Why Aspartame Isn't Scary
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ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
It seems Aspartame toxicity only mimics Lupus and MS.
"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 asymptomatic. 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!" "
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GaleHawkins wrote: »ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/aspartame-health-risks_b_668692.html
snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
It seems Aspartame toxicity only mimics Lupus and MS.
"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 asymptomatic. 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!" "
Mercola again?0 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
It seems Aspartame toxicity only mimics Lupus and MS.
"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 asymptomatic. 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!" "
You missed the part at the top of the snopes article that said the rumour is FALSE and this was cited as where the rumour came from.
Here is the rest
Origins: I have been requested by the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research to respond to your request for an evaluation of the article received via an e-mail message on the alleged toxicities of the artificial sweetener, aspartame.
My name is David Hattan and I am currently Acting Director of the Division of Health Effects Evaluation in the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. I have worked on questions relating to the safety of aspartame repeatedly since 1978 and am familiar with the safety studies that have been conducted to support the safety of this food additive. There were well over 100 separate toxicological and clinical studies conducted to establish the safety of aspartame before it was approved for regulatory acceptance. Since its approval in 1981 by the USFDA, there have been many additional studies performed to follow up on some of the more creditable reports of aspartame- mediated adverse effects. Below I have tried to succinctly respond to certain of the allegations of toxicity proposed in the e-mail message.
First, reports of the ingestion of aspartame in patients who later have suffered multiple sclerosis or systemic lupus is obviously not scientifically sustainable evidence that aspartame is responsible for the occurrence of either disease. Both of these disorders are subject to spontaneous remissions and exacerbations so it is entirely possible
that when patients stopped using aspartame they might have also coincidentally have had remission of their symptoms. There is no credible evidence that I am aware of that suggests that aspartame elicits multiple sclerosis or systemic lupus.
Second, the claim that aspartame ingestion results in the production of methanol, formaldehyde and formate: These claims are factual. In the gastrointestinal tract aspartame is hydrolyzed to one of its component materials, methanol, as well as the two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. This methanol is taken up by the cells of the body and metabolized first to formaldehyde and then to formate. The key information that is missing in the description by Ms. Markle is that the levels of ingestion are very modest. In fact, there are other foodstuffs that we ingest that supply as much and sometimes even more methanol; e.g., citrus fruits and juices, and tomatoes or tomato juice. There are even higher quantities of methanol ingested when ethanol is consumed. Thus, in the final analysis this methanol is the same as from other sources and in the quantities consumed from aspartame, it is readily and naturally metabolized via the one-carbon biochemical cycle to entirely innocuous and natural body components.
Third, the claim that the two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid have neurotoxic effects. This is true in certain individuals and in high enough doses. The only subpopulation of individuals potentially susceptible to adverse effects from phenylalanine is homozygous phenylketonurics and in this case, food itself with much higher levels of phenylalanine from the protein in the diets contributes much higher toxicity for these unfortunate individuals. For those individual phenylketonurics that want to
carefully control their intake levels of phenylalanine, they can do that by simply taking into consideration the amount of phenylalanine supplied by the aspartame product or, even more likely, simply refraining from use of these products. The USFDA requires that the aspartame product be labeled specially for phenylketonurics patients so that they will be aware of its presence in these products. As for the other amino acid in aspartame, the levels of aspartic acid ingested with aspartame use are many fold less than those levels responsible for causing adverse effects on the brain of animals and/or man. In fact, it is not clear that the experimentally derived data from animals is relevant to man. In any case, the levels of aspartic acid intake from aspartame are many fold below those needed to mediate neurologic effects.
Fourth, there have been numerous animal and human studies done to evaluate the possibility that aspartame causes seizures or enhances the susceptibility to seizures. In clinical studies done in adults and children with pre-existing seizures, there was no evidence of contributing to the frequency of occurrence or severity of seizures in seizure-prone individuals. There were additional studies done on seizure-prone experimental animal models to assess the possible influence of aspartame on their seizuring activity. Again, the result was the same and no influence was demonstrated on the frequency or severity of seizures.
