VMSEddieF

Guys, ive recently been diagnosed with MS. Been to 2 neurologists, 1 a old timer specialist 1 1/2 hrs away. They cant know everything, and to get the job done right ya gotta do it yourself, so with my research i found what may be intesting to you's that might be watching calorie intake. If this is true, there should be warnings on diet soda and sweetner products. Just lookin out for you guys. I just found this article and am in shock.

http://www.rense.com/general53/ms.htm

Trouble

Aspartame is an analog of NMDA. NMDA is a neurotransmitter and has its own receptors types. NMDA is also glutamate receptor activator. Thus, this compound is neurologically active. It is a key nerve activator in the GI tract. It plays a role in GI disease. GI disease affects nutritional status, and this affects health. Excess of any supplement that acts on brain, liver, GI tract, such as glutamine, aspartic acid, or arginine, will have consequences on health.

P-funk

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

How much aspartame where you taking in daily?

http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind!

http://ivonneberkowitz.blogspot.com/....check out Ivonne's new blog!

Optimum Sports Performance

"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few."
-Buddha's Little Instruction Book

BigDyl

This is the 3rd person on the forum who has openly stated they have been diagnosed with MS. How common is this?

Total ownage.

VMSEddieF

I dont know. It's in a drink mix ive taken for last 5 yrs as a sweetener I assume. It could be harmless to the average person for all i know since my Aunt has drank nothing but diet soda for ever. I say go with the extra calories and burn em off. I neglected working out for last 3 yrs being so busy and that was a mistake. No doubt if i get the chance to recover which i may since i caught it in very early stage im never going weak again. Got to keep that blood flowing!

Trouble

Eddie, you will please read up on dietary corrections to enhance natural glutathione production. Read up on GABA, and excitatory brain chemistry.

Come back here and ask questions if you need to, but I'd like to see you do your own reading on the connection between neurodegenerative disorders and low glutathione and GABA status.

Meditation, proper rest, exercise and stress control are essential, alongside use of glutathione/methylation and antioxidant supplements.

http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuse...how&pageid=652

http://www.multiple-sclerosis-and-glutathione.com/

These lesions are slowly reversible; the degeneratiive condition can be halted and held in remission for extended periods of time.

cpush

yikes, I have recently given up aspartame due to all the serious literature I've read. I had been chewing up to 5 sticks of sugarfree (aspartame) gum a day. I hope I didn't do too much damage

Is sucralose/splenda AS dangerous? I try to split up my sweeteners between splenda and stevia.

Eddie, what aspartame containing products did you consume?

240sx

some people say "oh its not enough to harm you" Yeah but over a long period , Things can change. This crap causes cancer. Its in 95% of the protein shakes out there.

ubercoach

Here is some info on the subject of artificial sweetners:

Aspartame is basically poison. so is Sweeta. Here's a small excerpt form Dr. Joeseph Mercola's web site, under an article titled:

ASPARTAME IS BY FAR, THE MOST DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE ON THE MARKET THAT IS ADDED TO FOODS

SUMMARY OF HOW ASPARTATE (AND GLUTAMATE) CAUSE DAMAGE

Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite" or stimulate the neural cells to death. Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain. The blood brain barrier (BBB) which normally protects the brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins 1) is not fully developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when intact. The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75%+) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure excitatory amino acid damage include: Multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, memory loss, hormonal problems, hearing loss, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hypoglycemia, AIDS dementia, brain lessions, and neuroendocrine disorders."

As bad as that sounds the latest research results are even worse.This is the first line from the abstract, "The Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the European Ramazzini Foundation has conducted a long-term bioassay on aspartame (APM), a widely used artificial sweetener." This study was seven years long. The abstract goes on to describe the parameters of the study and finishes with this conclusion, "The results of this mega-experiment indicate that APM is a multipotential carcinogenic agent, even at a daily dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, much less than the current acceptable daily intake. On the basis of these results, a reevaluation of the present guidelines on the use and consumption of APM is urgent and cannot be delayed."
-Environ Health Perspect 114:379-385 (2006).

