ASPARTAME - DIET COKES - SWEET-N-LOW  ETC ......

Take the 60 day aspartame test. Give up all aspartame for 60 days and note the improvements in your health.

Concerned friends sent the following to us. We do know nothing of its validity. However, we have heard similar warnings before about sugar substitutes, so it is a believable premise. We also believe that it is always safer to error on the side of caution. If you can shed some light on the validity of this, let us know one way or the other.

Keith and Dana
Director of Research Services
Houston Advanced Research Center
4800 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
281/363-7901 office
281/363-7935 fax

IF THE FOLLOWING REPORT RINGS TRUE WITH YOU, PLEASE FORWARD IT ON TO OTHERS

WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE and the MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION

F.D.A. ISSUING FOR COLLUSION WITH MONSANTO

Article written by Nancy Markle (112097)

I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on "ASPARTAME marketed as 'NutraSweet', 'Equal', and 'Spoonful"'. In the keynote address by the EPA, they announced that there was an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus, and they did not understand what toxin was causing this to be rampant across the United States. I explained that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject.

When the temperature of Aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME coverts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. (Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants). The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus people were being diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis in error. The multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, where methanol toxicity is. In the case of systemic lupus, we are finding it has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers. Also, with methanol toxicity, the victims usually drink three to four 12 oz. Cans of them per day, some even more. In the cases of systemic lupus, which is triggered by ASPARTAME, the victim usually does not know that the aspartame is the culprit The victim continues its use aggravating the lupus to such a degree, that sometimes it becomes life threatening. When we get people off the aspartame, those with systemic lupus usually become asymptotical. Unfortunately, we can not reverse this disease.

On the other hand, in the case of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, (when in reality, the disease is methanol toxicity), most of the symptoms disappear. We have seen cases where their vision has returned and even their hearing has returned. This also applies to cases of tinnitus. During a lecture I said "If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss-you probably have ASPARTAME DISEASE!" People were jumping up during the lecture saying, "I've got this, is it reversible?" It is rampant. Some of the speakers at my lecture even were suffering from these symptoms.

In one lecture attended by the Ambassador of Uganda, he told us that their sugar industry is adding aspartame! He continued by saying that one of the industry leader's son could no longer walk - due in part by product usage!

We have a very serious problem. Even a stranger came up to Dr. Espisto (one of my speakers) and myself and said, "Could you tell me why so many people seem to be coming down with MS?" During a visit to a hospice, a nurse said that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence. Here is the problem. There were Congressional Hearings when aspartame was included in 100 different products. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, but to no avail. Nothing as been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets. Now there are over 5,000 products containing this chemical, and the PATENT HAS EXPIRED!!!!!

At the time of this first hearing, people were going blind. The methanol in the aspartame converts to formaldehyde in the retina of the eye. Formaldehyde is grouped in the same class of drugs as cyanide and arsenic-DEADLY POISONS!!! Unfortunately, it just takes longer to quietly kill, but it is killing people and causing all kinds of neurological problems.

Aspartame changes the brain's chemistry. It is the reason for severe seizures. This drug changes the dopamine level in the brain. Imagine what this drug does to patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. This drug also causes Birth Defects.

There is absolutely no reason to take this product. It is NOT A DIET PRODUCT!!! The congressional record said, "It makes you crave carbohydrates and will make you FAT". Dr. Roberts stated that when he got patients off aspartame, their average weight loss was 19 pounds per person. The formaldehyde stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs.

Aspartame is especially deadly for diabetics. All physicians know what wood alcohol will do to a diabetic. We find that physicians believe that they have patients with retinopathy, when in fact, it is caused by the aspartame. The aspartame keeps the blood sugar level out of control, causing many patients to go into a coma. Unfortunately, many have died.

People were telling us at the Conference of the American College of Physicians, that they had relatives that switched from saccharin to an aspartame product and how that relative had eventually gone into a coma. Their physicians could not get the blood sugar levels under control. Thus, the patients suffered acute memory loss and eventually coma and death.

Memory loss is due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are neurotoxic without the other amino acids found in protein. Thus it goes past the blood brain barrier and deteriorates the neurons of the brain. Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon, said, "The ingredients stimulates the neurons of the brain to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees. 

