Aspartame Intolerance: Some Have no Alternative to this Sugar Alternative

Aspartame may be a low calorie alternative to sugar but are you aware of the risks that you face ingesting large amounts of aspartame? Aspartame is an attractive sweetener because it is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar in typical concentrations, without the high energy value of sugar.

Although aspartame is approved by the FDA for safety of use - there are associated risks.

More common, is an aspartame allergy. I am one of the unfortunate individuals who suffer from this allergy. Aspartame irritates my digestive system, and causes me to become severely ill. It took me some time to realize that aspartame was the issue and it was questioned that I was either suffering from anything from a sexually transmitted disease to irritable bowel syndrome. I was very happy when we finally figured out the problem - and I have been symptom free since.

"Thomas Wilcox, FDA spokesman, claims that "some people don't tolerate aspartame, but the reports to the FDA aren't sufficient to warrant a change in the product's classification"

How serious do the side effects have to become to have this product pulled from the market? As I have previously suffered from this intolerance I know the effects that it had on my system - dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting were only partial effects that I have suffered.

"The patent on aspartame held by Searle expired in December of 1992, allowing other companies besides the NutraSweet™ Company to produce aspartame (Therrien 42). (NutraSweet™ Co. and G. D. Searle are divisions of the Monsanto Company). The only clue now on some products is "aspartame" listed in the ingredients and a phenylalanine warning."

There are misconceptions that aspartame is a good technique to ensure weight loss. Ironically, aspartame has been known to increase appetite and arise a craving for carbohydrates. Research has shown that any sweet taste generally increases appetite and increases the amount of caloric intake.