Aspartame Pilot Hotline and Gulf War Syndrome

---

Aspartame, Diet

Drinks & Gum - Contributors To
GWS And Other Illnesses By Mary Nash Stoddard

Dallas -- When stored or heated above 85 degrees F, as in desert heat, Aspartame in "diet drinks" breaks down into neurotoxic substances: Methanol (wood alcohol), Formaldehyde (embalming fluid), Formic Acid (ant sting venom) and DKP (brain tumor agent). The major soft drink companies shipped free diet soft drinks (Businessweek, Dec.'90) to our Desert Storm troops, where they broke down in storage into highly toxic substances. The symptoms reported by many sufferers of "Gulf War Syndrome" mimic the ones of those reporting problems associated with Aspartame use here ... but, the military personnel symptoms are greater because they were drinking/eating "expired" Diet Pepsi and then some! Since Aspartame is capable of changing the DNA (in lab tests), birth defects in offspring can be readily addressed. Family members are also experiencing illness, possibly from their continued use of these products. What is the real reason behind Gulf War Syndrome? Based on volumes of available research, we believe it was partially due to what they were eating, chewing and drinking containing degraded Aspartame in extreme desert heat.   ACSN Founder, Mary Nash Stoddard (a veteran's widow) is available to answer questions and support allegations regarding this important issue and how it is adversely affecting 3 out of 5 who use it. ACSN's special Pilot's Hotline has logged over 800 pilot-related calls. Pilots are having grand mal seizures in the cockpits of commercial airline flights, and others are crashing the flight simulator at training facilities while in seizure. Dozens have lost their flying status because of Aspartame. Seizures, loss of vision, vertigo, suicidal depressions, heart problems, etc. are routinely reported to ACSN. Many consumers report bizarre psychological symptoms as well. This happens when the Phenylalanine in Aspartame depletes levels of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, a brain chemical which regulates aggressive behaviors and sleep patterns, among other things.   The U.S. Air Force has formally warned all pilots to abstain from consuming Diet Drinks in their official Flying Safety publication (May & August 1992.) Their Aspartame Alert article was based on that of the U.S. Navy to pilots earlier in Navy Physiology. 78% of all consumer complaints to the FDA are about reactions to Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, etc).   Recently, a letter was sent to COPA in which a pilot expressed his concerns over questionable adverse effects from consumption of diet drinks containing aspartame. By 1986, the FDA and the Centre for Disease Control in the U.S. had evaluated 3,000 known complaints. Fellow pilots who may have had similar side effects may be interested in the information below:   The January, 1990, Plane and Pilot magazine featured an article on drugs and alcohol vis-a-vis safe flying practices that also talked about food additives. It explained that diet soft drinks are sweetened artificially by Aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal), and that Aspartame contains 10% methanol. That caught my attention! I know that methanol (wood alcohol) is a poisonous substance, which on ingestion causes blindness and death; two teaspoons full are considered lethal.   The article disclosed that methanol destroys the brain, albeit a little at a time, and that effects are cumulative. Depending on a person's physical state and tolerance level, immediate effects can either be severe (resulting in epileptic seizures, including grand mal, blindness, chest palpitations), or less noticeable (causing blurred vision, bright flashes, tunnel vision, ringing or buzzing in ears, migraine headaches, dizziness, loss of equilibrium, lip and mourth reactions); less noticeable effects might be passed off as temporary or caused by something else. But everyone is affected in one way or another, since methanol causes toxic reactions, not just allergic ones in a few unfortunates.   Here are some direct excerpts from the article: "An Air Force pilot traced the patterns of tremors and seizures he suffered for two years directly to his patterns of NutraSweet consumption. When he travelled to areas where diet sodas were not avialable, he was free of the symptoms. But, when he resumed intake of the beverages, his tremors resumed, grew more severe and culminated in a grand mal seizure that ended his flying career. His medical problems ceased when he quit ingesting NutraSweet, but it was too late to restore his flying status."   "Another pilot suffered similar symptoms only when using Aspartame products. But FAA revoked his medical certificate when it was informed of the symptoms. After only two cups of artificially sweetened hot chocolate, a pilot experienced blurred vision so severe he was unable, in flight, to read the instruments and very narrowly avoided a tragic landing. Safely on the ground, he related his symptoms to the secretaries in his office. Both of them told of experiencing similar symptoms after ingesting Aspartame products."   I, too, had bad experiences with Aspartame. It replaced saccharin about 10 years ago. As a marathon runner in his 30s, I consumed litres of diet drinks daily at that time. When I first drank pop with Aspartame, it had immediate and severe effects upon my consciousness and vision. After a few scary incidents, pop consumption and problems seemed related.   I described symptoms and circumstances to my doctor. He ran tests, but never seriously listened to my concern of relating pop with the effects. He was a reasonably competent G.P., but not ready to distrust, let alone blame, an FDA approved sweetener. Eventually, I quit ingesting Aspartame and have not had incidents since. Employed in the professions and a post-graduate, I conduct research occasionally and am aware of the difficulty of matching cause and effect (and the danger of doing it improperly.) But, there is no doubt in my mind that "tests" with my body proved that Aspartame is bad (at least for me.)   When I spoke about this to a non-flying, weightlifting gym friend, he volunteered for a test. After drinking one can of diet pop, his ears started ringing within minutes and he got a pulsating sensation in his brain.   Apparently, the other main components of Aspartame, Phenylalanine [50%], Aspartic Acid [40%], combined with the Methanol [10%], create a witch's brew of 16 breakdown products after digestion that cause illness. Animal tests revealed brain tumors, some cancerous; holes in the brain, womb tumors, uterine tumors and reproductive dysfunctions. Studies on humans indicated that pregnant women and young children run especially high risks. There is evidence of birth defects in offsprings, including severe retardation, genetic damage, especially in women who carry the PKU (Phenylketonuria) gene, heart problems and emotional and psychiatric disorders.   If pilots want more information, I encourage them to call 214.387.4001 (or Email) Aspartame Consumer Safety Network in Dallas, Texas U.S.A. and talk to ACSN Worldwide Pilot Hotline Founder, Mary Nash Stoddard. Also visit: Stoddard's POV on blogspot and www.aspartamesafety.com. Order from ACSN:  DEADLY DECEPTION STORY OF ASPARTAME - 200 pg. collection of scientific studies and Flying magazine articles by Mary Nash Stoddard

