA's approval process for a food ingredient, classified as a food
additive, involves an exhaustive analysis of scientific data to satisfy
safety requirements. This rigorous process and extensive research
conclusively confirms the safety of neotame for use by the general
population.

Who can use neotame?
People of all ages, including pregnant or breastfeeding women,
teens and children, and people with diabetes, can enjoy products
sweetened with neotame while maintaining a healthful diet.

Can children consume neotame?
Yes. Neotame can be safely incorporated as part of a healthful diet for
children. However, it is important to keep in mind that children,
particularly those under two years of age, need adequate calories for
growth and development.

Can neotame be incorporated into the diets of people with diabetes?
Yes. Neotame has no effect on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations
or on glycemic control in diabetic individuals. Thus, foods sweetened
with neotame can be safely incorporated into their meal plans to help
them achieve their dietary goals.

Will people with phenylketonuria be able to consume neotame?
Yes. Products made with neotame require no special labeling for
phenylketonuria.

How do you know that neotame does not cause cancer?
Studies in animals conducted over their entire lifetime clearly
demonstrate that neotame does not cause cancer.

Is neotame heat stable?
Yes. Neotame can be used in both cooking and baking applications.
Copyright 2002 Sweeteners Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

http://www.neotame.com/pdf/fda_approval.pdf
In determining the safety of Neotame, FDA reviewed data from more than
113 animal and human studies.
Media Inquiries: 301-436-2335
Customer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

http://www.neotame.com/pdf/WSJ_Neot.pdf
Wall Street Journal article by Stephanie M. Horvath 7.8.2
NutraSweet gets FDA approval for strong sweetener Neotame

http://www.nutrasweet.com
http://www.nutrasweet.com/infocenter/nscompany/contact/index.asp
http://www.nutrasweet.com/biztech/index.asp business & technical

http://www.nutrasweet.com/infocenter/index.asp company profile
On May 25, 2000, J.W. Childs Equity Partners II L.P. purchased The
NutraSweet Company from Monsanto, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Pharmacia Corporation.

ALL ABOUT NUTRASWEET
When aspartame is heated for long periods, loss
of sweetness may occur. So, add the sweetener at the end of cooking
or sprinkle on a cooked or baked product after it's been removed from
the heat.

An 8 ounce glass of milk has six times more phenylalanine and thirteen
times more aspartic acid than an equivalent amount of soda sweetened
with NutraSweet. And, an 8 ounce glass of fruit juice contains three to
five times more methanol than an equivalent amount of soda sweetened with
NutraSweet.

Aspartame is quickly and completely metabolized in the body, just
like any other protein. Upon digestion, aspartame breaks down into
its original components (aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol).
The body then uses these components in the same way as those
found in foods that are eaten everyday. Neither aspartame nor its
components accumulate in the body over time.

Metabolization:
NutraSweet is digested by the body and broken down in the
gastrointestinal tract into three components: aspartic acid,
phenylalanine and methanol. These components are then absorbed
into the body and utilized in the same way as when they are
obtained from protein-containing foods.

NutraSweet is metabolized like other proteins in the body within
4-6 hours. Studies indicate that the body metabolizes and excretes
these components and their waste products in a normal fashion.
Studies also show that neither the components nor their
metabolites build up in the body, even when very large amounts
are consumed.

NutraSweet does not turn into sugar or react like sugar in the body
because it is not a carbohydrate. Studies have shown that
NutraSweet does not affect blood glucose levels.

The ADI for aspartame is 50 milligrams per kilogram (2.2 lbs.) body
weight. This number represents the amount of NutraSweet that a
person can consume daily over a lifetime with no ill effects. In the
case of aspartame, the ADI is based on comprehensive animal
testing and human studies. It is actually a small percentage of the
amount that has been demonstrated to be safe and thus, provides
a large margin of safety.

As an example, the ADI for a 132-pound person is 3000 milligrams,
which translates to 82 packets of sweetener each day or 18 cans
of diet soda.