This is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

VMSEddieF, you have my profound sympathy. Aspartame becomes formaldehyde and then formic acid in the human body. It does brain and nerve damage. You may ameloriate some of the damage with L-Carnitine. I recommend Global Health Trax liquid L-Carnitine, but I am biased. I used to be a consultant for the company and I know how good their stuff is. If there is sufficient interest I will be happy to provide further data, links and research citations.

Ubercoach

VMSEddieF

I read those links Trouble. Thanks. Not a MS thread so i'll stick with topic.

Ubercoach i know. I couldnt believe how bad aspartame is when i started searching it. Im sure everybody handles it different but for the sake of 100 calories jeeze...these manufacturers.

I bet theres not 1 guy in here that wouldnt do extra cardio for the sake of health and 100 more calories.

My favorite gum i noticed is sugar free. Sucked to toss 10 packs in trash.

maniclion

Great aspertame is in my dissolve on your tongue Migraine pills, I'm gonna diiiiieeeeee!!!!

DOMS

Quite common. I know a few people that have it. Women tend to get it more than men. I don't know why though.

Vieope

FURtherness

JohnMac

The demonization of Aspartame seems unwarranted

"The overwhelming body of scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that aspartame, even in amounts many times what people typically consume, is safe and not associated with adverse health effects. However, over the years, some consumers have reported symptoms, which they believed were associated with aspartame. The FDA has investigated these allegations and concluded that there is no "reasonable evidence of possible public health harm" and "no consistent or unique patterns of symptoms reported with respect to aspartame that can be causally linked to its use." In 1984, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reviewed 517 of these anecdotal reports and stated, "the majority of frequently reported symptoms were mild and are symptoms that are common in the general populace" and that “focused” clinical studies would be the best way to evaluate these complaints.

As a result, numerous scientific studies “focused” on the allegations were conducted by expert researchers at major academic institutions. The results of these studies overwhelmingly demonstrated that aspartame is not associated with adverse health effects, including headaches, seizures, changes in mood, cognition, or behavior, or allergic reactions.

Despite the overwhelming documentation of aspartame’s safety, unfounded allegations that aspartame is associated with a myriad of ailments, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and lupus, have continued to be spread via the Internet and the media by a few individuals who have no documented scientific or medical expertise. Recently, several governments and expert scientific committees (including the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission, the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency, the French Food Safety Agency and Health Canada) carefully evaluated the Internet allegations and found them to be false, reconfirming the safety of aspartame. In addition, leading health authorities, such as the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Lupus Foundation of America, have reviewed the claims on the Internet and also concluded that they are false."

http://www.aspartame.org/aspartame_myths.html

JohnMac

"When aspartame is digested, the body breaks it down into its components, aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, which are consumed in much greater amounts in 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 when derived from other foods. Aspartame does not enter the bloodstream and therefore cannot travel to essential organs including the brain. Thus, there is no physiological reason why aspartame could cause cancer."

http://www.aspartame.org/aspartame_myths_brain.html



"Aspartame becomes formaldehyde and then formic acid in the human body. It does brain and nerve damage. You may ameloriate some of the damage with L-Carnitine. I recommend Global Health Trax liquid L-Carnitine, but I am biased. I used to be a consultant for the company and I know how good their stuff is. If there is sufficient interest I will be happy to provide further data, links and research citations."

JohnMac

Claim: The artificial sweetener aspartame has been proved responsible for an epidemic of cancer, brain tumors, and multiple sclerosis.

Status: False.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

Trouble

The effect of aspartame metabolites on human erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase activity. Pharmacol Res. 2006 Jan;53(1):1-5.

Tsakiris S, Giannoulia-Karantana A, Simintzi I and Schulpis KH.

Studies have implicated aspartame (ASP) with neurological problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in human erythrocyte membranes after incubation with the sum of ASP metabolites, phenylalanine (Phe), methanol (met) and aspartic acid (aspt), or with each one separately. ..

