posted April 17, 2003 07:42 PM         

Equal, Nutrasweet, Equal Measure, Spoonful, Canderal
(E951)
Aspartame was not approved until 1981, in dry foods.
For over eight years the FDA refused to approve it
because of the seizures and brain tumors this drug
produced in lab animals. The FDA continued to refuse
to approve it until President Reagan took office (a
friend of Searle) and fired the FDA Commissioner who
wouldn't approve it. Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes was
appointed as commissioner. Even then there was so much
opposition to approval that a Board of Inquiry was set
up. The Board said: "Do not approve aspartame". Dr.
Hayes OVERRULED his own Board of Inquiry.
Shortly after Commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr.,
approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages,
he left for a position with G.D. Searle's Public
Relations firm.
Long-Term Damage. It appears to cause slow, silent
damage in those unfortunate enough to not have
immediate reactions and a reason to avoid it. It may
take one year, five years, 10 years, or 40 years, but
it seems to cause some reversible and some
irreversible changes in health over long-term use.
METHANOL (AKA WOOD ALCOHOL/POISON) (10% OF ASPARTAME)
Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. People may
recall that methanol was 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." The 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.
The most well known problems from methanol poisoning
are vision problems. Formaldehyde is a known
carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA
replication, and causes birth defects. 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."
It has been pointed out that fruit juices and
alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol.
It is important to remember, that the methanol in
natural products never appears alone. In every case,
ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts.
Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in
humans. 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, 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°degrees F (30°Degrees C).
Much worse, on 27 June 1996, without public notice,
the FDA removed all restrictions from aspartame
allowing it to be used in everything, including all
heated and baked goods.
The truth about aspartame's toxicity is far different
than what the NutraSweet Company would have you
readers believe. In February of 1994, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services released the
listing of adverse reactions reported to the FDA (DHHS
1994). Aspartame accounted for more than 75% of all
adverse reactions reported to the FDA's Adverse
Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS). By the FDA's own
admission fewer then ONE PERCENT of those who have
problems with something they consume ever report it to
the FDA. This balloons the almost 10,000 complaints
they once had to around a million. However, the FDA
has a record keeping problem (they never did respond
to the certified letter from the WEBMASTER of this
site... a major victim!) and they tend to discourage
or even misdirect complaints, at least on aspartame.
The fact remains, though, that MOST victims don't have
a clue that aspartame may be the cause of their many
problems! Many reactions to aspartame were very
serious including seizures and death.

Note: It often takes at least sixty days without *any*
aspartame or nutrasweet to see a significant
improvement. Improvement in health is also often
accompanied by weight loss. Check all labels very
carefully (including vitamins and pharmaceuticals).
Look for the word "aspartame" on the label and avoid
it. (Also, it is a good idea to avoid "acesulfame-k"
or "sunette.") Finally, avoid getting nutrition
information from junk food industry PR organizations
such as IFIC or organizations that accept large sums
of money from the junk and chemical food industry such
as the American Dietetic Association.
seizures and convulsions
dizziness
tremors
migraines and severe headaches (Trigger or Cause From
Chronic Intake)
memory loss (common toxicity effects)
slurring of speech
confusion
numbness or tingling of extremities
chronic fatigue
depression
insomnia
irritability
panic attacks (common aspartame toxicity reaction)
marked personality changes
phobias
rapid heart beat, tachycardia (another frequent
reaction)
asthma
chest pains
hypertension (high blood pressure)
nausea or vomitting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
swallowing pain
itching
hives / urticaria
other allergic reactions
blood sugar control problems (e.g., hypoglycemia or
hyperglycemia)
menstrual cramps and other menstraul problems or
changes
impotency and sexual problems
food cravings
weight gain
hair loss / baldness or thinning of hair
burning urination & other urination problems
excessive thirst or excessive hunger
bloating, edema (fluid retention)
infection susceptibility
joint pain
brain cancer (Pre-approval studies in animals)
death

Aspartame Disease Mimmicks Symptoms or Worsens the
Following Diseases
fibromyalgia
arthritis
multiple sclerosis (MS)
parkinson's disease
lupus
multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)
diabetes and diabetic Complications
epilepsy
alzheimer's disease
birth defects
chronic fatigue syndrome
lymphoma
lyme disease
attention deficit disorder (ADD and ADHD)
panic disorder
depression and other psychological disorders

posted April 17, 2003 09:26 PM         

Thanks, Tash479!

posted April 19, 2003 02:51 AM         

Aspartame poisoning was a major factor in many (1st) Gulf War soldiers developing severe health problems. The US army provisioned them with soft drinks containing aspartame in the desert heat -- way over 86 F/30 C.

Sick, corrupt.

It kills me too how so many women drink that UltraSlimFast sh*te that contains aspartame. Been there, drank that, ewwwwwww.

posted April 19, 2003 03:40 AM         

Donald Rumsfeld was the CEO of Searle in the early 80's when all this aspartame buisness went down with the Regan Administration. He's certainly got the lowdown on the physical effects of the stuff.
And yet, I've heard that bush and Ashkroft both drink alot of diet sodas. The pretzel incident could be related to the side effect of painful swallowing. Didn't the Prez also have some knee surgery? There's the painful joints side effect. Askroft has the heart problems. Of course these are things that could be caused by a grand variety of things, in this wonderfully carcinogenic little world we've created for ourselves, but still.. it's strange..

