That’s All, Folks!

Choosing a topic to blog on started off as a frustrating thing for me. I wanted to blog about something that would help educate others and myself. At first I wanted to write about the myths of healthy eating, but there are SO many different topics to write about regarding that subject. I thought it would be more effective to write about something more specific so that people can get the detail they are looking for.

Through researching healthy eating I learned that it is a very controversial subject. Yes, there are the black and white foods that are obviously healthy or unhealthy, but there are so many others that people are unsure of. Some are convinced that a product is healthy, while others are convinced otherwise. There are facts to back up both sides of the argument, making it hard to decipher what to believe.

Aspartame is a good example of one of those products. and I chose to blog about it because I truly believe that aspartame is harmful.  Although there are two sides to the research I believe that the people’s concerns and complaints about aspartame are credible because sales of the product have no effect on them; they are just concerned with their personal well-being. While the FDA, on the other hand, has everything to lose. I believe that Aspartame is a huge concern in people’s diets and something has to be done about it.

I hope my blog will reach out to enough people to make a difference. Please, spread the word about aspartame and take control of your health! Don’t let the FDA profit off of deceiving you!

*Make The Healthier Choice

It might be hard for people watching their weight (who have a sweet tooth) to completely cut sweeteners out, so they may feel trapped. You might be thinking, “Well… I need something sweet, but I don’t want to rack up my calories and use real sugar.” Don’t give in to the artificial sweeteners! They won’t help you maintain your weight and they will cause harm to your body. Instead, there is another 0 calorie option that is completely natural! It is called Stevia. Here’s a little information about it I found off of the website http://wellnesswithrose.com/articles/sweetener.html:

 

What if I told you there was an ALL NATURAL sweetener that was: 200 to 300 times sweeter than regular white table sugar
- Had NO calories
- Safe for children
- Suitable for diabetics
- Doesn’t cause cavities
- Is widely available in supermarkets and health food stores across the country
- Heat stable, so you could cook and bake with it
- Has liquid and powder forms- mixes well in cold beverages
- A great alternative to man-made sweeteners
- Already used in many countries all around the world

Well this amazing no-calorie sweetener is called Stevia, and is just beginning to get noticed in the United States. It’s been used in Japan for nearly two decades.

So here’s the sweetener packet breakdown…

Pink Packets: NutraSweet- artificial, chemical based, linked to cancer, not safe for children


Blue packets: Equal- contains aspartame which is a neurotoxin, artificial, chemical based, linked to cancer, not safe for children


Yellow packets: Splenda- artificial, chlorine added to sugar molecules, many reported side effects


White packets: refined sugar- processed, causes weight gain, causes tooth decay, caused fatigue 


Brown packets: raw sugar- some minerals and nutritional value left, better choice than white sugar


Green packets: Stevia- all natural, no calories, safe for children, safe for diabetics

Are you starting to see a trend here? The more we humans go in and try to improve on nature, mess around with the molecules, and process things so they’ll have a longer shelve life, the worse it is for you. Food in its most natural form is the best for you, and actually helps to fight cancer many times, unlike many artificial foods which have been shown to cause cancer.

 

So there’s a little educational breakdown for you if you feel lost when it comes to picking from the sugar packets on the table. I’ve tried Stevia and it is VERY sweet. My problem is I usually underestimate it’s sweetness and put too much in! So test it out and see what works best with you. To be honest, the taste is slightly different from sugar. But once you get used to it, sweet is sweet and you will be happy with making a healthier decision. 

Sneaky Chewing Gum

Today was a bit of an eye-opener. Dozing off in class, I popped a piece of gum in my mouth to keep me alert. To distract me from my boredom, I spent some time studying my pack of gum.  And… *GASP*… aspartame was a part of the ingredients! Someone like me, who is fully aware and against aspartame, is consuming it! I always make sure not to consume diet beverages or anything else that might contain aspartame, but clearly that is not enough. Just because it doesn’t have Splenda or No Sugar Added popping out in the label does not mean that it doesn’t contain aspartame.

I chew Orbit gum on a regular basis, and even though I’ve been writing about the fact that many kinds of gum contain aspartame, I never thought that the gum I chew would have it! The fine print “sugar-free” on the package is easily overlooked. They emphasize that it is dentist recommended for your teeth because it is sugar-free… they don’t, however, mention what they have replaced the sugar with. That answer is in the fine-print ingredients on the back of the package. ASPARTAME!

