Danger! Aspartame/AminoSweet
This article is pretty straightforward and hard hitting. The medical studies quoted make it quite clear that aspartame is a dangerous ingredient to ingest. It is a carcinogen! You are going to have to read labels and take on the job of being a sleuth when purchasing food at your local store to avoid ingesting this poison on a daily basis. There are vested interests that have paid for studies to prove that Aspartame is safe this does not mean that the studies proving negatives are not valid. Would you chance the risk and continue to use products that contain this ingredient or would you avoid this product if at all possible?
I am not paid to do this work. I do not receive any monies from any companies to expose this information. My purpose is to provide information to help people maintain or improve their health. Especially patients who are undergoing treatments – it is my belief that an impaired immune system would be more susceptible to the dangers inherent in the use of products that contain aspartame.
Aspartame is now being marketed under the name AminoSweet. Do not be fooled! This is still a dangerous substance despite the new name.
Aspartame Facts and Study Excerpts
Aspartame is a widely used artificial sweetener that has been linked to pediatric and adolescent migraines. Upon ingestion, aspartame is broken, converted, and oxidized into formaldehyde in various tissues. We present the first case series of aspartame-associated migraines related to clinically relevant positive reactions to formaldehyde on patch testing. [1]
BACKGROUND: In a previous study conducted at the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the European Ramazzini Foundation (CMCRC/ERF), we demonstrated for the first time that aspartame (APM) is a multipotent carcinogenic agent when various doses are administered with feed to Sprague-Dawley rats from 8 weeks of age throughout the life span. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this second study is to better quantify the carcinogenic risk of APM, beginning treatment during fetal life. [2]
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this carcinogenicity bioassay confirm and reinforce the first experimental demonstration of APM’s multipotential carcinogenicity at a dose level close to the acceptable daily intake for humans. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that when life-span exposure to APM begins during fetal life, its carcinogenic effects are increased. [2]
Aspartame (APM) is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners in the world. Its ever-growing use in more than 6000 products, such as soft drinks, chewing gum, candy, desserts, etc., has been accompanied by rising consumer concerns regarding its safety, in particular its potential long-term carcinogenic effects. [3]
The researchers added aspartame to the standard diet of Sprague-Dawley rats, using dosages designed to simulate a wide range of human intakes. Each rat was observed from 8 weeks of age until death. This is in contrast with earlier studies that typically sacrificed animals between 104 and 110 weeks of age, corresponding to about two-thirds of a rat’s lifespan (in humans, approximately 80% of cancer diagnoses are made in the last third of life, after age 55). Deceased animals were examined for microscopic changes in various organs and tissues, enabling a comprehensive assessment of aspartame’s carcinogenic potential. A total of 1,800 rodents were included, far more than in previous studies.
Aspartame-fed females showed significant evidence of lymphomas/leukemias and of carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter. The effect on the renal pelvis was much more evident when carcinomas were combined with atypical preneoplastic lesions. The researchers also observed an insignificant increase in incidence of malignant schwannomas of the peripheral nerves in males, as well as hyperplasia of the olfactory epithelium in males and females. Lesions of the kidney and olfactory epithelium are extremely rare in this strain of rats and therefore merit special attention.
The carcinogenic effects were evident at daily doses as low as 400 parts per million, equivalent to an assumed daily human intake of 20 milligrams per kilogram body weight (mg/kg). This dosage is much less than the acceptable daily intake for humans, with current limits set at 50 mg/kg in the United States and 40 mg/kg in Europe. Surveys of aspartame intake in the United States and Europe from 1984 to 1992 showed that consumers typically consumed 2–3 mg/kg daily, with small children and women of childbearing age consuming slightly more, at 2–5 mg/kg daily. [4]
The results of this mega-experiment indicate that APM, in the tested experimental conditions, is a multipotential carcinogenic agent. [3]
It is concluded that aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard because of its contribution to the formation of formaldehyde adducts. [5]
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Research studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have suggested an association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, and brain, and possibly leukemia. [6]
AN OVERVIEW OF ASPARTAME from Doctor H. J. Roberts
Each of the three components of aspartame – phenylalanine; aspartic acid; the methyl ester, which promptly becomes methyl alcohol or methanol — and their multiple breakdown products after exposure to heat or during prolonged storage is potentially toxic, especially to the developing brain.
Such toxicity and other serious physiologic derangements are evidenced by the serious reactions suffered by thousands of persons who used these products. The neurotoxic and metabolic complications are likely to affect the fetus and young children even more severely.
In my publications, and testimony to Congress and an FDA advisory group, I have expressed the belief that the current wholesale ingestion of aspartame products by over half the adult population constitutes a probably imminent public health hazard. My concern is intensified by (1) evidence that these products may play a causative or aggravating role in many medical disorders (including headaches, dizziness, confusion, impaired vision, convulsions, and probably brain tumors), (2) the flawed nature of most scientific studies being used to prove the alleged safety of these products, and (3) reports of serious reactions volunteered to the FDA by over 7,300 irate consumers.
PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSING MOTHERS
I urge ALL pregnant women and mothers who breast-fee to avoid aspartame products…without exception! This message also has been given to obstetricians.
The medical and scientific grounds for such advice include:
Exposure of the fetus to considerable phenylalanine and methyl alcohol
Maternal malnutrition associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and reduced calories
Transmission of aspartame and its byproducts via the mother’s milk
Increasing the allergic load…thereby risking future hypersensitivity diseases
INFANTS AND CHILDREN
I have reported many adverse effects of aspartame products experienced by young persons. They include severe headaches, convulsions, rashes, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, and weight loss or gain. The neuropsychiatric features encompass irritability, hyperactivity, depression, antisocial behavior, deterioration of intelligence, and poor school performance.
These complications tend to be magnified in children with unrecognized hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar reactions), diabetes, and phenylketonuria or PKU. Persons with PKU lack the enzyme needed for handling phenylalanine, which can cause severe neurological and other damage if dietary precautions aimed at preventing excessive levels are not instituted.
BIRTH DEFECTS
The issue of aspartame-related birth defects has not been resolved by epidemiologic studies. I remain concerned about this possibility, however, because of histories of reports given me about severe problems in the fetus or infant of parents (including fathers) who consumed much aspartame at the time of conception and/or during pregnancy. Several animal studies support such concern.
1995 H. J. Roberts, M.D.
Adverse Reactions to Food
Did you know that over 75% of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are due to aspartame. Many of these reactions are very serious, resulting in seizures and death but also include: headaches/migraines, muscle spasms, weight gain, depression, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss, heart palpitations, loss of taste, and joint pain. Studies have also shown that aspartame can trigger or worsen brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, birth defects, fibromyalgia and diabetes. [9]
Foods that Contain Aspartame
This sweetener is marketed under a number of trademark names, including Equal, NutraSweet, and Canderel, and is an ingredient of approximately 6,000 consumer foods and beverages sold worldwide, including (but not limited to)
Diet sodas and other soft drinks,
Instant breakfasts,
Breath mints,
Cereals,
Sugar-free chewing gum,
Cocoa mixes, frozen desserts,
Gelatin desserts,
Juices, laxatives,
Chewable vitamins supplements,
Milk drinks,
Pharmaceutical drugs and supplements,
Shake mixes,
Tabletop sweeteners, teas,
Instant coffees,
Topping mixes,
Wine coolers and
Yogurt.
Aspartame is provided as a table condiment in some countries. However, aspartame is not always suitable for baking because it often breaks down when heated and loses much of its sweetness. Aspartame is also one of the main sugar substitutes used by people with diabetes.
Because sucralose, unlike aspartame, retains its sweetness after being heated, it has become more popular as an ingredient. This, along with differences in marketing and changing consumer preferences, has caused aspartame to lose market share to sucralose.[7][8]
The list below is quite long and is used to show you how extensively Aspartame is used!
