Originally published October 4 2005
Doctor examines the effect of aspartame on body chemistry
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dr. Christine Lydon evaluates the connection between aspartame and various health risks and also looks at aspartame's FDA trials.
I've also wholeheartedly recommended products containing NutraSweet to my clients, as well as promoting its use in recipes.
So, when I was recently contacted by a sports nutrition company to do some consulting work on the health risks associated with aspartame ingestion, was understandably reluctant to accept the assignment.
Aspartame has three components: phenylalanine (50 percent), aspartic acid (40 percent) and methanol, also termed wood alcohol (10 percent).
Those in support of this popular artificial sweetener, state that the two primary amino acids, which comprise 90 percent of aspartame by weight, are a harmless and natural part of our diet.
Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are amino acids that are normally supplied by the foods we eat; however, they can only be considered natural and harmless when consumed in combination with other amino acids.
The neurotoxic effects of these amino acids, when consumed as isolates, can be linked to headaches, mental confusion, balance problems and possibly seizures.
Evidence indicates that free radical production accelerates many degenerative illnesses such as atherosclerosis, cancer, coronary artery disease and arthritis.
It comes as no surprise that joint pain is a major complaint among aspartame reactors (individuals who have reported adverse reactions).
The blood-brain barrier is a system of specialized capillary structures that are designed to prevent toxic substances from entering the brain.
There are a number of medical conditions from diabetes, hypertension and smoking, to simple aging which can render the blood-brain barrier incompetent.
Consumption of significant amounts of aspartame has been known to cause vocal slurring, loss of equilibrium and other neurological sequelae.
For over eight years, the FDA refused to approve aspartame because it was known to produce seizures and brain tumors in lab animals.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml