RTM: Newman & Lipton:
3.75 mg aspartame in Merck Maxalt-MLT worsens migraine Oct 2001
7.28.2 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/854

[Comments by Rich Murray are in square brackets.]

Headache 2001 Oct; 41(9): 899-901.
Migraine MLT-Down: An Unusual Presentation of Migraine
in Patients With Aspartame-Triggered Headaches.
Newman LC, Lipton RB.
Headache Institute, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York
NY Department of Neurology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Innovative Medical Research

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener added to many foods and beverages,
may trigger headaches in susceptible individuals.
We report two patients with aspartame-triggered
attacks in whom the use of an
aspartame-containing acute medication (Maxalt-MLT) worsened
an ongoing attack of migraine. PMID: 11703479

[Extracts]
Two patients successfully treated wtih triptans developed headache
exacerbation following treament with an aspartame-containing
formulation of rezatriptan (Maxalt-MLT). (1)
[Contains 3.75 mg aspartame.]...
Anecdotal evidence and observational studies suggest that aspartame is
a potential migraine trigger. (3, 4)
Although two double-blinded studies support
these results, a third study did not. (5-7) [The third study
was the only one paid for by NutraSweet Co: Schiffman, 1987.
For a detailed critique of these studies:
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 ]

Patient 1.--A 14-year-old boy had a 2-year history of migraine.
Headaches initially ocurred on a daily basis, but for the past year,
occurred once or twice monthly. The pain was throbbing, moderate to
severe in intensity, and associated with photophobia and phonophobia.
A visual aura, consisting of scintillating scotomata, preceded most
attacks. Using an elimination diet, aspartame-containing foods and
drinks were identified as consistent triggers. Aspartame usually
induced a typical attack within hours of ingestion. Treatment with
dihydroergotamin injections, and nasal spray and oral preparations of
sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and rizatriptan would abort an acute
migraine attack within 45 minutes.
At the patient's request, he was given
samples of the rizatriptan oral wafers, so he could more easily treat
his headaches while in school. Although his headaches had been rapidly
aborted with oral rizatriptan on at least 20 prior occasions, following
administration of the wafer, his headache worsened and persisted for
approximately 6 hours. A rizatriptan tablet relieved his next headache
within 45 minutes.

Patient 2.--A 36-year-old woman had a 30-year history of migraine
without aura. Headaches occurred approximately 2 to 4 times monthly
and were associated wtih nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia,
and osmophobia.

Using an elimination diet, monosodium glutamate, nitrites,
and aspartame-containing foods were identified as consistent triggers,
usually within 2 hours following ingestion. Treatment with oral
rizatriptan, on at least 15 occasions, afforded consistent relief
within 45 minutes.
Following administration of the oral disintegrating wafer
formulation of rizatriptan, the patient reported a steadily worsening
migraine that lasted 6 hours. Treatment of her next attack with the
tablet formulation of rizatriptan aborted the migraine within 45
minutes....

Since both the table and wafer contain 10 mg of rizatriptan and have
similar kinetic profiles, these results were initially difficult to
understand... the 10-mg wafer contains 3.75 mg of aspartame; for
comparison, a packet of aspartame (as a nonsugar sweetener) contains 37
mg of aspartame. (1) A dose [ ~ 20 mg aspartame] equivalent in
sweetening to a teaspoon of sugar contains roughly five times as much
aspartame as a rizatriptan wafer...

In 1981, the United States Centers for Disease Control reviewed
consumer complaints related to the use of aspartame. (2) Neurologic or
behavioral symptoms were reported in 67%: the most frequently mentioned
single complaint, headache, was reported in 22%...

Survey data of a headache-prone population suggests that aspartame is a
common headache trigger. In a sample of 171 consecutive patients with
headache, regarding the role of dietary factors and headache, aspartame
was reported as a headache precipitant by 8.2%, significantly more
often than carbohydrates, the food used as a negative control. (3).

Johns described a patient who developed a vascular headaches and
gastrointestinal symptoms following the ingestion of
aspartame-containing soft drinks. (4) Similar symptoms occurred when
the patient was rechallenged with solutions of aspartame but not with
saccharin.

Blumenthal and Vance described 3 patients in whom aspartame-containing
chewing gum induced typical migraine attacks. (8) [6-8 mg aspartame
per stick] ...

We have previously discussed some of the limitations of the Schiffman
study. (9)...

Both patients had previously reported that aspartame was a potent and
consistent migraine trigger...

The doses of aspartame reported to trigger a migraine attack de novo
are generally higher than those reported here. Unfortunately, neither
patient would agree to a rechallenge with the wafer formulation. If
this phenomenon exists, it is likely to be rare. Nonetheless,
clinicians should be aware that rizatriptan wafers contain aspartame.
This preparation should probably be avoided in patients with known
sensitivity to aspartame...

REFERENCES
1. Physicians' Desk Reference. 54th ed.
Medical Economics Co; Montvale, N.J.: 2000: 1956-1960.

2. Anonymous.
Evaluation of cusumer complaints related to aspartame use.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1984; 33: 605-607.

3. Lipton, RB, Newman LC, Cohen JS, Solomon S.
Aspartame as a dietary trigger of headache.
Headache. 1989; 29: 90-92.

4. Johns DR.
Migraine provoked by aspartame (letter).
N Engl J Med. 1986; 315: 456

5. Schiffman SS, Buckley CE III, Sampson JA, et al.
Aspartame and susceptibility to headache.
N Engl J Med. 1987; 317: 1181-1185.

6. Koehler SM, Glaros A.
The effect of asparame on migraine headache.
Headache. 1988; 28: 10-14.

7. Van den Eeden SK, Koepsell TD, Longstreth WT Jr, van Belle G,
Daling JR, McKnight B.
Aspartame ingestion and headaches: a randomized crossover trial.
Neurology. 1994; 44: 1787-1793.

8. Blumenthal HJ, Vance DA.
Chewing gum headaches.
Headache. 1997; 37: 665-666.

9. Lipton RB, Newman LC, Solomon S.
Asparame and headache (letter).
N Engl J Med. 1988; 318: 1200-1202.
*********************************************************

http://www.docnet.org/physicians/phys_bios.asp?phys_id=574
Lawrence C. Newman, MD 212-523-5869 newmanache@...
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
Headache Institute
1000 10th Avenue, Room 1C-10
New York, NY 10019
Prof. Neurology, Epidemiology & Social Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University

http://msl.montefiore.org/newmsl/default.htm
Dr. Richard B. Lipton, Department of Neurology
Montefiore Medical Center
111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
FAX 203-321-1044
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
1300 Morris Park Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461
718-430-3886 fax 3870
MMC - Headache Unit
111 E. 210th Street Bronx , NY 10467 718-920-4638

http://www.imrinc.com/ webmaster@...
Innovative Medical Research, Inc.
Alberto R. Yataco, M.D.
Richard B. Lipton, M.D., Chief Science Officer RLipton@...
1001 Cromwell Bridge Rd., Suite 302
Towson, MD 21286 USA
410-825-0500 Fax: 410-339-7086
http://www.centerwatch.com/professional/pro111.html

President American Headache Society
Richard B. Lipton, MD
Professor of Neurology, Epidemiology and Social Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Innovative Medical Research, Inc.
1200 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905
203-321-1050 fax 1044 rlipton@...

Fall & Winter Symposium Co-Chairs
Lawrence C. Newman, MD *
The Headache Institute
1000 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
212-523-5869 fax5902 (fax) newmanache@...

American Headache Society http://www.ahsnet.org/
19 Mantua Road
Mt. Royal, NJ 08061
856.423.0043 fax 0082 ahshq@...
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain http://ahsnet.org/journal/

Merck and Co., Inc. http://www.merck.co

Peter S. Kim, PhD Exec. VP, R&D age 43
kimadmin@... 617-258-5184 fax 5737
MRL 770 Sunnytown Pike West Point PA 19486

Edward M. Scolnick, MD Exec. VP, Sci & Tech, Pres. of MRL age 61
MRL P.O.Box 2000 Rayway, NJ 07065-0900 732-594-3761

