The Dangers Of Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners have been around for over one-hundred years, with Saccharin being the first one to have been invented in 1878 by Constantin Fahlberg, and while it was in use as a sugar substitute especially among diabetics, and then used extensively during sugar shortages during World War I, it didn't become popular especially among dieters in the form of Sweet'nLow until the 1960s and 1970s. Saccharin wasn't without its problems, however, for even as far back as 1907, the USDA began investigating the possible health risk factors associated with this sugar substitute, and in later years, there was evidence of cancer connections with the constant use of Saccharin. Then, in 1972, attempts were made to completely ban this sugar substitute, yet it still remains on the market, but now has warnings about its risk factors.
With the controversy over the health risk factors connected with saccharin, manufacturers began scrambling to come up with another artificial sweetener and in 1974, the FDA approved the now very popular Aspartame. With its invention, Aspartame became more popular in use than Saccharin, and was packaged under the names of NutraSweet and Spenda, however, it also wasn't just used to sweeten beverages, such as diet soda, but could be found in over 6,000 products, including carbonated and powdered soft drinks, hot chocolate, chewing gum, candy, desserts, yogurt, and tabletop sweeteners, as well as some pharmaceutical products like vitamins and sugar-free cough drops. (1) The instant popularity of Aspartame in so many sugar-free products was due to the fact that it tasted better, for it did not have the bitter after taste that Saccharin had. And, for awhile, it didn't seem to have any known health risk factors involved. However, now the evidence is becoming more and more apparent, that this sugar substitute has even far worse side effects and can trigger over ninety-two health problems, and not just cancer. There are also indications that instead of helping people, who are diet conscious and who are trying to lose weight, or control blood sugar levels, may actually be hindering themselves from any beneficial effects of being on a sugar-free diet with the constant and continual use of Aspartame. ...."According to an article in Technology Review, "aspartame may actually stimulate appetite and bring on a craving for carbohydrates"(2)
The possibility of gaining weight from the use of Aspartame is nothing compared to the more serious health problems that can arise from the consumption of this sweetener. One of the main reasons for the staggering difference between the health risk factors that Saccharin can create versus Aspartame is due to the fact, that while Saccharin does not break down and therefore is not absorbed into the physiological system, Aspartame does, and can travel throughout the body and deposit within any tissue of the body. (3)
The list of potential health side effects is staggering when one reads the list given on the "Sweet Poison" website. I include the list in its entirety as this is the only way to inform of the serious risk factors involved here:
Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:
Eye
blindness in one or both eyes
decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
pain in one or both eyes decreased tears trouble with contact lenses bulging eyes
Ear
tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound
severe intolerance of noise
marked hearing impairment
Neurologic
epileptic seizures
headaches, migraines and (some severe)
dizziness, unsteadiness, both
confusion, memory loss, both
severe drowsiness and sleepiness
paresthesia or numbness of the limbs
severe slurring of speech
severe hyperactivity and restless legs
atypical facial pain
severe tremors
Psychological/Psychiatric
severe depression
irritability
aggression
anxiety
personality changes
insomnia
phobias
Chest
palpitations, tachycardia
shortness of breath
recent high blood pressure
Gastrointestinal
nausea
diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools
abdominal pain
pain when swallowing
Skin and Allergies
itching without a rash
lip and mouth reactions
hives
aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma
Endocrine and Metabolic
loss of control of diabetes
menstrual changes
marked thinning or loss of hair
marked weight loss
gradual weight gain
aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
severe PMS
Other
frequency of voiding and burning during urination
excessive thirst, fluid retention, leg swelling, and bloating
increased susceptibility to infection
Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all
death
irreversible brain damage
birth defects, including mental retardation
peptic ulcers
aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets
hyperactivity in children
severe depression
aggressive behavior
suicidal tendencies
Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-Barr
Post-Polio Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Grave's Disease
Meniere's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
ALS
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
EMS
Hypothyroidism
Mercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillings
Fibromyalgia
Lupus
non-Hodgkins
Lymphoma
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
These are not allergies or sensitivities, but diseases and disease syndromes. Aspartame poisoning is commonly misdiagnosed because aspartame symptoms mock textbook 'disease' symptoms, such as Grave's Disease.
Aspartame changes the ratio of amino acids in the blood, blocking or lowering the levels of serotonin, tyrosine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. Therefore, it is typical that aspartame symptoms cannot be detected in lab tests and on x-rays. Textbook disorders and diseases may actually be a toxic load as a result of aspartame poisoning. (4)
There is a very tragic story involved of how a young little girl was unknowingly suffering from Aspartame poisoning. To the girl's doctor, her symptoms indicated nothing more than a severe ear infection and was simply given antibiotics. But her symptoms didn't fade nor become better, if anything, they became worse. No one, including her physician could figure out what was causing all the serious health problems this girl was undergoing and why. It was later discovered that the culprit was the chewable vitamins she had been taking. They hadn't been labeled as being sugar-free, yet had Aspartame in them. I include this article for you to read as part of my sources.(5)
What I would like to know is why, with the ever growing evidence of how dangerous this "simple" little sweetener is, that is found in so many of our products, that there hasn't been any government intervention to pull this hazardous and deadly product off the market. It's my hope that by writing this article, I will have succeeded in at least having more people become aware of the dangers of consuming anything with Aspartame in it.
Sources To Read More On The Subject of Artificial Sweeteners:
History of Saccharin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharin
Aspartame Side Effects
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/aspartame-side-effects-include-cancer.html
Weight Gain And Aspartame
http://www.sweetpoison.com
Sources cited: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/aspartame-side-effects-include-cancer.html (1)
http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html (3), (4)
http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-case-histories.html (5)
http://www.mercola.com/article/aspartame/weight_gain_myth.htm (2)
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