Fifth, aspartame was comprehensively evaluated for its potential to mediate reproductive effects and birth defects. In all cases of animal testing, there was no evidence of aspartame-mediated effects on the experimental animals at doses many times higher than those to which the human population is exposed.
Sixth, more recent allegations about aspartame mediating an increase in the incidence of brain tumors in the human population has been thoroughly refuted by both government and academic scientists.
The legitimate attempts that have been made to confirm and replicate allegations of adverse reactions from aspartame ingestion have not been successful and the USFDA continues to consider this to a be among the most thoroughly tested of food additives and that this information continues to confirm the safety of aspartame.
David G. Hattan, Ph.D.
Acting Director, Division of Health Effects Evaluation
Last updated: 8 June 2015
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singingflutelady wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
It seems Aspartame toxicity only mimics Lupus and MS.
"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 asymptomatic. 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!" "
You missed the part at the top of the snopes article that said the rumour is FALSE and this was cited as where the rumour came from.
sourcing is hard6 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
It seems Aspartame toxicity only mimics Lupus and MS.
"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 asymptomatic. 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!" "
singingflutelady I will accept your contention that your credit-ability on the subject is greater than that of Doctor Mercola for the time being.
What proof do you offer that the above links are medically incorrect?0 -
Because the one you quoted even says it is false and incorrect right before and after that quote.8
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The FDA and FTC don't agree that he is credible. http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html5
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GaleHawkins wrote: »ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
What about these two singinglady.0 -
queenliz99 wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »GaleHawkins wrote: »ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474447/
safefood.org.nz/aspartaddict.html
Down Under thoughts.
snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp
It seems Aspartame toxicity only mimics Lupus and MS.
"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 asymptomatic. 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!" "
You missed the part at the top of the snopes article that said the rumour is FALSE and this was cited as where the rumour came from.
sourcing is hard
So is context, apparently.1 -
The first one was published in 1987 and the second one has some very questionable links. One says here are the symptoms the FDA lists as from aspartame but it doesn't link to the FDA, but to a badly designed old website.0
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singingflutelady wrote: »The FDA and FTC don't agree that he is credible. http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html
I agree Mercola D.O. is big into marketing products and making money. His stuff about Vitamin D and K2 were helpful when I started to researching those supplements a few years ago. Typically I purchase off of Amazon vs online doctors. I was able to find aspartame free magnesium supplement.
While aspartame not cause any noticeable side effects in many people the last two links raises medical concerns that I had prefer to side step if possible.
I use the web doctors like I do these forums assuming everyone is posting with an agenda that may not be in my best interest. Using Google Chrome one can highlight and right click and keep right on drilling down and have 10 tabs open before I realize it. Since I make my one medical decisions based on my own research. That was why I refused to start using Enbrel back in 2014. Having my OD degree makes sorting through medical info and seeing the patterns in the info appearing to be creditable and not creditable doable. All doctors make mistakes and why medical mistakes is the forth largest cause of death in the USA.
Over time I realized doctors have many patients and with routine things one may understand his/her body better than most doctors and nurses have the time to fully grasp.
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GaleHawkins wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »The FDA and FTC don't agree that he is credible. http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html
I agree Mercola D.O. is big into marketing products and making money. His stuff about Vitamin D and K2 were helpful when I started to researching those supplements a few years ago. Typically I purchase off of Amazon vs online doctors. I was able to find aspartame free magnesium supplement.
While aspartame not cause any noticeable side effects in many people the last two links raises medical concerns that I had prefer to side step if possible.
I use the web doctors like I do these forums assuming everyone is posting with an agenda that may not be in my best interest. Using Google Chrome one can highlight and right click and keep right on drilling down and have 10 tabs open before I realize it. Since I make my one medical decisions based on my own research. That was why I refused to start using Enbrel back in 2014. Having my OD degree makes sorting through medical info and seeing the patterns in the info appearing to be creditable and not creditable doable. All doctors make mistakes and why medical mistakes is the forth largest cause of death in the USA.