Dr. Blaylock has written a book entitled "EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILLS" (Health Press 1-800-643-2665). Dr. H.J. Roberts, diabetic specialist and world expert on aspartame poisoning, has also written a book entitled "DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE" (1-800-814-9800). Dr. Roberts tells how aspartame poisoning is escalating Alzheimer's Disease, and indeed it is. As the hospice nurse told me, women are being admitted at 30 years of age with Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Blaylock and Dr. Roberts will be writing a position paper with some case histories and will post it on the Internet.

According to the Conference of the American College of Physicians, "We are talking about a plague of neurological diseases caused by this deadly poison".

Dr. Roberts realized what was happening when aspartame was first marketed. He said "his diabetic patients presented memory loss, confusion, and severe vision loss". At the Conference of the American College of Physicians, doctors admitted that they did not know. They had wondered why seizures were rampant (the phenylalanine in aspartame breaks down the seizure threshold and depletes serotonin, which causes manic depression, panic attacks, rage and violence).

Just before the Conference, I received a FAX from Norway, asking for a possible antidote for this poison because they are experiencing so many problems in their country. This "poison" is now available in 90 PLUS countries worldwide. Fortunately, we had speakers and ambassadors at the Conference from different nations who have pledged their help.

We ask that you help too. Print this article out and warn everyone you know. Take anything that contains aspartame black to the store. Take the "NO ASPARTAME TEST" and send us your case history.

I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of aspartame, knows how deadly it is. They fund the American Diabetes Association, American Dietetic Association, Congress, and the Conference of the American College of Physicians. The New York Times, on November 15, 1996, ran an article on how the American Dietetic Association takes money from the food industry to endorse their products. Therefore, they can not criticize any additives or tell about their link to MONSANTO.

How bad is this? 
We told a mother who had a child on NutraSweet to get off the product. The child was having grand mal seizures every day. The mother called her physician, who called the ADA, who told the doctor not to take the child off the NutraSweet. We are still trying to convince the mother that the aspartame is causing the seizures. Every time we get someone off of aspartame, the seizures stop. If the baby dies, you know whose fault it is, and what we are up against. 

There are 92 documented symptoms of aspartame, from coma to death. The majority of them are all neurological, because the aspartame destroys the nervous system. Aspartame Disease is partially the cause to what is behind some of the mystery of the Desert Storm health problems. The burning tongue and other problems discussed in over 60 cases can be directly related to the consumption of an aspartame product. 

Several thousand pallets of diet drinks were shipped to the Desert Storm troops. (Remember heat can liberate the methanol from the aspartame at 86 degrees F). Diet drinks sat in the 120 degree F. Arabian sun for weeks at a time on pallets. The service men and women drank them all day long. All of their symptoms are identical to aspartame poisoning. 

Dr. Roberts says "consuming aspartame at the time of conception can cause birth defects". The phenylalanine concentrates in the placenta, causing mental retardation, according to Dr. Louis Elsas, Pediatrician Professor - Genetics, at Emory University in his testimony before Congress.

In the original lab tests, animals developed brain tumors (phenylalanine breaks down into DXP, a brain tumor agent). When Dr. Espisto was lecturing on aspartame, one physician in the audience, a neurosurgeon, said, "when they remove brain tumors, they have found high levels of aspartame in them".

Stevia, a sweet food, NOT AN ADDITIVE, which helps in the metabolism of sugar, which would be ideal for diabetics, has now been approved as a dietary supplement by the F.D.A. For years, the F.D.A. has outlawed this sweet food because of their loyalty to MONSANTO. [You can obtain Stevia now in natural foods stores in either cut & sifted dried leaves or in powder form. I use it and it's great.]

If it says "SUGAR FREE" on the label-DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!

Senator Howard Hetzenbaum wrote a bill that would have warned all infants, pregnant mothers and children of the dangers of aspartame. The bill would have also instituted independent studies on the problems existing in the population (seizures, changes in brain chemistry, changes in neurological and behavioral symptoms). 

It was killed by the powerful drug and chemical lobbies, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting public. Since the Conference of the American College of Physicians, we hope to have the help of some world leaders on this. You can help too by sharing this information with those people out there who need to be warned.