William A. Peck, MD Exec V. Chancellor for medical affairs WUSOM
peckw@... 314-362-6827

Bennett M. Shapiro, MD, Exec. VP, Merck Worldwide Basic Research
732-594-3761

Raymond V. Gilmartin, CM, Pres., CEO, Merck & Co., Inc.
One Merck Drive P.O.Box 100 Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-0100
fax 908-735-1253

http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/people/choi.html
Home Page
Dennis Wonkyu Choi, MD, PhD age 48
Hired Nov 13 2001 by Merck Research Labortories as Executive VP,
Neurosciences
Dennis Choi is the
Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and Head of
the Department of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis,
as well as the Neurologist-in-Chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
866-867-3627 info

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Dr. Choi was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and grew up in Watertown,
Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College in 1974, and in 1978
received the MD and PhD degrees (the latter in Pharmacology) from
Harvard University and the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and
Technology. After completing residency and fellowship training in
neurology at Harvard in 1983, he joined the faculty at Stanford
University, and then 1991 came to Washington University Medical School
to chair the Neurology Department. At Washington University, he also
directs the Center for the Study of Nervous System Injury and the
McDonnell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. He is the
chairman of the US / Canada Regional Committee of the International
Brain Research Organization, a past President
of the Society for Neuroscience, and a past Vice-President of the
American Neurological Association. He is a member of the Institute of
Medicine, and has served on the Councils of the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Society for Neuroscience, the
Winter Conference for Brain Research,
the International Society for Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism,
and the Neurotrauma Society.

He is a member of the editorial boards of more than a dozen journals
including Science, and is a founding co-editor of Neurobiology of
Disease, a journal
positioned at the interface of basic and clinical neuroscience. He is
presently an Associate of the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego
and a member of the Dana Alliance for Brain Research.
Current or past service on scientific advisory boards
has included the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, the Grass
Foundation, the Hereditary Disease Foundation, the Queen's
Neuroscience Institute in Honolulu, the Max-Planck Institute in
Heidelberg, the Korea Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS) in Seoul, and
the US Food and Drug Agency, as well as several university-based
research consortia in the US and Europe, and several companies.

RESEARCH SUMMARY
The work of my laboratory is directed toward elucidating the cellular
mechanisms underlying CNS injury in neurological disease states, and
developing therapeutic countermeasures. A long-standing interest has
been the "excitotoxic" neuronal injury produced by excess exposure to
glutamate and other endogenous excitatory amino acids. Excitotoxicity
likely contributes to the brain or spinal cord damage induced by
hypoxia-ischemia, trauma, or seizures, and may also play a role in the
pathogenesis of some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's
disease or motor neuron disease.

Prior work from the laboratory implicated calcium overload and NMDA
receptor activation in pathogenesis of excitotoxic cell death. In more
recent years, investigation has broadened to include other
perturbations in cationic homeostasis,
the interrelationship between excitotoxicity and apoptosis,
and downstream injury pathways including free radical
generation. My colleagues and I hypothesize that endogenous brain zinc
stores may also mediate neuronal death under some pathological
conditions, and that potassium efflux via voltage- or glutamate-gated
channels may promote neuronal apoptosis. We have also examined the
possibility that certain growth factor may enhance, rather than
reduce, excitotoxic neuronal death. A recent line of research,
conducted in collaboration with several other laboratories at
Washington University and elsewhere,
explores strategies for promoting recovery
after rodent spinal cord injury utilizing stem cell transplantation.

choid@... 314-362-7175

CONTACT INFORMATION
E-mail: wildersp@...
(314) 362-9460 Fax: (314) 362-9462
Washington University School of Medicine
660 S. Euclid Campus Box 8111 St. Louis, MO 63110
*********************************************************

RTM: Zomig.com:
aspartame in AstraZeneca Zomig-ZMT for migraine 4.21.2 rmforall

http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/
http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/contactus/contact_form.asp
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
1800 Concord Pike
P.O. Box 15437
Wilmington, DE 19850
(302) 886-3000 fax (800) 456-3669 fax (302) 886-2972

