Betty Martini, D.Hum, Founder Mission possible International
9270 River Club Parkway Duluth, Georgia 30097 770 242-2599 www.mpwhi.com, www.dorway.com and www.wnho.net Aspartame Toxicity Center, www.holisticmed.com/aspartame 16 March 2008
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TRUTH ABOUT ASPARTAME
written by: Arthur Evangelist, PhD former FDA investigator, U.S. Food & Drug Administration - Investigations Branch
Brief
While working for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, I monitored two major projects for FDA, in addition to other product investigations. These projects concerned Pesticides and Chemicals in Foods, and Illegal Drug Tissue Residues in Animals (including milk related issues). I worked closely with sister federal and state agencies, oversaw contract compliance, and was coordinator and lead investigator on projects involving FDA, EPA, and USDA.
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The toxicology, histology, and biochemistry of aspartame (a.k.a.: NutraSweet, Equal, etc.) is neurotoxic. The aspartame components injure the blood-brain barrier, allowing easy passage, and will interfere with normal nerve cell function, regardless of whether one is initially symptomatic or not.
Aspartame affects brain tissue, destroying nerve cell integrity, and eventually the neurons, themselves. This leaves lesions or holes where cell death occurred. Aside from brain neurotoxicity, aspartame is known to affect the spinal column nerves, skeletal muscle-nerve junctions, and the conduction system of the heart, as well.
Aspartame is a compound of phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. The subsequent result from this interaction, and from the isolates of amino acids, is nerve cell necrosis (death), and subsequent organ system disease, along with toxic interactions with many pharmaceutical drugs.
The hypothalamus, the major controller for much of the neuro-endocrine function, is at especially high risk to these effects, and in turn, affects many other organ systems. Thus, the myriad of symptoms.
Methanol (methyl alcohol or wood alcohol) is a colorless, poisonous, and flammable liquid. It is used for making formaldehyde, acetic acid, methyl t-butyl ether (a gasoline additive), and paint strippers. This poison can be inhaled from vapors, absorbed through the skin, and ingested. (Tephly & McMartin 1984)
The methanol in aspartame breaks down into formaldehyde, and formic acid, which denaturizes and mutates the DNA, and can instigate autoimmune disease states. This is a known scientific fact.
Phenylalanine (in aspartame) is a free amino acid isolate. Studies show that excessive free phenylalanine damages nerve cells, and is responsible for phenylketonuria in pregnant females. Phenylalanine also reduces serotonin levels in the brain. This reduction in serotonin creates a host of complications. (Wurtman 1988)
Reduced serotonin levels can induce aggressive or violent behavior in adults, and temper tantrums in children. The lowered serotonin level also lowers the threshold for seizure activity, instigating petite and grand mal seizures. (Maher 1987)
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