Over time I realized doctors have many patients and with routine things one may understand his/her body better than most doctors and nurses have the time to fully grasp.
Like you have an agenda too! No denying that fact as you repeat ad naseum.5 -
I agree doctors aren't always right and you have to do your own research but doctors aren't always wrong. I know several who have severe disease and Embrel, Humira, Remicade, Entyvio, etc have made a huge positive impact on their life and no amount of diet change would put them into remission. I am one of those people. I wish I didn't have to take Remicade but honestly I would at the very least have no colon and part of my small intestine, be very ill or dead if it weren't for Remicade and even with remicade I am not completely in remission. During the worst flare up in my life (before and during loading doses of Remicade) I was only consuming clear fluids and TPN (for a month) and still had bloody diarrhea, pain, weakness, etc, etc and I didn't improve until the Remicade (and another med) started to work. I know others who have similar stories. I would never recommend or suggest this drug to mild-moderate suffers and I doubt their doctor would prescribe it for that anyways.5
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GaleHawkins wrote: »
Still not grasping the concept of vetting sources, I see.5 -
So... I attempted to read through all 34 pages of this because I like to hear all the (valid) arguments on a subject but I'm at work and things got long and there was a lot of nonsense like "why risk it" (ie: why risk eating anything you didn't grow yourself after testing all the soil yourself at all?) and I'm just curious to know if any of the pages have a valid argument that's as scientifically backed as the OP? And if so, what page?
I don't currently have a strong opinion on this but I'm interested in the facts.0 -
SomeShenanigans wrote: »So... I attempted to read through all 34 pages of this because I like to hear all the (valid) arguments on a subject but I'm at work and things got long and there was a lot of nonsense like "why risk it" (ie: why risk eating anything you didn't grow yourself after testing all the soil yourself at all?) and I'm just curious to know if any of the pages have a valid argument that's as scientifically backed as the OP? And if so, what page?
I don't currently have a strong opinion on this but I'm interested in the facts.
No. For examples, just look at the nonsense being posted on this page.1 -
SomeShenanigans wrote: »So... I attempted to read through all 34 pages of this because I like to hear all the (valid) arguments on a subject but I'm at work and things got long and there was a lot of nonsense like "why risk it" (ie: why risk eating anything you didn't grow yourself after testing all the soil yourself at all?) and I'm just curious to know if any of the pages have a valid argument that's as scientifically backed as the OP? And if so, what page?
I don't currently have a strong opinion on this but I'm interested in the facts.
@SomeShenanigans it is like many other things one can eat. For some people there are no downside it seems and others say different. What may be fine for one at 25 may not be fine at 45, 65, etc.
The 'facts' are not black and white science is my take on these kinds of subjects.1 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »SomeShenanigans wrote: »So... I attempted to read through all 34 pages of this because I like to hear all the (valid) arguments on a subject but I'm at work and things got long and there was a lot of nonsense like "why risk it" (ie: why risk eating anything you didn't grow yourself after testing all the soil yourself at all?) and I'm just curious to know if any of the pages have a valid argument that's as scientifically backed as the OP? And if so, what page?
I don't currently have a strong opinion on this but I'm interested in the facts.
@SomeShenanigans it is like many other things one can eat. For some people there are no downside it seems and others say different. What may be fine for one at 25 may not be fine at 45, 65, etc.
The 'facts' are not black and white science is my take on these kinds of subjects.
This has been tested and retested and reviewed and re-reviewed for literally decades. It was discovered 51 years ago for god's sake.
Its safety for people of all age groups has been attested time and time again.
You're wrong.
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Some animal studies have showed it messing with the gut biome, even at normal consumption levels (not the absurd consumption levels you sometimes see in animal studies.)
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0109841
I'm cautious about my gut biome, I'd rather not take a substance that has been shown to mess with it if there's no good reason to take it (for example, yogurt can change your gut biome, but yogurt is delicious so I eat it anyway, antibiotics can wreck your gut biome, but if I got a gangrenous limb, hand me the antibiotics, please.)1
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