MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'aspartame'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:09:56 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4605868&cid=t_114351_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Faspartame-toxicity-not.html Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide, sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages usually so that they can be labelled as “lite” or “diet” products. In the European Union, it is coded as E951. Aspartame is a methyl ester of aspartic acid and phenylalanine, two natural components of proteins found in a wide range of foods. Aspartame was first sold under the brand name NutraSweet, was first synthesized in 1965 and its patent expired in 1992. It has been a controversial product and the subject of countless internet hoaxes regarding its safety over the years. You can read about some of these on Snopes. I first wrote about such controversies for my Catalyst column on ChemWeb.com back in the late 1990s. There is no evidence that aspartame used a... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4605868 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:00:45 +0100 4605868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4580955&cid=t_114351_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F14%2Fdiet-coke-and-depression%2F When you are a recovering drunk, you don’t have a ton of options at parties. I used to be an avid Diet Coke drinker. But last summer my sister scared the well you know out of me when she started talking about what aspartame can do to your system. I am chemically sensitive as it is, and many of you are, too, probably — which is why I don’t drink alcohol and gave up smoking. But I was curious if Diet Coke was really that dangerous. I did some research, and as you well know, every paranoia will be confirmed eventually by some article on the web. I found an article about Diet Coke on John McManamy’s website about Diet Coke . What was particularly interesting to me was the relationship between aspartame and depression and bipolar disorder. Says John: In 1993, Dr Walt... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4580955 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:15:06 +0100 4580955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501588&cid=t_114351_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiet-soda-and-your-risk-for-heart-attack-or-stroke%2F2011.02.20 It tastes sweet. It’s pleasurably fizzy. And free of calories. What’s more, the FDA says NutraSweet (aspartame) is safe. So what’s not to like about diet soft drinks? A bunch. The ongoing debate about the healthiness of diet soft drinks reminds me of the old adage, “If something sounds to be true, it probably is.” Artificially-sweetened “diet” drinks get touted as healthy alternatives to sugary drinks because they contain no calories or carbohydrates. On paper it seems plausible to think they are inert, no more dangerous than water. The Coca-Cola Company sublimely strengthens this assertion by putting a big red heart on Diet Coke cans. But diet-cola news (Los Angeles Times) presented at the International Stroke Conference 2011 suggests otherwise. This widely-publ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501588 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:00:45 +0100 4501588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455263&cid=t_114351_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fartificial-sweeteners-and-telling-pregnant-women-in-moderation%2F2011.02.09 I can already tell that this pregnancy is different from my first. When I was pregnant with Little Isis, I drank no caffeine and took no over-the-counter medication. I remember having a few headaches and Mr. Isis fighting with me to take a headache pill. I would then proclaim dramatically, “But I can’t! What if it hurts the baby?!” This morning, now pregnant with my second, I washed down a Zyrtec and two Tylenol with a cup of coffee. The little bugger is going to have to grow up with Little Isis. He might as well start building up his tolerance to exogenous substances at some point. I figure, now that its got a closed neural tube and a beating heart, we might as well begin. Still, you can’t blame a pregnant woman for being a bit neurotic. The feeling that one is solely res... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455263 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:00:01 +0100 4455263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018177&cid=t_114351_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Faspartame-facts-vs-fiction%2F2010.09.30 If you believe everything you read on the Internet, then is seems that a chemical found in thousands of products is causing an epidemic of severe neurological and systemic diseases, like multiple sclerosis and lupus. The FDA, the companies that make the product, and the “medical industrial complex” all know about the dangers of this chemical, but are hiding the truth from the public in order to protect corporate profits and avoid the pesky paper work that would accompany the truth being revealed. The only glimmer of hope is a dedicated band of bloggers and anonymous email chain letter authors who aren’t afraid to speak the truth. Armed with the latest anecdotal evidence, unverified speculation, and scientifically implausible claims, they have been tirelessly ranting about the evils o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018177 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:00:22 +0100 4018177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3761398&cid=t_114351_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F20-cancer-causing-substances%2F photo: Thinkstock A new report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Cancer Institute lists 20 cancer-causers or potential cancer-causers. The list includes formaldehyde, which, if you remember, is one of the substances that aspartame breaks down into. It also includes titanium dioxide, which is still used in paint and sunscreen; propylene oxide, which is found in polyurethane plastics; and diesel exhaust. Even shift work is on the list — remember when we told you about how abnormal work schedules hurt your health? Check out the full list below: Lead and lead compounds Indium phosphide Cobalt with tungsten carbide Titanium dioxide Welding fumes Refractory ceramic fibers Diesel e... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3761398 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:02:57 +0100 3761398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730103&cid=t_114351_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fis-diet-cola-bad-for-alcoholics-addicts%2F Conclusion There seems to be a small proportion of people who are sensitive and have side effects from drinking diet colas and eating foods with the sweetener aspartame. Two groups of people who may be sensitive to aspartame, and ethanol in particular, are alcoholics and drug addicts. Indeed anyone who has abused any drug or medication. For these people will have damaged their bodies and especially the liver and kidneys. Some alcoholics / addicts may also have PKU or an inherited sensitivity to phenylalanine. The Cure? The absolute cure is abstinence from all artificial sweeteners. Now this may be hard as most prepared foods contain some artificial sweeteners. You will need to find your own safe level. Detoxification When you stop using aspartame you may experience some acute withdr... