In the ideal world, we would eat
everything organic, like it was less than 100 years ago. However, in this less
than ideal world, at least from a nutritional view point, we find food
processors, manufacturers and purveyors determined to impress their investors
with great "bottom line" profits through whatever means our free
enterprise system allows. Unfortunately, nutritional consideration is not first
in the priority lists of most Fortune 500 companies involved in the manufacture,
distribution and sale of food products. There are over 6,000 web pages,
according to Aspartame Truth Information web site, devoted to discussing,
revealing, berating and defending this non-nutritive item which has infiltrated
a huge segment of the food market. The desire to reduce the calorie content of
our meals, in order to manage weight and the wish by those on sugar restricted
diets (primarily Diabetics) to enjoy the taste of sweet, is the two driving
forces in this market. Here a phrase "non-nutritive" is used because
artificial sweeteners provide no nutrition to our diets nor is the taste of
sweet a fundamental necessity for optimal health. All tastes are acquired and
for those with a "sweet tooth" will find that if they increase the
protein consumption in their diets, the "sweet tooth" will become
much less powerful.
Aspartame is the artificial
combining of two naturally occurring amino acids—phenylalanine and Aspartic
acid. Questioning the efficacy and safety of this product is the subject of the
majority of the 6,000 web sites. One of the reasons for using aspartame is the
quest to reduce calories and therefore lose or maintain body weight. However,
there is some evidence, disputed by the manufacturers of course, that the sweet
sensation provided by artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, can through a
"neural/humeral" connection cause the pancreas to secrete insulin
regardless of the blood sugar levels. Insulin is the storage hormone and
inhibits fat mobilization, thus defeating the original goal to lose fat. With
elevated insulin, which does not combine with blood sugars, you get an increase
in appetite and a craving for carbohydrates. This has been reported by several
researchers and of course denied by the research of the manufacturing
companies. The other major criticism is that the Phenylalanine component
degrades into methanol, which quickly converts into formaldehyde and
accumulates in cells. Accumulated formaldehyde can become toxic to nerve cells
over time. The industry claims that the methanol levels in question are well
within safe limits and recognized by the FDA in the US and the Health
Protection Branch in Canada.
The literature reports a myriad
of health problems ranging from behavioral and neurological disorders to immune
system breakdowns leading to cancer, arthritis, MS, Parkinson’s disease, ALS
and Alzheimer’s disease. Others report headaches, epileptic seizures, allergies
and mood swings. All such allegalcions are denied by the industry as they
report their research.
Independent research finds
problems with aspartame research. An analysis of 164 peer reviewed medical
studies by Dr. Ralph Walton of Northeastern Ohio University found that of the
90 non-industries sponsored (independent) studies, 83 (92 per cent) identified
one or more problems with aspartame. Of the 74-aspartame industry sponsored
studies all (100 per cent) claimed that no problems were found with aspartame.
Little comfort for the consumer.