NutraSweet Content

For specific information regarding individual products, the
manufacturer should be contacted as exact formulations differ with each
manufacturer. Here is approximate aspartame content in several product
categories.

Product Category Serving Size App. Aspartame
Content
Carbonated Soft Drinks 12 ounces 180 mg.
Gelatin Dessert 4 ounces 95 mg.
Powdered Soft Drink 8 ounces 120 mg.
Hot Chocolate 6 ounces 50 mg.
Pudding 4 ounces 25 mg.
Frozen Novelty 2-3 ounces 50 mg.
Fruit Drink (10% juice) 6 ounces 70 mg.
Breath Mints 1 mint 1.5 mg.
Vitamins 1 vitamin 4 mg.
Ice Cream 4 ounces 50 mg.
Yogurt 8 ounces 124 mg.
Gum 1 stick 6-8 mg.

NutraSweet is approximately 50 percent phenylalanine. The amount
of phenylalanine derived from NutraSweet is small compared to the
amount of phenylalanine derived from other sources. For example,
3 ounces of chicken contain 1026 milligrams of phenylalanine and 8
ounces of skim milk has 406 milligrams. Twelve ounces of diet soda
contains approximately 90-100 milligrams of phenylalanine.

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found primarily in foods
containing protein such as meat and dairy products. No level of
excess has ever been defined for normal human consumption. In
our daily diet we usually consume several times our basic need for
phenylalanine.

ASPARTAME SAFETY A dozen straight answers on aspartame safety.
[This cites a large number of studies, published in respectable
journals, but, of course, none of the dozens of studies that present
negative results.
For instance, one study is cited that concludes that aspartame does not
cause headaches, while several studies with the opposite conclusion are
not cited:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/622
Rich Murray: Gold: Koehler: Walton: Van Den Eeden: Leon:
aspartame toxicity 6.4.1 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/623
Rich Murray: Simmons: Gold: Schiffman: Spiers:
aspartame toxicity 6.4.1 rmforall]

ANSWERS ON ASPARTAME [Again many scientific studies are
cited, but never any that present negative findings.]
There is no physiological reason why aspartame would cause
cancer. First and foremost, it never enters the bloodstream and thus
cannot travel to essential organs, including the brain. When aspartame
is digested, the body breaks it down into its component parts, aspartic
acid, phenylalanine and methanol. We consume these same
components in much greater amounts from common foods such as
milk, meat, dried beans, fruits and vegetables. The body handles the
components from aspartame in the same way it handles them from
other foods.
[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/830
RTM: Tholen: Diet Coke has 5 ppm formaldehyde from aspartame
5.29.2 rmforall
For 6 cans of diet soda, this is 5 times the daily limit of 1 PPM for
formaldehyde in drinking water, set by the EPA and the
California Dept. of Health Services,
Div. Drinking Water and Environmental Management (916) 323-2308
Drinking Water Action Levels: Contaminants of Current Interest
Last Update: May 2, 2002

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/652
Ann Pharmacother 2001 Jun;35(6):702-6
Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms following
discontinuation of dietary excitotoxins.
terpening@... cterpeni@...
Smith JD, Terpening CM, Schmidt SO, Gums JG.
Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA.
gums@... siggy@...

http://ww.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html
Life Sci June 26 1998; 63(5): 337-49
Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue
components in vivo. ["Trok-ho"]
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. http://www.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html
Maria Alemany, PhD alemany@...]

STUDENT FAQS
Q. What is the molecular structure of aspartame?
A.CH2CO2H
|
H2NCHCONHCHCO2CH3
|
CH2C6H5

OTHER PESPECTIVES [Of course, only favorable articles and
statements are cited from many sources.]

MEDIA LIBRARY

SCIENTIFIC REFERENCE [As an example, only a single, flawed,
and, typically, NutraSweet funded, study is cited that concludes that
aspartame does not cause headaches, with no mention of three
competent studies that firmly give the opposite results.]

http://www.hoovers.com/uk/co/capsule/4/0,2163,101064,00.html
The NutraSweet Company
10 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 3200 Chicago, IL 60606 USA
Phone: +1 312-873-5000 Fax: +1 312-873-5050

$ 260 million revenues in 2000
375 employees in 2001, + 7.1% growth in a year.