AstraZeneca LP
725 Chesterbrook Blvd.
Wayne, PA 19087 (610) 695-1000 (800) 942-0424

AstraZeneca LP
50 Otis St.
Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 366-1100 (800) 237-8898 fax (508) 366-7406

http://www.zomig.com/ 800-456-3669, ext. 62231

[Zolmitriptan]
http://www.zomig.com/professional_html/mono_pharma.asp
Because ZOMIG is prescription medicine, only your doctor or health care
provider can help you decide whether it's right for you.
Patients with the inability to process the amino acid phenylalanine
should be aware that each 2.5 mg and 5 mg ZOMIG-ZMTTM(zolmitriptan)
Orally Disintegrating Tablet contains 2.81 mg and 5.62 mg of
phenylalanine(a component of aspartame), respectively.

[[Zomig-ZMT thus contains 5.6 and 10.2 mg aspartame, whereas a 12-oz
diet soda has 200 mg.]
*********************************************************

Sh0shanna@...: aspartame in medicines, vitamins, food 5.10.99

Message: 15 on aspartame@onelist.com discussion group
Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 19:53:38 EDT
From: Sh0shanna@...
Subject: ASPARTAME in Medicines & Children's Vitamins & Food

Here is a partial list:

[The aspartame content is twice the phenylalinine content.]

Use of aspartame by some pharmaceutical companies. Note: Too many
companies do not reply concerning their use of aspartame.

Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceuticals: Mylanta Natural Fiber
Supplement, Sugar Free.

Lederle Laboratories: Centrum,Jr vitamins contain aspartame.

McNeil Consumer Products:
Childrens TYLENOL acetaminophen Fruit Flavored Chewable Tablets
Childrens TYLENOL acetaminophen Grape Flavored Chewable Tablets
Childrens TYLENOL acetaminophen Cold Multi-Symptom Chewable Tablets
Junior Strength TYLENOL acetaminophen Fruit Flavored Chewable Tablets
Junior Strength TYLENOL acetaminophen Grape Flavored Chewable Tablets
PEDIACARE Cold-Allergy Tablets for Ages 6 to 12
PEDIACARE Cough-Cold Tablets for Ages 6 to 12
PEDICARE Childrens Cold Relief Tablets
TYLENOL Cold and Flu Hot Medication
TYLENOL Cold and Flu No Drowsiness Formula Hot Medication
Childrens Chewable CO-TYLENOL

Miles Incorporated:
ALKA-SELTZER PLUS Night-time Cold Medicine
ALKA-SELTZER PLUS Cold and Cough Medicine
ALKA-SELTZER PLUS Sinus Allergy Medicine
ALKA-SELTZER Cherry flavored
BUGS BUNNY Vitamin Products (ALL)
FLINTSTONES Plus Calcium Multivitamin Supplement
FLINTSTONES Complete Multivitamin Supplement
FLINTSTONES Childrens Chewable Multivitamin

A.H. Robbins Company, Inc:
DIMETAPP Cold and Allergy Chewable Tablets

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company:
The following BMS product contains aspartame: CEFZIL

Mead Johnson Nutritionals:
TEMPRA 3 Chewable Tablets, 80mg acetaminophen tablet
(3.3 mg phenylalinine/tab)
TEMPRA 3 Double Strength Chewable Tablets,
160 mg acetominophen (6.6 mg Phen/tab)

Glaxo Pharmaceuticals:
Zantac
Efferdose

Bio-Pharmaceutics:
Childrens Chewable Acetiminophen

Pennex Products:
American Stores: SKAGGS ALPHA BETA Childrens Pain Reliever
Consumer Value Stores: CVS Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Drug Guild Dist: DRUG GUILD childrens anti-pain Chewable Tablets
First Nat’l Supermarkets: FINAST Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Greenbax Enterprises: PRICE-WISE Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Hannaford Bros: SHOP’N SAVE Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
J.C.Penny: TREASURY Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Kinney Drugs: KINNEY”S Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
LaVerdiere’s Super Drug: LV ACTION SOOTHSALL Childrens Non-Aspirin
Legend Pharmaceuticals: LEGEND Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin P.R.
Malone & Hyde: HYDE PARK Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Marsh Supermarkets: MARSH Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Osco Drug: OSCO Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Pay'n Save Stores: PAY’N SAVE Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain
Reliever
Penned Products: GOOD HEALTH Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever
Peoples Drug Stores: PEOPLES Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain
Reliever
Piggly Wiggly Corp: PIGGLY WIGGLY Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin P.R.
Rite Aid Corp.: RITE AID Childrens Aceteminophen Non-Aspirin Pain
Reliever
Scriver: SUPER TRU Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever (Acetaminophen)
Wegman’s Food Markets: WEGMANS Childrens Chewable Acetaminophen