... It is concluded that low concentrations of ASP metabolites had no effect on the membrane enzyme activity, whereas high or toxic concentrations partially or remarkably decreased the membrane AChE activity, respectively. Additionally, neurological symptoms, including learning and memory processes, may be related to the high or toxic concentrations of the sweetener metabolites.

(eg, there is a dose dependent effect on acetylcholinesterase activity. It has also been shown to affect AMPK and NMDA receptors activity associated with LTP - memory processing in the forebrain - also a dose dependent condition.

Note: many whey products are formulated with sucralose, not aspartame.

JohnMac

Arch Intern Med. 1989 Oct;149(10):2318-24.

Safety of long-term large doses of aspartame.

Leon AS, Hunninghake DB, Bell C, Rassin DK, Tephly TR.

Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Safety of long-term administration of 75 mg/kg of aspartame per day was evaluated with the use of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design in 108 male and female volunteers aged 18 to 62 years. Subjects received either aspartame or placebo in capsule form three times daily for 24 weeks. No persistent changes over time were noted in either group in vital signs; body weight; results of standard laboratory tests; fasting blood levels of aspartame's constituent amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine), other amino acids, and methanol; or blood formate levels and 24-hour urinary excretion of formate. There also were no statistically significant differences between groups in the number of subjects experiencing symptoms or in the number of symptoms per subject. These results further document the safety of the long-term consumption of aspartame at doses equivalent to the amount of aspartame in approximately 10 L of beverage per day.



Pediatrics. 1990 Jul;86(1):75-83.

Aspartame: effects on learning, behavior, and mood.

Saravis S, Schachar R, Zlotkin S, Leiter LA, Anderson GH.

Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The effect of aspartame on the learning, behavior, and mood of children was evaluated in two experiments. After an overnight fast and a standard breakfast, 20 healthy 9- to 10-year-old children were given the treatments in a double-blind crossover design at 10:30 AM. Lunch was served at 12:00 noon. In experiment 1, the treatment consisted of an ice slurry of strawberry Kool-Aid containing 1.75 g/kg of carbohydrate (polycose) plus either aspartame (34 mg/kg) or the equivalent sweetness as sodium cyclamate and amino acids as alanine. In experiment 2, the treatment consisted of a drink of cold unsweetened strawberry Kool-Aid, containing either 1.75 g/kg of sucrose or 9.7 mg/kg of aspartame. Measures of associative learning, arithmetic calculation, activity level, social interaction, and mood were unaffected by treatment in experiment 1. In experiment 2, the only significant treatment effect was that on the frequency of minor and gross motor behaviors, which were less frequent after the consumption of sucrose than after aspartame. Thus, the effect of aspartame on the short-term behavior of healthy 9- to 10-year-old children appears to be related to its absence of metabolic consequences rather than to its amino acid composition and putative neurochemical impact.


Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Dec;62(6):1206-11.

Erythrocyte L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine hydrolase activity and plasma phenylalanine and aspartate concentrations in children consuming diets high in aspartame.

Stegink LD, Lindgren SD, Brummel MC, Stumbo PJ, Wolraich ML.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, USA.

A deficit of alpha-aspartyl-phenylalanine (alpha-Asp-Phe) hydrolase activity has been suggested as a cause of possible adverse effects of aspartame ingestion. Twenty-five normal preschool children and 23 school-age children described by their parents as sensitive to sugar were fed diets high in sucrose, aspartame, or saccharin for three successive 3-wk periods. Blood samples were obtained at baseline (fasting) and within the last 3 d of each dietary period (postprandial). alpha-Asp-Phe concentrations were below detection limits (0.5 mumol/L) in all plasma samples and Phe and Asp concentrations remained within normal limits, alpha-Asp-Phe hydrolase activities in baseline hemolysate samples did not differ between groups. One subject had a plasma alpha-Asp-Phe hydrolase activity > 2 SD below the mean. Despite this low activity, this subject did not show consistent cognitive or behavioral anomalies that could be linked to low hydrolase activity.