Aspartame Scientific Study References [partial list]

ACSN cofounder,  James Turner and I met with Chief Deputy Flight Surgeon, Dr. Jon Jordan at his FAA office, as long ago as 1989, presenting our concerns and looking for solutions for pilots. The solution was to establish a Pilot Hotline for the purpose of taking adverse reactions confidentially, which I did. Since then, based on our work, the US Air Force published two separate warnings in their official Flying Safety magazine in 1992. We believe the flying public and pilots have a right to know we have collected several reports of grand mal seizures in the cockpit in flight on commercial airlines. 

Is aspartame the silent terror in the cockpit of every aircraft? Many pilots have reported adverse reactions to the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network Pilot Hotline. The effects of aspartame on pilots should be the concern of each member of the flying public. 

###

1. National Cancer Institute Cancer Statistics Review 1973-87. Bethesda, N111 Pub. No. 89-2789

2. Roberts, H.J.; Does Aspartame Cause Human Brain Cancer?. Journal of Advancements in Medicine. Vol. 4, No. 4, Winter 1991

3. W.C. Monte, Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Health. Journal of Applied Nutrition, Vol. 36, No. 1, 1984.

4. P.J. Shaw, Excitatory amino acid receptors, excitotoxicity, and the human nervous system. Current Opinion in Neurology and Neurosurgery 1993, 6:414-422 UK

5. T.J. Maher and R.J. Wurtman, Possible Neurologic Effects of Aspartame, a Widely Used Food Additive. Environmental Health Perspectives. Vo. 75, p. 53-57, 1987.

