Aspartame - letter to Leighton

Kasper's picture
Submitted by Kasper on Mon, 2008-07-21 00:29.

Hi Leighton.

In NZ there is much resistance to an artificial sweetener called aspartame. Those who oppose aspartame are often unpersuaded by arguments to the contrary as they believe that research has been paid by private companies and they conclude this causes bias. Very good research is out now, not privately funded, that addresses all issues surrounding aspartame and its safety. It addresses
1)Carcinogens
2)Formaldehyde metabolism (you get 10 times more from some fruit juices)
3) Effects on the nervous system
4) Metabolic conversions and absorbency in the body.
5) much more.

We now live in an age where extensive research has been done on this topic. A review study done by the department of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Maryland College Park MD, USA, called "Aspartame: A safety evaluation based on current use levels, Regulations, and toxicological and epidemiological studies (2007) published a very detailed report endorsing its safety. This report was published in the, Critical reviews and toxicology journal. It is a very detailed report, 100 pages in length, written in full academic critical evaluation.

I think it is time to re address this issue on air and have the opposition produce evidence that is other than speculation.
If you would like a copy I can organize one to be sent to you.
Kind Regards,

Kasper Kulak
PS: love your show, think you are very sane.


( categories: )

If you tell someone here that you have a problem with "P"...

Marcus's picture
Submitted by Marcus on Mon, 2008-07-21 15:47.

...in NZ, they are likely to point you in the direction of the incontinence pads.

I am hoping the whole aspartame thing is also going to ignored by the UK media. We have enough media fueled scares in this country being blown out of all proportion already.


Kasper

gregster's picture
Submitted by gregster on Mon, 2008-07-21 01:14.

Funny, I've just been preparing an "Allergen Statement" at work and looked up aspartame to confirm it's not an allergen (but people with PKU can have reactions hence the labelling).

Aspartame along with, McDonalds, oil companies, big business in general, gets a bad rap mainly because of anti-capitalists. It's an easy symbol to attack because of the public's gullibility and it's chemical creation, although the two components are almost naturally occurring, one an amino acid!

There has never been more research done on a product to prove it's safety. I looked at Ian Wishart's article here today actually; http://www.thebriefingroom.com/archives/parenting/index.html
and it's just another of his conspiracy theories. This would have got people chattering.

He also remember printed articles saying condoms had holes to transmit viruses. (Christian nutter)

I listened to an interview on Bfm, Mikey Havoc with Betty Martini, an anti-aspartame leftie from USA. She was full of misinformation. Eg methanol as harmful byproduct, when in fact methanol is a byproduct of fruit juices too etc. Neurological effects, all rubbish. The leftie crusaders seldom if ever have any science to back them up.

The FDA (and our NZFSA) would not open itself up to lawsuits as these people would contend. (They are sure of it's safety.)

Another the public wonder about is sodium benzoate. But in reality the levels in food are much less than that found in natural fruits (it becomes benzoic acid at low pH). Sue Kedgely is mostly to blame here.

Years ago some crackpots were telling people to avoid cosmetics/shampoos containing 'propylene glycol' saying it was anti-freeze etc. These were started I reckon by hippies with their own natural products line. Deodorants that still left you stinking.

The insidious influence of the Greens in NZ probably accounts for a lot of it. That with the anti-Americanism that's rife here.

Greg


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