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Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.

Anonymous Author (April 2007)
Aspartame... sweetener number E951

About 5 years ago my mum told me something that scared the daylights out of me and stopped our whole house eating Extra Gum...

Aspartame causes brain tumors and other side effects...

I know it sounds scary but its true.
They have tested it and was actually banned in USA. I believe its been lifted now but it was once banned because of its adverse effects.

Phenylalanine and aspartic acid, 90% of aspartame, are amino acids normally used in synthesis of protoplasm when supplied by the foods we eat. But when unaccompanied by other amino acids we use [there are 20], they are neurotoxic.

That is why a warning for Phenylketonurics is found on EQUAL and other aspartame products. Phenylketenurics are 2% of the population with extreme sensitivity to this chemical unless it's present in food. It gets you too, causing brain disorders and birth defects! Finally, the phenyalanine breaks down into DKP, a brain tumor agent.

Link Here

Can you believe it? I was unsure when I heard of it because the tests were on mice and they digested a HUGE ammount of the chemical for it to cause that. But when you look at it how we did its quite scary.

My grandad died of a brain tumor. When he was in his 20's he got diabetes. He switched to artificial sugars. He died a slow and painful death. We all believe this was because of the sugars. At the time it wasn't well known that they were even testing it and it deffinately wasn't known that there was any side effects when he was in his 20's.

Dont believe it still. Check out this site and this site. A paragraph from the first one is

"Aspartame sugar substitutes cause worrying symptoms from memory loss to brain tumours. But despite US FDA approval as a 'safe' food additive, aspartame is one of the most dangerous substances ever to be foisted upon an unsuspecting public."

So what is it? It is an artificial sweetener added to more than 6,000 products including carbonated soft drinks, powdered soft drinks, chewing gum, confections, gelatins, dessert mixes, puddings and fillings, frozen desserts, yogurt, tabletop sweeteners, and some pharmaceuticals such as vitamins and sugar-free cough drops. If it says 'diet' or 'sugar free' check the label. It has to be put on the back because its such a dangerous and unhealthy chemical.

So what are the effects? Here is a list of some of the doccumented symptoms and side effects of aspartame:

Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

It is also proven that some chronic illnesses can be triggered and worsened by aspartame. Here is a list.

Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

The 1976 Groliers encyclopedia states cancer cannot live without phenylalanine. Aspartame contains 50% phenylalanine.

Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde, embalming fluid. Methanol is a dangerous neurotoxin, a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage in the eye, interferes with DNA replication, and causes birth defects.


Taken from this great site by someone who knows what they are talking about. Dr. Janet Hull

Is there a cover up? YES YES YES YES YES

There were a lot of independantly-funded studies that were held on the effects of aspartame using humans and animals. Out of 90, 83 of them found aspartame to cause health issues.

Check out this site... Click here


What can you use instead?

Check out this advice on Natural Sweeteners

Look into it further if you like. But whatever you do DONT give your child anything with artificial sweeteners. Aspartame, sachrine, phenylalanine are all the same. There are natural alternatives to artificial sweeteners and as a mother I BEG YOU to look into it before you give them to your child and look into the natural ones from your health food store.
Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
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pappas
April 2008 | pappas
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.

thak-you for this article it's fantastic. i've suffered for years with alot of these problems to the point i couldn't get out of bed and was told i was depressed by my doctor. i couldn't walk, sleep properly, i felt like i was just waiting to die. i was sick for years as a teenager, until i stop drinking coke and became more awear of Aspartame. i felt fantastic after giving up sugar. people and our governments need to take this more seriously. 



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pavementcracks70
February 2008 | pavementcracks70
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.

great article

good to have a refresher here

rue



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symmaron-rose
November 2007 | symmaron-rose
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
Wow how scary. My husband has always said artificial sweetners are really bad for you. Thanks for this article i can't wait to show him.


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pav
October 2007 | pav
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
yes, excellent advice.
It's a shame , nowadays so many parents give their kids  low sugar or no sugar drinks, which are full of artificial sweeteners. They think it's good for their teeth!