Whitehall Labs:
Childrens Anacin-3 Chewable Tablets

Cenci Powder:
NATURLAX Natural Fiber Laxative
LIFE LINE Natural Fiber Laxative

H & PC Products:
SUGAR FREE METAMUCIL

Eckerd: ECKERD Sugar Free Natural Fiber Laxative
Fay's: FAY'S Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Laxative
Longs: LONGS Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder Laxative
Payless: PAYLESS Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder Laxative
Perrigo: Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder
Perry: PERRY Drug Stores Sugar Free Natural Veg.Powder Bulk Laxative
Raley’s: RALEY’S Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder
Rite Aid: RITE AID Sugar Free Regular Flavor Nat.Veg.Bulk Powder
Squibb: SQUIBBCARE Sugar Free Natural Fiber Laxative
Thrifty: THRIFTY Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Laxative

Hall Laboratories:
HEALTH BALANCE Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
ZOO CHEWS Animal-Shaped Chewable Multivitamin

Mediguard:
MEDIGUARD Childens Multivitamin Supplement (Cherry,Orange and Grape)

Equate:
EQUATE Chewable Vitamins Animal-Shaped (with Iron)

Meijer:
MEIJER CIRCUS SHAPES (Complete with Calcium,Iron and Minerals)
MIEJER CIRCUS SHAPES (with Iron)

Perrigo:
ANIMAL SHAPES Chewable Vitamins Plus Extra C
ANIMAL SHAPES Chewable Vitamins Complete
ANIMAL SHAPES Chewable Vitamins With Iron

Raley's:
Childrens Chewable Vitamins With Iron

Lifeline Nutritional:
Lucky Stores: Mediguard Childrens Multivitamin Supplement with Iron

P.Leiner:
Carls Drug Co: CARLS DRUG Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
Malone & Hyde: HYDES PARK Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
Hills Dept Stores: HILLS Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
Kent Co: DART Childen’s Chewable Multivitamin
Big B Discount Drugs: BIG B Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
LKS Products, Inc: MEDI-GUARD Childrens Chewable Multivitamins
Revco Drug Stores: REVCO Childrens Chewable Multivitamins
Longs Drug Stores: LONGS Children’s Chewable Multivitamin
Gray Drug Fair, Inc: GRAY DRUG FAIR Childrens Chewable Multivitamin

Pharmavite Corp:
ECKARD DRUG: Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
LONGS DRUG Childrens Chewable Multivitamin

REFERENCES
Data obtained from Aspartame Research Group forwarded to
Leading Edge Research. http://www.cco.net/~trufax/research/f26.html

Much more good info at:
http://www.trufax.org/menu/chem.html#aspartame
http://www.cco.net/~trufax/menu/food.html#aspartame
*********************************************************

Subject: Aspartame Support] Wrigley's gums
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2002 15:12:32 -0500
From: "Mitchells" <bmitchel@...>
To: <aspartame@yahoogroups.com>

I've noticed that Wrigley's gums are getting new packaging
and the labels on Doublemint, Juicy Fruit, Spearmint & Winterfresh
include Aspartame & Acesulfame-K.
*********************************************************

http://www.nutrasweet.com/search/index.asp
Consumer Center
All About NutraSweet
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 Approx. Aspartame Content
Carbonated Beverage 12 ounces 180 mg
Gelatin Dessert 4 ounces 95 mg
Powdered Drink 8 ounces 120 mg
Hot Chocolate 6 ounces 50 mg
Pudding Dessert 4 ounces 25 mg
Frozen Novelty 2-3 ounces 50 mg
Fruit Drink (10% juice) 6 ounces 70 mg
Breath mint 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
**********************************************************

http://www.nutrasweet.com/search/index.asp
Consumer Center
Answers on Aspartame
Q5. Does aspartame cause headaches?

