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From: sdyer@bbnccv.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med,net.kids
Subject: Re: More Perils of NutraSweet (reference to article)
Message-ID: <274@bbnccv.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 18-Jul-85 09:56:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: bbnccv.274
Posted: Thu Jul 18 09:56:13 1985
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> 	"One FDA document dated October 23, 1974, for example stated that
> 'on the basis of the evidence that the very young' are 'especially
> sensitive...to the potential effects (brain damage) of high levels of
> phenylalanine and aspartic acid,' the two major components of aspartame, and
> on the basis of arguments made by Turner, 'we would concur that there may be
> some merrit (sic) in some form of labelling...

While I agree that it is advisable to avoid feeding babies with any
artificial sweetener, it should be remembered that the increase in
blood levels of phenylalanine and aspartic acid after administration
of a typical soft-drink quantity of aspartame is exceedingly small,
and certainly swamped by the same levels seen after a typical protein-
containing meal (milk formula or strained beef, perhaps?)   All the studies
I have read refer to deleterious effects of extra-physiological amounts
of the two amino acid components many times in excess of those contained
in food, with or without aspartame.  And this in experimental animals,
of course.

This is where the logic breaks down, in my mind (and certainly in the
minds of Searle and its stockholders!)  It is one thing to demonstrate
that a foreign substance can cause a serious side-effect in large doses,
for this would indicate that caution is advisable in using it even in small
doses.  It is quite another thing to indicate that a physiological substance
necessary for health, such as these amino acids or even vitamins, can cause
serious side-effects when given in large, extra-physiological doses, for
it does not necessarily follow at all that ordinary amounts are bad, or to
be avoided.  Think about that when you take your next vitamin pill,
"natural and organic" or not.
-- 
/Steve Dyer
{decvax,linus,ima,ihnp4}!bbncca!sdyer
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