Aspartame Poisoning Shannon Vanhorn Communications 360

4BrainCampaign ›Organizer: Tarah Cleveland ›Editors: Megan Trautman Marisa Meyer-Klubben ›Communicator: Joanna Garcia “Staying COMM, Cool, & Collected”

›What is aspartame? –Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used to replace sugar ›Contains aspartic acid and phenylalanine – Was approved for use in foods by the FDA in 1981, despite knowledge of health risks that can be associated by overuse of the substance – Used in close to 6000 foods in American grocery stores today ›What is aspartame poisoning? –Aspartame poisoning is shock that occurs in the body created by overuse of aspartame ›Although rare, aspartame poisoning can lead to scary side effects – Physical, neurological, gastrointestinal, and psychological effects have been observed in people suffering from aspartame poisoning Introduction to Aspartame (Smith, 1981)

A scientist named John Olney opposed the FDA commissioner that approved aspartame despite the risks that were presented to them. Olney presented a study with lab rats that were given aspartame. “In the other study, a group of 320 rats exposed to aspartame experienced 12 brain tumors, while the control had only one tumor—a disparity that my intuitively interesting but that all parties agree is not statistically significant.” Since these findings were not significant enough in the studies, aspartame was allowed to be approved to be added to many different kinds of foods that we eat today. History of Aspartame Poisoning (Smith, 1981)

Aspartame is found in about 6000 products worldwide. This seems shocking, but perhaps what is more shocking is that aspartame is found in foods we consider to be healthy such as fruits and vegetables. However, fruits and vegetables contain very low amounts of aspartame when compared with carbonated beverages or sugar-free candies. Foods that Contain Aspartame (“Aspartame,” p. 2)

Breath Mints Carbonated Soft Drinks Cereals Chewing Gum Flavored Syrups for Coffee Flavored Water Products Frozen Ice Frozen Ice Cream Novelties Fruit Spreads Gelatin (sugar-free) Hard Candies Ice Cream Toppings Ice Cream (sugar-free) Iced Tea (power or ready-to- drink) Instant Cocoa Mix Jams & Jellies Juice Blends Foods that Contain Aspartame ("Consumer Products.“, 2014)

Juice Drinks Maple Syrups Meal Replacements Mousse Pies (sugar-free) Non-Carbonated Diet Soft Drinks Nutrition Bars Powdered Soft Drinks Protein Nutritional Drinks Pudding Soft Candy Chews Chocolate Syrup (sugar-free) Cookies (sugar-free) Ketchup (sugar-free) Table Top Sweeteners Vegetable Drinks Yogurt (fat-free, sugar-free, drinkable) Foods that Contain Aspartame ("Consumer Products.“, 2014)

›According to the American Cancer Society (2014), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulated the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of aspartame to 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. ›This means that an adult that weighs 165 pounds (75 kilograms) could consume 3,750 milligrams of aspartame per day. ›So… –A 12 oz. can of diet soda contains 192 milligrams of aspartame –(A 165 pound person would have to consume 19 cans of diet soda to go over his/her ADI.) –A packet of sweetener contains 35 milligrams of aspartame –(A 165 pound person would have to consume 107 packets of sweetener to go over his/her ADI.) Food Regulation ("Aspartame: How Is Aspartame Regulated?“, 2014)

›The ADI is quite high, considering someone that weighs 105 pounds would have to drink 12 cans of diet soda or a person 165 pounds would have to drink 19 cans of diet soda. ›That is a lot of diet soda in one day, and no person would likely ever consume that much aspartame. ›This means that in a single day you would not notice the harmful effects that aspartame has on your body. Summary

›How does aspartame affect the body? ›The symptoms of aspartame affect the body in many different ways – May cause immediate weight gain – May keep a person overweight even if they try to lose weight (if they continue to use and abuse aspartame) ›What are the side affects of aspartame poisoning? –Symptoms can manifest themselves in several different ways ›Physical ›Psychiatric or psychological ›Gastrointestinal ›Neurological (See slides for a specific list in each area effected by aspartame) Aspartame and its Effects of the Body (Mercola, 2011)

1. Aspartame was discovered unintentionally in 1965 when James Schlatter, a G.D. Searle Company chemist, was testing an anti-ulcer drug. 2. Aspartame accounts for over 75% of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. 3. Aspartame is 40% aspartic acid, which may be harmful to human health. It can cause a myriad of symptoms, but the most serious include neurological disorders. 4. Aspartame consists of 10% wood alcohol/poison yet it is still added to the foods people eat. 5. Aspartame was approved for use in soft drinks in Interesting Facts (Mercola, 2011)