I wonder why Rumsfeld hasn't warned his cohorts about such an insidious danger as the wood alcohol lurking in their favorite drinks?

Even though I don't have alot of money, I spend the little extra to eat natural foods, atleast 85-90% of the time. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives. None of that crud. The way I see it, they can be nothing but bad news for my body which has evolved over millenia eating things naturally occuring of this planet. To go and muck with such a long term pattern as that by putting into it weird, lifeless, chemical compounds created in a laboratory by some scientist is just too risky for me. Not nearly enough long term studies into any of those things for my satisfaction. So anyways, the way I see it, I would rather have a smaller quantity of wholesome, nourishing food than a larger quantity of artificial, lifeless 'food'.

I wonder why people who can afford to eat all organic don't? Course, it could have to do with how relatively little attention this sort of thing gets in the media. So many people just aren't aware of these issues. Not everybody puts that much thought into where their food comes or what it's made of.

Okay, I've rambled enough. . thanks for sharing the article, tash! It's important to foster awareness of these important issues .

posted April 22, 2003 12:05 PM         

Harpyr, I couldn't agree with you more! I try to eat healthfully 75-80% of the time (but who can give up peanut butter meltaways??). I don't understand the media (and I work for it, though in a purely entertainment capacity!). Every now and then you'll see a huge article about the fat content, in, say, Fettucini Alfredo. And yeah,that's true...but people don't eat it all that often...AND, its ingredients are still better for you than MOST of the pre-packaged psuedo-food found in grocery stores. Don't even get me started on hydrogenated fats!!! They're one of the worst things we can put in our bodies, and they're in everything, even peanut butter (except all natural, which I buy). My point is...why make such a big deal out of a specific meal...when there is an epidemic of bad food waiting in every grocery aisle?? As evidenced by aspartame, hydrogenated fats, and all that other stuff you can't even pronounce.

General rule: the more ingredients you see, the worse it is for you, LOL!

posted April 23, 2003 02:17 PM         

If you are interested in more information on aspertame poisoning I highly recommend this site! http://www.dorway.com

It is a large site with massive amounts of info but most assuredly worth your time.
It quite literally saved my sister's LIFE!
3 years ago she worked in broadcast TV and was "asked" to lose a few pounds, as she was starting to "look heavy to the cameras".
Afraid of losing her position, she went out and stocked up on Slimfast, diet drinks and Sweet-n-Low. Within 6 months, she was at Dr.'s office to check into horrendous headaches, muscle pains, weakness and fatigue. He diagnosed 'stress', prescribed drugs and sent her on. A repeat visit, with worsening symptoms, brought on diagnosis of fibromyalgia. As time went on, she lost her job, gained weight (in spite of consuming 'diet' everything!) and became steadily worse. Specialists were consulted, the diagnosis changed to MS. Finally, last year she was diagnosed and treated for Ahlzeimer's and Parkinson's! All at the ripe old age of 36!
She became a complete invalid, suffering daily seizures. Her speech was slurred, she had constant tremors and frequent "blackouts". She was taking 16 prescribed medications everyday. My brother-in-law was told to start looking into long-term care options. (Read nursing homes.) The family was devastated.
While searching the internet for information on Parkinson's, I came across the Dorway site. In the first few minutes of reading, I recognised my sister! I sat and read all night long. At 6:00 am I called my mother and b-i-l to tell them what I had discovered. He refused to hear a word of it, convinced that white coats don't lie. Mother was skeptical but willing to try anything that might help. As she had become full time caregiver for sis, she was in control of food intake.
We started cleaning out the cupboards that morning! The results were dramatic, to say the least. One month without artificial junk and sis was able to stand alone and speak clearly! Second month, she was walking without assistance and tremors and seizures stopped. I am very happy to say that it has been 6 months now and she is healthy as she ever was! (And 20 pounds lighter!)
I realize that this is a very long post but this mess is POISON! You owe it to yourself and your family to discover the truth.

I'll get off MY soapbox now!

posted April 23, 2003 02:57 PM         

This is the actual professor of food science who originally reported on this.

posted April 23, 2003 03:18 PM         

Oh, just another word about stevia, it's available in most health food stores, probably from tons of places on the 'net. As I recall, it comes from fruit sources, like oranges. For more info just do a Google search for stevia, but you'll find tons!!

And I'm sure this had been mentioned many places here...just remember, if the label says "diet," best not to eat it. "Diet" does, after all, contain the mini-lexi I DIE.

posted April 24, 2003 12:29 PM         

Most of the "Anti-Aspartame" campaign stemmed (and was financed) by competition in the sweetener business. Let me assure you folks, "Sweet" not does apply to the cut throat politics used to block sweetener from entering the market by sugar conglomerates.

BTW, there is also a faction that HATES this sugar because the company "NutraSweet" was headed up by a certain Sec. of Defense, Rumsfield.

Anyway, I suggest you do your homework and check out the following website www.caloriecontrol.org.

