Aspartame (E951)

"... Any attempt to replace sugared beverages with aspartame-containing products will, in my opinion, have a devastating impact on the health of our children and adolescents."

The alarming increase in obesity, type II diabetes, and a wide variety of behavioural difficulties in our children is obviously attributable to multiple factors, but I am convinced that one powerful force in accentuating the problems is the ever-increasing use of Aspartame.

"Aspartame is a multipotential toxin and carcinogen. The dipeptide component of the [Aspartame] molecule can alter brain chemistry, leading to carbohydrate craving and, in vulnerable individuals, panic, depressive, cognitive symptoms The methyl ester component of aspartame is metabolised to methanol, which in turn is broken down into formic acid and formaldehyde. Methanol can lead to serious eye problems; formic acid and formaldehyde are potent carcinogens.

"The food industry and the FDA are fond of saying that Aspartame is "the most studied product in history with an outstanding safety record". In fact, however, virtually all of the studies in the medical literature a testing to its safety, were funded by the industry, whereas independently-funded studies, now numbering close to 100, identify one or more problems.

It would be especially tragic if an attempt to improve the health of our children led to even greater exposure to this highly toxic product".

(Ralph G Walton M.D. Medical Director, Safe Harbor Behavioral Health; Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine; Adjunct Prof of Psychiatry, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine).

Aspartame is being relaunched as "AminoSweet" so you will need to be alert when you check food or drink ingredients.

Aspartame is the main ingredient in many artificial sweeteners.

Pilots in the United States Air Force are banned from drinking soft drinks containing Aspartame.

"Aspartame interacts with antidepressants, cardiac medications, hormones, insulin, vaccines and many other chemical substances. It is a deadly neurotoxic drug masquerading as a harmless additive".
(Dr William Campbell Douglass M.D.)

"My repeated emphasis to colleagues, the FDA and the Congress that the approval of Aspartame for human use has spawned an imminent public health hazard, continues to fall on deaf ears".
(H.J. Roberts M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P.)

Aspartame accounts for over 75% of adverse reactions reported annually to the US Food and Drug Administration, which lists the following reported side-effects:

• Headache; Dizziness
• Mood swings; Vomiting/nausea
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Vision changes; Diarrhoea
• Seizures and convulsions
• Grand mal seizures; Memory loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Other neurological symptoms
• Rash; Sleep problems
• Hives; Irregular heartbeat
• Itching
• Change in sensation, (numbness and tingling)
• Local swelling
• Change in activity level; Breathing difficulties
• Oral sensory changes; Menstrual pattern changes

It has been associated with diabetes mellitus, arthritis, depression, hypoglycaemia, convulsions, hypertension, hyperthyroidism and aspartame addiction.

As if that isn't enough, clinically reported Aspartame adverse reactions (from scientific literature) include thrombocytopenia (abnormal reduction in platelet production in the blood), fibromyalgia (chronic joint and muscle pain) and Sjögren's syndrome (a chronic autoimmune disease in which a person’s white blood cells attack their moisture-producing glands. It may also cause dysfunction of other organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system).

Aspartame is used in over 6,000 products including medicines, 'fruit' drinks, diet colas, sweets, cakes, sauces and other processed food. It is not always included in the printed list of ingredients. It is sold as a tea/coffee sweetener under several different names, primarily Nutrasweet.

Links:

• www.wnho.net
• www.dorway.com
• www.hacsg.org