Aspartame - Warning

[Douglas7777]

Found this article about aspartame. I was curious because I drink sugarfree red bull like crazy!

"I drank diet soda for the obvious reason -- to avoid sugar and to avoid weight gain" claims a businesswoman in a case reported to Dr. Roberts (qtd. In Roberts 147). It's not unusual for people who are dieting to reach for an aspartame product verses a product containing sugar. Aspartame is "200 times sweeter" than ordinary sugar so fewer calories are consumed (Deskins G1). With a weight conscious society, fewer calories can be attractive. However, a closer look shows that aspartame may not help control weight gain.

Outlined in the following list are some reasons why aspartame might not be effective in controlling weight:

1. According to an article in Technology Review, "aspartame may actually stimulate appetite and bring on a craving for carbohydrates" (Farber 52). 2. An article in Utne Reader claims, "researchers believe that any kind of sweet taste signals body cells to store carbohydrates and fats, which in turn causes the body to crave more food" (Lamb 16). 3. From the San Francisco Chronicle, Jean Weininger states that "studies have shown that people who use artificial sweeteners don't necessarily reduce their consumption of sugar -- or their total calorie intake. . . . Having a diet soda makes it okay to eat a double cheeseburger and a chocolate mousse pie" (1/ZZ1). 4. "The American Cancer Society (1986) documented the fact that persons using artificial sweeteners gain more weight than those who avoid them" (Roberts 150)

Whether you are trying to lose pounds or maintain your weight, using an artificial sweetener such as aspartame does not seem to have any significant effect on weight control. Those extra calories you saved by drinking a diet pop won't make much of a difference if you still need to satisfy your hunger and indulge in several cookies later. If it is actually increasing your appetite, why use it? Common sense tells you that proper diet and exercise are more beneficial. Even if you believe that aspartame may aid in dieting, is this worth risking your health?

FDA approval and natural ingredients may signal safety at first, but the mounting evidence against aspartame reveals many hidden dangers and possible risks. If you are experiencing any of the adverse reactions, stop using aspartame and see if the symptoms disappear. Now that you are aware of the problems with aspartame, inform others of the symptoms of aspartame poisoning. Notify the FDA of any adverse reactions that you may experience and encourage others to do the same. Don't just stop using aspartame, but make a difference by returning any aspartame products you may now have. If sales go down, hopefully aspartame will be pulled off the market and put an end to the aspartame dilemma.

 

[blueta2]

JavaGuru in 3, 2, 1

I agree with this. I think this stuff is poison!

 

[wake_up]

We cannot trust corporations, because all private corporations wether doctors, corporations who make aspartame, and even your phone company is based on a profit-based system. What they want is to make as much profits as possible, even though it might harm the consumer. It just shows you the nature of this system, that's why i don't trust a lot of proteins out there even though the package sells u magic

wake_up

Found this article about aspartame. I was curious because I drink sugarfree red bull like crazy!

"I drank diet soda for the obvious reason -- to avoid sugar and to avoid weight gain" claims a businesswoman in a case reported to Dr. Roberts (qtd. In Roberts 147). It's not unusual for people who are dieting to reach for an aspartame product verses a product containing sugar. Aspartame is "200 times sweeter" than ordinary sugar so fewer calories are consumed (Deskins G1). With a weight conscious society, fewer calories can be attractive. However, a closer look shows that aspartame may not help control weight gain.

Outlined in the following list are some reasons why aspartame might not be effective in controlling weight:

1. According to an article in Technology Review, "aspartame may actually stimulate appetite and bring on a craving for carbohydrates" (Farber 52). 2. An article in Utne Reader claims, "researchers believe that any kind of sweet taste signals body cells to store carbohydrates and fats, which in turn causes the body to crave more food" (Lamb 16). 3. From the San Francisco Chronicle, Jean Weininger states that "studies have shown that people who use artificial sweeteners don't necessarily reduce their consumption of sugar -- or their total calorie intake. . . . Having a diet soda makes it okay to eat a double cheeseburger and a chocolate mousse pie" (1/ZZ1). 4. "The American Cancer Society (1986) documented the fact that persons using artificial sweeteners gain more weight than those who avoid them" (Roberts 150)

Whether you are trying to lose pounds or maintain your weight, using an artificial sweetener such as aspartame does not seem to have any significant effect on weight control. Those extra calories you saved by drinking a diet pop won't make much of a difference if you still need to satisfy your hunger and indulge in several cookies later. If it is actually increasing your appetite, why use it? Common sense tells you that proper diet and exercise are more beneficial. Even if you believe that aspartame may aid in dieting, is this worth risking your health?

