| Health concerns are mounting about aspartame, | | | | carcinogen. The Ramazzini Foundation's study |
| the artificial sweetener consumed by more than | | | | concluded aspartame caused cancer of the kidney |
| 350 million people worldwide. Data from a long | | | | and peripheral nerves, mainly in the head. Earlier |
| term, large scale animal study released by | | | | data from the same study published in July |
| scientists from the Ramazzini Foundation for | | | | showed aspartame in doses closely equivalent to |
| Cancer Research in Bologna, Italy, strongly link the | | | | the acceptable daily intake for women caused an |
| chemical additive to cancer. This research has | | | | increased risk for leukemia and lymphomas in |
| prompted the European Food Safety Authority to | | | | female lab rats. |
| announce the group will review the research "as a | | | | In addition to concerns about a possible |
| matter of high priority, in the context of previous | | | | aspartame/cancer link, Dr. Block, Medical/Scientific |
| extensive safety data available on aspartame." | | | | Director of the Block Center for Integrative |
| In the U.S., the New Mexico Environmental | | | | Cancer Care and Optimal Health in Evanston, |
| Improvement Board is considering whether it has | | | | Illinois, and a Clinical Professor, Department of |
| statutory authority to ban aspartame in the state | | | | Medical Education, at the University of Illinois |
| due to worries the sweetener could be | | | | College of Medicine at Chicago (UIC), and at the |
| contributing to citizens' health problems. In addition, | | | | Department of Pharmacology, and his colleagues |
| Christine Lydon, MD, a consultant for several of | | | | believe the sweetener may produce a host of |
| the world's largest sports nutrition companies who | | | | distressing symptoms in some people. "Women in |
| has recommended aspartame-containing products | | | | particular have reported neurotoxic reactions to |
| to clients for years, has written an article | | | | aspartame and we have observed that skin |
| published in the October edition of Oxygen | | | | reactions and gastrointestinal symptoms often |
| magazine in which she says a review of the | | | | disappear in patients who stop consuming |
| scientific research on the substance has convinced | | | | aspartame-containing products." |
| her aspartame is a health hazard. "I sat down with | | | | Dr. Block also explains that phenylalanine and |
| a pile of literature two inches thick. After making | | | | aspartic acid, the amino acid components of |
| it through the first 10 pages, I stormed into my | | | | aspartame, are known to stimulate insulin release |
| kitchen and fed every item of food containing | | | | - which could actually sabotage a dieter's effort to |
| aspartame to the garbage," she writes in the | | | | lose weight. " In addition, high insulin levels tend to |
| magazine article. "Since that time, I have not had | | | | amplify the adverse effects of some other |
| so much as a stick of aspartame sweetened | | | | growth factors that could ultimately fuel the |
| gum." | | | | growth and spread of cancers such as colorectal |
| First declared safe and approved by the U.S. Food | | | | cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer," he |
| and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981 for use in | | | | notes. "I think such theoretical links should at least |
| powdered mixes and tabletop sweeteners, by | | | | warrant considering cutting back or eliminating |
| 1996 aspartame was approved for use in all | | | | aspartame containing foods in the diet." |
| foods and beverages. However, Ralph Walton, | | | | What sweetener does Dr. Block recommend? |
| MD, a psychiatry professor at Northeastern Ohio | | | | "There are a variety of natural grain and |
| Universities College of Medicine, analyzed the | | | | plant-derived sweeteners that do not cause a big |
| research. He documented that all of the research | | | | spike in blood sugar. nd fruit can often satisfy a |
| showing no health risks had aspartame | | | | 'sweet tooth' while providing many health |
| industry-linked sponsorship. On the other hand, | | | | benefits," he answers. "I also recommend eating |
| 92% of the independent, non-aspartame industry | | | | smaller meals throughout the day, and eating |
| sponsored studies identified one or more | | | | foods that have a low-glycemic index, such as |
| problems with aspartame. "That's a glaring | | | | corn, peas, and black beans. The body requires |
| disparity," notes Keith I. Block, MD, one of the | | | | more time to break down and absorb these |
| nation's leading cancer specialists, who is | | | | foods, and this leads to a more gradual and |
| editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed journal | | | | moderate rise in blood glucose levels. Much |
| Integrative Cancer Therapies. Dr. Block says he | | | | research suggests that this kind of dietary |
| has been troubled for years by the possibility the | | | | strategy will result in better health and greater |
| sugar substitute may, in fact, be anything but a | | | | longevity - and it is a far healthier way to eat |
| healthy dietary choice. He is particularly concerned | | | | than relying on artificial sweeteners. |
| about the possibility aspartame might be a | | | | |