Trouble

Synergistic interactions between commonly used food additives in a developmental neurotoxicity test. Toxicol Sci. 2006 90(1):178-87.

Lau K, McLean WG, Williams DP and Howard CV.

Developmental Toxicopathology Unit, Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Liverpool UK.

Exposure to non-nutritional food additives during the critical development window has been implicated in the induction and severity of behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although the use of single food additives at their regulated concentrations is believed to be relatively safe in terms of neuronal development, their combined effects remain unclear. We therefore examined the neurotoxic effects of four common food additives in combinations of two (Brilliant Blue and L-glutamic acid, Quinoline Yellow and aspartame) to assess potential interactions. Mouse NB2a neuroblastoma cells were induced to differentiate and grow neurites in the presence of additives. After 24 h, cells were fixed and stained and neurite length measured by light microscopy with computerized image analysis. Neurotoxicity was measured as an inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Two independent models were used to analyze combination effects: effect additivity and dose additivity. Significant synergy was observed between combinations of Brilliant Blue with L-glutamic acid, and Quinoline Yellow with aspartame, in both models. Involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in food additive-induced neurite inhibition was assessed with a NMDA antagonist, CNS-1102. L-glutamic acid- and aspartame-induced neurotoxicity was reduced in the presence of CNS-1102; however, the antagonist did not prevent food color-induced neurotoxicity. Theoretical exposure to additives was calculated based on analysis of content in foodstuff, and estimated percentage absorption from the gut. Inhibition of neurite outgrowth was found at concentrations of additives theoretically achievable in plasma by ingestion of a typical snack and drink. In addition, Trypan Blue dye exclusion was used to evaluate the cellular toxicity of food additives on cell viability of NB2a cells; both combinations had a straightforward additive effect on cytotoxicity. These data have implications for the cellular effects of common chemical entities ingested individually and in combination.

I've never seen it used by itself, as a supplement. A foolish way to test it, in as much as NMDA/glutamate are known CNS activators of gut activity - and more importantly, play a role in active uptake and co-transport of many ions and compounds.

ubercoach

From Dr. Mercola's web site:

Aspartic Acid (40 percent of aspartame)

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a professor of neurosurgery at the Medical University of Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing the damage that is caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from aspartame. Blaylock makes use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid (about 99 percent of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is glutamic acid) in our food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.(3)


How Aspartate (and Glutamate) Cause Damage

Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They "excite" or stimulate the neural cells to death.

Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain.

The blood brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins, 1) is not fully developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when intact.

The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons. The large majority (75 percent or more) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to by long-term exposure to excitatory amino acid damage include:

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
ALS
Memory loss
Hormonal problems
Hearing loss
Epilepsy
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Hypoglycemia
AIDS
Dementia
Brain lesions
Neuroendocrine disorders
The risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with certain chronic health problems from excitotoxins are great. Even the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), which usually understates problems and mimics the FDA party-line, recently stated in a review that:

"It is prudent to avoid the use of dietary supplements of L-glutamic acid by pregnant women, infants, and children. The existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e., elevated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and individuals with affective disorders."(4)

Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid.

The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those reactions include5)

Headaches/migraines
Nausea
Abdominal pains
Fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain)
Sleep problems
Vision problems
Anxiety attacks
Depression
Asthma/chest tightness.
One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to combat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage. Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are concerned about excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSG.

A few of the many experts who have spoken out against the damage being caused by aspartate and glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental psychologist specializing in research design. Another is Olney, a professor in the department of psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid caused holes in the brains of mice.)

