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Aspartame Toxicity:Observed Side-Effects from Food & Drink
Dr. Bill Misner, Ph.D.

Before eating or drinking anything with Aspartame on the run or just for
"fun", give serious thought to its proven toxic accumulative-use side
effects shown in a wide assortment of related reliable research as stated
below.

When Aspartame, N-l-a-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester, C14H18N2O5, is
synthesized from the amino acids, Phenylalanine, C6H5-C2CH(NH2)COOH, and
Aspartic Acid, COOH-CH (NH2)-COOH, in the presence of methyl alcohol, CH3OH,
amino acid imbalances immediately result causing interruption of the normal
neurotransmitter metabolism of the human brain.(Wurtman RJ, "Neurochemical
Changes Following High-Dose Aspartame with Dietary Carbohydrates," New
England Journal of Medicine, 1983:429-430.) The amino acid neurotransmitter
Tryptophan is less available for its known action for optimal brain
serotonin levels. This in turn arouses systemic hypertension, insomnia,
hyperactivity, general contraindication to those taking the medications
levodopa or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Possibly due to its methyl alcohol
content according to Dr. Ralph Golan, M.D., constant use amounting to large
intake over time may result in headaches, fainting, seizures, memory loss,
mood swings, depression, nausea, and gastrointestinal stress.

Small amounts may be safe for some but cumulative effects may be
synergistically potent if it is ingested in the presence of high
carbohydrates with a low protein portion such as in many of those tasty
athletic energy bars and drinks found at aid stations, where ultrarunners
are bound to accept the provision available courtesy of the event sponsors.
How many times (this year) have ultra runners questioned me as to what
caused their body to fail 7-8 hours into an event which the exact same
symptoms listed above and below from the observed side effects recorded in
the study of dietary aspartame.

Behavioral changes observed after such intake of aspartame flavored foods
and drinks are moodiness, headaches, nausea, hallucinations, seizures,
twitching, abnormal breathing, and depression. (Research References for
above by Name and Date only: British Diabetic Association 1983, Wurtman R
1987, 1983, 1985, 1986, Walton R 1986, Council on Scientific Affairs 1985,
Stellman S & Garfinkel L 1986, Blume E 1987, Blundell J 1986, Ryan-Harshman
M et al 1987)

Saccharine and Cyclamates were judged safe by the FDA, but then a number of
proven related cases of cancer and bladder cancer were directly linked to
use of same and they were banned as will Aspartame be in the near future. If
"It is badly reported", as some would have us believe, then several reliable
researchers studying the substance's toxic effects are also taking serious
these "bad reports" of note.

What one athlete ingests then performs well, in spite of what they ate or
drank, may criple or DNF the next athlete even at half the dose. If you
presently doubt whether or not you should be drinking and eating
"Aspartame", especially during an ultra event, you may want to confirm your
doubts by doing a little homework in any or all of the research references
listed below. (Many of them, I presume, are available via "Medline".)

References

Nutrition Subcommittee of the British Diabetic Associations's Medical
Advisory Committee:

"Diabetic recommendations for diabetics for the 1980's: A policy statement
by the British

Diabetic Association." HUMAN NUTRITION:APPLIED NUTRITION 1982;36A:378.
Wurtman R, "Apartase effects on brain serotonin. AM J CLIN N, 1987; 45:799-
801.

Wurtmnan R, "Neurochemical changes following high-dose aspartase with
dietary carbohydrates. N ENG J MED, 1983; 389: 429-430.

Wurtman R, "Aspartase: Possible effect on seizure susceptibility. LANCET,
1985; 2: 1060.

Walton R, "Seizure and mania after high intake of aspartase." PSYCHOSOMAT,
1986; 27: 218-219.

Council on Scientific Affairs. "Aspartase: Review of safety issues." J AM
MED, A 1985; 254:400.

Young S, "Some effects of dietary components(amino acids,carbohydrate, folic
acid) on brain serotonin synthesis, mood, and behavior." CAN J PHYSL PHARM,
1991; 69: 893-903.