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Blazin
5.00 (Excellent) | October 2007 | Blazin
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.

I don't believe Aspertame, in moderation , is going to hurt you.

As a matter of fact when pregnant with my son , I had gestational diabetes. Obviously all use of sugar is done away with and I had to go to a diabetic class. In the class we were told the only sweetner we COULD use was one containing aspertame , such as equal, sweet n low , ect... As other sweetners , such as  Cyclamate found in Sugar Twin cause Birth defects. When I asked about the harmfullnes of aspertame as I had heard so many bad things , I was informed by both Dr.'s and nurses that the Aspertame will not harm you unless you are drinking an access amout of 48 cans of diet pop per DAY. So unless you are a crazy mad pop drinker , I personally wouldnt be too concerned , after the birth of my son I continue to use Aspertame in replacement of sugar



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emmie
September 2007 | emmie
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.

great advice

cheers

 



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ellamia
September 2007 | ellamia
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
As far as i know they havent had enough proof to say that it does anything, that was 10 months ago. But thats my oppionon


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angelatheart
July 2007 | angelatheart
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
OH NO this is horrible. i mean. there are many people such as diabetic's and things that use this as they cant have sugar for there health. What a joke. Great artical.


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9wondersoftheworld
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | 9wondersoftheworld
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
Excellent article, very interesting reading, lets all be on the look out for this and why hasn't it been pulled off the shelves, I suppose profit comes before people!!


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Jodie04
June 2007 | Jodie04
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
Wow, this is something I didn't know. If you could have seen my facw while reading this!!! Thankyou for this comprehensive article. It is very enlightening, and I will be monitoring this in my home.


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Leea
June 2007 | Leea
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
I have known about this for quite some time. It's definitely NOT consumed in my house.


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sanersti
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | sanersti
Re: Artificial Sweeteners... Aspartame and The Dangers.
Aspartame was successfully kept off the market for over ten years prior to GD Searle hiring Donald Rumsfeld as their CEO. Shortly after he was hired aspartame became approved through an unbelievable conflict of interest. Several FDA commissioners that voted against approving aspartame were replaced by those that voted for it and got it approved. Shortly after aspartame approval these FDA commissioners were given cushy jobs with quarter million dollar salaries as a reward for their help.

Interestingly enough, Donald  Rumsfeld, was the US Secretary of Defense between 2001 & 2006, and it gets even more interesting when you learn that Donald Rumsfeld is a major shareholder in the company that patented "Tamiflu" (the vaccination against Avian Bird Flu that the US Govt  decided it needed to stockpile for when the bird flu "outbreak" happened.) - but thats going off topic :p

I have long held the belief that the FDA is nothing more than a puppet on a string, manipulated by the pharmaceutical companies for their own financial gains.


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mel-thom-coop
5.00 (Excellent) | May 2007 | mel-thom-coop
everyone is different

three years ago my kidneys went into a tail spin because of aspartame and other preservatives found in food. over a period of four months i lost dangerous amounts of weight, couldn't keep food down, had paralysing headaches and a simple hot shower or bath could make me pass out not to mention the nose bleeds and cold sweats!! people are fooling themselves if they think the copious amounts of rubbish they consume will not affect them eventually.i was a fit twenty something imagine an elderly person with an all ready compromised immune system!! i was on a strict diet for years with some serious rules!! i was eventually allowed to reintroduce foods, having to eliminate them if a reaction occured.just because its on a supermarket shelf does not mean its a licence to indulge. simple food will always be safest. but i don't agree with scare tactics either.

safe eating everyone!! 



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sluxton
5.00 (Excellent) | May 2007 | sluxton
aspartame

thanyou for posting this - it's a great follow on from my article on Food Additives and the more people that are aware of the dangers of these types of additives, the more pressure we can put on governments to start banning them.

also, I believe, we can raise awareness to parents and help reduce behavioural disorders that may possibly be avoided



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llmunchkin
3.92 (Good) | May 2007 | llmunchkin
Well worth researching and finding out more...
This is a very interesting topic - especially since so many people are choosing to use artificial sweeteners as a way to improve their diet and health and lifestyle.  It is important to be aware of the choices available, where they originate from, and any proven scientific medical research to validate claims in regard to whether or not a product is the best choice for any individual.

I think it is great to make people aware that there are doubts about how they affect your health - as do most things when ingested excessively.  It is good to get people thinking about the options available and learning more about them.  However, this is an advice forum, and it is up to people to educate themselves by finding out more about the subject and making their own decision. 

Everyone has added valuable comments and information in regard to this subject, it is good to have food for thought - shame about slamming each other in the process.


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Kellzacar
4.77 (Excellent) | April 2007 | Kellzacar
Artificial Sweeteners

As a diabetic i really found this to be very shocking . . . So i spoke to my GP and specialist whom i trust entirely as they have never given me bad advice . . . They both led me to snopes.

I'm sorry Mel but Snopes disagrees completly with what your article is saying as do my Dr's . . .  Having had Cancer prior to my diabetes I believe my Dr's would never have asked me to take anything that could jepordize my life again . . .  I will continue to use equal daily without fear as will many other diabetics out there . .

Cheers Mate . . . Kellz



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      gorach
3.88 (Good) | April 2007 | gorach
Artificial Sweeteners

unfortunatelt kelz doctors can be very one sided on these types of issues, yes they know their stuff but when it comes to the other side of the fence they can be very conveniant about where they get info.

for instance who is behind snopes? was is it other doctors or scientists that did these studies?

as a diabetic i would be do much more investigation as even artificial sweeteners should be discouraged in your diet.



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      MadMel
4.19 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
Artificial Sweeteners
Hey Alana,

I do value your opinion as you know BUT I also think you are silly to listen do doctors. They are not allowed to tell you anything like that. If you had of gone and asked when it was banned in the States they might have told you a whole other story. Now because its FDA approved it's a whole other story.

You see biiiiiiiiiiig companies like those who manifacture aspartame have billions of dollars, and orginaisations like FDA can be brought out for millions. Its not fair but its life.

It's not like there is nothing out there. Please look at my Natural Sweeteners advice. How long ago did you have a tumor? How long were you on aspartame for??? Your not the first diabetic whos been using this chemical and has said they have had a tumor... and certainly wont be the last.


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           Kellzacar
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | Kellzacar
Artificial Sweeteners

Hi mel,

I had cancer before developing diabetes so i was not using aspartame . . . I have checked out your Natural Sweeteners advice and even gave is 5 stars (lol) as it was great!

I am one of the lucky ones as far as my GP goes, he is also my friend and has even risked his own job once to help me so i have no worries with trusting advice. I have also shown him your natural sweeteners article and he is going to look into it more.

I guess my concerns lay with ppl out there whom dont have ppl they can rely on and have serious medical issues such as diabetes and after reading your article they may freak and go back to sugar. This could very very serious and life threatening for them.

Perhaps you could add a bit to your article saying that you DO NOT recomeded people to go back to sugar without first seeing their doctor or specialist.

Cheers Kellz



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                MadMel
3.92 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
Artificial Sweeteners
I see your concern. That is why I wrote this on the end

What can you use instead?

Check out this advice on Natural Sweeteners


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pinkninjaprincess
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | pinkninjaprincess
fantastic advice
We were told about this only a few months ago by a friend with a neurological condition who will not allow it in her house. she noticed my kids drinking fruit shoots and told me about the dangers. We have cut it out but it is difficult - ice pops contain heaps, i am making my own this summer from real fruit juice. The `high juice` dilutable squash is the only alternative to squash I beleive. Thankyou.