Phenylalanine (50 percent of aspartame)

Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot metabolize phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

This is not just a theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspartame over a long period of time and do not have PKU have been shown to have excessive levels of phenylalanine in the blood. Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of seratonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression. It was shown in human testing that phenylalanine levels of the blood were increased significantly in human subjects who chronically used aspartame.(6)

Even a single use of aspartame raised the blood phenylalanine levels. In his testimony before the U.S. Congress, Dr. Louis J. Elsas showed that high blood phenylalanine can be concentrated in parts of the brain and is especially dangerous for infants and fetuses. He also showed that phenylalanine is metabolised much more effeciently by rodents than by humans.(7)

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published the "Wednesday Journal" in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.(8)

As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring phenylalanine buildup in the brain were flawed. Investigators who measured specific brain regions and not the average throughout the brain notice significant rises in phenylalanine levels. Specifically the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus striatum areas of the brain had the largest increases in phenylalanine. Blaylock goes on to point out that excessive buildup of phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make one more susceptible to seizures.

Therefore, long-term, excessive use of aspartame may provid a boost to sales of seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures.

Methanol (aka wood alcohol/poison) (10 percent of aspartame)

Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. Some people may remember methanol as the poison that has caused some "skid row" alcoholics to end up blind or dead. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounter the enzyme chymotrypsin.

The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g., as part of a "food" product such as Jello).

Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states 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." They recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.(9)

Symptoms from methanol poisoning include headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness and shooting pains in the extremities, behavioral disturbances, and neuritis. The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems including misty vision, progressive contraction of visual fields, blurring of vision, obscuration of vision, retinal damage, and blindness. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication and causes birth defects.(10)

Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans. As pointed out by Dr. Woodrow C. Monte, director of the food science and nutrition laboratory at Arizona State University, "There are no human or mammalian studies to evaluate the possible mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of methyl alcohol."(11)

He was so concerned about the unresolved safety issues that he filed suit with the FDA requesting a hearing to address these issues. He asked the FDA to "slow down on this soft drink issue long enough to answer some of the important questions. It's not fair that you are leaving the full burden of proof on the few of us who are concerned and have such limited resources. You must remember that you are the American public's last defense. Once you allow usage (of aspartame) there is literally nothing I or my colleagues can do to reverse the course. Aspartame will then join saccharin, the sulfiting agents, and God knows how many other questionable compounds enjoined to insult the human constitution with governmental approval."(10) Shortly thereafter, the Commissioner of the FDA, Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages, he then left for a position with G.D. Searle's public relations firm.(11)

It has been pointed out that some fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, however, that methanol never appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts. Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans.(9) The troops of Desert Storm were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages, which had been heated to over 86 degrees F in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of aspartame such as DKP (discussed below) may also have been a factor.

In a 1993 act that can only be described as "unconscionable," the FDA approved aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to above 86 degree F (30 degree C).

Diketopiperazine (DKP)

DKP is a byproduct of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the occurrence of brain tumors. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitrosated in the gut, produced a compound that was similar to N-nitrosourea, a powerful brain tumor causing chemical. Some authors have said that DKP is produced after aspartame ingestion. I am not sure if that is correct. It is definitely true that DKP is formed in liquid aspartame-containing products during prolonged storage.

G.D. Searle conducted animal experiments on the safety of DKP. The FDA found numerous experimental errors occurred, including "clerical errors, mixed-up animals, animals not getting drugs they were supposed to get, pathological specimens lost because of improper handling," and many other errors.(12) These sloppy laboratory procedures may explain why both the test and control animals had sixteen times more brain tumors than would be expected in experiments of this length.

In an ironic twist, shortly after these experimental errors were discovered, the FDA used guidelines recommended by G.D. Searle to develop the industry-wide FDA standards for good laboratory practices.(11)

DKP has also been implicated as a cause of uterine polyps and changes in blood cholesterol by FDA Toxicologist Dr. Jacqueline Verrett in her testimony before the U.S. Senate.(13)

Ubercoach

ubercoach

Author, Mary Nash Stoddard presented research findings at Tesla Conference, July '95, Colorado Springs CO before several hundred attendees. Lecture available on video by contacting ACSN 1-800-969-6050

This article was written based partially on the evidence presented in these studies/medical and scientific texts:

