The Wellness Prescription

Bitter Sweet(eners), The Dangers of ASPARTAME

Aspartame is arguably the most dangerous food additive on the market today, and has accounted for than 75% of adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug Administration. Aspartame is the technical name for the following brand name products: NutraSweet TM, Equal TM, Spoonful TM, and Equal-Measure TM. Its use is widespread. Carefully check labels in order to avoid aspartame. It can be found in processed foods like instant breakfasts, cereals, frozen or gelatin desserts, topping mixes, yogurt, breath mints, sugar-free chewing gum, laxatives, and pharmaceuticals. It can also be found in beverages based on cocoa, tea, coffee, juice and milk, not to mention soft drinks and wine coolers. It's even in "health products" like multivitamins/supplements (one of many reasons why I use and recommend Metagenics).

Symptoms and Diseases Associated with Aspartame

According to a February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services report, among the ninety different documented symptoms found in the report are: headaches, including migraines; vision, ear, and heart irregularities; psychological concerns like depression, irritability, anxiety attacks, and memory loss; as well as nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, fatigue, insomnia, breathing difficulties, slurred speech, loss of taste, vertigo, and joint pain.

According to researchers studying the effects of aspartame, consuming this chemical poison can trigger or worsen chronic illnesses including brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

So what is Aspartame made of?

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%), and methanol (10%). When the temperature of Aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the methanol in Aspartame coverts to formaldehyde (Formaldehyde is grouped in the same class as cyanide and arsenic--DEADLY POISONS!!!) Ironically, Formaldehyde is used to preserve dead bodies. From formaldehyde, it then converts to formic acid (the poison found in the sting of fire ants), which in turn causes metabolic acidosis.

If this has not convinced you to stop the use of Aspartame, read on.

Aspartame Disease is partially the cause to what is behind some of the mystery of the Dessert Storm health problems. The burning tongue and other problems discussed in over 60 cases can be directly related to the consumption of an aspartame product. Several thousand pallets of diet drinks were shipped to the Dessert Storm troops. (Remember heat can liberate the methanol from the aspartame at 86 degrees F). Diet drinks sat in the 120 degree F. Arabian sun for weeks at a time on pallets. The service men and women drank them all day long. All of their symptoms are identical to aspartame poisoning.

Dr. Roberts, diabetic specialist and world expert on aspartame poisoning, says "consuming aspartame at the time of conception can cause birth defects." According to Dr. Louis Elsas, Pediatrician Professor - Genetics at Emory University, phenylalanine concentrates in the placenta cause mental retardation.

Aspartame is especially deadly for diabetics. Many diabetic specialists believe that they have patients with retinopathy, when in fact; it is caused by the aspartame.

Memory loss is due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are neurotoxic. Thus it goes past the blood brain barrier and deteriorates the neurons of the brain. Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon, said, "The ingredients stimulates the neurons of the brain to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees. Dr. Blaylock has written a book entitled "EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILLS". Dr. H.J. Roberts has also written a book entitled "DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE". Dr. Roberts tells how aspartame poisoning is escalating Alzheimer's Disease, and indeed it is.

Parting Thoughts

There is absolutely no reason to take this product. It is NOT A DIET PRODUCT AND IT IS NOT SAFE!!! It is addictive and makes you crave carbohydrates and will make you FAT. Dr. Roberts also stated that when he got patients off aspartame, their average weight loss was 19 pounds per person. The formaldehyde stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs.

If it says "SUGAR FREE" on the label-- DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!

It is sad but true, in our own practice we have also encountered patients who consider living with these uncomfortable symptoms rather than give up the aspartame products they have come to depend upon. As a whole in the United States our way of life is killing us. It is estimated by 2017 75% of the US will be obese.

If you or someone you know needs help to become optimally healthy please contact one of the Wellness Prescription practitioners in your area.

Eat Right, Be Active, Be Positive.

Yours in Optimal Health, Dr. Ryan E. Bentley