Aspartame is not only used in food, per se, but is also used in pharmaceutical products. The number of products that contain aspartame might surprise you. A sample research project was initiated in April 1994, with requests to companies that produce pharmaceuticals. A number of companies failed to respond to a request for information. Some companies did respond. Pumping aspartame into children appears to be a priority! Frequently it is not listed on the outside of the package but in the small print on the slip of paper inside the package. If you find a product you bought contains this poison return it to the store and insist on getting your money back or a substitute that does not contain aspartame.
Aspartame is banned in all children’s products in the European Common Market. Why not here? Is not the life, health and safety of our children more important than corporate profits and greed? See the notes at the end hereof.
A.H. ROBBINS COMPANY, INC: The following Robbins product contains aspartame. Dimetap Cold and Allergy Chewable Tablets
BIO-PHARMACEUTICS: The following Bio-Pharmaceutics products contain aspartame: Children’s Chewable Acetiminophen
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY: The following BMS product contains aspartame: CEFZIL
EQUATE: The following Equate product contains aspartame: Equate Chewable Vitamins Animal-Shaped (with Iron)
HALL LABORATORIES: The following Hall Labs products contain aspartame: Health Balance Children’s Chewable Multivitamin Zoo Chews Animal-Shaped Chewable Multivitamin
H & PC PRODUCTS: The following H&PC product contains aspartame: Sugar Free Metamucil
JOHNSON AND JOHNSON PHARMACEUTICALS: The only product made by J&J/Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals containing aspartame appears to be Mylanta Natural Fiber Supplement, Sugar Free.
LEDERLE LABORATORIES: The following Lederle products contain aspartame: Centrum, Jr vitamins contain aspartame.
LIFELINE NUTRITIONAL: The following subsidiary lines contain aspartame: Lucky Stores: Mediguard Children’s Multivitamin Supplement with Iron P.Leiner: The following Leiner subsidiary products contain aspartame: Carls Drug Co: CARLS DRUG Children’s Chewable Multivitamin Malone & Hyde: HYDES PARK Children’s Chewable Multivitamin Hills Dept Stores: HILLS Children’s Chewable Multivitamin Kent Co: DART Childen’s Chewable Multivitamin Big B Discount Drugs: BIG B Children’s Chewable Multivitamin LKS Products, Inc: MEDI-GUARD Children’s Chewable Multivitamins Revco Drug Stores: REVCO Children’s Chewable Multivitamins Longs Drug Stores: LONGS Children’s Chewable Multivitamin Gray Drug Fair, Inc: GRAY DRUG FAIR Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
L.PERRIGO: The following subsidiary product lines contain aspartame: Eckerd: ECKERD Sugar Free Natural Fiber Laxative Fay’s: FAY’S Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Laxative Longs: LONGS Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder Laxative Payless: PAYLESS Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder Laxative Perrigo: Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder Perry: PERRY Drug Stores Sugar Free Natural Veg.Powder Bulk Laxative Raley’s: RALEY’S Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Powder Rite Aid: RITE AID Sugar Free Regular Flavor Nat.Veg.Bulk Powder
MCNEIL CONSUMER PRODUCTS: The following McNeil Products contain aspartame: Childrens TYLENOL acetaminophen Fruit Flavored Chewable Tablets Childrens TYLENOL acetaminophen Grape Flavored Chewable Tablets Childrens TYLENOL acetaminophen Cold Multi-Symptom Chewable Tablets Junior Strength TYLENOL acetaminophen Fruit Flavored Chewable Tablets Junior Strength TYLENOL acetaminophen Grape Flavored Chewable Tablets Pediacare Cold-Allergy Tablets for Ages 6 to 12 Pediacare Cough-Cold Tablets for Ages 6 to 12 Pediacare Childrens Cold Relief Tablets Tylenol Cold and Flu Hot Medication Tylenol Cold and Flu No Drowsiness Formula Hot Medication Childrens Chewable Co-Tylenol
MEAD JOHNSON NUTRITIONALS: The following MJN products contain aspartame: Tempra 3 Chewable Tablets, 80mg acetaminophen tablet (3.3mg phenylalinine/tab) Tempra 3 Double Strength Chewable Tablets, 160mg acetominophen (6.6mg Phen/tab) GLAXO PHARMACEUTICALS: The following Glaxo product contains aspartame: Zantac Efferdose
MEDIGUARD: The following Mediguard product contains aspartame: Mediguard Childens Multivitamin Supplement (Cherry,Orange and Grape)