National Cancer Institute Cancer Statistics Review 1973-87. Bethesda, N111 Pub. No. 89-2789 Roberts, H.J.; Does Aspartame Cause Human Brain Cancer?. Journal of Advancements in Medicine. Vol. 4, No. 4, Winter 1991 W.C. Monte, Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Health. Journal of Applied Nutrition, Vol. 36, No. 1, 1984. P.J. Shaw, Excitatory amino acid receptors, excitotoxicity, and the human nervous system. Current Opinion in Neurology and Neurosurgery 1993, 6:414-422 UK T.J. Maher and R.J. Wurtman, Possible Neurologic Effects of Aspartame, a Widely Used Food Additive. Environmental Health Perspectives. Vo. 75, p. 53-57, 1987. M.E. Drake, Panic Attacks and Excessive Aspartame Ingestion. p. 631 The Lancet, Sept. 13, 1986 Congressional Record, Senate. Saccharin Study and Labeling Act Amendments of 1985. May 7,m 1985, p. S5489-5516 Congressional Record Senate. Aspartame Safety Act of 1985. August 1, 1985, p. S10820-10847 Ishu, II: Incidence of brain tumors in rats fed aspartame. Toxicol Letters 1981, 7:433-437. R.G. Walton, Seizure and Mania after high intake of aspartame. Psychomatics, 1986; 27:218-220 R.J. Wurtman, E.R.Walker, Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, MIT Press May, 1988. D. Remington, B. Higa, The Bitter truth About Artificial Sweeteners. Vitality House Press, 1987 H.J. Roberts, Aspartame, NutraSweet. Is It Safe? The Charles Press, December 1989. B.A. Mullarkey, Bittersweet Aspartame, A Diet Delusion. NutriVoice, Inc. ISBN 0-944366 -- 00-7 1992. 65 pgs. Excitotoxins ... The Taste That Kills - Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. Health Press, Santa Fe, N.M. 1994 - ISBN 0-929173-14-7 - $29.95

RADIO INTERVIEW WITH MARY STODDARD

ERNIE: Thanks for joining us tonight. We're glad you're with us. All across the state of Texas and parts beyond, it's good to have you here. Some important information and some information that will challenge, mystify and also make you want to maybe think about the things you eat and drink. Tonight I welcome Mary Stoddard to the microphone. Mary is here to talk about Aspartame. This is something that we've been hearing a little bit about in the media, but not a whole lot yet.

MARY: Yes, that's right. Based on the latest studies about connecting Aspartame with brain tumors and a higher incidence of brain tumors since the advent of Aspartame on the market, we have made the news quite a bit, all around the world, lately.

ERNIE: Now, when you talk about Aspartame, you're talking ... is this NutraSweet?

MARY: Aspartame is known as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonfuls, DiabetiSweet, etc. It's known by a number of names around the world: Canderel in Europe. It's NatraSweet, I believe, in Brazil, and other places around the world it's called different things, but if you look for Aspartame on the label, you should be able to find it and be okay.

ERNIE: This is a chemical substitute for sugar. We find this in diet drinks, and Sweet and Low type products, things that take sugar out of the diet and put Aspartame in.

MARY: Right, the only thing that doesn't have it would be Sweet & Low. However is is combined with saccharin in some products, such as TAB, for example, the diet soft drink.

ERNIE: Well, why is this something to worry about? What is Aspartame all about?

MARY: Because, first of all, the tests were falsified to get it approved and get it on the market in the first place. The tests were submitted ... the lab animals in those tests had seizures. They had brain tumors. They had pancreatic tumors. They had mammary tumors, and they had uterine tumors. But, all this was covered up and erased when the tests were submitted.

ERNIE: Why?

MARY: Because it wouldn't have been approved.

ERNIE: Right.

MARY: And, it was approved as a food additive, not a drug. It was discovered as a drug in the 60's by a scientist who licked his fingers, said it tasted sweet, so let's make it a sweetener instead of a drug for peptic ulcers. It was first approved in 1974, but the approval was rescinded because of the brain tumor issue. That issue remains a very valid one today.