FDA approval and natural ingredients may signal safety at first, but the mounting evidence against aspartame reveals many hidden dangers and possible risks. If you are experiencing any of the adverse reactions, stop using aspartame and see if the symptoms disappear. Now that you are aware of the problems with aspartame, inform others of the symptoms of aspartame poisoning. Notify the FDA of any adverse reactions that you may experience and encourage others to do the same. Don't just stop using aspartame, but make a difference by returning any aspartame products you may now have. If sales go down, hopefully aspartame will be pulled off the market and put an end to the aspartame dilemma.

 

[musclemom]

The shit's poison and anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves.

In particular, if you suffer from headaches or migraines you shouldn't touch any of those artificial sweeteners. I also have a personal theory that if you have a family predisposition to/are in remission from cancer, particularly breast cancer, you shouldn't go near ANY of that shit.

If you really, really need to watch carbs and calories, and are dying for something sweet, use Stevia (totally natural, just the leaf from a bush) or just use a small amount of frigging unrefined sugar or honey, which is infinitely more satisfying.

 

[blueta2]

The shit's poison and anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves.

In particular, if you suffer from headaches or migraines you shouldn't touch any of those artificial sweeteners. I also have a personal theory that if you have a family predisposition to/are in remission from cancer, particularly breast cancer, you shouldn't go near ANY of that shit.

If you really, really need to watch carbs and calories, and are dying for something sweet, use Stevia (totally natural, just the leaf from a bush) or just use a small amount of frigging unrefined sugar or honey, which is infinitely more satisfying.

MM, I agree and have said the same thing in other threads, and everyone was jumping down my throat.
Stevia is the best alternative. Stevia is used in diet coke and pepsi in Japan.
Aspartame should be a banned substance, but it will never be b/c ppl are making too much money on this crap.

 

[musclemom]

MM, I agree and have said the same thing in other threads, and everyone was jumping down my throat.
Stevia is the best alternative. Stevia is used in diet coke and pepsi in Japan.
Aspartame should be a banned substance, but it will never be b/c ppl are making too much money on this crap.

Well, put it this way, I've been a neurology transcriptionist full time for four years, and that includes one headache management center. While doctors are the absolute last ones to deal with problems from a nutritional standpoint, the FIRST thing they ask a migraine sufferer is if they drink diet softdrinks and how often. If the person answers yes, they tell them to cut them out.

The artificial sweetener companies did everything they could to block stevia from coming into the U.S. It's not sold as a sweetener, the only way it got into this country is as a nutritional supplement and that's how it's sold.

 

[Cutiebaby]

It is def poison. I know a lady who was addicted to diet soda.Might I add she did not lose much weight as she thought she would due to drinking diet vs reg soda...Then to add to it she had severe withdrawals rash, facial swelling etc..I do not like my kids to have sugar but I do not give them any aspartame products.
My mom in law told me about this product called "stevie" it is a sugar and I guess it is far better than typical sugars or that aspartame crap. I still have to look into it though

 

[blueta2]

It is def poison. I know a lady who was addicted to diet soda.Might I add she did not lose much weight as she thought she would due to drinking diet vs reg soda...Then to add to it she had severe withdrawals rash, facial swelling etc..I do not like my kids to have sugar but I do not give them any aspartame products.
My mom in law told me about this product called "stevie" it is a sugar and I guess it is far better than typical sugars or that aspartame crap. I still have to look into it though

Angel, that is the stuff MM and I are talking about. It's called Stevia.
Like in the US, in Canada it's also sold only as a diet suppliment. You can find Stevia at a larger grocery store or most health food stores. The liquid has a bit of an aftertaste but the granuled form less so.

 

[Cutiebaby]

Angel, that is the stuff MM and I are talking about. It's called Stevia.
Like in the US, in Canada it's also sold only as a diet suppliment. You can find Stevia at a larger grocery store or most health food stores. The liquid has a bit of an aftertaste but the granuled form less so.

lol, I am well known for not reading other posts than the very first post!
Any how yes, my mother in law said I could find it in the health food stores around. That also if I get the white instead of the off white/brownish color than the after taste is not as bad.
I am interested in getting it and giving it a shot. I need to look it up some before I actually make a full decision. But I generally trust what my mom in law says seeings how at one point in time she ate all natural foods and such.

 

[wake_up]

The real big problem abou stevia, is an economic problem. Stevia is 8 dollars, when compared with aspartame which is about 2 dollars a box of 100. That's the big problem of Stevia. I think Stevia consumers need to tell the Stevia corporation to bring down the price a bit, by mass producing, etc.

Wake_uP

Angel, that is the stuff MM and I are talking about. It's called Stevia.
Like in the US, in Canada it's also sold only as a diet suppliment. You can find Stevia at a larger grocery store or most health food stores. The liquid has a bit of an aftertaste but the granuled form less so.

 

[Sim882]

I have a massive headache problem (24 hours per day, unremitting 365 days per year) and was a regular aspartame drinker.

I quit all artificial sweetners 2 months ago and have not seen any improvement. What I can say though is I dispute that its an appetite stimulate - my hunger level has not changed since this (indeed, I think diet coke aids a diet because it does with a meal add to how feeling it is).

 

[musclemom]

I have a massive headache problem (24 hours per day, unremitting 365 days per year) and was a regular aspartame drinker.

I quit all artificial sweetners 2 months ago and have not seen any improvement. What I can say though is I dispute that its an appetite stimulate - my hunger level has not changed since this (indeed, I think diet coke aids a diet because it does with a meal add to how feeling it is).

Headaches have a cause, they are a symptom. They are basically caused by one of several things:

1. Musculoskeletal problems causing muscular imbalances, either TMJ or cervical spine problems.
2. Sinus disease.
3. Hypertension.
4. Stress.
5. Tumor.
6. Pain killer addiction.
7. Toxin exposure (I need to explain this further).

#1 needs a good chiropractor and/or change of mattress and/or change of pillow.

#2 If you have allergies and/or sinus problems off and on the problem needs to be addressed properly by an ENT.

#3 If you have uncontrolled hypertension, even mild hypertension, it can give you a headache.

#4 Only you know if your life is stressful. Sleeping less than 5 hours a night regularly, working 12+ hour days, rarely taking vacations, all of those things contribute and compound the problem, even if you don't perceive it as stress.

#5 ... well that one's pretty self explanatory. However, the tumor scenario is rarely a headache by itself, it's usually accompanied by other problems (dizziness, hearing or vision problems, slurred speech, numbness, blackouts, seizures).

#6 If you're at the point where you have to take multiple doses of headache pills every day you've probably gotten to the point where you are hooked, same as a caffeine withdrawal headache.

#7 The most difficult to ascertain and the most prevalent and the one conventional medicine does not acknowlege, toxin exposure. And this can include foods that you have a low grade intolerance to (as opposed to allergy, which is usually pretty obvious and relatively simple to test for).

The thing is, headaches are a symptom. They are not a disease in and of themselves. If you look at that list you'll see there are mainly two reasons you get a headache: musculoskeletal tension/imbalance or toxins (excluding the pathological scenarios of tumor and high blodo pressure. I've been a neurology transcriptionist for 4 years and have only run into a small handful of headache sufferers who had tumors. Usually tumors cause everything else BUT a headache). Sinus disease or allergies are technically toxin situations because you've got either irritants or infection going on.

Chronic daily headaches means you've got either a screwed up neck, a shitty mattress/pillow, untreated hypertension, or you're consuming something your body perceives as a toxin. In my case I didn't get rid of mine until I eliminated, totally, all wheat/gluten products.

Covering up the pain of a headache is not eliminating its cause, but no conventional doctor ever cured anything and certainly won't start looking to do that any time in the near future. If you want to get rid of your headaches you have to figure out their cause on your own.

