Aspartame disease refers to symptoms and signs attributable to the use of products containing aspartame. This synthetic chemical is commonly known as NutraSweet^(r) and Equal^(r). Over half the U.S. population currently consumes it.

In my opinion, aspartame disease afflicts numerous consumers of such products, probably in the millions. This is based on my own data base of over 1,200 (!) aspartame reactors and extensive research, coupled with the many thousands of complaints volunteered to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by outraged persons.

Certain areas of the brain, eyes, inner ear and peripheral nerves are highly vulnerable. The most frequent features of aspartame disease include headache, dizziness, poor equilibrium, confusion, impaired or double vision, convulsions, ringing in the ears, slurred speech, tremors, extreme fatigue, motor and sensory disturbances affecting the limbs, and other neuropsychiatric complaints.

I have encountered scores of patients with aspartame disease in whom these features -- in varying combinations - were diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. This has been particularly impressive in the case of weight- conscious young women using "diet" soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, and sugar-free gum. The causative or contributing role of aspartame was convincingly indicated by (1) their dramatic improvement within several days or weeks after avoiding aspartame products, and (2) the prompt predictable recurrence of complaints after resuming aspartame... often inadvertently.

Each of the components of aspartame -- phenylalanine (50%); aspartic acid (40%); the methyl ester (10%) which promptly becomes free methyl alcohol (!) or methanol -- and their multiple breakdown products after exposure to heat or during prolonged storage is potentially toxic to the brain, retina and other nerves.

An erroneous diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can penalize a person for years. Accordingly, it is my opinion that this diagnosis should not be made in individuals consuming aspartame products until they have been observed for months of total abstinence. I must emphasize that some minor finding in a CT or MRI scan of the brain does not conclusively confirm this diagnosis. During this interval it would be prudent to avoid the administration of potentially toxic drugs, currently being advocated for multiple sclerosis.

My medical text, Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic, http://www.sunsentpress.com or 1-800-827-7991 has a large chapter on the Multiple Sclerosis issue. 1038 pages. This information needs to be reviewed by all physicians as well as aspartame victims with MS symptoms.

These details are also reviewed in IS ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET^(r) ) SAFE? AMEDICAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND LEGAL OVERVIEW (2 audio-cassette set), and SWEET'NER DEAREST: BITTERSWEET VIGNETTES ABOUT ASPARTAME(NUTRASWEET^(r))-published by the Sunshine Sentinel Press (P.O. Box 17799, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416; 1-800-827-7991 http://www.sunsentpress.com

Related titles by this publisher are PROTECTING MANKIND: ONE PHYSICIAN'S QUEST, IGNORED HEALTH HAZARDS FOR PILOTS AND DRIVERS; WITH EMPHASIS ON ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET(R)) DISEASE, and DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, etc.

(C) 1999 H. J. Roberts, M.D.

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