Artificial non-caloric sweetener aspartame not such a sweet deal
Artificial sweetener aspartame
- Warning! - Not such a sweet deal
This non-caloric sweetener is toxic and does not help you
lose weight
What is aspartame?
Accidently discovered in 1965, this non-nutritive sweetener
(N-L-alpha-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (C14H18N2O5))
is 180-200 times sweeter than sugar. Although it has 4 calories /g
it is used in very small quantities, so is virtually calorie free. Sold as Nutrasweet® in the little blue packets (also contain dextrose
with maltodextrin), Equal original® , Canderel® , Spoonful® ,
Natrtaste blue® and other brands;
Having a somewhat bitter aftertaste, it is added
to: beverages, cereals, yogurt, frozen and gelatin
desserts, candy, sugar-free gum, juices, diet sodas, vitamin
supplements, laxatives and more.
Using aspartame is associated with some serious health issues
Aspartame is a neurotoxin and cancer-promoting
Aspartame is fully metabolized in the intestines.
It
is hydrolyzed to 50% phenylalanine , 40% aspartic acid
(aspartate ), and 10%
methanol .
Phenylalanine blocks the brain's
serotonin and
dopamine
production. After consuming
aspartame, phenylalanine affects transporters in the blood brain barrier (BBB)
blocking the transport of essential amino acids to the brain, necessary for the
synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopaminE and
serotonin in the central nervous
system (CNS).
A neuron and its supporting glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes)
Aspartate, present in excess as a metabolite of aspartame, is neurotoxic
by being a substrate for glutamate. This amino acid is a neurotransmitter used by nerve cells to send signals to other cells.
It is used by every major excitatory function in the brain, accounting for > 90%
of its synaptic connections. Acting on certain receptors, excess glutamate
leads to hyperexcitability of cells, release of free radicals/oxidative stress and
neuronal degeneration. Initially astrocytes
(neuron supporting glial cells) are the protectors of neurons, but
eventually, with an excess of glutamate in the extracellular space, they are
activated and release toxic substances leading to the degeneration of both
neurons and astrocytes.
Excitotoxicity due to excessive glutamate release and
impaired uptake from the extracellular space is associated with stroke, autism, some forms of intellectual
disability, and diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer's disease.
References
at Wikipedia
Methanol contained in aspartame is insufficient to bring about alterations
in the CNS. After consumption of aspartame, methanol is
converted to formaldehyde and then to formic acid. Metabolic acidosis occurs
with the accumulation of formate, which may eventually cause CNS depression,
coma and death from respiratory system paralysis. However, after extensive
evaluation based on metabolism studies,
Butchko et al concluded that it is not possible for a human to ever consume
enough aspartame in products to raise blood formate concentrations.
The latest studies show
that the aspartame metabolite - diketopiperazine contributes to the formation of tumors in the CNS.
E.g. gliomas,
medulloblastomas and meningiomas. Glial cells are the main source of tumors,
which can be caused by the use of the sweetener aspartame, as well as other
substances.
Rycerz et al (2013) Effects of aspartame metabolites on astrocytes and neurons.
Folia neuropathology 51 (1): 10-17
Moderate aspartame use can lead to metabolic syndrome
Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners (NAS) toxic to gut bacteria
increasing risk of prediabetes
Non-nutritive Artificial Sweeteners (NAS) cause weight gain!
Aspartame MUST be avoided by those who have phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder.
