[darkeyes]

Hi,
I've read things in the past about Asparteme(how ever it's spelled) trademark names: Nutrasweet, Equal,etc. having a connection to depression, especially those with depressive disorders. I use Equal, in fact for years but I can't believe that it may have any potential to have caused my BPII which is more likely to have been genetic in my case. The question is this stuff compounding or possibly compounding my problem? Has there been any legitimate scientific proof? It all seems "far fetched". Wouldn't it mean that those using it would be possibily developing various depressive disorders?
Perplexed.
"darkeyes"

[curlyq]

Hi Darkeyes,
I drink pop with nutrasweet in it all the time. I've heard bad things about nutrasweet, too, like it turns to some form of alcohol in our system. Still, I'm not sure that it's bad for me. It would depend on how a person's system could tolerate it, I think, and the amount, too. I really don't know a whole lot about it but haven't paid a lot of attention to the warnings either. I love diet pop even if it may not be the best thing. I've never heard of it being related to any mental symptoms but then I haven't done my research on it either.

Just thought I'd say "hi" though!

<font color=green>"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." Anais Nin
</font color=green>

[bptoo]

I didn't really have anything to add to the conversation, it's just when the two Poohbahs talk I like to pay attention

bp (being a smarta**)

"All in all we're just another brick in the wall"

[darkeyes]

You are too much!! ha!ha! I'm not too shaken about this Nutrasweet stuff but was just curious, I do know it is true about the PKU warning, and the details I no longer remember but as time goes by there are a lot of things I don't remember I wish that would happen when it comes to people,places and things I'd like to forget! ha!ha! Ah, but what could we do except sit back and try to sail along with ease Maybe someday scientists will find that all or almost all the things they thought were bad for us were really good. Hey CQ, interesting to hear you say "pop", my dad grew up in Iowa and that is what they called soda out there, it is so "cool" how our country is so diverse, I like hearing different expressions, accents, etc. from all over this great place, sorry I am a little patriotic, but do not have a "flag" on my car. It is sad that "911" turned people into pseudo-patriots and now they are losing it, torn flags littering our hiways out here, the spirit of America suddenly started to wane, shouldn't it always be there? I find it also sad that vendors at the malls and tv are profitting from such a horrible incident. Oh I somehow got off track (again), don't mind me it happens. "When I get old I shall wear purple". . . ever see that poster or book? Nice, to hear from you both.
"darkeyes"
poo-poo-poobah

[CamW]

Hey All ... and especially CQ, DE and BP. I avoid anything with aspartame in it. If some edible product has "diet" on the label, there is a good chance I won't buy it.

It's not because of the , nor even because of my compassion for belonging to the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.presidiotex.com/aspartame>Aspartame Victims Support Group. Although, I may be able to get money for nothing and ride on the some of the "NutraSweet® is our company's brand
name for the sweetener aspartame. It is
used to sweeten food and beverages and
is enjoyed by millions of people
worldwide. Since aspartame is intensely
sweet, very little is required to sweeten
foods and beverages. Because of this,
products sweetened with aspartame are
usually lower in calories."

"Aspartame is made of the two amino
acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine (as
the methyl ester). These components are
found in common foods such as meat,
milk, fruits and vegetables. Aspartame is
quickly and completely metabolized in the
body, just like any other protein. Upon
digestion, aspartame breaks down into its
original components (aspartic acid,
phenylalanine and methanol). The body
then uses these components in the same
way as those found in foods that are eaten
everyday. Neither aspartame nor its
components accumulate in the body over
time."

There are those "Aspartame Is Bad" website that propounds that "aspartame is the most dangerous substance ever foisted upon an unsuspecting public" and uses an article from Nexus magazine as proof.

You might think that it was that whole fiasco with the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://presidiotex.com/nutrapoison/article.html#nazis1>CIA & Nazis</A> trying to use aspartame as a biological weapon that stops me from ingesting aspartame.

Heavens knows that the doses of aspartame that caused neurological lesions in rats would almost be impossible for a human to do (... unless they just let a guy eat aspartame powder with a spoon, I suppose) wouldn't scare me away from ingesting the stuff.

Even those in the haven't much to say on the safety of aspartame since 1981 (although it was reviewed it 1987). The fallout from the safety of aspartame controversy has launched the sweetener into the realm of <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.snopes2.com/toxins/aspartam.htm>urban legend.

As an adverse effect in some people, intestinal gas is produced in copious quantities after ingesting products containing aspartame. This would not be a reason for me to avoid aspartame, though. Hey, I'm the father of a soon-to-be seven year old; farting in inappropriate places to embarass your daughter is a manditory statute in the "How to be a Dad" training manual.

The reason that I don't drink or eat anything containing aspartame is, is that I have a funny feeling about the product. It is not something that I can put my finger on, but it does stop me from buying products with aspartame. I seriously doubt that aspartame would permanently harm me, even in higher dose over a long period of time. If I find out that after eating something, it contained aspartame, that's no big deal. I just prefer sugar (which, of course, is second to my wife for sweet, tasty things) when I eat something that is sweetened.

I doubt that aspartame is harmful to most people, but it is not a naturally occurring chemical moiety. Since I have a choice, I choose to take sugar; my body can recognized sugar very readily. Remember though, too much sugar over a long period of time may cause physiological problems, like Type II diabetes.

Really, the choice is yours. I have not personally seen anyone have problems with aspartame. I believe my worst professional incident of aspartame was when one of my old psychiatric patients who drank 3 litres of Diet Coke® within an hour. All day this person would phone me with updates as to how many "toots" had been experienced. The list was further sub-divided into "big ones" and "little ones".

Take care (and sorry for not just giving an yes or no) - Cam.


<font color=orange>"Sometimes you may be shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right"
- Robert Hunter</font color=orange>

[darkeyes]

That's alright that you had no "yes" or "no" reply, I got quite a kick out of your "info" I honestly prefer sugar, especially unrefined cane sugar but you know those "damn calories"!! For solid sweets I enjoy apples or oranges, or just about any fruit! I just like equal in the coffee cause it melts instantly and doesn't hang out on the bottom of the mug. As usual, many thanks for your info and humor.
"darkeyes"