6. M.E. Drake, Panic Attacks and Excessive Aspartame Ingestion. p. 631 The Lancet, Sept. 13, 1986

7. Congressional Record, Senate. Saccharin Study and Labeling Act Amendments of 1985. May 7,m 1985, p. S5489-5516

8. Congressional Record Senate. Aspartame Safety Act of 1985. August 1, 1985, p. S10820-10847

9. Ishu, II: Incidence of brain tumors in rats fed aspartame. Toxicol Letters 1981, 7:433-437.

10. R.G. Walton, Seizure and Mania after high intake of aspartame. Psychomatics, 1986; 27:218-220

11. R.J. Wurtman, E.R.Walker, Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function, MIT Press May, 1988.

12. D. Remington, B. Higa, The Bitter truth About Artificial Sweeteners. Vitality House Press, 1987

13. H.J. Roberts, Aspartame, NutraSweet. Is It Safe? The Charles Press, December 1989.

14. B.A. Mullarkey, Bittersweet Aspartame, A Diet Delusion. NutriVoice, Inc. ISBN 0-944366--00-7 1992. 65 pgs.

15. Excitotoxins ... The Taste That Kills - Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. Health Press, Santa Fe, N.M. 1994 

*  WOR radio NY; Transcript of Interview. Dr. Robert Atkins and Mary Nash Stoddard, founder *  

*  Aspartame Consumer Safety Network. Mar. 21, 1992

*  Congressional Record - S. Hrg. 100-567 Examining the Health and Safety Concerns of NutraSweet Aspartame

*  Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, Vol. 55, No. 11; November, 1996 pp. 1115-1123 Increasing Brain Tumor Rates: Is There a Link to Aspartame? John W. Olney, MD

*  The New England Journal of Medicine, May 5, 1988 p. 1200; Aspartame and Headache 

*  Biol. Psychiatry, 1993-13-17. Adverse Reactions to Aspartame: Double Blind challenge in Patients from a Vulnerable Population. Ralph G. Walton, MD

*  Journal of Applied Nutrition, Vol. 36, 1984 - Aspartame: Methanol and The Public Health. Woodrow C. Monte, Ph.D., R.D.

Extraordinary Science, Vol. VII, Jan. Feb. Mar. 1995. p. 36-39. Mary Nash Stoddard and George Leighton

P.J. Shaw, "Excitatory amino acid receptors, excitotoxity, and the human nervous system," Current Opinion In Neurology and Neurosurgery 1993, 6:414-422 UK.

T.J. Maher & R.J. Wurtman, Possible Neurologic Effects of Aspartame, A Widely Used Food Additive, Environmental Health Perspectives, V. 75, p. 53-57, 1987

R.J. Wurtman, E.R. Walker, Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function MIT Press, May 1988

R.L. Blaylock, M.D. Excitotoxins The Taste That Kills. Health Press. Santa Fe, NM

Deadly Deception Story of Aspartame, Audio Tape Series, author and expert medical witness, Mary Nash Stoddard relates history and aftermath of aspartame approval by FDA.

H.J. Roberts; Aspartame, NutraSweet Is It Safe? The Charles Press Dec. 1989

M.F. Drake, Panic Attacks and Excessive Aspartame Ingestion The Lancet; p. 631 Sept. 13, 1986

National Cancer Institute Statistics Review 1973-87, Bethesda, NIII Pub. No. 89-2789

Congressional Record, Senate. Saccharin Study and Labeling Act Amendments of 1985. May 7, 1985, p. S5489-5516

Congressional Record, Senate. Aspartame Safety Act of 1995, Aug. 1, 1985, p. S10820-10847

D. Remington, B. Higa, The Bitter Truth About Artificial Sweeteners, Vitality House Press, 1987

The Facts, Newsletter, Dr. Lendon Smith 

Association of Birth Defect Children, Fall Vol. 14, 1989. The Aspartame Controversy.