See also these links Symptoms

http://www.dorway.com/thetoxins.html

How Many Web Sites Mention ASPARTAME?
Click here to find out.

View the Department of Health and Human Services report.  This will help to you to open your eyes. VIEW

FDA STATS:

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http://www.dorway.com/offasprt.html

What you should know about Aspartame 
"Official" dogma (red on yellow) with rebuttal (blue on white) 

August 1992 

Favorably Reviewed by:

American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (Does anyone know anything about them?)

The "Official" myth as related by the International Food Information Council Foundation, 1992 

The original 1995 article can be viewed at: http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame 

What is aspartame made of?
Aspartame is made by joining two protein components, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol.

Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are building blocks of protein and are found naturally in all protein-containing foods, including meats, grains and dairy products. Methanol is found
naturally in the body and in many foods such as fruit and vegetable juices.

Incomplete and inaccurate information. Real-world aspartame-containing products contain more than just methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. These products also contain breakdown products of aspartame such as beta-aspartame (Lawrence 1987, Stamp 1989b) and aspartylphenylalanine didetopiperazine (DKP) (Tsang 1985). 

Because the amino acids are not bound in proteins, they are absorbed quickly and spike the plasma aspartic acid and phenylalanine to high levels. Even the industry researchers admit that these amino acids are metabolized differently than those found in foods (Stegink 1987a, Stegink 1987b). 

Methanol is found in *available form* in much greater quantities in aspartame than in real foods (Monte 1984). Methanol taken orally is extremely toxic to humans. Even though a small amount is found in the body, as little as a can of diet soda can spike the plasma methanol levels significantly (Davoli 1986). 

This is the beginning of IFIC's nonsensical information about aspartame. One has to realize that IFIC is the public relations organization for Monsanto/NutraSweet and many other junk food companies. I suppose in a strange sort of way that it is appropriate that they use "junk science" to defend certain dangerous junk foods. 

Davoli, E., et al., 1986. "Serum Methanol Concentrations in Rats and in Men After a Single Dose of Aspartame," Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 24, No. 3, page 187-189.

Lawrence, J.F., J.R. Iyengar, 1987. "Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Beta-Aspartame in Diet Soft Drinks,
Beverage Powders and Pudding Mixes," Journal of Chromatography, Volume 404, page 261-266.

Monte, Woodrow C., 1984. "Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Health," Journal of Applied Nutrition, Volume 36, No. 1, page 42-54.

Stamp, Jeffrey A., Theodore P. Labuza, 1989a. "An Ion-Pair High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Aspartame and its Decomposition Products," Journal of Food Science, Volume 54, No. 4, pg.
1043-1046.

Stegink, Lewis D., et al. 1987a. "Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Normal Adults Administered Aspartame in Capsules or Solution: Lack of Bio equivalence," Metabolism, Volume 36, No. 5, page 507-512.

Stegink, Lewis D., et al., 1987b. "Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Normal Adults Ingesting Aspartame and Monosodium L-Glutamate as Part of a Soup/Beverage Meal," Metabolism, Volume 36, No. 11, page 1073-1079.

Tsang, Wing-Sum, et al., 1985. "Determination of Aspartame and Its Breakdown Products in Soft Drinks by Reverse-Phase Chromatography with UV Detection," Journal Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Vol. 33, No. 4, page 734-
738.

How is aspartame handled by the body?

Aspartame is digested just like any other protein. Upon digestion, aspartame breaks down into it basic components and is absorbed into the blood. Neither aspartame nor its components accumulate in the body over time.

This is an outright falsehood. Even the industry researchers admit that it is not handled like any other protein. Chapter two in the industry's own book on aspartame proves this "information" wrong. 

I have to admit, though, saying that it is handled like any other protein makes good PR, but it would be laughed out of any reputable scientific journal. 

Saying that aspartame's components don't accumulate in the body is based on a few poorly conducted animal tests and wishful thinking. Formic acid (a toxic metabolite of methanol) likely can accumulate in the organs (Liesivuori 1991). No one knows if DKP or a metabolite of DKP accumulates in the body over time. Proper tests have not been conducted. Aspartic acid may accumulate for a significant amount of time like another excitotoxic amino acid, glutamic acid (Toth 1981). 

Much of the damage caused by aspartic acid and glutamic acid ingested orally is clearly laid out by Dr. Russell Blaylock, Professor of Neurosurgery, in his well-referenced book, "Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills." Either way, gradual damage can be caused by aspartame breakdown products even when they do not accumulate. A chemical does not have to accumulate to cause damage. 

Liesivuori, Jyrki, Heikki Savolainen, 1991. "Methanol and Formic Acid Toxicity: Biochemical Mechanisms," Pharmacology & Toxicology, Volume 69, page 157-163.

Toth, E., Abel Lajtha, 1981. "Elevation of Cerebral Levels on essential Amino Acids In Vivo by Administration of Large Doses," Neurochemistry Research, Volume 6, page 1309-1317.

Can aspartame be used in cooking or baking?
Aspartame's components separate when heated over time, resulting in a loss of sweetness. Therefore, aspartame is not recommended for use in recipes requiring lengthy heating or

baking. It may, however, be added at the end of the cooking cycle in some recipes. If a food containing aspartame is inadvertently heated, it would still be safe, but would simply not provide the desired sweetness.

Any heating, even at the end of cooking will cause DKP and free phenylalanine to quickly form. Significant amounts of DKP are formed when aspartame is stored in liquid form at room temperature. Heating will speed that process considerably. See Tsang (1985) discussed above. 

Is aspartame safe?

As a governmental agency charged with safeguarding the American food supply, the FDA has concluded that aspartame is safe for the general public, including diabetics, pregnant and nursing women, and children.Persons with a rare hereditary disease known as phenylketonuria (PKU) must control their phenylalanine intake from all sources, including aspartame. These persons are diagnosed at birth by a blood test performed on all babies.

Products sweetened with aspartame carry a statement on the label that they contain phenylalanine.

The FDA Commissioner made that decision even though FDA Investigators and Toxicologists were warning him about the dangers of aspartame. The Public Board of Inquiry made up of scientists, including the President of the American Association of Neuropathologists, voted unanimously against approval of aspartame. The FDA Commissioner's original team of scientific experts was against approval of aspartame because the brain tumor data was so "worrisome." 

Of course, soon after the FDA Commissioner approved aspartame for carbonated beverages, he took a consulting position with the PR firm for G.D. Searle (maker of aspartame at the time) at $1,000/day. 

How much aspartame may people consume?
The FDA uses the concept of an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for many food additives, including aspartame. The ADI represents an intake level that if maintained each day
throughout a person's lifetime would be considered safe by a wide margin. The ADI for aspartame has been set at 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight.

Yet all *independent* experiments using much less than the FDA's ADI show aspartame causes problems in humans. It's sad how the FDA only considers the industry experiments and ignores the independent experiments. 

How much aspartame are people actually consuming today ?

The FDA monitors the amount of aspartame that Americans consume through ongoing dietary surveys. The average daily intake of
Americans who consume aspartame has remained fairly constant since July 1984, averaging less than 2 percent of the FDA
guideline for acceptable consumption. The most frequent consumers of aspartame are consuming only 4 percent to 7 percent of the ADI.

I have shown these figures to be a mathematical impossibility. If one wants to believe in IFIC nonsense, I guess that can make up any figures and print them. Industry's own studies have shown that children can consume far more than the FDA's ADI on an on-going basis and even overweight adults can consume more than half of the FDA's ADI on an ongoing basis (Frey 1976, Porikos 1984). Some of the industry's surveys claim to show aspartame use falling in certain age groups and staying the same in other age groups even though aspartame sales and consumption have skyrocketed since 1985. Using USDA figures of hugh aspartame consumption increases, it is easy to see that these figures are more IFIC nonsense. 

Frey, Gunther H., 1976. "Use of Aspartame By Apparently Healthy Children and Adolescents," Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Volume 2, page 401-415.

Porikos, Katherine P., Theodore B. Van Italie, 1984. "Efficacy of Low-Calorie Sweeteners in Reducing Food Intake: Studies with Aspartame" IN Stegink, L., Filer L., 1984. "Aspartame: Physiology and Biochemistry," Marcel Dekker, Inc., N.Y., page 273-286.

USDA 1988. "1988 United States Department of Agriculture Situation and Outlook Report; Sugar and Sweeteners." Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, pp. 51.

How was aspartame tested before it was approved for use in foods?

Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly studied ingredients in the food supply. It was tested in more than 100 scientific studies prior to its approval by the FDA in 1981. These tests
were conducted in animals and humans, including normal adults and children, lactating women and persons with diabetes, obesity and special genetic conditions. Aspartame was tested in amounts many times higher than individuals could consume in the diet. Today scientists continue to conduct new studies on this sweetener as they do many other ingredients used in the food supply. The FDA also monitors and evaluates all research on
this and other food ingredients.

This is typical PR nonsense. See enclosure #1 for a more accurate history of aspartame. 

Have other regulatory bodies reviewed aspartame's safety?

Yes. Aspartame has been approved for use by more than 90 nations worldwide. It is used widely in major industrialized countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.
Aspartame has been reviewed and found safe by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the United Nations Food
and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization. It also has been reviewed and approved for use by the Scientific Committee for Food of the European Community.

None of the "regulatory" bodies have done any research on aspartame. They are simply given a bunch of industry tests and PR and they assume it much be safe. Also, it is not widely used in Japan. Japan uses stevia and other safer sweeteners. 

Have independent physicians and dietitians reviewed the safety of aspartame?

Yes. The American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs reviewed research on aspartame and found the sweetener to be safe. The American Dietetic Association also has
concluded that moderate use of aspartame is acceptable as part of a healthy diet.

The American Medical Association's Council on "Scientific" Affairs reviewed aspartame many years ago (AMA 1985). They did not really perform a thorough review, but simply rehashed statements that the FDA Commissioner made in the Federal Register when he ignored the Public Board of Inquiry ruling and his own scientific team of experts. 

See enclosure #1. 
The American Dietetic Association receives tons of money from Monsanto and admitted that NutraSweet helps write their "fact" sheets (ADA 1993).  ADA 1993. "ADAF Receives Grant to Support NCND," ADA Courier, Volume 32, January, 1993.

AMA 1985. "Aspartame: Review of Safety Issues," Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 254, No. 3, page
400-402.

Can persons with diabetes consume aspartame?

Yes. The American Diabetes Association has stated that aspartame is acceptable as a sugar substitute and can be included in a diabetic meal plan.

There is no properly conducted research that shows that medium- or long-term administration of aspartame is safe for diabetics. There are some poorly-designed, industry studies which were relatively short-term. Considering that fact that significant numbers of diabetics have reported severe health problems from aspartame in the relatively short time that it has been on the market, and considering that fact that proper tests have not been conducted, and considering the fact that the American Diabetes Association gets significant amounts of money from Monsanto, one should not take their wishful thinking too seriously. 

Is aspartame safe for people with epilepsy?

Yes. The Epilepsy Institute, an organization devoted to people suffering from seizure-related problems, has concluded that aspartame is not related to seizures among epileptic patients.

The Epilepsy Institute is not the Epilepsy Foundation, but a Monsanto-funded epilepsy center in New York. There have been no properly conducted tests on aspartame and seizures. All independent research has shown problems with aspartame (Camfield 1992, Elsas 1988, Walton 1986, Walton 1988). Seizures are one of the most common adverse reactions linked to aspartame usage. 

Camfield, PR, et al., 1992. "Aspartame exacerbates EEG spike-wave discharge in children with generalized absence epilepsy: a double-blind controlled study." Neurology,
Volume 42, page 1000-1003.

Elsas, Louis J., James F. Trotter, 1988. "Changes in Physiological Concentrations of Blood Phenylalanine Produces Changes in Sensitive Parameters of Human Brain
Function," Presented at "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function." Proceedings of the First International Meeting on Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, Washington, D.C., May 8-10, 1987. Center for Brain Sciences and
Metabolism Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 64, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142. Reprinted in "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function," c1988, Birkhauser, Boston, MA USA, page 187-195.

Walton, Ralph G., 1986. "Seizure and Mania After High Intake of Aspartame," Psychosomatic, Volume 27, page 218-220.

