Aspartame is a known trigger for migraine headaches in any medical institution with an online website such as Mayo Clinic or MedicineNet. Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, is found in Nutrasweet, Equal, and diet colas. It can also be found in more than a thousand food products, vitamins and chewing gum. One in three women suffer from headaches due to aspartame, according to studies.
Aspartame
Aspartame has been linked to seizures in some cases. Most of these people experienced severe headaches before they had seizures. Aspartame can also cause depression, insomnia, memory loss, dizziness and nausea, as well as heart palpitations, anxiety attacks. Vertigo, weight gain, seizures, brain tumours, and other symptoms.
Aspartame is more dangerous for people with hypothyroidism and diabetes. I have headaches when I consume aspartame. I am hypoglycemic, and cannot tolerate it at all. About 10% of aspartame gets broken down in the small intestine into methanol. This methanol is then absorbed into the small intestine and converted to formaldehyde.
Scary, huh?
Methanol is also found in fruit juices and alcoholic beverages. However, they contain another substance called ethanol which blocks the conversion of formaldehyde to methanol. This protection is not available to aspartame. Experiments have shown aspartame can cause a buildup of formaldehyde in the brain and kidneys, liver, and other parts of your body. About 40% of aspartame can be broken down into aspartic acids.
Aspartame is absorbed quickly, so it can increase the level of aspartate plasma. An excitotoxin is aspartic acid that can cause nerve cell damage and brain damage. Excitotoxins in high levels can cause neurotoxicity by causing damage to brain areas that are not protected by the bloodbrain barrier. MSG can also contain excitotoxins, which can be combined with aspartame to increase their negative effects on the brain.
Phenylalanine
It is another substance found in aspartame. This amino acid is common in foods. However, aspartame’s phenylalanine is more easily absorbed than natural foods. This can cause blood plasma levels to spike. This can adversely affect the brain’s production of neurotransmitters. Partylphenylalanie-diketopiperazine, another product made from aspartame, may also be harmful to your brain. These are a lot of words.
Scientists are concerned that aspartame’s DKP could cause brain tumors. However, there is very little research on this substance. Here is some information on the political background surrounding the FDA’s approval of aspartame.
Let’s see…
Aspartame was first discovered in 1965. There was much controversy about the health risks it poses to the public. In l980, the FDA Board of Inquiry denied a petition to approve aspartame. In l981, however, Arthur Hull Hayes was appointed as the FDA Commissioner and approved aspartame for dry products. In 1985’s Congressional Record, Donald Rumsfeld, Searle Laboratories CEO, stated that he would do all he could to get aspartame approved. Rumsfeld was a member of President Reagan’s transition team. Hayes was appointed the day after he took office. Aspartame was not approved by any FDA Commissioner during the 16 years prior.
It seems as though aspartame was approved without considering the potential health risks it could pose. I don’t know if you agree, but I believe there is enough evidence about the adverse effects of aspartame. I also think there is sufficient evidence that it is safe to consume.
Conclusion
As I mentioned, I get headaches when I consume aspartame. You might be suffering from migraine headaches if you consume aspartame frequently. You can search the internet for excitotoxins, such as MSG and aspartame. It’s quite scary. I have not touched either of these substances in the last 15 years, at least not knowingly.