From: betty martini <Mission-Possible-USA@Altavista.net
Subject: ASPARTAME AND PILOTS - Position paper by Russell Blaylock,
M.D., neurosurgeon (permission to publish and add to web)
Cc: jane.garvey@faa.dot.gov

In  light of the deaths of three American Airline pilots who were heavy
users of aspartame (and one had a stroke),  Dr. Blaylock has provided
the position paper below which is being added to the Aviation Page on
www.dorway.com  Mission Possible continually gets complaints from pilots
about seizures, cardiac problems, vision loss, vertigo, confusion,
disorientation, etc. triggered by the use of aspartame
(NutraSweet/Equal/Spoonful, etc.)

ASPARTAME AND PILOTS

I have reviewed some of the reports from airline and private pilots
concerning adverse effects of aspartame on various physiological
systems. It is interesting to note that several of these complaints are
related to the nervous system which puts this in a category of great
concern to the pilot as well as the general public.  Some of the more
common complaints include, disorientation, difficulty thinking and
concentrating, visual blurring or even monocular blindness, seizures
and heart failure.  It is well known that the ingredients in aspartame,
as well as its breakdown products, have deleterious effects on the
nervous system and retina.  For example, phenylalanine is a precursor of
the catecholamine neurotransmitters in the brain and elevated levels in
the brain have been associated with seizures.  It should also be pointed
out that these catecholamines are metabolized to form other excitotoxins
and peroxide products that can lead to elevated free radical formation
and lipid peroxidation within the neurons.

Likewise, aspartic acid (an excitotoxin) acts as an excitatory
neurotransmitter and can lower the seizure threshold making a seizure
more likely.  The  additive effect of aspartic acid and phenylalanine
would significantly increase the likelihood of a seizure, especially
under hypoglycemic conditions.  This would occur if a diet drink is
substituted for  meal, or if one is on a stringent diet.  It is well
known that hypoglycemia greatly magnifies the excitotoxic effects of
these ingredients.

The combination of hypoglycemia and aspartame would also increase the
likelihood of mental confusion and disorientation.  In the pilot's
situation, this could be disastrous.  It must be recognized that pilots
would also be frequently exposed to other excitotoxins, such as MSG,
hydrolyzed proteins, etc, that have a synergistic effect that greatly
increases the likelihood of an adverse reaction.

One of the intriguing associations with excitotoxins of all types is the
occurrence of sudden death.  For example, we know that one of the
primary sites   of action of these excitatory substances is the
hypothalamus and that sudden cardiac death can be induced by stimulating
the hypothalamus.  It is

entirely possible that excitotoxic stimulation of these hypothalamic
centers could also lead to cardiac arrhythmia  and sudden death.
Hypothalamic stimulation has also been shown to produce an ECG pattern
exactly like that of a myocardial infarction.  Combinations of
excitotoxins, such as aspartic acid and glutamate, greatly increased the
risk.

Finally, a recent scientific study demonstrated that aspartame exposure
significantly increases the level of formaldehyde in all tissue,
including brain and retina and that this breakdown product of aspartame,
is very toxic to proteins and DNA, leading to permanent injury to these
vital cellular components.  Even more important, was the finding that
this highly toxic  substance accumulates in these tissues with chronic
exposure to aspartame.  This could lead to significant injury to the
brain, retina and other organs long after the exposure.  Also, the
effects appear to be dose related.  That is, the more aspartame you
consume, the greater the danger. It should be appreciated that
formaldehyde is a powerful carcinogenic agent.

In my book on excitotoxins, (Excitotoxins:  The Taste That Kills), I
explain  in detail how excitotoxins damage the nervous system, leading
to severe disorders, and what can be done to reduce your risk.  It is my
opinion that aspartame is a dangerous neurotoxin, as well as a
significant carcinogen for many organs, and that it should be avoided at
all cost.

Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.

Mission Possible Aviation
http://www.dorway.com/possible.html
Betty Martini
9270 9270 River Club Parkway
Duluth, Ga. 30097
770 242-2599  Voice
770 242-2596  FAX