Date: Tue, 09 Jun 1998 14:21:09 -0400
To: bettym19@mindspring.com
From: betty martini <bettym19@mindspring.com
Subject: Aspartame and Cardiac Symptoms, and interaction with other
         drugs by H. J. Roberts, M.D.

Statement of H. J. Roberts, M.D. Concerning Cardiac and CHEST Complaints
Attributed to Aspartame (NUTRASWEET (R))

Many patients and correspondents have asked whether products containing
aspartame can cause or aggravate symptoms relating to the heart, blood
pressure and chest.  Based on my experience, as detailed in multiple
publications and books (see below), the answer is YES.

Hundreds of such instances have been documented in my database of over
950 aspartame reactors.  There was dramatic improvement after avoiding
aspartame, and a prompt and predictable recurrence of these problems
when the patient resumed aspartame products ...  knowingly or
inadvertently. 

                     ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM

More than 120 individuals experienced a detectable change in their heart
rate and rhythm after consuming aspartame -  including gum and products
that did not contain caffeine.  This included "fluttering",
(palpitations) and rapid heart action (tachycardia).  A number had even
undergone heart monitoring (Holter testing) and other studies,
especially for the associated weakness and faint.

One patient developed a slow pulse and complete heart block within hours
after consuming an aspartame drink for the first time.  His attack
spontaneously subsided within a day without a pacemaker; and there has
been no recurrence.

This subject has obvious relevance to reports of unexplained sudden
death in persons who had been consuming considerable aspartame.

                        HYPERTENSION

Dozens of aspartame reactors without known hypertension were found to
have elevation of their blood pressure - systolic, diastolic or both, 
Some were in their twenties.  While aspartame products unequivocally
cause headaches, the superimposed hypertension probably was a
contributing factor.  

Other patients who had been treated for hypertensin could not be
adequately controlled on their maintenance medication as long as they
used aspartame.  This reflects its interaction with various drugs. 
Aspartame originally devised as a drug to treat peptic ulcer.

The rapid heart action and the elevation of blood pressure presumably
reflect the effects of phenylalanine (an aspartame component) and its
metabolic products.  They include dopamine, norepinephrine and
epinephrine.

(second side)            ATYPICAL CHEST PAIN

More than 50 aspartame reactors experienced unexplained pain in the
chest. (Many others have atypical pain elsewhere in the body).  A number
underwent stress tests and coronary angioplasty for suspected coronary
heart disease; they proved normal in the majority.

                        SHORTNESS OF BREATH

Over 70 aspartame reactors with "shortness of breath" promptly improved
after abstaining from these prducts, and predictably suffered a
recurrence on rechallenge.  Clinical sleep apnea also dramatically
stopped in these  patients when they avoided aspartame. 

                        RELATED COMMENTS

These issues are elaborated in my two books on the subject:  ASPARTAME
(NUTRASWEET):IS IT SAFE?  (Charles Press) and SWEET'NER DEAREST:

BITTERSWEET VIGNETTES ABOUT ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET(R)) Sunshine Sentinel
Press, P. O. Box 17799, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416, 1 800 814-9800.
They are also summarized in an updated discussion on two cassettes, IS
ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET(R)) SAFE? A MEDICAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND LEGAL
OVERVIEW, Sunshine Sentinel Press, P. O. Box 17799, West Palm Beach,
Florida 33416.

I have asserted in my publications, testimony to Congress and in letters
to Congressmen and the FDA, that the current wholesale ingestion of
aspartame products by over half the adult population constitutes an
"imminent public health hazard."  Yet this warning continues to be
ignored by the medical profession and the FDA.  This is particular
concern for high risk groups, most notably patients with diabetes and
hypoglycemia, pregnant women, children, patients with epilepsy, liver,
heart, kidney disease and eating disorders, older persons with memory
impairment, the relatives of aspartame reactors, and patients having
phenylketonuria.

(C) H. J. Roberts, M.D.