A5. No, aspartame does not cause headaches. Headaches are one
of the most common human ailments. Many factors can cause
headaches, ranging from stress and sleep disturbances to physical
illnesses. It is potentially dangerous to assume that a headache is
related to aspartame, when the cause may be a serious
psychological or physical condition. If you are concerned about
headaches, speak to your physician.

A carefully controlled clinical study published in the New England
Journal of Medicine (1) supports the fact that aspartame does not
cause headaches or migraines. The results showed that 35 percent
of the subjects had headaches after taking aspartame, compared
with 45 percent who had headaches after taking the placebo,
confirming that aspartame does not trigger headaches.

(1) Schiffman S et al, "Aspartame and susceptibility to headache,"
New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 317, 1987, pp. 1181-1185.
********************************************************

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 rmforal

N Engl J Med 1987 Nov 5;317(19):1181-5
Aspartame and susceptibility to headache.
Schiffman SS, Buckley CE 3d, Sampson HA,
Massey EW, Baraniuk JN, Follett JV, Warwick ZS
Department of Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, N.C. 27710.

Dr. Susan S. Schiffman Dept. of Psychiatry Duke University
www.duke edu sss@... 919-684-3303, 660-5657.
She has over 100 obviously competent experimental studies and
reviews since 1971 in PubMed. Her major field is the deterioration
of smell and taste in seniors and AIDS patients from exposure to
drugs, chemicals, and pollutants-- one wonders if she ever considered
the effects of aspartame, since smell and tase impairment are known to
result from exposure to aspartame or formaldehyde.

"Loss of taste" is one of 90 symptoms from many case reports of
aspartame toxicity, summarized in:
Department of Health and Human Services. "Report on All Adverse
Reactions in the Adverse Reaction Monitoring System." (February 25
and 28, 1994).

Abstract (Schiffman et al, 1987):
We performed a double-blind crossover trial of challenges with 30 mg of
aspartame per kilogram of body weight or placebo in 40 subjects who
reported having headaches repeatedly after consuming products
containing aspartame. The incidence rate
of headache after aspartame (35 percent)
was not significantly different from that after placebo (45 percent)
(P less than 0.50). No serious reactions were observed, and the
incidence of symptoms other than headache following aspartame was also
equivalent to that after placebo. No treatment-related effects were
detected in vital signs, blood pressure, or plasma concentrations of
cortisol, insulin, glucagon, histamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine.
Most of the subjects were well educated and overweight and had a family
or personal history of allergic reactions. The subjects who had
headaches had lower plasma concentrations of
norepinephrine (P less than 0.0002) and epinephrine (P less than 0.02)
just before the development of headache.
We conclude that in this population, aspartame is no more
likely to produce headache than placebo. PMID: 3657889, UI: 88014077

Aspartame Toxicity Information Center Mark D. Gold
www.HolisticMed.com/aspartame 603-225-2100
"Scientific Abuse in Aspartame Research"
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/abuse/methanol.html
mgold@... 12 East Side Drive #2-18 Concord, NH 03301

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

"Scientific Abuse in Migraine/Headache Research Related to Aspartame":

"Other industry researchers have cited this study as evidence that
aspartame does not induce headaches (Butchko 1994, Leon 1989, Moser
1994). In addition, Yost (1989) claimed that aspartame is not more
likely to cause headache than placebo. Tollefson (1992) of the FDA
cited this Schiffman study as evidence that aspartame does not cause
headaches. (The Tollefson review was discussed in detail in the
Seizure Research Abuse section).

"What these researchers fail to mention is that the Schiffman (1987)
research is useless because of major design flaws. It is also
particularly troubling that none of the above-mentioned authors
cited the Koehler (1988) double-blind study!