This angers me. Even the people who know about aspartame’s dangers are still being tricked into consuming it. If only the FDA would ban aspartame, then we wouldn’t have to worry about it. So many products are putting it in their foods because it will reduce the calorie count, something that is very commonly looked at when making purchase decisions. If people could only know about the dangers this artificial sweetener is causing to their bodies maybe they would be willing to consume those few extra calories, or opt for healthier choices. 

*Diet Coke… But Wait! There’s More!

Check this advertisement for Diet Coke Plus out:

What a genius idea! People are worried about the health concerns of drinking diet coke, so lets just throw in a few vitamins and call it healthy! In their defense, maybe you are getting a few extra vitamins here and there from drinking this… but come on, lets be real. Diet Coke? To get your vitamin fix? Now that makes me laugh. 

The sad thing about this is people actually buy into this stuff! The added vitamins distract consumers who may have had second thoughts about consuming diet coke. I’m sure they won’t think twice about drinking it, or drinking too much, because they are getting vitamins from it. Here are the real health facts of the product:

Ingredients: Carbonated water, magnesium sulfate, caramel color, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate, aspartame, natural flavors, ace-k, zin gluconate, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12   Nutrition Facts: Serving size: 8 fl oz; Servings per container: 2.5; Calories: 0; Total fat: 0g; Sodium: 30mg; Total carbs: 0g; Protein: 0g; Niacin: 15%; Vitamin B6: 15%; Vitamin B12: 15%; Magnesium: 10%; Zinc: 10%

 

 

Mwahaha! This cartoon is titled “Diet Coke, You Are Insulting My Intelligence.” I love it. At least someone has enough sense to see through Diet Coke’s marketing tactics. 

“Light” Does Not Mean Healthy

Watch this short documentary discovering the truth about aspartame!

The people who made this film did an interesting experiment. They approached random people on the streets with two different beverages in their hand, one being the “light” version of the other. The people were asked which beverage they would choose as a healthier option, and 70% chose the light beverage. There are still so many people who have no idea about the dangers of aspartame. Even if they have heard of it, it is often very hard to tell when products contain aspartame. In so many products, it will say “no sugar added!” so people reach for it, thinking they are making a healthy choice.

In another one of their experiments, they followed someone’s diet for one day. The aspartame use in his diet consisted of eating a light yogurt for breakfast, chewing a few pieces of sugar free gum, and drinking 3 cans of diet coke. That alone exceeds the FDA’s recommended daily serving of aspartame, meaning this person is likely to be in danger of aspartame poisoning.

The documentary also included something that I haven’t heard much of through my research. Going out and drinking at night can result in large consumption of aspartame. Many people choose to use diet sodas in mixed drinks to consume less calories throughout the night. From my personal experience as a 21-year-old female, my girlfriends and I will consume 4 mixed drinks on average in one night of partying. That’s roughly 4 diet sodas in a 3 hour time period! And that is just one night. I am not a big drinker, so I have a low tolerance and don’t need to consume as much. But what about those people who go out multiple nights a week? The more often one drinks, the larger quantity of alcohol they will need to consume to reach the desired effect. And think of how much aspartame that would be?! Bad idea. 

 

*Strap On Your Chemical Goggles

At this point, I can’t imagine why anyone would still believe that aspartame is anything but harmful to the body. However, if you need any more convincing, here are a few interesting things I found on the Internet.

The company has made a fortune off aspartame, at the expense of those who purchase and consume it, and at the hazard of those who actually do the work of producing and handling it. The Material Safety Data Sheet on aspartame (CAS# 22839-47-0) says that to work with the sweetener, one should wear chemical goggles, protective gloves to prevent skin exposure, a chemical apron and a NIOS/MSHA approved air purifying dust or mist respirator.16 Whatever else one may say about refined white sugar, at least one doesn’t have to wear chemical goggles to work with it! (http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/sugarfree_blues.html)

I don’t understand how people feel ok about putting something so toxic into their bodies. Despite the fact that the product is FDA approved, anything that involves these safety precautions for its production has got to be questionable. What ever happened to all natural products being a dieters choice? There are other low calorie sweetener options such as Stevia or Agave Nectar, for example, which are completely natural and unprocessed. The FDA excuses some of the proposed dangers of aspartame because they say the ingredients found in it are naturally found in many other foods we consume. This is the part they left out:

