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Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound — ed is Francis J. Waickman, M.D., a recipient of the Rinkel and to proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspar- Forman Awards, and board-certified in paediatrics, allergy and tate and glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the immunology. blood plasma shortly after ingesting aspartame or products with Other concerned scientists include John R. Hain, M.D., board- free glutamic acid (glutamate precursor) leads to a high level of certified forensic pathologist, and H. J. Reberts, M.D., F.A.C.P., those neurotransmitters in certain areas of the brain. F.C.C.P., diabetes specialist and selected by a national medical The blood-brain barrier (BBB) which normally protects the —_ publication as "the best doctor in the US". John Samuels is con- brain from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins (1) is | cerned, also, He compiled a list of scientific research sufficient to not fully developed during childhood, (2) does not fully protect all © show the dangers of ingesting excess free glutamic and aspartic areas of the brain, (3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute acid. And there are many more who can be added to this long list. conditions, and (4) allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspar- tate into the brain even when intact. PHENYLALANINE (50% OF ASPARTAME) The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neu- Phenylalanine is an amino acid normally found in the brain. rons. The large majority (75%+) of neural cells in a particular Persons with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) cannot area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a metabolise phenylalanine. This leads to dangerously high levels chronic illness are noticed. of phenylalanine in the brain (sometimes lethal). A few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially~along contributed to by long-term exposure excitatory amino acid dam- _ with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in age include: multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, memory loss, hormon- __ the brain even in persons who do not have PKU. This is not just a al problems, hearing loss, epilepsy, Alzheimer's discase, theory, as many people who have eaten large amounts of aspar- Parkinson's disease, hypoglycaemia, tame over a long period of time and do AIDS dementia, brain lesions and ‘|. not have PKU have been shown to neuroendocrine disorders. have excessive levels of phenylala- The risks to infants, children, The excess glutamate and nine in the blood. ; pregnant women, the elderly and aspartate slowly begin to destroy Excessive levels of phenylalanine persons with certain chronic health , ’ eeery in the brain can cause the levels of problems from excitotoxins are neurons. The large majority seratonin in the brain to decrease, great. Even the Federation of (75% +) of neural cells ina leading to emotional disorders such as American Societies For * é : ae depression. It was shown in human Experimental Biology (FASEB), particular area of the brain are testing that phenylalanine levels of the which usually understates problems killed before any clinical blood were increased significantly in and mimics the FDA party-line, AIRY: human subjects who chronically used recently stated in a review that “it is symptoms of a chronic illness are aspartame.’ Even a single use of prudent to avoid the use of dietary noticed aspartame raised the blood phenylala- supplements of L-glutamic acid by ¥ nine levels. pregnant women, infants, and chil- In his testimony before the US dren. The existence of evidence of Congress, Dr Louis J. Elsas showed potential endocrine responses, i.c., ele- that high blood phenylalanine can be vated cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between _ concentrated in parts of the brain, and is especially dangerous for males and females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and infants and foetuses. He also showed that phenylalanine is that supplemental L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of _ metabolised much more efficiently by rodents than by humans.’ childbearing age and individuals with affective disorders." One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels Aspartic acid from aspartame has the same deleterious effects on | caused by aspartame was recently published in the Wednesday the body as glutamic acid. Journal, in an article entitled "An Aspartame Nightmare". John The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free gluta- | Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symp- mate and aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the toms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He FDA, those reactions include*; headaches/migraines, nausea, began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition abdominal pains, fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and brain), sleep problems, vision problems, anxiety attacks, depres- _ violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood sion and asthma/chest tightness. test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G. D. Searle, the aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.* manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to com- As Blaylock points out in his book, early studies measuring bat memory loss caused by excitatory amino acid damage. phenylalanine buildup in the brain were flawed. Investigators who Blaylock is one of many scientists and physicians who are con- measured specific brain regions and not the average throughout cerned about excitatory amino acid damage caused by ingestion of the brain noticed significant rises in phenylalanine levels. aspartame and MSG. One of the many experts who have spoken Specifically, the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and corpus out against the damage being caused by aspartate and glutamate is striatum areas of the brain had the largest increases in phenylala- Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental psychologist specialis- nine. Blaylock goes on to point out that excessive buildup of ing in research design. Another is Dr John Olney, a professor in _ phenylalanine in the brain can cause schizophrenia or make one the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington _ more susceptible to seizures. University, a neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world’s Therefore, long-term excessive use of aspartame may provide a foremost authorities on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 boost to sales of seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and that aspartic acid caused holes in the brain of mice.) Also includ- drugs to control schizophrenia and seizures. ed is Francis J. Waickman, M.D., a recipient of the Rinkel and Forman Awards, and board-certified in paediatrics, allergy and immunology. Other concerned scientists include John R. Hain, M.D., board- certified forensic pathologist, and H. J. Reberts, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P., diabetes specialist and selected by a national medical publication as "the best doctor in the US". John Samuels is con- cemed, also. He compiled a list of scientific research sufficient to show the dangers of ingesting excess free glutamic and aspartic acid. And there are many more who can be added to this long list. 26 « NEXUS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1995