Aspartame Part 1

If you've studied MS, you've probably run into aspartame as one that causes similar symptoms as those of multiple sclerosis. It's an artificial sweetener that was discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter. It wasn't introduced into the food supply until 1980. It's is a non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in many foods and beverages.

Chemically it is a methyl-ester; a phenylalanine/aspartic acid dipeptide. I know that's a mouthful and equally as confusing if you're not a scientist or studying chemistry at the moment. And if you really want to know what all of that means, you can do a google search and find out. Aspartame

One thing you probably need to know is that it breaks down into a substance called phenylalanine. For this reason, people who have PKU or phenylketonuria. This is a rare genetic condition where the body doesn't have enough of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH).

This deficiency causes phenylalanine to accumulate in the body in the form of phenylpyruvate or pheylketone. Doctors can detect this in your urine. The condition can be treated. If it's not treated, brain development can occur, causing mental retardation, brain damage, and seizures.

Aspartame has been said to actually cause many of the common symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. There are medical researchers, activists, and even conspiracy theorists who feel that it isn't safe for us to eat. Even so, the latest medical review said that:

“the weight of existing scientific evidence indicates that aspartame is safe at current levels of consumption as a non-nutritive sweetener.”Magnuson BA, Burdock GA, Doull J (2007).

Where can you find this sweetener? Click here to find out. Go to Part 2.

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