MEIJER: The following Meijer product contains aspartame: MeijerCircus Shapes (Complete with Calcium,Iron and Minerals) MeijerCircus Shapes (with Iron)
MILES INCORPORATED: The following Miles products contain aspartame: Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-time Cold Medicine Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough Medicine Alka-Seltzer Plus Sinus Allergy Medicine Bugs Bunny Vitamin Products (ALL) Flintstones Plus Calcium Multivitamin Supplement Flintstones Complete Multivitamin Supplement Flintstones Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
PENNEX PRODUCTS: The following Pennex Products subsidiaries manufacture products containing aspartame: (Most introduced in 1987): American Stores: SKAGGS ALPHA BETA Childrens Pain Reliever Consumer Value Stores: CVS Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Drug Guild Dist: DRUG GUILD childrens anti-pain Chewable Tablets First Nat’l Supermarkets: FINAST Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Greenbax Enterprises: PRICE-WISE Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Hannaford Bros: SHOP’N SAVE Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever J.C.Penny: TREASURY Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Kinney Drugs: KINNEY”S Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever LaVerdiere’s Super Drug: LV ACTION SOOTHSALL Childrens Non-Aspirin Legend Pharmaceuticals: LEGEND Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin P.R. Malone & Hyde: HYDE PARK Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Marsh Supermarkets: MARSH Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Osco Drug: OSCO Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Pay’n Save Stores: PAY’N SAVE Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Penned Products: GOOD HEALTH Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Peoples Drug Stores: PEOPLES Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Piggly Wiggly Corp: PIGGLY WIGGLY Childrens Chewable Non-Aspirin P.R. Rite Aid Corp.: RITE AID Childrens Aceteminophen Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever Scriver: SUPER TRU Childrens Non-Aspirin Pain Reliever (Acetaminophen) Wegman’s Food Markets: WEGMANS Childrens Chewable Acetaminophen
PERRIGO: The following additional Perrigo product contains aspartame: Animal Shapes Chewable Vitamins Plus Extra C Animal Shapes Chewable Vitamins Complete Animal Shapes Chewable Vitamins With Iron
PHARMAVITE CORP: The following subsidiary lines contain aspartame: Eckard Drug: Childrens Chewable Multivitamin Longs Drug Childrens Chewable Multivitamin
RALEY’S: The following Raleys product contains aspartame: Childrens Chewable Vitamins With Iron
SQUIBB: The following Squib products contain aspartame: Squibcare Sugar Free Natural Fiber Laxative Thrifty: Thrifty Sugar Free Natural Vegetable Laxative
WHITEHALL LABS: The following Whitehall Labs product contains aspartame: Childrens Anacin-3 Chewable Tablets Cenci Powder: The following Cenci products contain aspartame: Naturlax Natural Fiber Laxative Lifeline Natural Fiber Laxative
REFERENCES The above data was obtained from Aspartame Research Group forwarded to Leading Edge Research.
Aspartame Free Products
You can purchase aspartame free candy through www.bulkfoods.com we do buy these and they taste good.
If you must drink soda or a carbonated beverage you could get Emergen-C packets at WallMart instead. These packets have 1000 mg of vitamin C and come in a variety of flavors. Mix this with soda water and you will have a refreshing carbonated beverage.
Get rid of Instant Breakfasts and eat eggs or oatmeal. If you prefer a powdered drink then purchase a protein powder that does not contain any sweeteners. www.Jayrobb.com and www.bulkfoods.com have great protein powders. I use brown rice protein powder and I sweeten it with Truvia.
We try to avoid most Cereals because of the information on this page. There are puffed brown rice cereals that are very affordable and contain nothing but rice. The only other cereal that we use is old fashioned oats. Pour the oats in a mesh colander, rinse with cold water, place into a bowl, add milk and a natural sweetener. You would be surprised at how delicious raw oatmeal actually is. Of course the cooked method of eating oats is also good. Another grain is quick cook barley that can be used as a breakfast cereal. These products here are almost half the cost of regular cereals and contain many nutrients.