 

[poysyn]

do you guys think splenda is a product with a lot of potential negative side effects, or do you think it is alright to use?

I NEVER touch any product with aspartame, but I do use quite a few products with splenda (particually oats, coffee, some sugar free jams)

 

[wake_up]

Hello all, i admit that i use aspartame, because its a lot cheaper than stevia and splenda and i don't have headaches

 

[Sim882]

Headaches have a cause, they are a symptom. They are basically caused by one of several things:

1. Musculoskeletal problems causing muscular imbalances, either TMJ or cervical spine problems.
2. Sinus disease.
3. Hypertension.
4. Stress.
5. Tumor.
6. Pain killer addiction.
7. Toxin exposure (I need to explain this further).

#1 needs a good chiropractor and/or change of mattress and/or change of pillow.

#2 If you have allergies and/or sinus problems off and on the problem needs to be addressed properly by an ENT.

#3 If you have uncontrolled hypertension, even mild hypertension, it can give you a headache.

#4 Only you know if your life is stressful. Sleeping less than 5 hours a night regularly, working 12+ hour days, rarely taking vacations, all of those things contribute and compound the problem, even if you don't perceive it as stress.

#5 ... well that one's pretty self explanatory. However, the tumor scenario is rarely a headache by itself, it's usually accompanied by other problems (dizziness, hearing or vision problems, slurred speech, numbness, blackouts, seizures).

#6 If you're at the point where you have to take multiple doses of headache pills every day you've probably gotten to the point where you are hooked, same as a caffeine withdrawal headache.

#7 The most difficult to ascertain and the most prevalent and the one conventional medicine does not acknowlege, toxin exposure. And this can include foods that you have a low grade intolerance to (as opposed to allergy, which is usually pretty obvious and relatively simple to test for).

The thing is, headaches are a symptom. They are not a disease in and of themselves. If you look at that list you'll see there are mainly two reasons you get a headache: musculoskeletal tension/imbalance or toxins (excluding the pathological scenarios of tumor and high blodo pressure. I've been a neurology transcriptionist for 4 years and have only run into a small handful of headache sufferers who had tumors. Usually tumors cause everything else BUT a headache). Sinus disease or allergies are technically toxin situations because you've got either irritants or infection going on.

Chronic daily headaches means you've got either a screwed up neck, a shitty mattress/pillow, untreated hypertension, or you're consuming something your body perceives as a toxin. In my case I didn't get rid of mine until I eliminated, totally, all wheat/gluten products.

Covering up the pain of a headache is not eliminating its cause, but no conventional doctor ever cured anything and certainly won't start looking to do that any time in the near future. If you want to get rid of your headaches you have to figure out their cause on your own.

THanks for your advice.

I realise this is not a headache forum, but I will explain briefly my situation and if possible would love advice.

I was diagnosed with new daily persistent headache 2 years ago, and have permanently had a headache since (I had some headaches in the proceeding year, but these did seem to be toxin related, i.e., caffeine. THe neuro said they were unrelated).

At that time, I was having too much caffeine, artificial sweetner, and sleeping pills (these have all been eliminated from my diet without improvement).

Currently, I am on the diet proposed in "Heal Your Headache" by John Bucholz. Essentially, all I eat now is the following: milk (maybe too much of it); salmon, tuna, beef, chicken; eggs occasionally; and potatoes, sweet potatoes, brocolli, lettuce, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, red peppers, cauliflower; oat bran; linseeds and flaxseed oil; garlic, salt and pepper. I take no supplements except a multivitamin.

I literally eat nothing else.

I have tried the following meds: tricylic antidepressents, beta blockers, predisolone, epillum, topomax. I have not been or taken any meds for 5 months (I gave month and pain killers have never provided relief so I never took them, so I certaintly do not have rebound headache. I am contemplating taking 5 HTP.

I have seen a chiro (all is fine) & received accupuncture. I even spent a week in hospital where they pumped many drugs into me (not sure what they were now).

Do you have any suggestions as to a possible dietary trigger?

 

[blueta2]

THanks for your advice.

I realise this is not a headache forum, but I will explain briefly my situation and if possible would love advice.