Here is an excerpt of some of the testing Aspartame had to endure:

SAFETY REVIEW

FDA and almost all scientists who are familiar with the data conclude that aspartame, and its use in a wide variety of products, is a safe and useful option for those individuals who prefer a low-calorie sweetener. Aspartame has been extensively studied in animals and humans for more than two decades in more than 200 studies. Persons born with a rare disease called phenylketonuria (PKU), numbering about 15,000 in the total U.S. population, know to restrict their intake of phenylalanine from all dietary sources. Because aspartame-containing products are a source of phenylalanine in the diet, they carry the labeling, "Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine." (Phenylalanine is found in much greater quantities in meats, milk and other protein foods.)

When FDA approved aspartame, the FDA Commissioner noted: "Few compounds have withstood such detailed testing and repeated, close scrutiny, and the process through which aspartame has gone should provide the public with additional confidence of its safety."

The Commissioner found that evidence indicated aspartame to be safe at expected levels of consumption and at the highest conceivable levels of consumption. In fact, the safety of aspartame has been confirmed on 26 separate occasions in the past 23 years alone, making it one of the most thoroughly studied food ingredients ever.

APPROVAL UPHELD

Objections regarding aspartame's safety were raised prior to, and following, the sweetener's 1983 approval in carbonated beverages. FDA noted, however, that these objections had been "fully dealt with in the earlier proceeding leading to the approval of aspartame for dry uses." The safety questions primarily concerned the potential harmful effects of aspartame's breakdown components (e.g., methanol, aspartic acid, phenylalanine) and alleged that adverse reactions would result from aspartame consumption. The allegations were the basis for requests for a public hearing on the safety issues concerning aspartame.

In a 59-page opinion (published in the February 22, 1984, Federal Register), FDA denied the requests for a hearing, noting that aspartame's critics had not presented any unresolved safety questions. Regarding aspartame's breakdown components, FDA said that it had reviewed animal, clinical and consumption studies submitted by the sweetener's manufacturer, as well as the existing body of scientific data, and "concluded that the studies demonstrated the safety of these components."

In September 1985, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed FDA's action in approving the use of aspartame in liquids, as well as the agency's denial of requests for a public hearing. The court ruled that a government hearing on the safety of aspartame was not justified. FDA's approval of aspartame was again confirmed by a June 1987 General Accounting Office report. The report noted, "FDA adequately followed its food additive approval process in approving aspartame."

FDA again reaffirmed the safety of aspartame in November 1986. In a letter denying a petition to restrict aspartame's use, FDA noted: "The data and information supporting the safety of aspartame are extensive. It is likely that no food product has ever been so closely examined for safety. Moreover, the decisions of the agency to approve aspartame for its uses have been given the fullest airing that the legal process requires."

On November 3, 1987, then-FDA Commissioner Frank Young testified before a Senate Committee that the agency has not seen "any medical or scientific evidence that undermines our confidence in the safety of aspartame. This confidence is based on years of study, analysis of adverse reactions, and research in the scientific community, including studies supported by FDA.

On June 27, 1996, FDA approved the use of aspartame as a "general purpose sweetener," meaning that aspartame can now be used in any food or beverage where standards of identity do not preclude its use. This approval marked the 26th time that FDA affirmed the safety of aspartame over a period of 23 years.

I am quite familiar with the sweetener business, legislation, and regulations due to the fact the biotech company I work for has entered that market.

posted April 24, 2003 12:36 PM         

Also, follow that link to the calorie control council in my first post. It will give a description of each sweetener, weather high intensity, full-bulk polyol or other.

posted April 24, 2003 01:55 PM         

Personally, I don't trust the FDA. I've seen what they approve as safe drugs and "food."
Please don't misunderstand that as any type of personal attack against you or the business you are in.

posted April 24, 2003 02:31 PM         

Moi, as a middle child, I like to get a third, independent opinion in any debate.

Does anyone know of any investigative journalism about aspartame?

Lunargirl

posted April 24, 2003 02:54 PM         

Rumsfeld Lobbied FDA Approval of Toxic Aspartame (continued)

by RM NEWS

A hard-right Republican who served four terms in Congress (1962-69),Rumsfeld voted against food stamps, Medicare and anti-poverty funds. Rumsfeld'spolitical ideology encompasses the stockpiling of chemical weapons,downsizing the Federal government, and eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting."

And this:

"James Turner, the anti-aspartame advocate alleges that Searle hired Rumsfeld to handle the aspartame approval difficulties as a "legal problem rather than a scientific problem."

And this:

"On September 30, 1980, the PBOI voted unanimously to reject the use of aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) until additional studies on aspartame's potential to cause brain tumors could be done. On January 21, 1981, the day after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as President of the United States, Searle
Pharmaceuticals reapplied to the FDA for aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet) approval.

A former G.D. Searle salesperson, Patty Wood-Allott, revealed that Donald Rumsfeld, president of Searle, told his sales force that, if necessary, "he would call in all his markers and that no matter what, he would see to it that aspartame would be approved that year." (mgold, Gordon, US Senate Record)
http://www.verdant.net/corp.htm