Prader-Willi Nilli News
NutriSweet Alert!

Aspartame (also known as NutriSweet, Equal and Spoonful) has been viewed as a real blessing for people with PWS who are on calorie restrictied diets. However, be aware that some studies indicate that Aspartame can be toxic to some people, especially if it has not been stored at cool temperatures, a real concern in our Arizona heat.

Why be concerned about a food additive that has been approved by the FDA? Because it is not just a food additive. It is a neurotoxin. Aspartame breaks down into phenylalanine, asparatic acid, methyl alcohol, formaldehyde, formic acid (ant sting poison) and other toxic chemicals. Excess formaldehyde from its breakdown... gets stored in your FAT!

Why is NutriSweet still on the market? On 12/29/96 60 MINUTES reported on 164 studies. ALL of the 74 studies paid for by NutraSweet showed it was healthy as rain. 83 of the 90 studies by independent labs found problems. FDA commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes approved NutraSweet over the protests of his own Board of Inquiry, then took a lush consultant contract with NutraSweet's public relations firm while he was under investigation for accepting gratuities.

Aspartame toxicity is cumulative. Side effects include (but are not limited to): Abdominal Pain, Anxiety attacks, Arthritis-like pain, Asthmatic Reactions, Bloating, Blood Sugar Control Problems, Depression, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Excessive Hunger, Fatigue, Headaches & Migraines, Infection Susceptibility, Insomnia, Irritability, Itching, and others not listed here.

Considering the multiplicity of problems that persons with Prader-Willi syndrome already have to deal with, it might be a good idea to try using other sweet substitutes for a trial period of 60 days to see if any of these symptoms listed above are associated with NutriSweet consumption.

What to use instead? Remember that one level teaspoon of sugar is only 16 calories. If a sugar substitute is to be used, it might be safer to use Sweet'N Low. Try making Kool-Aid with the regular packets of unsweetended powder and add Sweet'N Low (Saccharin)to taste. Lemonade flavor is best to minimize consumption of color additives. You might keep in mind that other additives are potentially problematic for people with neurological disorders, such as MSG, a common additive used to preserve freshness (commonly used in fast food items). Perhaps a glass of water with a packet of Sweet 'N Low stirred in will be the safest drink of all. Just plain water has been suggested, but most persons with PWS don't really like plain water. There is one soda pop on the market that uses Saccharin instead of Aspartame. Read the labels - you'll find it!

For more info, go to the library or look it up on the internet (http://www.dorway.com/betty/toxictim.txt or http://www.oocities.org/HotSprings/7039/).

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