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Tadexpress
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | Tadexpress
Excellent
I heard this as a hypothesis  many, many years ago when diet drinks became popular, fortunately for me I could never handle the taste so diet drinks, artifical sugars werent a problem for me however my youngest begain using diet drinks and I told her now I can share facts. As someone who bought her children up on low fat, low salt, low sugar I firmly believe in sticking to whats natural and having watched society changing its ideas over the past 10 or so years I can only applaud people who go to the extra efforts of getting the facts out there.


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      MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
Excellent
Thanks Tad :)


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Deborahsc2203
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | Deborahsc2203
good information
i was shell shocked to read this ,, great article i have to thankyou very much for letting us all know about the dangours and cover ups ,, its all about the money with the products ,, they dont care as long as the money flows in ,,,even know i dont buy any of it that i know of ,, im more alerted to read the back of the packs now , thankyou


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      MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
good information
Thanks Deb :)
We all need to be more aware!


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VioletsAreNotBlue
4.00 (Good) | April 2007 | VioletsAreNotBlue
Asparatame NOT!

I am allergice to this, but my former boss gave me a pamphlet (book actually) on all the dire results of using asparatame.  I absolutely refuse to allow my children to eat anything with artificial sweeteners in it.  It is amazing that everything that says low calorie or 50% less sugar now has some form of artificial sweetner in it.  For the few extra calories that sugar has, I will give this too my children over "diet" products anyday, including diet pop. 

Most products have natural sugars in them anyway, so why do they add more.  I don't understand.  For example flavored waters. I don't really like plain water so when I went looking for a flavored water,  I don't want sugar I just want the flavor of the water to taste good.  Most of the flavored waters have asparatame in them which I found made them have a wierd aftertaste.  Can't they just add the flavoring without the sugar substitute. 

 



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      madmelsBACK
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | madmelsBACK
Asparatame NOT!
Thanks for your comment! Whats the book called? I would love to get a hold of a copy.


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           VioletsAreNotBlue
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | VioletsAreNotBlue
Asparatame NOT!
Im not sure If I still have it at work or not.  It was something he printed off the internet that was like 100 pages.  I will take a look for you to see if I can find it.


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                MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
Asparatame NOT!
Great! Thanks a lot :)


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kseers
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | kseers
Thanks again
Thanks for the tip - i have always avoided it anyway as someone told me years ago that they do not know the long term effect of any of these chemicals.  Better to go as natural as possible I reckon!


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MummaBear
4.89 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MummaBear
wow there's a lot of debate about this

there are also many deleted comments i'm not sure what they had said but obviously not worth worrying about.

I have always been of the belief that natural is best. We buy everything FRESH, organic where possible, and I have never had artificial sweeteners in the house that I'm aware of.  My daughter sometimes has raw sugar on her weetbix or muesli, but she prefers to have either honey or fruit such as kiwi, banana, strawberries, etc.

I'm glad you wrote this article, hopefully it will open people's eyes to what they are putting in their childrens' mouths.

Well written, very informative.



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      MadMel
3.94 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
wow there's a lot of debate about this
Thanks mummabear. Yes it was just rubbish that had nothing to do with the topic. Just a trouble maker.

I am one for healthy natural foods but i will admit that a lot of the time I wont check. ill get natural where possible :)

Sounds like you have a healthy little angel there :):)


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blackwidowkate
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | blackwidowkate
I have a solution
Hi
I have a good solution to the dilemma
Stop reading....there is nothing left in this world that wont kill us one way or another
Research some of the most common products we use and you will go back to growing your own all bar the fact we have now destroyed our soil with chemicals.
There is NO healthy thing now...sorry guys
Excellent article Mel...
Luv Deb


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      RebeccaDorant
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | RebeccaDorant
I have a solution
yer how true is that!!...the amount of crap thats in our soils and air is probably just as harmful as any conceviable artificial thing that we can conjure up anywaiz... damn it... thats depressing lol oh well thanx for the article might be able to keep me alive for an extra month or two, i just diched a packet of gum lol :)'s for you


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           MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
I have a solution
haha! Your a laugh! :) back at ya


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      Jessgore
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | Jessgore
I have a solution
and if you believe every thing we read... Every thing causes cancer....