The dismissal of phenylalanine and aspartic acid as significant health hazards is a dangerous bit of sleight of hand. According to Dr. Lydon, “Phenylalanine and aspartic acid are amino acids that are normally supplied by the foods we eat; however, they can only be considered natural and harmless when consumed in combination with other amino acids. On their own, they enter the central nervous system in abnormally high concentrations, causing aberrant neuronal firing and potential cell death. The neurotoxic effects of these amino acids, when consumed as isolates, can be linked to headaches, mental confusion, balance problems and possibly seizures.” (http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/sugarfree_blues.html)

The FDA seems to have an explanation for most of the complaints regarding aspartame. Well, guess what? The FDA is a great businessman, but a horrible friend. They say just enough to keep the consumer satisfied and comforted, but they leave a lot out. That is why you should listen to your true friends: the ones who aren’t profiting off of the things they are telling you.

*Lets See Some Change

The information is all out there: aspartame is harmful to your body. Some people choose to believe it, some people choose to ignore it, and some people are simply unaware of it. The real issue is, how can we change it? Raising awareness is extremely important as a beginning stage, but it must go well beyond awareness to truly make a difference. The more people that know about the dangers of aspartame, the more action should be taken. 

Speaking of change, there have been articles written by Obama supporters with hopes for him to appoint a new FDA commissioner that will ban the use of aspartame in products. As said by Steven Fox (http://www.opednews.com/articles/Stephen-Fox-Anti-Aspartam-by-Stephen-Fox-080902-750.html),

“My main hope tonight is that ALL Obama supporters can get off of aspartame, if there are any who are, since it is metabolized as Methanol and Formaldehyde, and that Obama supporters will use their influence to carry through after the election to get a real consumer protectionist appointed as FDA Commissioner.”

“My own personal nomination and hope would be for Dr. Howard Dean, M.D., to take such a position, or as US Secretary of Health, to whom the FDA Commissioner reports.”

Although we can go about change despite the FDA, the most effective way would be going through them. That, however, is much easier said than done. Considering the thousands of complaints by consumers that have been ignored by the FDA, our best bet is to get the right commissioner appointed who has consumer’s best health interests in mind. A new FDA commissioner is to be appointed coming the New Year, so now is our chance to take action toward the change we want to see. 

 

Sweet Misery

As mentioned by Larry Wilson in his interview, the documentary film, “Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World,” is a great informational source to learn about aspartame. Written and directed by Cori Brackett and J.T. Waldron, the film documents Brackett’s personal experience with aspartame poisoning, and her long journey of finding the evidence of her case to help educate others.  As said on imdb.com: “After 7000 miles, and 25 hours of footage, “Sweet Misery” will reveal one of the most pervasive, insidious forms of corporate negligence since tobacco.” Here is the trailer:

*Just Ask!

I had the chance to do a phone interview with Dr. Larry Wilson, a homeopathic doctor who has written numerous articles on the dangers of aspartame. For more information, visit his website at drlwilson.com.

 

When did you learn about the dangers of aspartame?

Around 1984 when it was just coming in to the market and being researched at ASU. An article on it was written up in the New Times (local paper in Phoenix) and he was shocked to find out that the experiments to determine aspartame’s safety resulted in the test rats dying and they continued to say it was safe. There were many other problems in the rats such as tumors developing, but the problems were overlooked and aspartame was approved. 

 

Have you ever been an aspartame user?

Never- he tries to practice what he preaches.

 

Have you ever diagnosed any of your clients with aspartame poisoning?

Yes, he has certainly suggested that their symptoms are similar to aspartame poisoning. There is no way of knowing exactly, so he doesn’t technically diagnose, but he has been able to identify aspartame side effects and suggest cutting it out of patients diets. The results of this have always been positive. People notice a change very soon after stopping.

 

Why do you think the FDA is trying to keep aspartame on the market?

Because it is very profitable for many companies. They make several billion dollars a year off of aspartame. There are thousands of foods that use them and they influence the FDA. It has been reported that over 50% of scientists in the FDA make money off of the drug companies. There are over 5,000 products that use aspartame so they don’t want anything to get in the way of that.

 

What do you think is the most effective way to get the word out to people about aspartame?

A combination of ways- the internet, bloging, articles, shows on the radio or television, writing articles in books, talking to politicians and influential people, getting money from health oriented foundations to talk about it, pray, and tell your friends. Spread the word!

 

 Aspartame safety appears to be a controversial subject- why should people believe someone like you as opposed to the FDA?

The FDA has received thousands of complaints about aspartame. The FDA has a record of going along with questionable foods and not listening to the people. We have to be skeptical of the FDA. There are independent evaluation groups, books and DVD’s about aspartame (Sweet Misery) where there were investigations. Independent people don’t have an agenda- they are just people who want the truth. The FDA is a very political organization. The book “The History of a Crime” written by Harvey Wyley (the first head of the FDA) gives great insider information of the corruption of the FDA. It doesn’t help the people it helps the special interest. You cannot trust them.

 

There is talk that Obama will appoint a new FDA director and finally put an end to aspartame. Do you believe this?

Any president can have a big influence, however, the Democratic Party has a history of wanting more FDA power. Anything is possible, but I wouldn’t count on it. 

Aspartame is said to be safe if you use a limited amount. Some people choose to continue to use it, even after they know of the dangers, because they think that a little is harmless. What is your opinion on this?

Some people are more sensitive than others to chemicals and may feel very sick after any amount is consumed. Your body may be able to handle a little bit of anything, even with poisons. The trouble is, you don’t know how much your body can get away with. Many people don’t even know when they are consuming aspartame. There is no way you can tell- you may be consuming a lot more than you think. Why would you want to put something poisonous into your body?

 

Is there anything else that you think is important for people to know?

Read the book Excitotoxins- The Taste That Kills by R. Dlaylock. It is a full book including research on aspartame. Watch the movie “Sweet Misery.” People need to evaluate this issue for themselves and they need to learn to not always trust the FDA.

*Who To Believe?

Throughout my research on the dangers of aspartame, I have visited many different websites to look at both sides of the matter. For someone who doesn’t have a strong belief one way or the other, it may be difficult to find the answers. There are many sources coming from those who are in full support of aspartame and its safety, and others that are dying to spread the word of its dangers.

From what I have gathered, though, the people who back aspartame are all in some way linked to the company and its sales. So of course they will find all of the evidence possible so that aspartame will live on! Those documenting against it, however, consist of victims of the negative effects of the sweetener, natural healing doctors, and everyday consumers who have opened their eyes to this issue.

Those of you with doubts, who is to believe? The company that distributes the product (who very likely may not even be a user), or the everyday consumer (who has suffered from the harmful side effects)?

I visited the website http://www.presidiotex.com/aspartame/ to learn more about aspartame consumers. This website is an aspartame victims support group. It is a place where people who have suffered from aspartame poisoning are able to share their stories, research more information on aspartame and access other informational websites. This website appeals to me in my mission to spread the word about aspartame because it is a place where actual victims share their personal stories. So many other websites refer to one or two of the same publicized aspartame poisoning stories, and I believe that the more personal experiences readers are let in on the more they will be able to connect with the reality of the situation. I encourage you to visit this website and read all of the personal stories. Here is an exert that I took from one:

The symptoms…I began having blurred vision (sometimes having to pull over while driving almost causing accidents), light spots before my eyes like someone just took a picture, severe hypoglycemic symptoms- I eat 3 meals a day, it got so bad that I couldn’t last 3 hours between meals without blurred vision, slurring of words, I felt mentally retarded, and almost blacked out in public trying to get to some food.  I could no longer work out, I was so fatigued and the dizziness increased when I exercised along with a strange throbbing pressure in my head. I went to the Joscelyn Diabetes clinic in Boston got checked for Hypoglycemia and they ruled out everything and were puzzled by my symptoms!

And after she learned about aspartame poisoning…

I quit all the products, drank lots of water and amazingly felt 100 times better! the Hypoglycemic symptoms..gone, dizziness, blurred vision, flashes of lights, pressure in head were all gone. Anxiety/panic attacks..gone, PMS hardly noticeable, and my periods came back soon and have been regular ever since even with workouts!! The fatigue… history, as well. I felt more mentally alert, too. I finally felt like myself again!