Sweetener Manufacturer Disputes . . . New Health Research

[MountainLaurel]

Regarding aspartame and its carcinogenic properties. Funny, but I don't recall reading anything about this in the U.S. press.

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in more than 6,000 food and drink products around the world, is the subject of renewed controversy this week after the results of the latest research into whether it can cause cancer.

Scientists at the independent European Ramazzini Foundation for cancer research in Bologna presented new results from its long-term, large-scale study of the effect of aspartame on 1,800 rats, at its international conference on cancer and environmental sciences in Italy last week.

The research centre said analysis of its latest results showed aspartame caused cancer of the kidney, and of the peripheral nerves, mainly in the head. Earlier data from the same study published in July linked aspartame to an increased risk of leukaemias and lymphomas in female lab rats "at doses very close to the acceptable daily intake for humans".

Manufacturers of the sweetener have challenged the validity of the study. They say the research is "in total conflict with hundreds of credible studies that have been thoroughly reviewed by the regulatory authorities around the world" and that "the allegations are inconsistent with human epidemiological data". They question the record of the institute and say it is "criminal" for it to present its data publicly before it had made it all available to the regulatory authorities and before it had been fully reviewed.

http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,7890,1581641,00.html?gusrc=rss

[derby378]

1. Any peer-reviewed medical journal articles that cover this?

I'm skeptical of some of the claims of aspartame's alleged toxicity - remember that the human liver is a very efficient vacuum cleaner if it's kept healthy, and trace amounts of methanol and formic acid are no match for a healthy liver.

On the other hand, aspartame was invented by Monsanto, the spotless champions of humanitarianism who also brought us Agent Orange and rBGH, so I do not discount the possibility that there may be something wrong with aspartame that Monsanto will do everything in its power to hide, even though they've reportedly sold the rights to a Japanese company.

[MountainLaurel]

3. Yes: From this article

The first results have been published in the foundation's journal, the European Journal of Oncology, and have been peer-reviewed by seven international experts, according to the journal's editorial board. The second results have not yet been peer-reviewed.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. Hate to say it but

Pat Robertson has been talking about the evils of artificial sweetners for years.

Several years ago I suffered sudden hearing loss and was prohibited from using any ototoxic substances (still am). My fundie doctor also advised me not to use artificial sweeteners (including diet colas). He also shared some of the 700 club "research" and coverage of the matter.

[melody]

4. Well, that tears it

Anything Pat's against, I'm solidly for.

He must have a big stake in the sugar industry or something.

[Angry Girl]

6. Donald Rumsfeld pushed aspartame thru FDA

It took I think THREE times to get the panel to agree to let the shit on the market because it was THAT toxic.

Aspartame Gate: When Donald Rumsfeld was CEO of Searle
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2004/05/07/aspartame_gate_when_donald_rumsfeld_was_ceo_of_searle.htm

(Long thread)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3850150

This one too (short)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=117&topic_id=5363

[mark11727]

5. Screw it, I'm switching from DIET soft drinks to WATER from now on...

Or not.

[davidinalameda]

7. I use maybe 8-10 packets of the new stuff a day

and maybe 3 or 4 packets of Sweet N Low a day as well

is this enough to do any damage

[Radio_Lady]

8. Try stevia, a natural sweetener.

Google it to help you learn, and then go to a whole foods marketplace and try it.

I have it in granulated (more of a powder) and liquid (use as drops). If you want information on the distributor, send me a private message.

[Angry Girl]

10. Stevia is all we use anymore too! And it helps control blood sugar!

Amazing plant, used in South America for centuries, if not millenia.
I get mine in powdered extract form (NOW brand) for cheap at my favorite (best prices AND selection) online supplement store, http://www.beyond-a-century.com. It costs less than $10 and lasts for MONTHS!

STEVIA Extract, pure, with >80% glucosylsteviosides and very little licorice-like aftertaste Sold as a dietary supplement for lo-carb diets. Used in South America for centuries, in Japan for decades, stevia again is allowed by the FDA. They say it cannot be sold as a “sweetener, food additive or herb”, only as a “dietary supplement” that happens to be 200-300 times sweeter than sugar! “Bureaucratic thinking” is an oxymoron! Helps lower blood sugar. One recent study showed that stevia suppressed glucose response and increased insulin response in diabetic rats. Heat does not affect it. Serving Size: 1 Level Scoop, containing Stevia Extract Powder (Stevia rebaudiana) (Leaf) 45 mg (min. 80% Glucosylsteviosides). Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1/2 of a 1 level scoop as desired. Stevia rebaudiana can be mixed into hot water to dilute its intensity. Stevia Extract is hypoallergenic and contains no sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg or preservatives. 1 ounce, $7.20 Code 709.5
http://www.easycart.net/BeyondACenturyInc./Sweet_Stuff.html

[Radio_Lady]

11. Check out the book on 82 sensational stevia desserts --

You can find out about it at www.steviadessert.com

Lisa Jobs wrote the book and I'm eager to learn more from her!

[Angry Girl]

13. We've been experimenting with baking

So far it's been touch and go....

Any sites that have stevia recipes for free (starving students here)?

[Radio_Lady]

15. You can see a free recipe for Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies --

Follow the links at:
http://www.healthylifestylepublishing.com/

This book looks like it was self-published and it sells for $19.95. (Although there is no price printed on the book itself.)

[Angry Girl]

9. Sweet 'n Low is saccharin, which is no longer GRAS

Generally Regarded as Safe. The FDA snuck it off the GRAS list in the '70s because it was shown to cause cancer in lab rats, although the doses were very high and thus there was a lot of controversy about it.

[Radio_Lady]

12. What about sucralose? Anybody use that?

[Angry Girl]

14. poison poison poison

I read that there was no long-term testing at all and the tests they did run produced shrunknen thymus glands and enlarged the kidneys and liver.

I know that my husband and I reacted very badly to it. We got addicted to the combo of caffeine and Splenda (Diet Coke, Diet Dr. Pepper, etc.) and when we kicked it, we crashed very hard - depressed for days.... But your mileage may vary.

Here's a link that very anti-sucralose, for what it's worth:

http://www.karlloren.com/Diabetes/p40e.htm

[Name removed]

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