18 November 09 A.M. Evangelista PhD
The toxicology, histology and biochemistry of aspartame (aka: NutraSweet, Equal, etc) is neuro-toxic. The aspartame components injure the blood-brain barrier, allowing easy passage, and will interfere with normal nerve cell function, regardless of whether one is initially symptomatic or not.
Aspartame affects brain tissue, destroying nerve cell integrity, and eventually the neurons, themselves. This leaves lesions or holes where cell death occurred. Aside from brain neurotoxicity, aspartame is known to affect the spinal column nerves, skeletal muscle-nerve junctions, and the conduction system of the heart, as well.
Aspartame is a compound of phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. The subsequent result from this interaction, and from the isolates of amino acids, is nerve cell necrosis (death), and subsequent organ system disease, along with toxic interactions with many pharmaceutical drugs.
The hypothalamus, the major controller for much of the nuro-endocrine function, is at especially high risk to these effects, and in turn, affects many other organ systems. Thus, the myriad of symptoms.
Methanol is a colorless, poisonous, and flammable liquid. It is used for making formaldehyde, acetic acid, methyl t-butyl ether (a gasoline additive), and paint strippers. This poison can be inhaled from vapors, absorbed through the skin, and ingested.
The methanol in aspartame breaks down into formaldehyde, and formic acid, which denaturizes and mutates the DNA, and is scientifically shown to instigate autoimmune disease states.
Phenylalanine (in aspartame) is a free amino acid isolate. Studies show that excessive free phenylalanine damages nerve cells, and is responsible for phenylketonuria in pregnant females. Phenylalanine also reduces serotonin levels in the brain. This reduction in serotonin creates a host of complications.
Reduced serotonin levels can induce aggressive or violent behavioour in adults, and temper tantrums in children. The lowered serotonin level also lowers the threshold for seizure activity, instigating petite and grand mal seizures.
The aspartic acid in aspartame, is a known excitotoxin which easily crosses the blood brain barrier, and is chemically similar to MSG. An excitotoxin, is a deleterious substance that excites or over stimulates nerve cells to death.
Aspartame creates altered brain function, nerve damage and systemic organ complications. Information collected by independent research, reveals that aspartame clinically exacerbates any borderline (even yet undetected) predisposing illness, and absolutely complicates certain known medical illnesses like Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes , retinopathies, allergies and mentation and behaviour disorders and others.
The research data uncovered aspartame’s connection regarding nerve cell mitochondria damage, and aspartame induced brain cell hypoglycemia. Changes in peripheral circulation and nerve transmission occur. Altered systemic metabolites occur, including and the conversion of phenylalanine metabolites into destructive chemical toxins like diketopiperazine, a known carcinogen.
Tests reveal a correlation between diketopiperazine, and astrocytoma (type of aggressive brain tumor). Aspartame is unique in this hazardous respect.
Aspartame is not an allergen, but rather, a true toxin.
On the political side and economic perspective, I can only say that politics was the underlying cause of this depraved indifference toward human life. No political or profit based motive should ever replace common sense and the responsibility of preserving the public health. Although, there is no question as to aspartames lethality and ingestion of morbidity, any question of food safety should always be ruled in favor of public health, until disinterested, third party investigations can be initiated.
From this it would be apparent and can be documented that companies that abstain from using aspartame have not suffered any financial setbacks. The publicity of excellent quality controls, acknowledgement of healthful foods, based on scientific and available bio-physiological evidence would be absolutely welcomed by the consuming public.
The issue of toxic food additives and their resulting destructive health effects are long term and seriously incapacitating, as earmarked by the number of disease states from the collective insults of foods, air, and water issues all driven by profit and distinctly indifferent to common sense health implications.
Make no mistake to rule against aspartame, is to rule in favour of public conviction and good , sound public health principles.