Fwd: [SecretsNowRevealed] Aspartame: Poison for the Masses

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ASPARTAME: POISON FOR THE MASSES!

 

Extracted from Nexus Magazine, Volume 2, #28 (Oct-Nov '95) and Volume 3, #1 (Dec

'95-Jan '96). PO Box 30, Mapleton Qld 4560 Australia. editor

Telephone: +61 (0)7 5442 9280; Fax: +61 (0)7 5442 9381

www.nexusmagazine.com

_________________

 

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names, NutraSweet, Equal,

Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965, when

James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company was testing an anti-ulcer

drug.

 

Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in

1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections

filed by neuroscience researcher Dr John W. Olney and Consumer attorney James

Turner in August 1974 as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research

practices caused the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of

aspartame on

hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made Searle

Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

 

Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added

to foods. Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to

food additives reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death as

recently disclosed in a February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services

report.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as

being caused by aspartame include:

 

Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms,

weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia,

vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties,

anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss,

and joint pain.

 

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of

aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by

ingesting of aspartame:(2)

 

Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome,

parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects,

fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

 

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: Aspartic acid,

phenylalanine, and methanol.

 

The book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James and Phyllis Balch,

lists aspartame under the category of " chemical poison. " As you shall see, that

is exactly what it is.

 

ASPARTIC ACID (40% 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. [Ninety nine

percent of monosodium glutamate 9MSG) is glutamic acid.

 

The damage it causes is also documented in Blaylock's book.] Blaylock makes use

of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess free excitatory amino

acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid in our food supply are causing

serious chronic neurological disorders and a myriad of other acute symptoms.(3)

 

SUMMARY OF HOW ASPARTATE (AND GLUTAMATE) CAUSE DAMAGE

 

Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating

the transmittion 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.

 

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 mimmicks 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 include:(5)

 

Headaches/migraines, nausea, abdominal pains, fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose

entry into brain), sleep problems, vision problems, anxiety attacks, depression,

and 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 excititory amino acid damage. Blaylock is one of many scientists and

physicians who are concerned about excititory 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 brain of mice.)

 

Also included is Francis J. Waickman, M.D., a recipient of the Rinkel and Forman

Awards, and Board certified in Pediatrics, Allergy, and Immunology.

 

Other concerned scientists include: John R. Hain, M.D., Board

Certified Forensic Pathologist, and H.J. Roberts, M.D., FACP, FCCP, Diabetic

Specialist, and selected by a national medical publication as " The Best Doctor

in the US "

 

John Samuels is concerned, also. He compiled a list of scientific research

sufficient to show the dangers of ingesting excess free glutamic and aspartic

acid.

 

And there are many more who can be added to this long list.

 

PHENYLALANINE (50% 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 US 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 the " Wednesday Journal " in an article entitled " An

Aspartame Nightmare. "

 

John Cook began drinking 6 to 8 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 provided a boost to sales

of seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and drugs to control

schizophrenia and seizures.

 

METHANOL (AKA WOOD ALCOHOL/POISON) (10% 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. " 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.(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 knowm 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.

 

Formaldehye is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA

replication, 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 everycase, 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 86o 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°ree;F (30°ree;C).

 

DIKETOPIPERAZINE (DKP)

 

DKP is a by-product of aspartame metabolism. DKP has been implicated in the

occurance of brain tumors. Olney noticed that DKP, when nitrosated in the gut,

produced a compound which 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 definately 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 occured, 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 recommened by G.D. Searle to devlop the

Industry-wide FDA standards for Good Laboratory Practies.(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 US Senate.(13)

 

AILMENTS RESULTING FROM ASPARTAME

 

The components of aspartame can lead to a wide variety of ailments. Some of

these problems occur gradually, others are immediate, acute reactions.

 

There is an enormous population of people who are suffering from symtpoms

contributed to by aspartame, yet they have no idea why herbs or drugs are not

helping relieve their problems.

 

There are other users of aspartame who appear not to be suffering immediate

reactions to aspartame. But even these individuals are susceptible to the

long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol, and

DKP. A few of the many disorders that are of particular concern to me include

the following.

 

Birth Defects.

 

Dr Diana Dow Edwards, a researcher was funded by Monsanto to study possible

birth defects caused by the ingestion of aspartame. After preliminary data

showed damaging information about aspartame, funding for the study was cut off.

A Gentetic Pediatrician at Emory University has testified that aspartame is

causing birth defects.7360-367.

 

In the book, While Waiting: A Prenatal Guidebook by George R. Verrilli, M.D. and

Anne Marie Mueser, it is stated that aspartame is suspected of causing brain

damage in sensitive individuals. A fetus may be at risk for these effects. Some

researchers have suggested that high doses of aspartame may be associated with

problems ranging from dizziness and subtle brain changes to mental retardation.

 

Cancer (Brain Cancer).

 

In 1981, Satya Dubey, an FDA statistician, stated that the brain

tumor data on aspartame was so " worrisome " that he could not

recommend approval of NutraSweet.(14) In a two-year study conducted by the

manufacturer of aspartame, twelve of the 320 rats fed a normal diet and

aspartame developed brain tumors while none of the control rats had tumors.

 

Five of the twelve tumors were in rats given a low dose of aspartame.(15) The

approval of aspartame was a violation of the Delaney Amendment which was

supposed to prevent cancer-causing substances such as methanol (formaldehye) and

DKP from entering our food supply.

 

The late Dr Adrian Gross, an FDA toxicologist, testified before the US Congress

that aspartame was capable of producing brain tumors. This made it illegal for

the FDA to set an allowable daily intake at any level. He stated in his

testimony that Searle's studies were " to a large extent unreliable " and that " at

least one of those studies has established beyond any reasonable doubt that

aspartame is capable of inducing brain tumors in experimental animals.... "

 

He concluded his testimony by asking, " What is the reason for the apparent

refusal by the FDA to invoke for this food additive the so-called Delaney

Amendment to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act? .... And if the FDA itself elects

to violate the law, who is left to protect the health of the public? " (16)

 

In the mid-1970s it was discovered that the manufacturer of aspartame falsified

studies in several ways. One of the techniques used was to cut tumors out of

test animals and put them back in the study. Another technique used to falsify

the studies was to list animals that had actually died as surviving the study.

 

Thus, the data on brain tumors was likely worse than discussed above. In

addition, a former employee of the manufacturer of aspartame, Raymond Schroeder

told the FDA on July 13, 1977 that the particles of DKP were so large that the

rats could dicriminate between the DKP and their normal diet.(12)

 

It is interesting to note that the incidence of brain tumors in

persons over 65 years of age has increase 67% between the years 1973 and 1990.

Brain tumors in all age groups has jumped 10%. The greatest increase has come

during the years 1985-1987.(17)

 

In his book, Aspartame (NutraSweet). Is it Safe?, Roberts gives evidence that

aspartame can cause a particularly dangerous form of cancer - primary lymphoma

of the brain.

 

Diabetes.

 

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is actually recommending this chemical

poison to persons with diabetes. According to research conducted by H.J.

Roberts, a diabetes specialist, a member of the ADA, and an authority on

artificial sweetners, aspartame:

 

1) Leads to the precipitation of clinical diabetes.

2) Causes poorer diabetic control in diebetics on insulin or oral

drugs.

3) Leads to the aggravation of diabetic complications such as

retinopathy, cataracts, neuropathy and gastroparesis.

4) Causes convulsions.

 

In a statement concerning the use of products containing aspartain by persons

with diabetes and hypoglycemia, Roberts says: " Unfortunately, many patients in

my practice, and others seen in consultation, developed serious metabolic,

neurologic and other complications that could be specifically attributed to

using aspartame products.

 

This was evidenced by:

 

" The loss of diabetic control, the intensification of hypoglycemia, the

occurrence of presumed'insulin reactions' (including convulsions) that proved to

be aspartame reactions, and the precipitation, aggravation or simulation of

diabetic complications (especially impaired vision and neuropathy) while using

these products.

 

" Dramatic improvement of such features after avoiding aspartame, and the prompt

predictable recurrence of these problems when the patient resumed aspartame

products, knowingly or inadvertently. "

 

Roberts goes on to say:

 

" I regret the failure of other physicians and the American Diabetes Association

(ADA) to sound appropriate warnings to patients and consumers based on these

repeated findings which have been described in my corporate-neutral studies and

publications. "

 

Blaylock stated that excitotoxins such as that found in aspartame can

precipitate diabetes in persons who are genetically susceptible to the

disease.(5)

 

Emotional Disorders.

 

A double blind study of the effects of aspartame on persons with mood disorders

was recently conducted by Dr Ralph G. Walton. Since the study wasn't

funded/controlled by the makers of aspartame, The NutraSweet Company refused to

sell him the aspartame. Walton was forced to obtain and certify it from an

outside source.

 

The study showed a large increase in serious symptoms for persons taking

aspartame. Since some of the symptoms were so serious, the Institutional Review

Board had to stop the study.

 

Three of the participants had said that they had been " poisoned " by aspartame.

Walton concludes that " individuals with mood disorders are particularly

sensitive to this artificial sweetener; its use in this population should be

discouraged. " (18)

 

Aware that the experiment could not be repeated because of the danger to the

test subjects, Walton was recently quoted as saying, " I know it causes seizures.

I'm convinced also that it definitely causes behavioral changes. I'm very angry

that this substance is on the market. I personally question the reliability and

validity of any studies funded by the NutraSweet Company. " (19)

 

There are numerous reported cases of low brain serotonin levels, depression and

other emotional disorders that have been linked to aspartame and often are

relieved by stopping the intake of aspartame.

 

Researchers have pointed out that increasing in phenylalanine

levels in the brain, which can and does occur in persons without PKU, leads to a

decreased level of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, which leads to a variety of

emotional disorders. Dr William M. Pardridge of UCLA testified before the US

Senate that a youth drinking four 16-ounce bottles of diet soda per day leads to

an enormous increase in the phenylalanine level.

 

Epilepsy/Seizures.

 

With the large and growing number of seizures caused by aspartame, it is sad to

see that the Epilepsy Foundation is promoting the " safety " of aspartame. At

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 80 people who had suffered seizures after

ingesting aspartame were surveyed.

 

Community Nutrition Institute concluded the following about the

survey:

 

" These 80 cases meet the FDA's own definition of an imminent hazard to the

public health, which requires the FDA to expeditiously remove a product from the

market. "

 

Both the Air Force's magazine Flying Safety and the Navy's magazine, Navy

Physiology published articles warning about the many dangers of aspartame

including the cumlative deliterious effects of methanol and the greater

likelihood of birth defects. The articles note that the ingestion of aspartame

can make pilots more susceptible to seizures and vertigo.

 

Twenty articles sounding warnings about ingesting aspartame while flying have

also appeared in the National Business Aircraft Association Digest (NBAA Digest

1993), Aviation Medical Bulletin (1988), The Aviation Consumer (1988), Canadian

General Aviation News (1990), Pacific Flyer (1988), General Aviation News

(1989), Aviation Safety Digest (1989), and Plane and Pilot (1990) and a paper

warning about aspartame was presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the

Aerospace Medical Association (Gaffney 1986).

 

Recently, a hotline was set up for pilots suffering from acute

reactions to aspartameingestion. Over 600 pilots have reported

symptoms including some who have reported suffering grand mal seizures in the

cockpit due to aspartame.(21)

 

One of the original studies on aspartame was performed in 1969 by an independent

scientist, Dr Harry Waisman. He studied the effects of aspartame on infant

primates. Out of the seven infant monkeys, one died after 300 days and five

others had grand mal seizures. Of course, these negative findings were not

submitted to the FDA during the approval process.(22)

 

Why don't we hear about these things?

 

The reason many people do not hear about serious reactions to aspartame is

twofold:

 

1) Lack of awareness by the general population. Aspartame-caused diseases are

not reported in the newspapers like plane crashes. This is because these

incidents occur one at a time in thousands of different locations across the US.

 

2) Most people do not associate their symptoms with the long-term use of

aspartame. For the people who have killed a significant percentage of the brain

cells and thereby caused a chronic illness, there is no way that they would

normally associate such an illness with aspartame consumption.

 

How aspartame was approved is a lesson in how chemical and

pharmaceutical companies can manipulate government agencies such as the FDA,

" bribe " organizations such as the American Dietetic Association, and flood the

scientific community with flawed and fraudulent industry-sponsored studies

funded by the makers of aspartame.

 

Erik Millstone, a researcher at the Science Policy Research Unit of Sussex

University has compiled thousands of pages of evidence, some of which have been

obtained using the freedom of information act 23, showing:

 

1. Laboratory tests were faked and dangers were concealed.

2. Tumors were removed from animals and animals that had died were " restored to

life " in laboratory records.

3. False and misleading statements were made to the FDA.

4. The two US Attorneys given the task of bringing fraud charges against the

aspartame manufacturer took positions with the manufacturer's law firm, letting

the statute of limitations run out.

5. The Commissioner of the FDA overruled the objections of the FDA's own

scientific board of inquiry. Shortly after that decision, he took a position

with Burson-Marsteller, the firm in charge of public relations for G.D. Searle.

 

A Public Board of Inquiry (PBOI) was conducted in 1980. There were three

scientists who reviewed the objections of Olney and Turner to the approval of

aspartame. They voted unanimously against aspartame's approval. The FDA

Commissioner, Dr Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr. then created a 5-person Scientific

Commission to review the PBOI findings.

 

After it became clear that the Commission would uphold the PBOI's decision by a

vote of 3 to 2, another person was added to the Commission, creating a

deadlocked vote. This allowed the FDA Commissioner to break the deadlock and

approve aspartame for dry goods in 1981. Dr Jacqueline Verrett, the Senior

Scientist in an FDA Bureau of Foods review team created in August 1977 to review

the Bressler Report (a report that detailed G.D. Searle's abuses during the

pre-approval testing)said:

 

" It was pretty obvious that somewhere along the line, the bureau officials were

working up to a whitewash. " In 1987, Verrett testified before the US Senate

stating that the experiments conducted by Searle were a " disaster. " She stated

that her team was instructed not to comment on or be concerned with the overall

validity of the studies.

 

She stated that questions about birth defects have not been answered. She

continued her testimony by discussing the fact that DKP has been shown to

increase uterine polyps and change blood cholesterol and that increasing the

temperature of the product leads to an increase in production of DKP.(13)

 

Revolving doors

 

The FDA and the manufacturers of aspartame have had a rovolving door of

employment for many years. In addition to the FDA Commissioner and two US

Attorneys leaving to take positions with companies connected with G.D. Searle,

four other FDA officials connected with the approval of aspartame took positions

connected with the NutraSweet industry between 1979 and 1982 including the

Deputy FDA Commissioner,

the Special Assistant to the FDA Commissioner, the Associate Director of the

Bureau of Foods and Toxicology and the Attorney involved with the Public Board

of Inquiry.(24)

 

It is important to realize that this type of revolving-door activity

has been going on for decades. The Townsend Letter for Doctors (11/92) reported

on a study revealing that 37 of 49 top FDA officials who left the FDA took

positions with companies they had regulated.

 

They also reported that over 150 FDA officials owned stock in drug companies

they were assigned to manage. Many organizations and universities receive large

sums of money from companies connected to the NutraSweet Association, a group of

companies promoting the use of aspartame.

 

In January 1993, the American Dietetic Association received a

US$75,000 grant from the NutraSweet Company. The American Dietetic Association

has stated that the NutraSweet Company writes their " Facts " sheets.(25)

 

Many other " independent " organizations and researchers receive large sums of

money from the manufacturers of aspartame. The American Diabetes Association has

received a large amount of money from Nutrasweet, including money to run a

cooking school in Chicago (presumably to teach diabetes how to use Nutrasweet in

their cooking).

 

A researcher in New England who has pointed out the dangers of aspartame in the

past is now a Monsanto consultant. Another researcher in the Southeastern US had

testified about the dangers o aspartame on fetuses. An investigative reporter

has discovered that he was told to keep his mouth shut to avoid causing the loss

of a large grant from a diet cola manufacturer in the NutraSweet Association.

 

What is the FDA doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of aspartame?

 

Less than nothing.

 

In 1992, the FDA approved aspartame for use in malt beverages, breakfast

cereals, and refrigerated puddings and fillings. In 1993 the FDA approved

aspartame for use in hard and soft candies, non-alcoholic favored beverages, tea

beverages, fruit juices and concentrates, baked goods and baking mixes, and

frostings, toppings and fillings for baked goods.

 

In 1991, the FDA banned the importation of stevia. The powder of the leaf has

been used for hundreds of years as an alternative sweetner. It is used widely in

Japan with no adverse effects. Scientists involved in reviewing stevia have

declared it to be safe for human consumption - something which has been well

known in many parts of the world where it is not banned.

 

Everyone that I have spoken with in regards to this issue believes that stevia

was banned to keep the product from taking hold in the US and cutting into sales

of aspartame.(26)

 

What is the US Congress doing to protect the consumer from the dangers of

aspartame?

 

Nothing.

 

What is the US Administration (President) doing to protect the

consumer from the dangers of aspartame?

 

Nothing.

 

Aspartame consumption is not only a problem in the US. It is being sold in over

70 countries throughout the world.

 

ASPARTAME CAN BE FOUND IN:

 

- instant breakfasts

- breath mints

- cereals

- sugar-free chewing gum

- cocoa mixes

- coffee beverages

- frozen desserts

- gelatin desserts

- juice beverages

- laxatives

- multivitamins

- milk drinks

- pharmaceuticals and supplements

- shake mixes

- soft drinks

- tabletop sweeteners

- tea beverages

- instant teas and coffees

- topping mixes

- wine coolers

- yogurt

 

I have been told that aspartame has been found in products where it is not

listed on the label. One must be particular careful of pharmaceuticals and

supplements. I have been informed that even some supplements made by well-known

supplement manufacturers such as Twinlabs contain aspartame.