Chairman Tim Healy
President and CEO Nick E. Rosa [former Monsanto Senior Vice President]
CFO William Schumacher

Investment firm J.W. Childs bought NutraSweet from Monsanto in 2000;
NutraSweet management also has a stake in the company.
************************************************************

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe NM USA 87505 505-986-9103

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/messages for 833 posts
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/657 45K post
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/763 30K post

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/830
RTM: Tholen: Diet Coke has 5 ppm formaldehyde from aspartame
5.29.2 rmforall
For 6 cans of diet soda, this is 5 times the daily limit of 1 PPM for
formaldehyde in drinking water, set by the EPA and the
California Dept. of Health Services,
Div. Drinking Water and Environmental Management (916) 323-2308
Drinking Water Action Levels: Contaminants of Current Interest
Last Update: May 2, 2002

http://www.dorway.com/tldaddic.html 5-page review
"Aspartame (NutraSweet) Addiction"
H.J. Roberts in "Townsend Letter", Jan 2000 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 $ 85.00 postpaid data from 1200 cases
available at http://www.amazon.com
over 600 references from standard medical research
http://www.aspartameispoison.com/contents.html 34 chapters
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/652
Ann Pharmacother 2001 Jun;35(6):702-6
Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms following
discontinuation of dietary excitotoxins.
terpening@... cterpeni@...
Smith JD, Terpening CM, Schmidt SO, Gums JG.
Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA.
gums@... siggy@...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/782
RTM: Smith, Terpening, Schmidt, Gums:
full text: aspartame, MSG, fibromyalgia 1.17.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/804
RTM: Hetle & Eltervaag: 2001 thesis
abstract: aspartame brain damage in mice:
Sonnewald 1995 study full text 2.17.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/752
Headache 2001 Oct;41(9):899-901
Migraine MLT-Down: An Unusual Presentation of Migraine
in Patients With Aspartame-Triggered Headaches.
[Merck 10-mg Maxalt-MLT, for migraine, has 4 mg aspartame,
while 12 oz diet soda has 200 mg.]
Newman LC, Lipton RB. RLipton@...
Headache Institute, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York
NY Department of Neurology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Innovative Medical Research

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/346
WebMD: Barclay: Barth:
survey shows aspartame hurts memory in students 11.9.00
http://www.psy.tcu.edu/psy/barth.htm
Timothy M. Barth Department of Psychology t.barth@...
Texas Christian University TCU Box 298920 Fort Worth, TX 76129
Chairman, Physiological Psychology 817-921-7410

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/760
Magnes Res 2001 Sep;14(3):189-94
The effect of oral aspartame administration on the
balance of magnesium in the rat.
Kovatsi L, Tsouggas M.
Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece kovatsi@...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/689
Measurement of molecular interaction of aspartame and
its metabolites with DNA. Clin Biochem. 1998 Jul;31(5):405-7.
Karikas GA, Schulpis KH, Reclos GJ, Kokotos G.
Dept. of Chemistry, University of Athens, Greece
http://www.chem.uoa.gr gkokotos@...

http://ww.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html
Life Sci June 26 1998; 63(5): 337-49
Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue
components in vivo. ["Trok-ho"]
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. http://www.presidiotex.com/barcelona/index.html
Maria Alemany, PhD alemany@...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/628
Rich Murray: Professional House Doctors: Singer: EPA: CPSC:
formaldehyde toxicity 6.10.1 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/645
Rich Murray: 18 recent formaldehyde toxicity [Comet assay] abstracts
6.25.1 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/622
Rich Murray: Gold: Koehler: Walton: Van Den Eeden: Leon:
aspartame toxicity 6.4.1 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/623
Rich Murray: Simmons: Gold: Schiffman: Spiers:
aspartame toxicity 6.4.1 rmforall
************************************************************