Walton, Ralph G., 1988. "The Possible Role of Aspartame in Seizure Induction," Presented at "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function." Proceedings of the First International Meeting on Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, Washington, D.C., May 8-10, 1987. Center for
Brain Sciences and Metabolism Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 64, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142. Reprinted in "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function," c1988, Birkhauser, Boston, MA USA, page 159-162.

Has aspartame been found to affect children's behavior?

No. Studies have shown that aspartame consumption does not affect the behavior of children, including those diagnosed as hyperactive or with attention deficit disorder.

Scientists who believe that children's behavior might be affected by aspartame and who saw case histories of erratic behavior from children on aspartame believed that it was the medium- to long-term use of aspartame that often led to these changes. Some scientists believed that it was the constant spiking of plasma phenylalanine levels which led to brain chemistry changes. 

Industry "researchers" conducted numerous experiments of very short length, often using encapsulated aspartame (which reduced the plasma phenylalanine spike) and then declared that there was no effect on children. They also averaged the results of all the children in each group so that if a few children were sensitive, their results would get lost in the averages. *Independent* blinded studies on children with behavior problems has yet to be conducted. However, when independent researchers conducted blinded studies of aspartame they have invariably found problems). 

Can aspartame cause visual damage?

No. Scientists know that only huge quantities of methanol can affect vision. A small amount of methanol is formed when aspartame is digested or when its components separate. However, the amount of methanol one could possibly consume from aspartame is well within safe levels, and is actually less than that found in many fruit and vegetable juices.

More IFIC nonsense. These "Scientists" are industry scientists who are talking about acute poisoning of methanol as opposed to chronic poisoning. The EPA admits that the effects of chronic low-level administration of methanol have never been tested in long-term experiments (EPA 1994). A recent, double-blind experiment of short-term methanol exposure showed small, but key changes in brain response and energy level after exposure to methanol equivalent of that found in two liters of diet soda for an adult or 1 liter of diet soda for a child (Cook 1991). One would hope that there would have been long-term, independent studies on this issue long before aspartame was approved. A methanol expert and eye specialist, Dr. Morgan B. Raiford, M.D., Ps, Msc Med. Ophthalmology testified before U.S. Congress about one of the many persons he had seen with eye damage from aspartame (Raiford 1987):  

"I had the opportunity, in Atlanta, GA., to see
the effects of methyl alcohol toxicity in 1952-
1953 which resulted in visual damage to the optic nerves and retina in over 300 cases and the deaths of over 30 persons.

"I examined Shannon Roth on July 7, 1986, along with several other patients [65 cases as of July 10, 1986 (Roberts 1990a, page 136)]. I observed evidence of effects in her eye and the eyes of the other patients that were comparable to the effects observed in the patients who suffered methyl alcohol toxicity in 1952-1953.

"There was damage in the central fibers, 225,000 of the total 137,000,000 optic nerve fibers (resulting in optic nerve atrophy) in her case, which would be comparable to that observed from patients suffering methyl alcohol toxicity. The extent of damage to these fibers would explain partial to total blindness.
. . . .
"But in the kind of chronic low dose exposure to methyl alcohol experienced by Shannon Roth (in NutraSweet consumption) and other NutraSweet consumers, it is likely that they would experience the impact on the optic nerve differently in each eye.

"The important point is that the damage observed in Shannon Roth's eye was identical to the damage I observed repeatedly in the eyes of individuals whose eyes have been damaged by methyl alcohol toxicity."

Cook, M.R., F.J. Bergman, et al., 1991. "Effects of Metol Vapor on Human Neurobehavioral Measures," Research Report No. 42, Health Effects Institute, 141 Portland Street, Suite 7300, Cambridge, MA 02139, (617) 621-0266, August
1991.

EPA 1994. "Methanol Basics," Fact Sheet OMS-7. EPA 400-F-92- 009.

Raiford, Morgan B., 1987. Letter from Dr. Morgan B. Raiford to the Office of Senator Howard Metzenbaum. The statement was put in the record before the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, November 3, 1987 regarding "NutraSweet Health and Safety Concerns." Document # Y 4.L 11/4:S.HR6.100, page 517-518.

