Poisons from Aspartame (NutraSweet/Equal) Digestion

Methanol (poison) • Aspartylphenylalanine diketopiperazine (DKP) • Aspartic Acid • Beta-aspartame • Phenylalanine

FACT:	Formaldehyde is formed in the body from the methanol released during aspartame digestion.

FACT:	Formaldehyde is a poison that has been proven to cause gradual neurological damage, immunological damage, and irreversible genetic damage at extremely low-dose, long-term exposure. The internal damage and changes occur long before poisoning symptoms become clinically evident.

FACT:	Formaldehyde from aspartame is distributed throughout the body and accumulates in various organs and tissues in the form of “adducts” (formaldehyde bound to protein).

“These are indeed extremely high levels for adducts of formaldehyde, a substance responsible for chronic deleterious effects that has also been considered carcinogenic.
….
“It is concluded that aspartame consumption may constitute a hazard because of its contribution to the formation of formladehyde adducts.”
[Life Sciences (scientific journal), Volume 63, No. 5, page 337+, 1998]

Q.	Alcoholic beverages and fruit & tomato juices have much more methanol than aspartame. Why aren’t these substances equally toxic?

A.	Alcoholic beverages and fruits have been proven to contain protective substances which prevents the methanol from being converted to formaldehyde and therefore prevents slow poisoning.

Q.	I have been told that methanol levels in aspartame are too low to cause poisoning. Is that the case?

A.	The levels of methanol and formaldehyde are high enough to cause gradual neurological, immunological, and genetic damage.

Q.	I have been told that the body already contains methanol and formaldehyde. If so, how can they be toxic?

A.	Normal metabolism does create an extremely low level of methanol and formaldehyde in the body. However, because these substances are so toxic to the body, the levels are very tightly controlled. Exposing children to formaldehyde levels as low as 0.75 milligrams (mg) daily for several months has been shown to cause gradual toxicity. It only takes a very slight increase to cause slow poisoning.

Q.	I have been told that after aspartame ingestion, the blood plasma levels of methanol does not rise. Why is that?

A.	This is not true. Research published in the mid-1980’s shows that methanol levels do rise even after a relatively small dose of aspartame. The methanol test used by aspartame manufacturer-sponsored “research” was developed in the 1960’s and is incapable of showing methanol increases less than 500%. Unfortunately, these deceptive tests and subsequent published research fooled the FDA and a number of independent researchers.

Q.	Formaldehyde is found in foods in tiny amounts. Why is it dangerous?

A.	Formaldehyde toxicity can be reduced by the human digestive system and can be more easily tolerated in foods. In aspartame, however, the methanol bypasses the digestive system and is converted to the extremely toxic formaldehyde after it is already in the bloodstream.
Q.	If methanol from aspartame is converted to formaldehyde, why can’t we measure formaldehyde levels in the body?

A.	There are no direct tests for formaldehyde levels in the human body. Formaldehyde adduct levels in the above-quoted experiment were determined through indirect techniques where it was shown that the accumulation of adducts could not have come from anything other than the formaldehyde derived from aspartame. Tests by the manufacturer of formaldehyde metabolites (formate) have been proven to be flawed.

FACT:	Aspartic acid released from aspartame is in “free-form” (unbound to protein) and is absorbed suddenly, unlike the aspartic acid found in food. In this “excitotoxic” form, it will inevitably increase the damage caused by the aspartame-derived formaldehyde.

FACT:	Aspartylphenylalanine diketopiperazine (DKP) is found in aspartame. Dr. John Olney showed that pre-approval aspartame research found brain tumors in animals, that there has been an increase in the same types of brain tumors in humans, and that this type of DKP may transform into a cancer-causing compound upon digestion.

Q.	Did a recent study show that aspartame does not cause brain tumors?

A.	No. The most recent research on aspartame and brain cancer funded by the National Cancer Institute was conducted on children. Children would be considered to be the least susceptible to brain cancer from aspartame. Dr. Olney’s study was on the more susceptible population group, middle-aged and the elderly.

Q.	According the the FDA and other government officials, brain tumor rates have been increasing since before aspartame was on the market and therefore aspartame could not have caused this increase. Correct?

A.	Dr. Olney showed that aspartame may be promoting the conversion of less deadly brain tumors into much more deadly brain tumors in susceptible population groups. There has been an enormous increase in these deadly types of brain tumors since within a few years after aspartame appeared on the market and there has been a corresponding decrease in the less deadly types of brain tumors during the same time period. That is why the overall brain tumor rate remains somewhat stable. Whenever a government official or industry-paid scientist talks about overall brain tumor rates, they clearly did not read Dr. Olney’s research study!

Q.	The rodents which were found to have brain tumors in pre-approval research were given high doses of aspartame. Is this a fair test?

A.	The chemicals derived from aspartame digestion vary from 5 to 60 times more toxic in humans than in rodents. Therefore, high doses are required to simulate human ingestion.

Q.	I have been told that a study published in early 1980’s showed that aspartame does not cause brain cancer. Is that true?

A.	This was a sketchy study sponsored by close associates of the manufacturer and which used different experimental animals.