ERNIE: I remember back when this first came out, that ... I'm speaking from a very vague memory here ... but, there was a lot of furor about it. That it causes cancer, etc., and people didn't use it very much for awhile.

MARY: Yes.

ERNIE: What ever became of that?

MARY: Well, what became of it is a major marketing campaign was put into effect. Billions of dollars were spent on PR and Marketing, and it's been very effective. I mean, they're very good at that. Not a great products, but they're good at marketing their product.

ERNIE: Why is Aspartame bad? What does it do? What are the qualities of it ... the compounds?

MARY: Okay. First of all, it's a synthetic compound. It's two amino acids: Phenylalanine 50% which lowers the seizure threshold in some individuals, and the head of Brain Science at MIT said that it causes seizures and can cause brain tumors. Aspartic Acid is 40% of the molecule and according to Dr. John Olney, the world expert on Aspartic Acid, who just held the News Conference in Washington, November the 18th, in connection with Aspartame and brain tumors, said that it caused lesions in the brains of lab animals. What's more, it changed the DNA ... which means that it will affect future generations. It skipped a generation and went on to the third generation in the lab animal experiments ... producing morbidly obese and sexually dysfunctional lab animals.

ERNIE: So, this is something that people ... I'm sure there are people out there who drink diet drinks every day trying to lose weight, who are listening to this thinking: Well, maybe one or two reactions -- I've heard this before. I drink 'em. I don't have any problems. Or, this is the first time they've heard this and there's: Wait a second, what is this? They wouldn't put something that's so deadly on the market.

MARY: Well, they actually would. We compare this to the cigarette issue because it's a very close parallel. How many cigarettes does it take to cause lung cancer or a stroke, or a heart attack? How many diet drinks do you have to consume to get a brain tumor? How many spoonfuls of Equal do you have to take to have a pancreatic tumor or liver damage? The answer is: We don't know exactly what amount because it does not show up in short term testing. It's the long term effect. I got into this in the first place because of children and the effect it is having on children. I saw the effects in my youngest, who began to have migraines when she started drinking this Kool Aid flavored drink (Crystal Light) that came in sample packets in the mail to us. She developed chest pains and heart attack-like symptoms ... which I took her to a Heart Specialist for. Finally, she was carried in from a school field trip, after having had a grand mal seizure.

ERNIE: Now, what's that?

MARY: That is the worst kind of seizure. You lose consciousness, you fall to the ground in a fetal position and you're just out of it. That is the worst kind of seizure. There are many kinds of seizures that people can experience from Aspartame and from other causes as well, but the grand mal is the top of the line as far as danger goes. And so, when I discovered the one thing she was having was causing all these problems twelve years ago, I got her off of it and she's been just fine. Very healthy and seizure-free and no problem with that in the interim.

ERNIE: How did you know to trace it back to those things?

MARY: Well, it tasted funny to me. I was used to saccharin. I used the artificial sweetener, saccharin which has been around for a hundred years and no deaths reported ... only six complaints about saccharin had been reported to the FDA as of a couple of years ago, versus thousands and tens of thousands of complaints reported to the FDA about Aspartame. In fact, it's the most complained about additive in history. Aspartame has the most complaints on record. And, yet, the FDA refuses to do anything. I work with pilots. I have established a pilot's hotline in regard to this because an F-16 pilot asked me to do so when we were both in Washington testifying at the Senate Hearings. Working with pilots is an amazing thing. They lose their jobs. They lose, in some cases: their marriages, their homes, their families ... everything. And, in some cases ... their lives. I just finished filming a 60 Minutes segment for Australian TV for their 60 Minutes show. In it I had a pilot who was interviewed because he had a grand mal seizure in the cockpit in flight on a commuter airline in Alaska. This made national headlines about three years ago. Since he stopped using the artificially sweetened, ah, I think he was using Equal in his coffee and some drinks as well, he's been seizure-free. And, so he's been interviewed by the TV crew because it's such an astonishing story. Dozens of pilots have lost their medical certification to fly and one FAA Medical Examiner