Aspartame -More Dangerous Than High Fructose Corn Syrup

It's really hard to believe that something could be worse thanthe intense sugar loads from high fructose corn syrup and sucrose. But, Aspartame ( Equal, Nutrasweet, Equal Measure, Spoonful, Canderal) is even more dangerous to your health.

Aspartame, was first discovered in 1965 when Searle chemist JimSchlatter, who was developing this drug for another purpose,accidentally licked some from his finger and found itto be sweet tasting. The ingredients in aspartame arephenylalanine(50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methyl alcohol(10%).

Aspartame Approved by the FDA in January 1981

Even after about eight years of steadfast refusal by the FDA toapprove this dangerous drug for human consumption, Searle triedone more time, the day after the inauguration of the Presidentin 1981. The previous commissioner of the FDA had been"removed" and a new one installed. Despite an FDA agencyinvestigation into this "approval by political triage,"the drug has not been removed from the market andthe investigation was, in essence, abandoned.

Why get embalmed before it is absolutely necessary?

Methyl alcohol, also known as "wood" alcohol breaks down in thebody to formaldehyde and DKP(diketopiperazine). Formaldehyde, as many of you probably already know, is embalming solution andhighly toxic to the central nervous system. Why get embalmedbefore it is absolutely necessary? Methyl alcohol causesblindness and if the dose is large enough, it can cause liverand kidney failure. DKP is a known carcinogen and causes braintumors. According to the National Cancer Institute there hasbeen a 10% increase in primary brain tumors since 1985. Therehas also been an increase in brain tumors in children whosemothers consumed aspartame throughout pregnancy.

Phenylalanine and Aspartic Acid

These are both amino acids that are normally supplied by the foods that we eat. However, when they are isolated and supplied in very high concentrations, they are toxic to the central nervous system causing headache, mental confusion and memory loss, balance problems and seizures. These ingredients have been classified as excitotoxins.

Excitotoxin Damage

Excitotoxin damage usually takes weeks to months to years tobecome clinically apparent. Excitotoxins are also stronggenerators of free radicals thus accelerating aging of mostorgan systems, significantly the vascular system, immune systemcompromise inducing cancer and the musculo-skeletal systemresulting in arthritis. Joint pain is one of the chiefcomplaints of those with aspartame poisoning.

The Blood-Brain Barrier

Aspartame is especially dangerous to those who already havedisease, the unborn and those less than one year old.Diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and aging compromisethe blood-brain barrier. This barrier in the fetus and neonateis not well developed. These groups are especially sensitive tothe damaging effects of aspartame since the barrier that wouldkeep the excitotoxins out of the brain is either compromised ornot developed yet. No wonder birth defects are also associatedwith Aspartame.

Formaldehyde (besides embalming)

It is known that formaldehyde accumulates in the areas of thebrain that correspond to the neurodegenerative symptoms ofParkinson's, Alzheimer's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. Aspartame has also been shownto cause seizures in susceptible people, even with no priorhistory.

Aspartame and Pilots

When I was a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force we were alwaysconcerned about any alcohol ingestion 24 hours before flying.Now, pilots have to be concerned about aspartame ingestionbefore flying, since it can induce vertigo / disorientationand seizures. If you are flying commercial, hope that yourpilot isn't drinking diet soda.

Visual Impairment

During the years of prohibition there were many cases ofblindness due to consumption of methyl alcohol, since ethanol(the typical alcohol of most drinks, beers etc) was banned.Today we have an ophthalmologist in West Palm Beach, FloridaDr. H.J. Roberts, who has treated hundreds of aspartame victims.One quarter of his patients have experienced blindness.According to Dr. Roberts "optic nerve swelling, retinaldegeneration and visual impairment, that is associated with heavy aspartame use, is identical to the pathology observed in recorded cases of methanol toxicity from drinking wood alcohol throughout the days of prohibition." This gets especially problematic since the American Diabetic Association still recommends aspartame. What is frequently misdiagnosed as diabetic retinopathy is often aspartame retinopathy.

Below is a partial list of other diseases that aspartametoxicity can mimic or worsen. The list currently totalsabout 92 symptoms and diseases.

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson's Disease

Lou Gehrig's disease

Diabetes

Hypertension

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Obesity ... yes, aspartame can actually cause weight gain.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria is a rare inherited (genetically recessive)metabolic disease that can result in mental retardation andother neurological problems if treatment is not started inthe first few weeks of life. The defect is either completeor partial absence of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylasethat metabolizes phenylalanine to tyrosine. In view of thefact that aspartame is 50% phenylalanine, it is an absolutecontra-indication for anyone with PKU. Carriers for thetrait are also at risk for problems with aspartame. Thereare over 100 different genetic mutations with enzymeactivities from zero to normal. For more information onaspartame and phenylketonuria follow the link below:

http://www.sweetpoison.com/phenylketonuria.html

Michael J. Fox, Aspartame and Parkinson's Disease (or)"Diet Pepsi Rots Your Brain"

Michael J. Fox developed Parkinson's at age 30. He was at onetime a spokesman for Diet Pepsi and was known to be addictedto Diet Pepsi. Follow the link below for more on this:

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=684893

To see a very interesting movie about "political triage"and the eventual "approval" of aspartame by the FDAfollow the link below:

http://www.soundandfuryproductions.com/Pages/Rumsfeld.html

For more on the dangers of aspartame follow the links below:

http://aspartamekills.comhttp://dorway.com

Today's Health Tip

Avoid aspartame completely. If you must drink sodas, you arebetter off to drink the non-diet variety. It is much easierto lose a few pounds of fat, than be treated for a brain tumor,Parkinson's disease or blindness.

Read labels very carefully. Aspartame is in, atlast count, over 7000 foods, beverages including beer, sportsnutrition drinks and bars and even vitamins.

If you are going to drink diet sodas, make sure to keep themcool, as the breakdown of aspartame (which proceeds uncheckedeven still in the can) is temperature and age dependant.The higher the ambient (storage) temperature, the more methylalcohol and formaldehyde will be present in your soda.Also, the older the can of aspartame laden diet soda, the moremethyl alcohol and formaldehyde will be present in the can.

Reference:

Stryer Biochemistry Fourth Edition

Could There Be Evils Lurking In Aspartame Consumption?By Christine Lydon, MDhttp://www.aspartame.com/lydon.htm

The MericleDiet makes it easy to get off of all sweeteners,sodas, candy and sports nutrition. It also makes it easyto get off of any packaged or processed foods that maycontain or hide aspartame.

Thanks for your attention.

Copyright © John Mericle M.D. 2005 All Rights Reserved

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http://DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.