Roberts, H.J., 1990a. "Aspartame (NutraSweet¨):Is It Safe?" by H.J. Roberts, M.D. The Charles Press Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, c1990. Excerpt from page 91.

Do some people have adverse reactions to aspartame? There is no scientific evidence that aspartame is linked to adverse reactions in people. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reviewed some 500 consumer complaints related to aspartame in 1984. CDC concluded that there was no specific

group of symptoms clearly related to aspartame consumption. The FDA has investigated all complaints since 1984, and has stated that there is "no consistent or unique pattern of symptoms reported with respect to aspartame that can be causally linked to its use." Individuals who have concerns about possible adverse reactions to aspartame should contact their physicians.

I addressed the inaccurate statements about the CDC review earlier. If you check up on one thing to assess IFIC's "honesty," please look at this. They clearly state:

"There is no scientific evidence that aspartame is linked to adverse reactions in people."

This is an outright misstatement! Here are a few double-blind studies which show adverse reactions in humans to aspartame.

Camfield, PR, et al., 1992. "Aspartame exacerbates EEG spike-wave discharge in children with generalized absence epilepsy: a double-blind controlled study." Neurology,
Volume 42, page 1000-1003.

Elsas, Louis J., James F. Trotter, 1988. "Changes in Physiological Concentrations of Blood Phenylalanine Produces Changes in Sensitive Parameters of Human Brain
Function," Presented at "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function." Proceedings of the First International Meeting
on Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, Washington, D.C., May 8-10, 1987. Center for Brain Sciences and Metabolism Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 64, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142. Reprinted in "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function," c1988, Birkhauser, Boston, MA USA, page 187-195.

Koehler, SM, A. Glaros, 1988. "The Effect of Aspartame on Migraine Headache," Headache, Volume 28, page 10-14.

Kulczycki Jr., Anthony, 1995, "Aspartame-induced hives," Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, February 1995, page 639-640.

Spiers, P.A., Donald Schomer, LuAnn Sabounjian, Harris Lieberman, Richard Wurtman, John Duguid, Riley McCarten,
Michele Lyden, 1988. "Aspartame and Human Behavior: Cognitive and Behavioral Observations," Presented at "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function." Proceedings of the First International Meeting on Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, Washington, D.C., May 8-10, 1987. Center for Brain Sciences and Metabolism Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 64, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142. Reprinted in "Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function," c1988, Birkhauser, Boston, MA USA, page 169- 178.

Van Den Eeden, SK, et al., 1994. "Aspartame Ingestion and Headaches," Neurology, Volume 44, page 1787-1793.

Walton, Ralph G., et al., 1993. "Adverse Reactions to Aspartame: Double-Blind Challenge in Patients From a Vulnerable Population," Biological Psychiatry, Volume 34, page 13-17.

There are other studies which show adverse reactions to aspartame. Independent studies show adverse reactions to aspartame, industry studies never show adverse reactions because of severe flaws built into the design of the studies. Whatever a person believes about the quality of the studies, it is clear that IFIC was being deceptive when stating that there was no scientific evidence that aspartame was linked to adverse reactions in people. 

Does aspartame cause allergic reactions?
Studies investigating aspartame as a potential allergen have found no association between aspartame and allergic reactions.
In double-blind placebo-controlled studies with people who believed they developed allergic reactions after consuming aspartame, researchers found aspartame was no more likely than placebo to cause allergic reactions.

The Kulczycki study showed allergic-like reactions. Kulczycki walked off of an industry-funded aspartame study because the researchers were clearly not interested in conducting the research properly. 
However, it is important to note that reactions to aspartame are probably not "allergic" reactions, but intolerance or toxicity reactions. 


Note: For those who feel they must see the "original" article it can be viewed at: 

http://ificinfo.health.org/brochure/aspartam.htm Original Myth IFIC article on aspartame 

The worst? 

Mounting evidence shows it to be aspartame (and acesulfame-K, perhaps an equally poorly tested substance)! 

Saccharin? From what I have read it seems this product was the fall-guy that allowed aspartame to take root. From what I have read, it would take a truck-load of saccharin to cause cancer. Not so with aspartame! 

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