Thread: Aspartame

==> What are the reported reactions to aspartame ingestion?

We will limit our discussion in this FAQ to reported toxicity
reactions to aspartame ingestion. Controlled studies showing
problems with aspartame ingestion will be discussed in another
FAQ. Toxicity reactions to aspartame can be divided into three
types:

1. Acute toxicity reactions occuring within 48 hours of ingestion of
an aspartame-containing product.

2. Chronic toxicity effects occuring anywhere from several days of
use to appearing a number of years (i.e., 1-20+ years) after the
beginning of aspartame use.

3. Potential toxicity effects that would be nearly impossible for
the user to recognize the link to aspartame.

In an epidemiological survey which appeared in the Journal of
Applied Nutrition (Roberts 1988), 551 persons who have
reported toxicity effects from aspartame ingestion were
surveyed. The adverse effects found cover a subset of reported
acute and chronic toxicity effects from aspartame.
What follows is a listing of the adverse health effects
which were found.

-------------------
# of
people (%)
Eye
- Decreased vision and/or other eye problems 140 (25%)
(blurring, "bright flashes," tunnel vision)
- Pain (or or both eyes) 51 (9%)
- Decreased tears, trouble with contact lens, 46 (8%)
or both
- Blindness (one or both eyes) 14 (3%)

Ear
- Tinnitus ("ringing," "buzzing") 73 (13%)
- Severe intolerance for noise 47 (9%)
- Marked impairment of hearing 25 (5%)

Neurologic
- Headaches 249 (45%)
- Dizziness, unsteadiness, or both 217 (39%)
- Confusion, memory loss, or both 157 (29%)
- Severe drowsiness and sleepiness 93 (17%)
- Paresthesias ("pins and needles," "tingling") 82 (15%)
or numbness of the limbs
- Convulsions (grand mal epileptic attacks) 80 (15%)
- Petit mal attacks and "absences" 18 (3%)
- Severe slurring of speech 64 (12%)
- Severe tremors 51 (9%)
- Severe "hyperactivity" and "restless legs" 43 (8%)
- Atypical facial pain 38 (7%)

Psychologic-Psychiatric
- Severe depression 139 (25%)
- "Extreme irritability" 125 (23%)
- "Severe anixiety attacks" 105 (19%)
- "Marked personality changes" 88 (16%)
- Recent "severe insomnia" 76 (14%)
- "Severe aggravation of phobias" 41 (7%)

Chest
- Palpitations, tachycardia (rapid heart action), 88 (16%)
of both
- "Shortness of breath" 54 (10%)
- Atypical chest pain 44 (8%)
- Recent hypertension (high blood pressure) 34 (6%)

Gastrointestinal
- Nausea 79 (14%)
- Diarrhea 70 (13%)
Associated gross blood in the stools (12)
- Abdominal pain 70 (13%)
- Pain on swallowing 28 (5%)

Skin and Allergies
- Severe itching without a rash 44 (8%)
- Severe lip and mouth reactions 29 (5%)
- Urticaria (hives) 25 (5%)
- Other eruptions 48 (9%)
- Aggravation of respiratory allergies 10 (2%)

Endocrine and Metabolic
- Problems with diabetes: loss of control; 60 (11%)
precipitation of clinical diabetes;
aggravation or simulation of diabetic
complications
- Menstrual changes 45 (6%)
Severe reduction or cessation of periods (22)
- Paradoxic weight gain 34 (5%)
- Marked weight loss 26 (6%)
- Marked thinning or loss of the hair 32 (6%)
- Aggravated hypoglycemia (low blood sugar 25 (5%)
attacks)

Other
- Frequency of voiding (day and night), burning 69 (13%)
on urination (dysuria), or both
- Excessive thirst 65 (12%)
- Severe joint pains 58 (11%)
- "Bloat" 57 (10%)
- Fluid retention and leg swelling 20 (4%)
- Increased susceptibility to infection 7 (1%)



http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/methanol.faq

http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/human.faq

I've noticed they have diet coke out now with splenda.