According to a book compiled by the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network (ACSN, PO Box 780634, Dallas, TX 75378), "The Deadly Deception", 85% of all complaints registered with the Food and Drug Administration concerns aspartame's adverse reactions. It is reported that 5 deaths and 70 different symptoms have resulted from its use. The list includes neurological, dermatological, cardiac, respiratory and more.
Aspartame is 160 times as sweet as sugar with virtually no calories. It breaks down in the body to 1) Phenylalanine (50%) which can be neurotoxic and in some susceptible people cause seizures.
2) Aspartic acid (40%) which can cause brain damage in the developing brain.
3) Methanol (10%) which turns into formaldehyde. These all have adverse effects, but not everyone is affected equally. This is why the scientific community has trouble evaluating these reports.
This chemical changes the ratio of the amino acids in the blood stream. Other side effects associated with aspartame ingestion include an increase in violence and suicides, insomnia, depression, PMS, headaches, hostility, anxiety, nausea, tinnitus, blurred vision, memory loss, disturbed thyroid function as well as other symptoms.
Research has also shown that most people who are sensitive to aspartame will notice an increase in hunger and a fall in blood sugar. Aspartame may trigger or mimic the following illnesses: CFS, EBV, Lyme's disease, Alzheimer's, Meniere's, Epilepsy, MS, and Hypothyroidism.
There have been multiple studies done showing the dangers of this food additive. (Note that it is classified as a "food additive" and therefore exempt from continued safety monitoring).
Some highlights of these studies done are as follows:
In 1969 Dr. Waisman fed aspartame (ASP) to monkeys. One died after 300 days and five others had grand mal seizures. Searle (the manufacturer) deleted this study when the company submitted safety evidence to the FDA
In 1971: Dr. Olney, a research psychiatrist, told Searle that aspartic acid (one of the breakdown products of ASP) caused "holes in the brains of mice". Searle told the FDA about these findings after approval was granted.
In 1975: Many of the animals fed ASP developed tumors. These were not reported to the FDA.
Between 1977 and 1983 there have been many complaints about ASP and some efforts by scientists and doctors to ban ASP. These all failed due to whitewash. Dr. Hays, FDA commissioner in 1981-1983 approved the use of ASP just two months before he quit his job as the FDA Chief. He then obtained a job with a public relations firm who represents Nutrasweet.
1987: The ACSN is founded by Mary Nash Stoddard and James Turner. They believe that ASP should be recalled and re-tested as a drug. Chances are, aspartame is responsible for a lot of sickness and possibly crime. It is certainly not a food intended for us to eat.
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