Aspartame – Friend or Foe
Aspartame (also known as Equal, Nutrasweet, Canderel, Spoonful, Equal Measure) was discovered by accident in 1965 by Dr. James Schlatter, chemist for G.D.Searle, while testing an ulcer drug. It was approved for use in 1981. It is made up of three chemicals – aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. Aspartate and glutamate act as neurotransmitters to bring information from one nerve to the next. When too much aspartate gets into the cells it begins killing nerve cells. The cells are literally “excited to death.” The large majority (75%) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed (1,2).
Possible long term side effects of aspartame(3)
Brain tumors
Brain cancer
Uterine polyps
Seizures and convulsions
Arthritic and joint pain
Chronic fatigue
Depression
Memory loss, vision damage and loss
Tingling in the extremities
Slurring of speech
Irritability
Severe anxiety attacks
Menstrual problems
Blood sugar control problems
Parkinson's tremors
Vision problems
Aspartame sources(4)
Instant breakfasts
Multi-vitamins
Breath mints
Milk drinks
Cereals
Pharmaceuticals
Sugar-free chewing gum
Shake mixes
Cocoa mixes
Soft drinks
Coffee beverages
Tabletop sweeteners
Frozen desserts
Tea beverages
Gelatin desserts
Instant teas and coffees
Juice beverages
Wine coolers
Laxatives
Yogurt
Natural Options for sweeteners
Evaporated cane juice
Stevia
Fruit juice
Rice syrup
Honey
Licorice root
Maple syrup
Agave nectar
Molasses
Sucanat