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           MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
I have a solution
haha yes... do as Deb told me to do.. google canola oil


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Anonymous Member
 
This Comment has been deleted
OzBinky
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | OzBinky
I don't want to incite any debate on this..
But there is more up to date information than 2005 and there are also reports that have stated what Mel said. This link here  provides a little of what was in one of the latest reports as does  this link here.

Like I said though, I don't mean to spark up any debate on this subject and I don't know what was said previously although have noticed that there are deleted comments - I do however believe that when dealing with subjects like this, it doesn't hurt to know.

Fact is - this subject has been open for debate for many years now. This is not new information - yet it is information that continues to re-surface just about each year.  Each year someone, from some 'qualified' organization and profession argues the safety of products containing this and then there are also those who argue that its fine to use.

To quote from Cynthia Crossen's  book The Tainted Truth; The manipulation of Fact in America "In today's corporate-dominated information market truth has become to belong to those who commission it."

Or as I like to put it....sometimes the truth is only what we have been conditioned to believe...

Cheers

OB

PS,

By the way Mel, thanks so much. I had only just brought 2 pkts of Extra today....Onya!

OB
xoxo


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      MadMel
4.00 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
I don't want to incite any debate on this..
Thanks OB. It's such a major issue that I think everyone should know about :)


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           OzBinky
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | OzBinky
I don't want to incite any debate on this..
and sweetie, I totally agree with you.

I remember when the artificial sweetener, sugarine (sp), was taken off the shelves in fear of  what it was doing to people. There are obvious issues surrounding this product and we all have the right to know, even if it is only a doubt.

All you have done is make some people aware of issues which have been the subject of debate for some time and its up to each individual what they do with this information. It was and is worth mentioning.

Thanks matey

OB
xoxo


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      emmysmum
4.43 (Good) | April 2007 | emmysmum
Have your say my a**!
You are being so naive that its not funny!
Mel quoted from sites to you about the studies that had been run....and if you read the websites properly you probably would've found them yourself!
My grandmother is using artificial sweetener and her memory and hearing is so damn pathetic that it p's me off! Her father has recently started using artificial sweetener too and his memory flew out the window within a matter of a couple of weeks! Now tell me that's just a co-incidence!
Did you hear about the 2 high school girls who recently stomped on Ribena because of the claim it had 4 x the vitamin C of oranges?
Well it's not true! Ribena contains artificial colours and sweeteners, and the 2 girls ran tests as part of an assignment they were doing....when they saw the levels weren't right they tested again cos they thought they were wrong....BUT THEY WERE RIGHT!
The girls brought ribena to a crash after a decade of claiming all the health benefits it had! NOW TELL US THAT COMPANIES WON'T PROTECT THEIR OWN BACKS AND INFO!


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           MadMel
3.88 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
Have your say my a**!
Well said Kayla. Im not interested in what the FDA and the Cancer people and the Health people are saying now. They have all been brought out. The studies proved that they cause these problems. Just cos they want to stick their heads in the mud and pretend its not true now after it was already banned before doesn't change the fact that its happening.

My grandad was a happy and very healthy Rev. without a health issue in the world. The only thing he had to deal with was his Type 1 diabeties. This was well under controlled and then suddenly he had a brain tumor that is not fixable and is dying. This has been reported a lot by people who were completely heathy suddenly coming down with these health issues.

How it happens: Methanol, from aspartame, is released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounters the enzyme chymotrypsin (Stegink 1984, page 143). Free methanol begins to form in liquid aspartame-containing products at temperatures above 86 degrees F.. also within the human body. The methanol is then converted to formaldehyde. The formaldehyde converts to formic acid, ant sting poison. Toxic formic acid is used as an activator to strip epoxy and urethane coatings. Imagine what it does to your tissues! Phenylalanine and aspartic acid, 90% of aspartame, are amino acids normally used in synthesis of protoplasm when supplied by the foods we eat. But when unaccompanied by other amino acids we use [there are 20], they are neurotoxic. That is why a warning for Phenylketonurics is found on EQUAL and other aspartame products. Phenylketenurics are 2% of the population with extreme sensitivity to this chemical unless it's present in food. It gets you too, causing brain disorders and birth defects! Finally, the phenyalanine breaks down into DKP, a brain tumor agent. In other words: Aspartame converts to dangerous byproducts that have no natural countermeasures.

