From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: rec.food.veg
Subject: Re: Nutrasweet info
Date: 25 Aug 92 16:47:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Aug25.164703.22417
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Aug25.102005.42545@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu> cromwell@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:
>> Let's get this straight: you're saying that a basic neurochemistry
>> text book has anything whatsoever to say about vegetarian diets
>> being the cause of neurochemical deficiencies (!), and that this is
>> exacerbated by aspartame?  
>This is obfuscation.  But for you:
>1. Basic neurochemistry texts go into much detail about the importance of
>   amino acids in the function of the brain.

Sure.  This is all basic neurochemistry.

>2. Basic neurochemistry texts go into much detail about disease states that
>   result from amino acid imbalances in the diet.

Oh, really?  Please do tell us about these disease states (i.e., those
which a text on neurochemistry would present.)  I'd particularly like to
know about those which result from an imbalance of phenylalanine and
tryptophan.  And give us the name of these texts.

>3. Poor vegetarian diets are prone to deficiencies in some amino acids. 

Maybe; however, it would be rather exceptional in the particular case
we're discussing since most foods have a Phe/Try ratio of 3/1 to 4/1.
This includes meats, milk, eggs, grains and beans, including soy
products.  Most vegetables and fruit also have this ratio (though they
are not themselves primary protein sources.)

>4. Drinking diet soft drinks or eating other products high in phenylalanine
>   raises the plasma levels of phenylalanine relative to other amino
>   acids reducing the quantities of other competing amino acids for
>   entry to the brain.  

Not.  You simply have not shown any evidence for this effect of diet
soft drinks, nor have you shown that there are any disease states or
even any behavioral changes which result from increased PA serum
levels.  What has been shown experimentally is that doses of aspartame
which would result from even a very high intake of diet sodas and other
aspartame-containing foods have a minimal effect on serum phenylalanine
levels.

>Simple and not disputable.

I'm disputing it, and I suspect many people would.  The reason no
"warning label" is required on aspartame-containing foods other than
for individuals who have phenylketonuria (an inborn genetic defect of
Phe metabolism) is because there doesn't seem to be any reason to do so.

>> No, what you've done is learn a little and then extrapolate wildly.
>This is a strange argument coming from a computer consultant
>addressing someone working towards an advanced degree in this area.
>More likely its you that has learned a little and....

Oh, an argument from would-be authority, eh?  You should be a little
careful about presuming the background of any particular computer
consultant.  My undergraduate and graduate training is in neurobiology
and pharmacology.  Computers are more lucrative.

>My final word is be careful and don't listen to wanna be experts when
>it comes to your health.  

On that we can agree.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer