Aspartame

[Guest guest]

Seen a couple of comments come through knocking Aspartame. There is a hoax

letter circulating the internet blaming it for every disease known to

mankind, from Lupus to MS. Beware!!!!

That would be here:

http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blasp.htm?TMog=449417255124512m&Min

t=7793193095510

The FDA, ADA and other reputable sources, such as the Mayo Clinic, have

published opinions stating categorically that they feel it is safe for most

people. The notable exception was individuals with PKU. Some anecdotal

evidence suggests a connection to headaches, in some cases, but double blind

studies seemed to indicate no difference between the individuals given

aspartame, and those given a placebo.

It is a di-peptide of apartic acid and phenylalanine. Both of those are very

common in foods with any significant protein content. Phenylalanine is an

essential amino acid, so the body can handle it quite easily. Aspartic acid

is a very common amino acid. The body treats aspartame the same way it

handles other foods, such as bananas, milk and hamburgers.

http://www.nutrasweet.com/html/lib_rumors.html

To your body, eating aspartame is like eating anything else that contains

these same amino acids. But, it might make you more comfortable to know that

the government asked the same question. It calculated that a 132 lb.

adult could consumer 3,000 mg of aspartame (i.e. 85 packets of Equal or 18

cans of diet soda) every day of her life and it wouldn't make a bit of

difference. Of course, it would be unlikely anyone would do that for a

lifetime. But that shows you the level of comfort you can have with

NutraSweet.

http://www.nutrasweet.com/html/lib_info.html

For more information:

American Diabetes Association

Statement Regarding Aspartame

(Brand Name NutraSweet)

February 9, 1999

The American Diabetes Association considers aspartame - as well as the

other FDA-approved nonnutritive sweeteners saccharin, acesulfame K, and

sucralose - acceptable sugar substitutes and a safe part of a diabetic meal

plan.

Squillacote, MD

Senior Medical Advisor, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

January 12, 1999

ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET): NO DANGER

There is no information whatsoever about deleterious effects of, aspartame

on MS, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE or lupus), or fibromyalgia. There

is no evidence that aspartame in any way causes, provokes, mimics or worsens

MS. There is no evidence of any " aspartame disease " . Repeated studies in

peer reviewed journals show no adverse effects of aspartame on seizures

(rats, children, adults), weight gain, body temperature,

cognitive/behavioral/neuropsychiatric/neurophysiologic function,

brain/intestinal/liver hormones or enzymes, brain tumors, cancer, birth

defects (rats and humans), Parkinson's disease, allergic responses, blood

pressure, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, etc.

I have found no basis for alarm about aspartame, but would recommend (based

on one study) those patients who are being treated for depression let their

physicians know that they are using aspartame. Patients who have a

documented, evaluated adverse reaction to aspartame should avoid its use.

TIME MAGAZINE - A Web of Deceit

Online advice from TIME health columnist Gorman

10/4/99

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpaspart.html

FDA statement on Aspartame

http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/askdiet/htm/new/qd971001.htm

Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9703/htm/sweeten.htm

Another Mayo Clinic article

http://ificinfo.health.org/brochure/aspartam.htm

International Food Information Council

Everything You Need to Know About Aspartame

http://ificinfo.health.org/insight/aspallrg.htm

International Food Information Council

No Link Between Aspartame and Allergy Found

http://ificinfo.health.org/insight/aspcons.htm

International Food Information Council

Aspartame Consumption Found Safe in New Studies

http://ificinfo.health.org/insight/swthypr.htm

No Sweetener Link to Hyperactivity