More Scientific Details:
More detailed Fact Sheets with extensive independent scientific references can be obtained from several reputable sources and can be found on the Internet at: http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/

Avoiding Hidden Aspartame & Artificial Sweeteners

Aspartame can be found on the ingredients list in the following products:

Soft drinks, over-the-counter drugs & prescription drugs (very common and listed under “inactive ingredients”), vitamin & herb supplements, yogurt, instant breakfasts, candy, breath mints, cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, cocoa mixes, coffee beverages, instant breakfasts, gelatin desserts, frozen desserts, juice beverages, laxatives, milk drinks, shake mixes, tabletop sweeteners, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees, topping mixes, wine coolers, etc.

Please check labels carefully and compare it against the list of “Sweeteners to Avoid” on page 2 of the Aspartame Poisoning Fact Sheet. Many people make the mistake of not checking labels carefully and continue to poison themselves. In addition, many people do not realize that their children may be given aspartame- or other artificial sweetener-containing foods or drugs at school without their knowledge. Talk to the school director and to the local PTA to assure that this does not happen.

Many people find it much easier to avoid toxic sweeteners by shopping at the local, large health food store when possible. Many health food stores have banned artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame). But it is still important to check labels as some health food stores are unknowingly selling aspartame, acesulfame-k, and sucralose! Please refer to the Healthier Sweetener Resource List on the Internet at http://www.holisticmed.com/sweet/ for resources for proven safe sweeteners such as stevia.

Aspartame Detoxification

There are a number of steps individuals can take to detox and recover (to the extent possible) from aspartame poisoning:

1.	Avoid all aspartame as well as all of the “Sweeteners To Avoid” on Page 2 of this Fact Sheet. Remember to check ingredients carefully.
2.	Since aspartame can be very addicting, it is not a good idea to cut out both aspartame and caffeine at the same time. Aspartame is far more toxic and should be eliminated immediately. Be aware that aspartame withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
3.	Avoid other excitotoxins in foods including MSG, monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed proteins, autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, and glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and cysteine supplements (which are often in “free-form” unlike when found in food),.
4.	Consider using one or more of the powerful health-building steps detailed in the articles on the Holistic Medicine Web Page on the Internet at: http://www.holisticmed.com/
5.	Outlines of a few simple detoxification ideas can be found on the Internet at: http://www.dorway.com/ & http://www.dorway.com/detox.txt
6.	Healthcare practitioners who are often knowledgeable about aspartame poisoning include: Environmental Medicine Doctors, Holistic & Alternative Medicine Physicians (and many conventional physicians), Oriental Medicine Doctors, Chiropractors, and Osteopaths. The Directories of Practitioners Web Site on the Internet can help you locate such a healthcare practitioner for treatment if needed: http://www.holisticmed.com/www/directory.html
7.	It is very important to keep a positive outlook. Once you switch to non-poisonous sweeteners, you can be proud that you are no longer ingesting a poison that distributes formaldehyde, an excitotoxin, and DKP throughout the body. You will now be taking good care of yourself!

It can take 60 days without aspartame (and in rare cases longer) before symptoms begin to improve.

Helping Others!

Please copy all four (4) pages of this fact sheet and share with everyone you know … and even with people you do not know. A small amount of effort will eventually help millions of people all over the planet. But it starts with sharing this information with your family and friends. A detailed list of ideas to help others avoid toxic sweeteners can be found on the Internet at: http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/asp-act.txt

Avoiding Becoming a Victim of Monsanto’s** Public Relations Campaign

Please Remember:
•	Monsanto gives money to other organizations (e.g., IFIC, American Diabetes Association, etc.). Unfortunately, these organizations take the money and provide scientifically inaccurate information to their members about aspartame.
•	Monsanto has hired many former FDA & government officials. Therefore, do not expect the FDA to provide accurate information on this issue.
•	Monsanto gave $75,000 to the American Dietetics Association (ADA) in 1992 to “work with the ADA in preparing fact sheets.” 
•	Monsanto claims that aspartame has been approved in countless countries. But none of those countries tested aspartame!
•	Monsanto claims that aspartame has been approved 26 times by the FDA. Not true. Complete safety reviews were obviously not performed 26 times!
•	Monsanto has funded many research projects at universities that were poorly-designed and poorly-conducted. These research projects eventually become published studies and then convincing-sounding summaries and press releases. Keep in mind that these summaries rarely reflect the severe flaws in the research (e.g., subjects taking anti-seizure drugs while testing aspartame as a cause of seizures!)
•	Monsanto and others might claim that this Fact Sheet has little research cited and they may attack the honest scientists and physicians quoted. There are countless research studies detailed in the Scientific Section of the Aspartame (NutraSweet) Toxicity Information Center Web page at http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/ In addition, exhaustive details of the independent research showing poisoning from aspartame is available from a number of scientific publications, books, organizations, and Internet web sites. Please remember, nearly 100% of independent research has found problems with aspartame!

** Note: Monsanto recently sold European production of aspartame to their long-time partner, Ajinomoto Co. of Japan 
and U.S. production to various investors including Michael Dell’s investment company (of Dell Computer Corporation).