3-19-1998

Question:  Is the L-phenylalanine listed as an ingredient in the new aspartame
replacement "neotame" the same thing as the phenylalanine listed as being 50% of
aspartame?

Answer: Yes, L-phenylalanine is the same as phenylalanine.

Question:  Is "aspartate" the same thing as aspartic acid?

Answer: Aspartate is essentially the same as aspartic acid. I would avoid
anything with either of them on the label.   It is paricularly
dangerous when combined with glutamate (glutamic acid) or cysteine
(L-cysteine).

Madelon Price <PriceM@psychiatry.wustl.edu>
Professor of Neurobiology
Washington University Medical School