Link here

Feel free to keep eating and drinking these deadly poisons. Its your choice. But what YOU cant ignore is the fact that these things are happening and just because someone wants to cover it up doesn't mean its not real. Everyone is buyable at a price...


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                HarrisonsMommy
3.45 (Average) | April 2007 | HarrisonsMommy
here is more information

Aspartame (L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) is a low-calorie sweetener used to sweeten a wide variety of low- and reduced-calorie foods and beverages, including low-calorie tabletop sweeteners. Aspartame is composed of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, as the methyl ester. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are also found naturally in protein containing foods, including meats, grains and dairy products. Methyl esters are also found naturally in many foods such as fruits and vegetable and their juices. Upon digestion, aspartame breaks down into three components (aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol), which are then absorbed into the blood and used in normal body processes. Neither aspartame nor its components accumulates in the body. These components are used in the body in the same ways as when they are derived from common foods.

Further, the amounts of these components from aspartame are small compared to the amounts from other food sources. For example, a serving of no-fat milk provides about 6 times more phenylalanine and 13 times more aspartic acid compared to an equivalent amount of diet beverage sweetened 100% with aspartame. Likewise, a serving of tomato juice provides about 6 times more methanol compared to an equivalent amount of diet beverage with aspartame.



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                     MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
here is more information
How about this one from a  someone who knows more than you.

About the person...

Dr. Janet Hull's aspartame expertise is based on her professional background.  She holds a Doctorate in Nutrition, a Master's Degree in Environmental Science, is an international geographer and geologist, a former university professor, firefighter and Hazardous Waste Specialist and Emergency Responder.  She is a Licensed Certified Nutritionist, certified fitness professional, author and aspartame victim.

What she has to say...


The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded secret since the 1980s. The research and history of aspartame is conclusive as a cause of illness and toxic reactions in the human body. Aspartame is a dangerous chemical food additive, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest modern tragedies of all.

Why haven't you heard about aspartame poisoning before? Partly because the diet industry is worth trillions of American dollars to corporations, and they want to protect their profits by keeping the truth behind aspartame's dangers hidden from the public. When NutraSweet® was introduced for the 'second' time in 1981, a diet craze revolutionized America's eating protocols and a well-oiled money machine was set into motion changing modern lifestyles.

After more than twenty years of aspartame use, the number of its victims is rapidly piling up, and people are figuring out for themselves that aspartame is at the root of their health problems. Patients are teaching their doctors about this nutritional peril, and they are healing themselves with little to no support from traditional medicine.


Site is here. Check it out shes a smart lady!


The 1976 Groliers encyclopedia states cancer cannot live without phenylalanine. Aspartame contains 50% phenylalanine.

Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde, embalming fluid. Methanol is a dangerous neurotoxin, a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage in the eye, interferes with DNA replication, and causes birth defects.



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                Anonymous Member
 
This Comment has been deleted
SingleMumOfOne
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | SingleMumOfOne
Yep!

I've read all about that stuff too - after having eaten about 100g of lollies containing sorbitol.  I was so sick and in so much pain I actually went to the doctors.  The doctor said sorbitol can cause laxitive effects, but that my symptoms were quite bad (but not at all unusual).  I then did some online research.

The labels on artificial sweeteners are very vague.  For example - how much constitutes "excess consumption"?  I only ate 100g (which for us women on a sweet snack binge is not alot hehe).  Imagine how sick a tiny child would be if they had eaten a product like that?