 

The information I have related above is just the tip of the iceberg as far as

damaging information about aspartame. In order for the reader to find out more,

I have included some resources below.

 

BOOKS

 

 

Blaylock, Russell L., Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills (Health

Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1994). One of the best books available on

excitotoxins. Well worth reading!

 

H. J. Roberts, M.D., Aspartame (NutraSweet), Is it Safe? Available from the

Aspartame Consumer

Safety Network.

 

Sweet'ner Dearest, Available from the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network

 

Mary Nash Stoddard, The Deadly Deception, Available from the

Aspartame Consumer Safety etwork.

 

Barbara Mullarkey, Editor, Bittersweet Aspartame - A Diet Delusion,

 

Available from the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network.

 

The Aspartame Consumer Safety Network, The Aspartame Consumer Safety Network

Synopsis.

 

Dennis Remington, M.D. and Barbara Higa, R.D., The Bitter Truth About Artificial

Sweetners,

Available from the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network

ASPARTAME CONSUMER SAFETY NETWORK

PO Box 780634

Dallas, Texas 75378, USA.

Phone: (214) 352-4268

 

 

 

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REFERENCES

(1) Department of Health and Human Services, Report on All Adverse

Reactions in the

Adverse

Reaction Monitoring System, (February 25 and 28, 1994).

(2) Compiled by researchers, physicians, and artificial sweetner

experts for Mission

Possible,

a group dedicated to warning consumers about aspartame.

(3) Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.

(4) Safety of Amino Acids, Life Sciences Research Office, FASEB, FDA

Contract No.

223-88-2124,

Task Order No. 8.

(5) FDA Adverse Reaction Monitoring System.

(6) Wurtman and Walker, " Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, "

Proceedings of

the First

International Meeting on Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function.,

Washington,

D.C., May 8,

1987.

(7) Hearing Before the Committee On Labor and Human Resources United

States Senate,

First

Session on Examing the Health and Safety Concerns of Nutrasweet

(Aspartame).

(8) Account of John Cook as published in Informed Consent

Magazine. " How Safe Is

Your

Artificial Sweetner " by Barbara Mullarkey, September/October 1994.

(9) Woodrow C. Monte, Ph.D., R.D., " Aspartame: Methanol and the

Public Health, "

Journal of

Applied Nutrition, 36 (1): 42-53.

(10) US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, No. 84-

1153 Community

Nutrition

Institute and Dr Woodrow Monte v. Dr Mark Novitch, Acting

Commissioner, US FDA

(9/24/85).

(11) Aspartame Time Line by Barbara Mullarkey as published in

Informed Consent

Magazine,

May/June 1994.

(12) FDA Searle Investigation Task Force. " Final Report of

Investigation of G.D.

Searle

Company. " (March 24, 1976)

(13) Testimony of Dr Jacqueline Verrett, FDA Toxicologist before the

US Senate

Committee on

Labor and Human Resources, (November 3, 1987).

(14) Internal FDA memorandum.

(15) Analysis prepared by Dr John Olney as a statement before the

Aspartame Board of

Inquire

of the FDA. Also Excitotoxins by Russell Blaylock, M.D.

(16) Congressional Record SID835: 131 (August 1, 1985)

(17) National Cancer Institute SEER Program Data.

(18) Walton, Ralph G., Robert Hudak, Ruth Green-Waite " Adverse

Reactions to

Aspartame:

Double-Blind Challenge in Patients from a Vulnerable Population, "

Biological

Psychiatry,

1993:34:13-17.

(19) Barbara Mullarkey, " How Safe Is Your Artificial Sweetner, "

September/October

1994 issue

of Informed Consent Magazine.

(20) US Air Force. " Aspartame Alert. " Flying Safety, 48 (5): 20-21

(May 1992).

(21) Reported by the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network.

(22) Barbara Mullarkey, Bittersweet Aspartame, A Diet Delusion.

(23) Millstone, Eric " Sweet and Sour. " The Ecologist, 25 (March/April

1994).

(24) Mary Nash Stoddard, Editor, " The Deadly Deception, " Aspartame

Consumer Safety

Network.

(25) ADA Courier, January 1993, Volume 32, Number 1. (26) " FDA

Rejects AHPA Stevia

Petition "

by Mark Blumenthal, Whole Foods, April 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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