Diamond, Pamela. Sweet Talk. Working Mother p. 78. October 1987

Federal Register, Vol. 49, No. 36. Feb. 22. 1984

Elsas, J.L. and Trotter, J.F., Changes in Physiological Concentrations of Blood Phenylalanine Produce Changes in Sensitive Parameters of Human Brain Function. Div. of Medical Genetics. Dept. of Ped., Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanga, GA 30322

Kraus. W. Halminski, M. MacDonald, L. et al.  Biochemical and Neuropsychological Effects of Elevated Plasma Phenylalanine in Patient with Treated Phenylketonuria. Clin Investigation Vol. 75. Jan. 1985, pp. 40-48

Paul, T.D. Brandt, I.K., Elsas, L.J. et al, Phenylketonuria Heterozygote Detection in Families with Affected Children. Am J. Hum Genet. 30:293-301 1978

Epstein, C.M., Trotter, J.F., Averbrook, A., Freeman, S., Kutner, M.H. and Elsas, L.J.  EEG mean frequencies are sensitive indices of phenylalanine effects on normal brain. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1989. 72:133-139. Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland, Ltd.

Neurology 1992;42:1000-1003 Aspartame exacerbates EEG spike wave discharge in children with generalized absence epilepsy: A double blind controlled study. P.R. Camfield, MD et al

Dermatology Rounds, Vol. 22 No. 8 August 1991; Skin & Allergy News. Aspartame Associated With Case of Lobular Panniculitis; Scott Air Force Base, IL. 

Neuroncology and Teratology. Vol 11, pp. 413-416. Pergamon Press, 1989. Diana L. Dow-Edwards, et al. Impaired Performance on Odor Aversion Testing Following Prenatal Aspartame Exposure in the Guinea Pig. Jan. 13, 1989. Lab. of Cerebral Metabolism. Dept. of Neurosurgery State Univ. of NY. Health Science Centr, Brooklyn, NY 11203 and Dept. of Psychology, San Diego Univ., San Diego, CA

Pharmacist - Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX. List of Children's Medications Containing Aspartame Deadly Deception Story of Aspartame, 1998

Transcript of Aspartame Lecture, UT Southwestern Medical School, Continuing Ed. Series; Stoddard, Jan. 23, 1997. Deadly Deception Story of Aspartame 1998

Flying Safety; Aspartame Alert; May 1992 p. 20-21 and August, 1992 p.13 Mail Call, Stoddard

Aviation Medical Bulletin, Oct. 1988 Pilots and Aspartame

Canadian General Aviation News, P. 28, Mar. 1990

General Aviation News, NutraSweet Too Good To Be True, Megan Hicks, July 31, 1989  and Letters, Sept. 11, 1989

International Council of Air Shows, ICAS Issues Warning To Its Members About Diet Drinks, Mar. 1995 ; p. 82, 1995.

Catalyst magazine, Salt Lake City, UT

Nutrition Week, On Top of Things; Vol. XXI, No. 19, May 10, 1991; Washington, D.C.

Vegetarian Times, Aspartame Is Still Bittersweet, Laura Mazzuca, ; Sept. 1991

Idea Today, Diet Soda Issue - Do You Know What You're Drinking? p. 4, Sept. 1991

Fed. Register: Monsanto Co.: Filing a Food Additive Petition; Feb. 10, 1998; Vol. 63, Number 27, Notices, p. 6762 

Health and Healing Tomorrow's Medicine Today, Julian Whitaker, M.D. 

ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioners; Fifteen Years After the Gumball Rolled Our Way - What Do We Really Know About Aspartame? Michael Gerchufsky, Editor. p. 32-35. June 1996.

Deadly Deception Story of Aspartame - Shocking Expose of World's Most Controversial Sweetener [Odenwald Press] Stoddard, 1998

Stoddard's POV - Blogspot.com  [see most recent studies on my latest Blog]

Best,

Mary

Mary Nash Stoddard, Founder

Aspartame Consumer Safety Network and Pilot Hotline [1987-2005]

P.O. Box 2001 - Frisco, TX 75034

tel. 1-214-387-4001

email: marystod@airmail.net

http://www.aspartamesafety.com