Not to mention, as you have, the very serious side effects which are well known and yet unspoken.  Things that make you go Hmmmmm??!!



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      MadMel
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | MadMel
Yep!
i agree. its all misleading


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      Yoni-69
July 2007 | Yoni-69
Re: Yep!

I too have a similar story…many years ago I decided to go on a diet and thought the normal route of getting rid of sugar was one of the first steps. I bought many products that said sugar-free but didn’t know anything about this. This was around the beginning of the 90’s. I used a lot of the blue packets for everything like coffee, tea or fruit drinks. For months I suffered from terrible headaches that would last all day. I kept drinking pain medicne but it didn’t seem to do much. Then I read something about the connection between the sugar replacement I was using and it harming people that used it. I too heard about it turning into some chemical in the body after taking it that resembled a chemical used for embalming. I was horrified. I quickly scanned all my diet products and found it in almost all of them. I stopped using all of it and the headaches disappeared. Since then I avoid it religiously. I scan all diet products for it and also believe that even though natural sugar can cause harm, it can still be used in moderation. The one thing I fear for many is when parents use it to give to their kids thinking they are doing something healthy.



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jenaya04
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | jenaya04
great article
Hi, I actually recieved an e-mail the other day backing up everything you just said. It is very scary and now also very dangerous. I wonder how many people out there have  been using this chemical for years and have been diagnosed with an illness when infact it could be all linked to this? I only recently realised that aspartame can interfere with certain medications too. A well written wake up call. Two thumbs up!!


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HarrisonsMommy
3.44 (Average) | April 2007 | HarrisonsMommy
Cancer...

I did a search of the FDA and below are the links to the information provided by those websites....in fact, it doesn't cause brain tumors or cancer.  The most recent update is 2005 so unless there is any additional information you would like to provide, this information is up to date and correct.

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/02p0317/02p-0317_emc000548-02.pdf

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-adf9.html



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      MadMel
3.78 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
Cancer...
Im sorry but I have to dissagree. They banned it for a reason. Of course the gov would say its fine...
Do a search of JUST the web and you will find a huge ammount of sites saying just what I have said here...


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           HarrisonsMommy
3.60 (Good) | April 2007 | HarrisonsMommy
Cancer...

I understand that you can do a search of the web and find a plethora of information.  The fact is, there are no studies done to say that aspartame is unsafe.  There is no clinical significant data indicating such.  Just because you can find information on the net stating what you want, doesn't mean it is true.  See web link below...it give you the details in easy format to read and understand...

www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

There is also this website...this is the aspartame org website.  there is a ton of info there with links to credible and trustworthy websites indicating the truth.

www.aspartame.org/index.html

So unless you can come up with some hard evidence to the contrary, I believe you are the one who is incorrect.



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                MadMel
3.60 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
What is your problem?
Of course the aspartame website is going to say different! There WERE studies done to prove that they cause all sorts of problems including but not limited to tumors.

Quoting you "Just because you can find information on the net stating what you want, doesn't mean it is true"


Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)
This artificial sweetener is found in Equal and NutraSweet, along with products that contain them (diet sodas and other low-cal and diet foods). This sweetener has been found to cause brain tumors in rats as far back as the 1970s, however a more recent study in 2005 found that even small doses increase the incidence of lymphomas and leukemia in rats, along with brain tumors. People who are sensitive to aspartame may also suffer from headaches, dizziness and hallucinations after consuming it. Taken From this site

About the study that was dont to PROVE that is causes tumors
Researchers administered aspartame to Sprague-Dawley rats by adding it to a standard diet. They began studying the rats at 8 weeks of age and continued until the spontaneous death of each rat. Treatment groups received feed that contained concentrations of aspartame at dosages simulating human daily intakes of 5,000, 2,500, 500, 100, 20, and 4 mg/kg body weight. Groups consisted of 100 males and 100 females at each of the three highest dosages and 150 males and 150 females at all lower dosages and controls.The experiment ended after the death of the last animal at 159 weeks. At spontaneous death, each animal underwent examination for microscopic changes in all organs and tissues, a process different from the aspartame studies conducted 30 years ago and one that was designed to allow aspartame to fully express any carcinogenic potential.

