Dangers of Aspartame
Dangers in aspartame are quite well known in these days of informed decision-making, yet people continue to consume the substance in large quantities. Aspartame is popular as an artificial, non-carbohydrate sweetener. Marketed under trademarked names like “Nutrasweet,” “Canderel,” “Spoonful,” “Equal-Measure,” and “Equal,” aspartame is widely used in food and beverages all over the world.
Reported aspartame side effects make up more than seventy-five percent of all the food reactions known to the FDA. Some, like seizures and death, are quite serious. Symptoms include heart palpitations, insomnia, nausea, migraines, breathing trouble, vertigo, memory loss, depression, muscle spasms, and vision problems among others.
Research has shown that aspartame effects can trigger the following chronic illnesses or can even make them worse: chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, and fibromyalgia.
During the process of digestion, aspartame releases aspartate. Aspartate is an excitatory amino acid that is used by the neurons in the brain as a neurotransmitter. It is a natural and necessary body chemical that is allowed to cross the blood-brain barrier. This barrier is meant to protect the brain from the invasion of harmful chemicals. It, however, cannot discern the right level up for which the natural neurotransmitters should cross the barrier. As a result, when these excitatory amino acids cross the barrier in excess, they can build up to undetected toxic levels that can poison and kill the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Yes, there are side effects, aspartame when ingested can be lethal!
Methanol, a highly toxic substance (the adult minimum lethal dose is two teaspoons), accounts for ten percent of aspartame. Once consumed, it is converted to formaldehyde and formic acid. Both of these are deadly toxins. The other two components of aspartame are phenylalanine and aspartic acid–amino acids that require no digestion and quickly enter the brain and central nervous system at abnormally high levels. As a result, the brain cells are over stimulated. Many related health complications take place.
The dangers in aspartame are particularly insidious on children and infants. It is, therefore, in the cause of general health that consumption of aspartame should be stopped.