Almost all sugar-free gums are made with aspartame unless you purchase the gum at a health food store. Here are some gum brands that are aspartame free; Bubblicious, Hubba Bubba, Thrills, Dentyne Spicy Cinnamon, Trident Cinnamon Gum, and Xylitol gums.
We do not use any Gelatin desserts, juices or laxatives in our home as all of these contain aspartame. We make all of our juices with a juicer at home. You can find natural jello at Health Food stores.
Magnesium can be used as a laxative. Or if you have problems with this then increase dietary fiber.
Milk drinks are not used in our home at all. We use Almond milk instead. We also limit the use of any dairy products. If a recipe calls for some milk we purchase organic milk only. Coconut milk works well in baking.
Avoid if possible pharmaceutical drugs and chewable vitamins that contain aspartame. We switched our daughter’s calcium chewable to a powder drink called Cal-Mag Fizz manufactured by Baywood Solutions. Peter Gilham’s offers calcium and magnesium powders that do not contain apartame. He also offers a natural liquid vitamin. Here is the link http://www.petergillham.com
Mints. Here are some links to websites that offer mints and gum that are aspartame free.
http://www.epicdental.com/t-no-aspartame-gum.aspx
http://www.emeraldforestxylitol.com we have ordered from this company and their mint products are really great.
I have never understood why people buy bottled teas as these are more costly and it is so much cheaper and easier to just make your own. Herbal teas do not have any additives. Bottled teas especially sweetened almost always have aspartame. Make your own and sweeten with Truvia, zylitol, or honey.
Topping mixes should be all natural like Country Gourmet. Read all labels to be sure.
Many of today’s salad dressings contain aspartame. It is very easy to make your own at home. All you need are oils, vinegar and spices. Here is a link to a recipe site that has many resipes for salad dressings. http://www.cooksrecipes.com/salads/salad-dressings.html
Stoneybrook Farms produces yogurts that taste good and are made with natural ingredients. If you eat yogurt go to your refrigerator and read the label of your current yogurt. You might be in for a shock!
Skip the wine coolers and buy yourself a decent bottle of wine. The market has come out with some excellent wines that are very affordable. Some brands that my husband recommends are: Merlot – Red Diamond, Cabernet – Rodney Strong.
There you have it. I am sorry this is such a long article but I felt it important enough to give you as much information as possible.
Please take the time to write a letter to your food manufacturers/drug manufacturer and ask that they stop using aspartame in their products. If enough of us do this they will listen.
References
1. Dermatitis. 2009 May-Jun;20(3):176-7; author reply 177-9.
Formaldehyde, aspartame, and migraines: a possible connection. Jacob SE, Stechschulte S.
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
2. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Jun;116(6):A239-40
Life-span exposure to low doses of aspartame beginning during prenatal life increases cancer effects in rats.
Soffritti M, Belpoggi F, Tibaldi E, Esposti DD, Lauriola M.
Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, European Ramazzini Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Sciences, Bologna, Italy.
3. Results of long-term carcinogenicity bioassay on Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to aspartame administered in feed.
Belpoggi F, Soffritti M, Padovani M, Degli Esposti D, Lauriola M, Minardi F.
Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, European Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Sciences B. Ramazzini, 40010 Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy.
4. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 March; 114(3): A176.
Copyright This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose.
Environews Science Selections
Sour Finding on Popular Sweetener: Increased Cancer Incidence Associated with Low-Dose Aspartame Intake M. Nathaniel Mead
5. Life Sci. 1998;63(5):337-49. Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue components in vivo.
Trocho C, Pardo R, Rafecas I, Virgili J, Remesar X, Fernández-López JA, Alemany M. Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
6. National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/formaldehyde
7. John Schmeltzer (2004-12-02). “Equal fights to get even as Splenda looks sweet]” (subscription required). Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
8. Carney, By Beth (2005-01-19). “It’s Not All Sweetness for Splenda“. BusinessWeek: Daily Briefing. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
9. http://takeajab.com/2009/03/23/is-there-no-gum-without-aspartame/