"Before we discuss the major flaws of the Schiffman study, I will
present some background information. The study was partially funded
by Monsanto/NutraSweet and conducted at the Searle Center at Duke
University. (G.D. Searle is owned by Monsanto.) Susan Schiffman
performed her research at the "Searle Center" at Duke University.
The Searle Center is under the guidance of William Anlyan, a former
G.D. Searle director. Schiffman is a former General Foods and G.D.
Searle consultant. The FDA helped design the study protocol.
[Gordon 1987, page 500 of US Senate 1987; Shapiro 1987, page 403
of US Senate 1987].)

"Schiffman (1987) major flaws:

1.The aspartame was given for only one day.

2.The aspartame was given in encapsulated form which would lower the
toxicity by eliminating the sudden absorption of the excitotoxic amino
acid and methanol (Stegink 1987). The absorption of the excitotoxin is
gradual, somewhat closer to what happens when ingesting food. The
methanol is absorbed more slowly and that may significantly reduce
toxicity as happens when food in the stomach slows methanol absorption
(Posner 1975).

3.There was no baseline frequency of headaches determined before
administering aspartame or placebo.

"It is very important to note the main distinction between the Koehler
(1988) study and the Schiffman (1987) study. While both studies used
capsules, which would be expected to significantly reduce aspartame
toxicity, and both studies used subjects who claimed to have headaches
from aspartame, the Koehler (1988) study administered aspartame for
four weeks, while the Schiffman (1987) study administered the
aspartame for only one day!

"When one examines the double-blind studies funded by the aspartame
industry, a pattern develops. Industry-supported research on subjects
who have reported serious reactions to aspartame is almost always
one day long and the aspartame is administered in capsules (e.g.,
Hertelendy 1993, Rowen 1995, Schiffman 1987). Industry-supported
research that lasts several weeks is usually performed on individuals
that might be expected to experience adverse reactions after at least
several months of aspartame use (e.g., Shaywitz 1994) or on individuals
even less susceptible to short-term aspartame toxicity, but where more
sensitive neurological tests were conducted (e.g., Spiers 1998). The
longer (but still relatively short) industry-supported research
(3-6 months) usually uses healthy subjects who would likely only
experience serious adverse reactions after many months or several
years of aspartame use (e.g., Leon 1989, Trefz 1994). While the length
of the study is not the only flaw in these industry-sponsored studies,
there appears to be an obvious pattern of exceptionally short studies
used on more susceptible subjects. It would appear that the
manufacturer funds research with protocol designs virtually guaranteed
to find no adverse reactions!" [end of Gold quote]
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http://nancymarkle.com/headach.txt
James B. Hays, MD: 10 cases of aspartame toxicity, 9 with headache
[Extracts]
With few exceptions these symptoms appear
as a recognizable pattern or syndrome with some symptoms peculiar to
Aspartame ingestion. Ten patients were noted since 1986 whose symptoms
were notable enough to keep a record and report them as a series. Only
subjects who resided in Brown County, Texas, are reported here and
subjects of suspected lack of objectivity are excluded.

The length of exposure to diagnosis varied from about five years to two
weeks. The amount of ingestion varied from two drinks daily to two or
three liters of diet drinks plus Equal added to lots of tea plus
assorted junk food plus sugarless gum-- all in the vain attempt to lose
weight....

Since all but one of these patients had severe headaches , these
headaches were examined in detail.

The headaches were bilateral, severe, generally daily or at least on
days that significant amounts of Aspartame were ingested. The headaches
did not resemble migraine at all-- they rarely were described as
throbbing and were at best described as tension, fatigue, caffeine
withdrawal type headaches and a big hangover all combined....

Each patient either accidentally, of their own volition or asked by
myself, discontinued the drug and definitely noted cessation or marked
abatement of symptoms, and after returning to consume additional
Nutrasweet after a definite one to two weeks abstinence all had marked
to severe return of symptoms within an hour to a few days of
exposure....

http://www.brmc-cares.com/pages/physicianref.html
Brownwood Regional Medical Center
GENERAL PRACTICE
James B. Hays, MD
120 South Park, Suite F
Brownwood, Tx 76801 915-646-2523
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Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe NM USA 87505 505-986-9103

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