Aspartame promotes grand mal seizures, say health experts

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Aspartame promotes grand mal seizures, say health experts

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Posted Jun 27, 2005 PT by Dani Veracity

 

A nursing infant developed convulsions after his mother drank an

aspartame-sweetened soft drink. A 19-year-old woman went into grand mal

convulsions within minutes of chewing a piece of aspartame-flavored gum. A small

amount of toxin can push the human body into near-fatal conditions, regardless

of whether the toxin is considered " safe " and sold on grocery and convenience

store shelves around the world. Aspartame, the artificial sweetener that often

flavors sugar-free drinks and foods, has been known to induce convulsions and

grand mal seizures in certain individuals. So why is it still on peoples'

shopping lists?

 

In 1987, scientists and aspartame-sensitive seizure patients made the government

aware of the link between the consumption of aspartame and the onset of seizures

and convulsions, reports Dr. H.J. Roberts in Aspartame (NutraSweet): Is It Safe.

On November 3, 1987, the U.S. Senate held a hearing entitled " 'NutraSweet' --

Health and Safety Concerns. " In this hearing, people from a wide variety of

occupations, including an Air Force pilot, told the Senate about their

aspartame-induced grand mal seizures. These individuals reported that their

seizures disappeared after abstaining from aspartame consumption.

 

By all ethical standards, the testimonials provided during this 1987 hearing --

combined with the strong scientific evidence demonstrating the health dangers of

aspartame -- should have led to the banishment of aspartame-sweetened products

from grocery shelves forever; yet, aspartame products are still abundant in our

grocery stores and restaurants.

 

How aspartame damages human health

Aspartame is a synthetic chemical composed of the amino acids phenylalanine and

aspartic acid. Each time you drink a diet soft drink or chew sugarless gum, you

are feeding unhealthy doses of these amino acids into your system, according to

Dr. James Howenstine in A Physicians Guide to Natural Health Products that Work.

 

These amino acids can bypass the blood-brain barrier, enabling them both to

directly alter your neurological function. Your brain naturally contains

phenylalanine, but phenylalanine in its solitary form without its companion

amino acids is not normally a part of the human diet. Debra Lynn Dadd, author of

Home Safe Home, believes this is where the health problems posed by aspartame

begin. Aspartame consumption provides phenylalanine in excess of your brain's

normal level. According to James A. May in Miracle of Stevia, this state of

excess phenylalanine lowers the seizure threshold, thereby making convulsions

more likely.

 

Researchers know that a raise in brain phenylalanine levels ultimately increases

the risk of seizures. This is true even for people without a history of

non-aspartame induced seizures, such as the Air Force pilot who testified in the

1987 hearing. However, researchers are still debating the exact role of

increased brain phenylalanine levels in inducing seizures. Although many

researchers believe that increased brain phenylalanine levels directly cause

seizures and convulsions, Dr. Blaylock writes in Excitotoxins that it is " more

likely … the direct excitatory effect of the aspartate itself. Phenylalanine may

act to potentiate this irritability. " Regardless of the precise method, the

combined neurological effects of excess phenylalanine and aspartic acid make

aspartame a dangerous ingredient. continues on page 2 ->