I don’t want to go into all the gory details about the ridiculous political finagling that went on to get FDA approval for aspartame but in short, Donald Rumsfield (secretary of defense under Pres. George W Bush) used to be CEO of GD Searle, manufacturer of aspartame.  When his good buddy Ronald Reagan became president, the necessary cogs on the wheel were put in place to get FDA approval despite testing that showed that aspartame caused grand mal seizures, malignant lymphoma and brain tumors.  Legal cases were successfully stalled to allow the statute of limitations on them to expire.  You can go to www.mercola.com to learn more about this whole story.  I just want to tell you about what you are getting with aspartame.

There are 3 main components to aspartame: phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methyl ester.

Phenylalanine decomposes into DKP which is a known carcinogen when exposed to warm temperatures or prolonged storage.

Aspartic acid, when consumed as a free form amino acid, enters the central nervous in abnormally high concentrations causing excessive firing of brain neurons and potentially leads to cell death.  This is known as excitotoxicity.  Symptoms include depression, balance problems, headaches, mental confusion and seizures.  Scientists have linked excitotoxicity to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

10% of the aspartame that is absorbed into your blood stream is methanol a.k.a. wood alcohol a.k.a. paint remover, a break down of the methyl ester component.  The average can of diet soda contains 16mg of methanol even though the EPA defines safe consumption as no more the 7.8mg per day.  Methanol poisoning can lead to fatal kidney failure, blindness, multiple organ system failure and death.  Methanol can spontaneously break down into formaldehyde (the chemical used to preserve dead bodies).

In 1984, one year after aspartame was approved by the FDA, there was a dramatic increase in the number of cases of brain cancer and was disproportionately growing relative to other cancers, in fact most other rates were decreasing.

Some of the many reported side effects of aspartame as received by the FDA include migraines, aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, extreme numbness, memory loss, liver impairment, cardiac arrest, seizures, severe mood swings, suicidal tendencies, vision problems and death.

This makes sugar look pretty darn harmless in comparison.

Linda Miner

Registered Nutritional Counselor

RNC, CHN, RSNA, CMTA, BA

Click HERE to learn more details about my Wellness Services

Click HERE to learn more details about Monavie

*NOTE:  This opinion expressed here is that of the author based on her research and personal experience.  It is not intended to replace your own personal research or the opinion of your physician.  You should always check with your physician and/or pharmacist before changing your diet, starting an exercise programs or taking any supplements.  Please be aware that some foods and natural supplements may interact with prescription medication.