The treated animals showed extensive evidence of malignant cancers including lymphomas, leukemias, and tumors at multiple organ sites in both males and females. The authors speculate the increase in lymphomas and leukemias may be related to one of the metabolites in aspartame, namely methanol, which is metabolized in both rats and humans to formaldehyde. Both methanol and formaldehyde have shown links to lymphomas and leukemias in other long-term experiments by the same authors.
Taken from here

Italian study

A large multi-year study of a private Italian health research foundation has acutely confirmed what studies in the 1980s had already found: brain tumors and other unsavory effects of aspartame consumption. The study, which used laboratory animals to test the cancer hypothesis, has been published by Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a monthly journal of peer-reviewed research and news on the impact of the environment on human health. The article is available on the EHP website.

Consumer complaints

Consumer complaints about aspartame were collected by the FDA and in a rare slip, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in February of 1994 released a listing of adverse reactions. There are some 92, the listing can be found in Aspartame... the BAD news!. Apparently aspartame accounted for more than 75% of all adverse reactions reported to the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System.

Taken from here

While im at it check out this site...

And this one about the study

THis one

and this one




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                     MadMel
3.64 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
What is your problem?
And I would love to add this

Importantly this paragraph...

Recently, Dr. Ralph Walton compiled a list of all of the controlled human and animals
studies looking for the effects of aspartame (Walton 1996). Out of
90 independently-funded studies, 83 of them found one or more
problems caused by aspartame. But out of the 74 studies funded by
the aspartame industry (e.g., Monsanto, G.D. Searle, ILSI, etc.),
every single one of them claimed that no problems were found. It
is important to note that some of those few "indenpendently-funded"
studies that found no effects were funded by organizations that have
recently shown have been or were being run by persons with very close
ties to the aspartame industry.



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cazza
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | cazza
great article.
Great article and thank you for bringing this to our attention... I be defiently checking my labels tomorrow as that is quite scary.... But i suppose in moderation would it have effects i wonder?


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      MadMel
4.39 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
great article.
I am not sure. The questions is would you want to risk it?


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zacsmum
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | zacsmum
Artificial sweetners

I herd that from somewhere years ago but people I have said it to think I was making it up. I think people have gone to far with the NO sugar thing and it's crazy they replace a natural substance with chemicals. I have alway's used raw sugar and I DON'T believe it's bad for you or will add to a weight problem in moderation.

 



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      MadMel
3.91 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
Artificial sweetners
I used to get the same reaction when I told people why i stopped eating Extra gum. Now you can print it off and show people.


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vlooi
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | vlooi
Artificial sweetners
I must admit that I never liked giving my children the sweetners that were developed by some scientist in a lab!  Sugar is natural and on condition that it is used in moderation will not cause you any harm.


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madchanny
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | madchanny
OMFG!!!!
diet soft drinks and fake sugars contain formaldehyde!!!! my b/f works in a chemical plant, he mixes this stuff, he told me that this stuff is made for embalming bodies and also, if in the wrong hands.. drugs.

how bad is that!, never touching the stuff again!

xx channy


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      MadMel
4.04 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
OMFG!!!!
wow that is scary!!


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emmysmum
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2007 | emmysmum
ARGHHHH
i almost screamed when i read the second website! My grandmother uses sugarine tablets in her tea rather than sugar and her hearing and memory is getting worse!
She is sooooo dangerous too....i get scared being in the kitchen with her cos she holds a knife with the sharp end out and walk near you without realising what she's doing....and when you tell her she says it's not like she's gonna stab ya with it lol.
I know i have gone of the subject lol but seriously....i should print this off for my nan to read!


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      MadMel
4.04 (Good) | April 2007 | MadMel
ARGHHHH
yes do that. The sooner she gets off it the better she will feel!


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