There are 92 health symptoms that were reported from aspartame consumption, according to the Food and Drug Administration (2014). The symptoms that have affected individuals from aspartame poisoning include physical, neurological, gastrointestinal, and psychological/psychiatric symptoms (Food and Drug Administration, 2014). Signs and Symptoms of Aspartame Poisoning (Reported Aspartame Toxicity Effects, 2002)

Physical Symptoms ›Decreased vision ›Intense itching ›Lip or mouth swelling ›Hearing loss ›Ear buzzing ›Rash ›Hives ›Increased weight ›Numbness ›Chest pain ›Muscle tremors ›Changes in skin and nail coloration ›Dental problems ›Eczema Signs and Symptoms of Aspartame Poisoning (Guthrie, 2002)

Neurological Symptoms ›Headaches ›Mood alterations ›Insomnia ›Dizziness ›Fatigue ›Migraines ›Confusion ›Memory Loss ›Severe Drowsiness and sleepiness ›Slurring of speech ›Personality changes ›Weakness Signs and Symptoms of Aspartame Poisoning (Guthrie, 2002)

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ›Nausea ›Diarrhea ›Vomiting ›Seizures ›Fainting ›Upset stomach ›Painful swallowing Signs and Symptoms of Aspartame Poisoning (Guthrie, 2002)

Psychological Symptoms ›Depression ›Aggression ›Anxiety ›Personality changes ›Phobias ›Birth defects ›Irritability ›Suicidal behaviors Signs and Symptoms of Aspartame Poisoning (Guthrie, 2002)

It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to an entire year to recover from aspartame poisoning, depending on the duration of an individual’s the chemical use. RECOVERY ›Eliminate the products that contain aspartame (i.e. soft drinks, over-the- counter drugs, candy, coffee, frozen desserts, sugar free gum). ›Read labels and avoid as much aspartame consumption as possible. ›Stop the use of artificial sweeteners. ›Detox the body (consider using Aspartame Detoxification Program). Treatment for Aspartame Poisoning (Aspartame Poisoning, 2014)

Aspartame Detoxification Program 1.Read labels and remove any products containing aspartame from the diet. 2.Record changes and/or improvements in health. 3.Submit hair samples for analysis and detection of toxins in the body. 4.Be happy and enjoy feeling better. 5.Detoxify and eliminate aspartame and its by-products from the body. 6.Replace deficient nutrients in the diet. 7.Exercise regularly, rest and recover. 8.Aim for 75% raw food consumption at every meal. 9.Hydrate and drink water throughout the day. Treatment for Aspartame Poisoning (Aspartame Poisoning, 2014)

VCSU Student, Faculty, & Staff Aspartame Intake Aspartame Research

›82 people completed the survey… ›The average time the survey took to complete was 4 minutes. ›Between 11% and 14% of people completed the open response questions. ›97.67% of people completed the entire first question about daily aspartame consumption. ›88.37% of people completed the second question on the survey regarding weekly aspartame consumption. VCSU Student, Faculty, Staff Survey

Here is what we asked…

Please indicate any other foods that you consume on a daily basis / that contain aspartic acid and phenylalanine. P1: “Meal replacements” P2: “Fruit Spreads” P3: “I did an information speech on this competitively back in 1999 so I have always watched out for these products. I drink real sugar soft drinks and in my protein drinks I make sure it is of the lowest levels as possible.” P4: “Maple syrup” P5: “I have vegetables every day, along with fruit at least once or twice a week.” Responses

›Table top sweeteners, gelatin/pudding, and hot chocolate mix were the three least likely consumed products in a typical day. –This seems interesting especially for college students that are likely to mix sweetener with the abundantly-consumed: coffee. ›Cereal, chewing gum, and juice drinks were the top three most likely consumed (1-3 times) products in a typical day. ›Chewing gum and carbonated soft drinks were the top two most likely consumed (4 or more times) products in a typical day. Analysis

Here is what we asked…

Please indicate any other foods that you consume on a weekly basis that contain aspartic acid and phenylalanine. P1: “Meal replacements” P2: “Vegetables, and fruits.” P3: “jelly” Responses

›Again, consistent with the daily intakes, table top sweeteners, gelatin/pudding, and hot chocolate mix were the three least likely consumed products in a typical week. ›Cereals, mints/hard candies, and juice drinks were the top three most likely consumed (1-3 times) products in a typical week. –Many of the products containing aspartame were in the same range for this module. ›Chewing gum, cereals, and carbonated soft drinks were the top three most likely consumed (4 or more times) products in a typical week. Analysis

Aspartame: –Artificial sweetener (often takes the place of sugar in foods) –Discovered in 1965 by James Schlatter –Approved by FDA in 1981 –6000 foods contain aspartame Aspartame Poisoning: –Body’s reaction to the overuse of aspartame –Physical, neurological, gastrointestinal, and psychological effects –Side effects of aspartame could be life threatening –Treatment usually includes an Aspartame Detoxification Program Conclusion