Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure.
According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting aspartame: Brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.
Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. Aspartic acid makes up about 40% of aspartame. It is an amino acid and acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain by facilitating the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate in the brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals, which kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive aspartate is why they are referred to as “excitotoxins.” They “excite” or stimulate the neural cells to death.
The blood brain barrier, which normally protects the brain from excess aspartate as well as toxins, A. is not fully developed during childhood, B. does not fully protect all areas of the brain, C. is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and D. allows seepage of excess aspartate into the brain even when intact. The excess aspartate slowly begins to destroy neurons. The large majority (75% or more) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed.