Dr. Blaylock’s 1999 letter to Minneapolis Neuropathy Association

February 10, l999

Minneapolis Neuropathy Association
Mr. Al Porte
P. O. Box 14901
Minneapolis, Mn 55414

Dear Mr. Porte:

I was asked to write to you about my concerns regarding the sweeteneraspartame, especially as regards neurological disorders. As you mayknow, complaints against aspartame constitute 75% of all additiverelated complaints relayed to the FDA department of consumer complaints.Until recently, these were merely written off as anecdotal observationsof little scientific validity. But recent findings have shed some lighton this elusive compound and its deleterious effects of the humanpopulation .

Aspartame an L aspartyl L phenylalanine methyl ester, is composed oftwo amino acids, aspartate and phenylalanine, linked by methanol.Inside the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stomach it is broken down into its constitutent components . In some instances thedipeptide is lysed within the cells of the gut. As a consequence themethanol is rapidly absored and distributed throughout the tissues ofthe body. Within the tissues substantial amounts of methanol’s twometabolic breakdown products (formaldehyde and formic acid) have beenshown to accumulate in many tissues.”

These breakdown products, formaldehyde and formic acid, have beenshown in several important studies, to be extremely toxic to tissues invery small doses. In fact, even small doses of formaldehyde areconsidered to be carcinogenic. A recent study by Trocho, Pardo and co-workers, have demonstrated that following aspartame ingestion,significant amounts of formaldehyde accumulate in the tissues.Formaldehyde is known to bind strongly to proteins and nucleic acids ,forming adducts that are extremely difficult to eliminate through normalmetabolic pathways.”

In this study, they demonstrated that labeled methanol (as formaldehyde)accumulated in high concentrations in the liver (50%) and in lower, butsubstantial, concentrations in the kidney, adipose tissue, brain andretina. Within the cell, they found large amounts located within theDNA. It was interesting to note ethat these doses were lower than thatused in toxicity studies. Previous studies have shown that very highdoses of aspartame may not cause acute symptomatology. This studyindicates that the damage may necessitate longer periods of time tomanifest itself, and that the eventual effects can be quite deleterius.

The doses used were within those recommended by the FDA as ADI forhumans. This is especially of conern in children who may consume dosesof aspartame as high as 75 to 90mg/kg. It is also important to notethat in this study, the formaldehyde was accumulative as were its injuryto cellular proteins and DNA. In the real life situation, humans areexposed to repeated doses of aspartame found in many foods, drinks,medicines and chewing gum.

An earlier study by Shephard and co -workers, it was found thataspartame is nitrosated within the gut and that this nitrosation of theamine group is “quite cytotoxic” and represents a moderately strongmutagen in the Ames test.

Another recent study, by Sorg, Willis and co-workers is also alarming.In this study, it was found that prolonged exposure to lowconcenetrations of formaldehyde could cause chemical sensitization tococaine, via a limbic mechanism. With increasing reports of multiplechemical sensitivity syndrome, one must be concerned about chronic lowdose formaldehyde exposure via aspartame.”

In addition, a l997 study found that macrophages exposed to aspartameproduces a threefold rise in leukotriene (B4, C 4 and 15hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) and arachidonic acid metabolites. Thiswould be detrimental to patients having autoimmune disorders such aslupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinically, thereis some evidence for worsening of two of the three conditions (MS andLupus) by aspartame use.

Finally, in the diabetic, great concern must be expressed about thedanger of toxin damage to already weakened peripheral nerves in thediabetic situation. With the buildup of accumulated concentrations offormaldehyde and formic acid in nervous tissue, long term damage anddrapid progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is almost a given.We know that all of the components of aspartame are neurotoxic as wellas most of its breakdown products, such as diketopiperazine,phenylethalamine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol(formaldehyde and formic acid) Aspartic acid is a known excitotoxin andin the body is converted to glutamic acid, an even more poewrfulexcitotoxin. Experimentally, the same widespread brain lesions producedby MSG exposure can be produced by high dose aspartame exposure.

It is my opinion, and the opinion of many others, that aspartame is adangerous neurotoxin and its use should be discouraged generally, butespecially so in those harboring neurological diseases.

Sincerely yours,
Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.

References:

1. Shephard SE, Wakabayashi K and Nagao M. Mutagenic activity ofpeptides and the artificial sweetener aspartame after nitrosation. FoodChem Tox 31Z : 323-329, 1993.

2. Sorg BA, Willis JR , et al. Repeated low-dose formaldehydeexposure produces cross-sensitization to cocaine; possible relevance tochemical sensitivity in humans. Neuropsychopharmacol 18 :385, 394, l998

3. Trocho C, Pardo R, et al, Formaldehyde derived from dietaryaspartame binds to tissue components in vivo. Life Sciences 63:337-349,199

4. Hardcastle JE, B ruch RT. Effect of L-aspartyl-L -phenylalaninemethyl ester on leukotriene biosynthesis in macrophage cells.Prostagland Leukot Essen Fatty Acids 57: 331-333,1997.

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Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills (Paperback)by Russell L. Blaylock It is almost a cliche in this day and age for someone to ask the waiter at a Chinese restaurant ‘no MSG, please,’ as is the waiter’s knowing smirk in response. MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG), or ‘The essence of taste’ (as coined by the Japanese), is used as a ‘taste-enhancer’ in nearly every form of processed food on the market today, though ‘taste addiction’ may be a more correct term. But what exactly does it do? And how is it harmful? Dr. Russell L. Blaylock answers these questions and poses some startling evidence as to the eventual consequences of a heavy MSG-diet in his book _Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills_. In basic terms, MSG (and other, similar agents) pierces the blood-brain barrier and over-stimulates the neurons of a brain to a deadly degree. Habitual intake among animal experiments has shown the development of tumors, memory loss, and a whole host of neurodegenerative diseases as the end result of excess excitotoxin intake, including Alzhiemer’s, Parkenson’s, Lou Gerhig’s etc. Walk into any gas station in the United States (or grocery store, for that matter) and, upon close investigation, you will find that 75%-90% of the available food has been ‘enhanced’ to some degree by excitotoxins. The chemical agents are often disguised by such ambiguous terms as ‘spice’ and ‘natural flavors’ or, my personal favorite, ‘hydrolyzed vegetable protein.’ A consumer society must have consumer slaves to keep it functioning; MSG is the crack cocaine of the food industry…and it is legally perpetuated by slush-fund advocates and a pork-glutted FDA. As proven again and again, money talks, … [you can finish the maxim for me]. Blaylock’s thesis is written in a technical style, but the use of repetition throughout each chapter hammer in his myriad points into the reader with precision and power. An important book for anyone concerned with the health of self and family. You are what you eat—but do you know _what_ it is you are eating, below the surface of taste/fulfillment?