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730103 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:05:59 +0100 3730103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881213&cid=t_114351_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FdFF-8tLHe9A%2F My post on October 10, Aspartame Causing My Wrist Pain?, is purely an anecdotal one. I was musing about the appearance of my pain, use of aspartame, and then the easing of the pain when I stopped using the aspartame. I am not yet an aspartame believer, but John E. Garst, Ph.D. (Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Nutrition), has written a great response to my concerns about aspartame. I was concerned that his comments wouldn’t be seen by many people because it is in the comment section of the aspartame post, so I asked his permission to publish it as a guest post. He kindly agreed so I am offering you his take on aspartame. Thank you Dr. Garst for both taking the time to write your thoughts, as well as provide links, and for allowing me to post his as a guest post post... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881213 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:16:17 +0100 2881213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879463&cid=t_114351_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FgtdvHn_RZAg%2F This is a purely anecdotal post, without peer-reviewed studies to back anything up, but I think it’s an important enough issue to discuss here anyway. I’m a 48-year-old woman with joint pain that goes back many years. It comes and goes in many of my joints, but doesn’t usually last more than a few days – a couple of weeks at the most. My lifestyle isn’t unhealthy, but it could be healthier. I don’t usually drink sodas (soft drinks) or high sugar drinks and I don’t eat a lot of junk – I don’t have the taste for it. But, I also don’t exercise as much as I should and I could eat a few more fruits and vegetables throughout the week. I’m also someone who stresses easily, so this isn’t all that healthy either. But, I’m... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879463 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:25:43 +0100 2879463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306043&cid=t_114351_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Freference-andor-research-questions-for-other-people%2F Things that came up over the course of the last two days, and questions for which I do not know the answers: 1) I’m allergic to “penicillin.” I was given it once as and infant and my mother was instructed that I was not to get penicillin ever again. I do not know which penicillin was administered, only that it would have been around the late 70s. Question: if a person is allergic to one of the penicillins, are they generally allergic to all of them? All beta-lactam antibiotics? 2) I’m 1/4 Korean and afflicted with Asian flush. I also have a bad reaction to aspartame (I’ve mentioned both of these here before). My mom, 1/2 Korean, is similarly affected by aspartame and alcohol. Question: are the two related? Is there some breakdown product of aspartame metabolis... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306043 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:59:03 +0100 2306043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1252849&cid=t_114351_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F240332692%2F Molecular structure of Aspartame  I recently wrote an article on my first hand research experience on the potential carcinogenicity of Aspartame - the artificial sweetener used in thousands of everyday products, particularly diet products. It was titled “Aspartame is safe … really!” One of www.geneticsandhealth.com readers  author Carol Guilford sent me the following interesting link to a piece of research on aspartame carried out by scientist Victoria Inness-Brown.  I cannot comment on the science behind Victoria’s study as I have not investigated it.  However, the results are quite thought provoking. Here is the quoted introduction to Victoria’s research by Carol, followed by the link to Victoria’s results: “In any such study of even a few hun... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1252849 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:59:12 +0100 1252849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825749&cid=t_114351_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F143447825%2F A sugar substitute – aspartame – is used in many food and food products such as soft drinks, instant tea, gelatins, puddings, candy, cookies, pie filling, non-dairy toppings, creamers and ice cream. 200 times sweeter than sugar, aspartame is composed of two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) as the methyl ester.. Can aspartame really cause cancer? Clinical oncology dietitian Dena McDowell, MS, RD answers that very question in a scrutinizing review of aspartame at The Diet Channel. Bottom line is that: Although research is ongoing, products containing aspartame are generally considered to be safe. As long as consumption of aspartame is within the ADI, no chronic health issues should be seen as a result of ingestion. Read all about it at The Diet Channel. Share This (Source: C... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825749 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:00:00 +0100 825749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675427&cid=t_114351_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F15%2Fthought-for-the-day-ditch-the-aspartame%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Non-toxic alternativesI've looked into fake sweeteners for quite some time and it confounds me why some of the beverage products are still on the market when toxic substances like aspartame are contained in them.I've also looked at the argument that aspartame does or does not assist in the development of various cancers. A final decision has been to not eat or drink anything with aspartame just to be safe. In fact, ditching soft drinks (regular and diet) years ago was the best decision I ever made in terms of coming to a cancer-free lifestyle.Think about this:Do you like that Equal of NutraSweet? Have you tried all-natural sweeteners like stevia or agave nectar instead? We all need to eat something sweet, but there are much better alternatives to sweeteners than a... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675427 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 675427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=560285&cid=t_114351_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F22%2Fthought-for-the-day-sweet-news-from-the-fda%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Research, Daily news, Thought for the DayThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has something important to say about the sugar substitute aspartame.Think about this:Italian researchers concluded in 2005 that aspartame causes cancer. But Laura Tarantino of the FDA Office of Food Additive Safety concludes after a review of the study data that the low-calorie sweetener is not a carcinogen. A similar review by the FDA's European counterpart agrees. There is no evidence this substance, used for 25 years to sweeten soda, gum, dairy products, and some medications, causes cancer.Italian researchers say they will release their latest aspartame study results on Monday.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Sour... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=560285 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 560285