Nikfar et al (1997) noted that aspartame increased morphine analgesia in the early phase (wherein saccharin had no effect), and further enhanced morphine analgesia during the late phase. The sister of heavy diet cola consumer related the apparent potentiation of morphine by aspartame while he continued drinking it in an intensive care unit after a heart attack. This interaction became evident when the aspartame was stopped, coupled with halving the insulin required for managing his diabetes.
Aspartame disease may be evidenced by changes involving red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The aspartame reactors reported below and elsewhere evidenced either anemia, a striking elevation of the white blood cell count suggestive of leukemia, or markedly decreased platelet counts (thrombocytopenia).
A patient with recurrent "histiocytic leukemia" following aspartame ingestion (Case IX-J-1) offers an intriguing clue to the so-called histiocytosis syndromes in children (The Lancet 1987; 208-209). The Langerhans cell in histiocytosis is a dendritic cell derived from the bone marrow.
Many drugs and other substances have been implicated in "immune thrombocytopenia."
Case IX-F-6 mentioned the finding of "enlarged red blood cells." Deficiency of folic acid or its altered metabolism (see below) causes macrocytic (large red blood cell) anemia, while deficient absorption of vitamin B12 can result in a similar anemia.
Patients with pernicious anemia may be more vulnerable to aspartame. For example, a 51-year-old woman with severe aspartame disease gave a history of treatment for documented pernicious anemia as her only significant past medical history.
Representative Case Reports
Case IX-J-I
A 10-year-old girl began consuming various aspartame products at the age of eight, initially during summer weekends. She developed marked swelling of one shoulder which then involved the neck. Her arm almost tripled in size. There was no history of allergies or aspirin use existed. The patient also evidenced a high fever, pleural effusion (fluid in the lung cavity), striking enlargement of both the liver and spleen, and a precipitous decline of the platelet count to 1,000 per cubic mm (normal 150,000 or higher). A striking increase of histiocytes was found in her bone marrow. Several "liver enzymes" were markedly elevated - i.e., SGOT 3,080 units/L (normal, up to 50); CPK 30,000 units/L (normal, up to 50).
Numerous physicians and consultants saw this child. Most diagnosed histiocytic leukemia. The patient received large doses of prednisone.
Dramatic clinical improvement and virtual normalization of the foregoing blood changes occurred when the mother closely monitored her diet and eliminated additives. The prednisone was then stopped.
The patient subsequently ate several bowls of an aspartame cereal. Marked swelling of the cheeks developed, coupled with recurrence of the aforementioned features. When aspartame was discontinued, the swelling receded without prednisone.
Several months later, the girl was given aspartame chewing gum without the mother's knowledge. Swelling of her entire body, recurrent enlargement of the liver and spleen, a dramatic increase of bone marrow histiocytes, and severe pain in many joints ensued. Total abstinence from aspartame again effected the disappearance of her symptoms and the blood abnormalities within six months. At the time of my last discussion with her mother, the child had minimal enlargement of the liver, and was receiving prednisone in low doses only intermittently.
This patient had two sets of head x-rays, three CT scans of the brain, two spinal punctures, four bone marrow studies, two electroencephalograms, two heart monitoring studies, two barium enemas, and a host of other studies. Her mother estimated the medical costs at $750,000!
Case IX-J-2
A 62-year-old man developed severe gastrointestinal problems while ingesting aspartame products. He developed "an erratic blood count, with red and white cell imbalance, and platelets off some." He received "cortisone" for six months when his condition was diagnosed as "an immune deficiency problem."
BlOOD AND LYMPH NODE DISORDERS
Bone marrow and lymph nodes, the organs chiefly responsible for blood cells, are highly vulnerable to toxic substances. For example, aplastic anemia and leukemia may occur after treatment with potent drugs, or exposure to pesticides and other chemicals in the environment (Roberts 1984, 1990b). Aspartame products could be another cause of disorders therein.
A. Bone Marrow and Blood Changes
A patient with recurrent "histiocytic leukemia" following aspartame ingestion (Case IX-J-1) offers an intriguing clue to the so-called histiocytosis syndromes in children (The Lancet 1987; 208-209). The Langerhans cell in histiocytosis is a dendritic cell derived from the bone marrow.
Many drugs and other substances have been implicated in "immune thrombocytopenia."
Case IX-F-6 mentioned the finding of "enlarged red blood cells." Deficiency of folic acid or its altered metabolism (see below) causes macrocytic (large red blood cell) anemia, while deficient absorption of vitamin B12 can result in a similar anemia.
Patients with pernicious anemia may be more vulnerable to aspartame. For example, a 51-year-old woman with severe aspartame disease gave a history of treatment for documented pernicious anemia as her only significant past medical history.
Representative Case Reports
Case IX-J-I
A 10-year-old girl began consuming various aspartame products at the age of eight, initially during summer weekends. She developed marked swelling of one shoulder which then involved the neck. Her arm almost tripled in size. There was no history of allergies or aspirin use existed. The patient also evidenced a high fever, pleural effusion (fluid in the lung cavity), striking enlargement of both the liver and spleen, and a precipitous decline of the platelet count to 1,000 per cubic mm (normal 150,000 or higher). A striking increase of histiocytes was found in her bone marrow. Several "liver enzymes" were markedly elevated - i.e., SGOT 3,080 units/L (normal, up to 50); CPK 30,000 units/L (normal, up to 50).
Numerous physicians and consultants saw this child. Most diagnosed histiocytic leukemia. The patient received large doses of prednisone.
Dramatic clinical improvement and virtual normalization of the foregoing blood changes occurred when the mother closely monitored her diet and eliminated additives. The prednisone was then stopped.
The patient subsequently ate several bowls of an aspartame cereal. Marked swelling of the cheeks developed, coupled with recurrence of the aforementioned features. When aspartame was discontinued, the swelling receded without prednisone.
Several months later, the girl was given aspartame chewing gum without the mother's knowledge. Swelling of her entire body, recurrent enlargement of the liver and spleen, a dramatic increase of bone marrow histiocytes, and severe pain in many joints ensued. Total abstinence from aspartame again effected the disappearance of her symptoms and the blood abnormalities within six months. At the time of my last discussion with her mother, the child had minimal enlargement of the liver, and was receiving prednisone in low doses only intermittently.
This patient had two sets of head x-rays, three CT scans of the brain, two spinal punctures, four bone marrow studies, two electroencephalograms, two heart monitoring studies, two barium enemas, and a host of other studies. Her mother estimated the medical costs at $750,000!
Case IX-J-2
A 62-year-old man developed severe gastrointestinal problems while ingesting aspartame products. He developed "an erratic blood count, with red and white cell imbalance, and platelets off some." He received "cortisone" for six months when his condition was diagnosed as "an immune deficiency problem."
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