Think Twice About Aspartame

Why You Should Think Twice About Aspartame (EqualTM)

In 1965, aspartame was accidentally discovered by Dr. James Schlatter. He was originally working on an anti-ulcer drug, but instead developed a substance that was 180 times sweeter than sugar, but had no calories. When the drug was safety tested on monkeys, they either developed grand mal seizures or died. Aspartame was not off to a good start.

Aspartame consists of two amino acids, pheylalanine and aspartic acid. About 10% of the structure is made up of methanol. When you ingest aspartame, your body breaks the bond between the amino acids, releasing them as free amino acids. Herein lies the rub.

In 1971, several studies were performed on aspartic acid. All of the studies showed that aspartic acid caused holes to develop in the brains of mice. Later studies showed that long-term use causes brain tumors; several more studies indicate that aspartic acid causes lesions in peripheral nerves after only two weeks of consistent consumption. In humans, aspartic acid floods the central nervous system and overstimulates it, known as an “excitotoxin”, causing headaches, seizures, and confusion.

That’s just the aspartic acid.

Phenylalanine is the precursor to epinephrine and norepinephrine, two stress hormones that are produced and released as a part of our “fight or flight” response. Excess pheylalanine results in increased levels of these neurotransmitters. We experience the elevated neurotransmitters as anxiety, nervousness, depression, and even heart palpatations.

We aren’t done yet.

Methanol is naturally found in some foods, like pectin, that can pass through your body without being absorbed. However, when it released from aspartame during digestion, it will break down into the compound formaldehyde. There is no known safe level of formaldehyde; it is a known carcinogen. 85% of all complaints registered to the FDA are for adverse reactions to aspartame. Here is the short list of known adverse effects:

Headache, change in mood, change in vision, seizures, sleep issues (insomnia), change in heart rate, hallucinations and mental disorders, abdominal cramps, autoimmune responses, fatigue and weakness, dizziness, poor balance, joint pain, nausea, memory loss, migraines, symptoms similar to Parkinson’s.

How is this even legal? We have Donald Rumsfeld and the Reagan Administration to thank. Long story. Here is where you can find aspartame: Diet soda, candy, salad dressings, sugar free gum, sugar free anything (Koolaid, Jello, Slimfast…the list is long.), “lite” anything (ice cream, chocolate sauce, fruit juice).

One more parting shot: It’s highly addictive. Cocaine addicted rats preferred aspartame, even when they were preconditioned to choose cocaine. I think I’m done here.