I was diagnosed with new daily persistent headache 2 years ago, and have permanently had a headache since (I had some headaches in the proceeding year, but these did seem to be toxin related, i.e., caffeine. THe neuro said they were unrelated).

At that time, I was having too much caffeine, artificial sweetner, and sleeping pills (these have all been eliminated from my diet without improvement).

Currently, I am on the diet proposed in "Heal Your Headache" by John Bucholz. Essentially, all I eat now is the following: milk (maybe too much of it); salmon, tuna, beef, chicken; eggs occasionally; and potatoes, sweet potatoes, brocolli, lettuce, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, red peppers, cauliflower; oat bran; linseeds and flaxseed oil; garlic, salt and pepper. I take no supplements except a multivitamin.

I literally eat nothing else.

I have tried the following meds: tricylic antidepressents, beta blockers, predisolone, epillum, topomax. I have not been or taken any meds for 5 months (I gave month and pain killers have never provided relief so I never took them, so I certaintly do not have rebound headache. I am contemplating taking 5 HTP.

I have seen a chiro (all is fine) & received accupuncture. I even spent a week in hospital where they pumped many drugs into me (not sure what they were now).

Do you have any suggestions as to a possible dietary trigger?

I would eliminate dairy and eggs to see if that helps. Also have your dentist check for TMJ. This was the cause of my migraines. I used to get them once a week, now I get them maybe 2 x a yr.
Maybe it's due to toxicity from all the meds you are/were taking. You may want to try a detox of your liver.
The Medical community is clueless about many health issues. DR's do not have all the answers. You may want to visit a naturopath.

 

[musclemom]

THanks for your advice.

I realise this is not a headache forum, but I will explain briefly my situation and if possible would love advice.

I was diagnosed with new daily persistent headache 2 years ago, and have permanently had a headache since (I had some headaches in the proceeding year, but these did seem to be toxin related, i.e., caffeine. THe neuro said they were unrelated).

At that time, I was having too much caffeine, artificial sweetner, and sleeping pills (these have all been eliminated from my diet without improvement).

Currently, I am on the diet proposed in "Heal Your Headache" by John Bucholz. Essentially, all I eat now is the following: milk (maybe too much of it); salmon, tuna, beef, chicken; eggs occasionally; and potatoes, sweet potatoes, brocolli, lettuce, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, red peppers, cauliflower; oat bran; linseeds and flaxseed oil; garlic, salt and pepper. I take no supplements except a multivitamin.

I literally eat nothing else.

I have tried the following meds: tricylic antidepressents, beta blockers, predisolone, epillum, topomax. I have not been or taken any meds for 5 months (I gave month and pain killers have never provided relief so I never took them, so I certaintly do not have rebound headache. I am contemplating taking 5 HTP.

I have seen a chiro (all is fine) & received accupuncture. I even spent a week in hospital where they pumped many drugs into me (not sure what they were now).

Do you have any suggestions as to a possible dietary trigger?

Taken private.

 

[KyleMcd]

Sure some people don't respond to it, but what about the billions that are ok? Jay Cutler is one of the most finiky people when it comes to diet, he drink's diet sodas everyday and has for a long time. He's fine. I as well am fine, my friends are too. I've never heard of anyone personally getting hurt from it, and when I do, I will assume it was from something else. Why? There is no science arguing against it.

And you know what, if it shows it CAN harm SOME people, I will still drink it. Why you ask again? I live my life doing what I want. People sky dive, people die sky diving, does that stop millions of people from doing it and living? No. Why walk out your door today? You could get shot in an instant, why not kill yourself now? Until there is specific evidence that it will harm me, it's going down the hatch, and my abs will be laughing at people with sugar craving.

Money. Money. Money talks.

 

[EL GAUCHO]

Don't a lot of protein powders contain these kind of sweetners too?

 

[blueta2]

Don't a lot of protein powders contain these kind of sweetners too?

Yes, some of them do.

 

[phatinem]

What ya'll think about agave! That's what I use to sweeten things!

 

[musclemom]

What ya'll think about agave! That's what I use to sweeten things!

It's like honey or maple syrup, you've got a similar calorie load.

I've actually never tried it ... well, in the UNfermented state (now ask me about tequila, then I'll wax prosaic)