As aspartame (APM) is included in many snacks, foods and medicines (chewing-gum, breath mints, energy beverages and bars, soda drinks, ice-creams, desserts, pastries, pre-prepared meals and throat-soothers, cough syrups, …) for adults and even children (chewing-gum…), the chemical and its “harmful” effects should be exposed to the public. We should know what we ingest and should be informed of aspartame’s “destructive” side effects. This issue should be addressed by food and drug organizations to curtail this type of universal use by the food industry.

Many assume aspartame to be not only “harmless,” but also protective to teeth and preventative to weight gain; thanks to the silence of health organizations. This kind of complacent attitude prompts individuals who care about human health to speak up.

Now that I have found enough convincing and “disturbing” data, I feel compelled to reveal certain facts about this “damaging” substance, which has been sneaked into all types of foods with the APPROVAL of health authorities. Let us see now what this chemical, aspartame, is, how it behaves in the human body and how it affects the brain of the fetus.

Aspartame (APM) is an extracted sweetener from wood (methyl alcohol), which is 200 times more powerful than sugar in sweetness. It is composed of two amino acids (phenylalanine and aspartic acid); both are found along with other amino acids in certain protein foods. Because aspartame is a “natural” chemical, the consumer assumes that it is safe in any amounts. Such “isolates” without other supporting amino acids, in excessive doses, can become toxic in different ways, even more than alcohol. When APM molecule gets metabolized, it lets out methyl alcohol along with phenylalanine and aspartic acid, turning into a neurotoxin. Neurotoxins are chemicals that have poisonous effects on the central nervous system.

Methyl alcohol, isolated and without ethyl alcohol (both occur naturally in most protein foods), breaks down into formaldehyde, another toxin. Together they result in degenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, mental retardation and behavioral abnormalities in adults, children and fetuses. “Isolates,” in aspartame like phenylalanine, disrupt the functions of neurotransmitters and brain through neurotoxicity, causing behavioral and mental dysfunctions and developmental deformities. Depressions, panic attacks and headaches also develop because of the depletion of the serotonin supply in the brain caused by continuous aspartame consumption.

Furthermore, the sweet taste of the chemical alerts the brain of the presence of sugar. Though not there, the effect makes the brain remember the sweetness and the body begins to yearn for more carbohydrates and sugar, thus leading to weight gain and obesity. Let us go through some of other damaging side effects, resulting from aspartame overload.

I shall start by showing what prenatal exposure to aspartame can do to the developing fetus. According to Dr. Louis J. Elsas’, the director of Medical Genetics at Emory University School of Medicine, the examination and diagnosis of Brandon Mills found the newborn with numerous birth defects and severe neurological impairments as well as vocal cord paralysis and swallowing dysfunction. During her pregnancy, Brandon’s mother consumed about “4 to 6 twelve-ounce cans a day of NutraSweet-containing beverages. These included Diet 7-up, Diet Coke, and NutraSweet sweetened tea and lemonade.” Moreover, she took capsules of 500-1000 mg of phenylalanine to relieve fatigue, adding more of the “harmful” chemical. Phenylalanine (PHE) happens to be the compound that is released from metabolized aspartame. Being the strongest of all competing enzymes to race into cells, phenylalanine finds its way ahead of the others, causing damage. Phenylalanine in aspartame from diet colas crosses the placenta rapidly to the fetus, causing cognitive impairments.

According Dr. James Bowen (expert on harmful substances and radiation), aspartame ingestion during pregnancy can induce abortion due to the disruption of fetal developmental or cause deformities and DNA damage, haunting future generations in the event of fetal survival. Because APM “isolates” are neurotoxic, they impair the central nervous system; brain structure; limit mental activity; and increase the risk of cerebral palsy. In milder cases, they provoke ADHD, autism, or bipolarism (once rare in children). The brain tissue literally becomes plastic-like.

Neurosurgeon Russel Blaylock published a book called “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills.” In the book, he blames aspartame for impairing brain functions. Because APM is an excitotoxin, it stimulates the brain to destruction.

In excess, aspartic acid also provokes hormonal and vision disorders. As a neuro-exciter, it interferes with the central nervous system structure and triggers hyperactivity in children. The chemical as well as other artificial additives (food colorings and flavors) are contraindicated for children and during pregnancies, provoking hyperactive behavior. Wait! That is NOT all!!!

After eight years of research on rats fed APM, Italian scientist Morando Soffritti and his research team came to the conclusion “that aspartame could have carcinogenic effects,” and asserted that aspartame raises the risk of malignant tumors and cancer in rats. Thereby, he contradicted the results of studies financed by the manufacturer of aspartame, B.D. Searle & Company, to reassure the public that aspartame poses “no risks” to human health. He added that the risk becomes higher “in children due to their lower weight” and in embryos that are even more exposed. The scientist, in an interview with Tierramerica, concluded by saying that “I hope they [European Commission] revise their current regulations” concerning aspartame.

Soffritti happens to be the same reputable Italian scientist who revealed the carcinogenic properties of MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), the gasoline additive that reduces air pollution. The molecule of MBTE happens to come from methanol, the same chemical produced by aspartame. His findings triggered the ban of MTBE in several states in America, because of fear of underground water contamination through the leakage of the compound in gas stations.

Dr. Olney made world news when he associated aspartame with brain tumors (www.doorway.com).  What is threatening is that APM is ingested by 350 million people worldwide through the consumption of 6,000 different foods and beverages, which include the sweetener as an “inoffensive” ingredient in the name of protecting children’s teeth and helping weight loss.

I assume this is enough information to digest for one day. I shall come back next week with more on aspartame in order to guide you in protecting your health, your children’s and the future wellbeing of the unborn. The consequences incur uncalled-for physical and emotional pain, unnecessary costs and job and productivity losses, just because a powerful industry and special interest groups want to make maximum profit from your misery.

It is important to become aware of the “harmful” substances that are concealed in your food, snacks and beverages in order to omit them from your diet. This way you save your health and that of those around. Only an INFORMED and ACTIVE public is able to make the difference by exercising pressure on health organizations and the food industry to remove health “destructive” additives from manufactured foods. Take action today; tomorrow might be too late!