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Aspertame & Neurlogical Disorders

Aspartame, usually sold under the brand name NutraSweet, has been reported to be linked to a number of neurological conditions. Independent studies have shown that in high doses, aspartame is, in fact, detrimental to health. Other studies have shown that in reasonable doses, aspartame is relatively safe.

  1. Neurological Mechanism

    • A study in "Environmental Health Perspectives" by Maher & Wurtman showed elevated levels of blood and brain phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is neurotoxic and has been shown to inhibit the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters. In addition, aspartame has been shown to break down into about 10 percent methanol, which is toxic. In certain conditions, when the temperature of aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the methanol can be converted into formaldehyde and then into formic acid. Formic acid can cause metabolic acidosis.

    Reported Effects

    • Adverse effects of aspartame have been reported to include convulsions and fits, Alzheimer's, ALS (also known a Lou Gehrig's Disease), memory loss, problems with hormones, multiple sclerosis, losses in hearing, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, dementia, brain lesions and neuro-endocrine disorders. Risks to pregnant women, infants and children were emphasized by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology when they recommended that these groups of people avoid aspartame use entirely.

    FDA Status of Aspartame

    • Approved for dry foods in 1974 and for liquid foods in 1981, aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar. Much smaller quantities of aspartame are required for sweetening than would be required if sugar were used. Although the FDA acknowledges that aspartame is is converted in the body in to methanol, formaldehyde and formate, the FDA considers the levels of the toxins produced by aspartame to be safe. The FDA also acknowledges that phenylalanine and aspartac acid can cause neurotoxic effects in certain people; however, they found that the number of people potentially affected by aspartame was so small as to not warrant limitations on it.

    Studies Refuting Adverse Health Claims

    • Studies funded by companies engaged in producing aspartame have refuted evidence of neurological damage and other health problems. A report funded by Ajinomoto Company, Inc, a manufacturer of aspartame, and published in "Critical Reviews in Toxicology" found "...no credible evidence that aspartame is carcinogenic or neurotoxic or has any other adverse effects when consumed even at very high levels."

    Aspartame Approval Controversy

    • Although aspartame was approved by the FDA, the veracity of the documents presented for FDA approval came into question. An FDA review board found that the G. D. Searle Company showed "...disregard for FDA's mission of protection of the public health by selectively reporting the results of studies in a manner which allays the concerns of questions of an FDA reviewer." In 1977, the FDA Chief Council recommended a grand jury investigation of Searle for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and of the False Reports to Government Act. In addition, the FDA wanted Searle investigated for "...concealing material facts and making false statements in reports of animal studies conducted to establish the safety of aspartame."

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