The question asked whether uncontrolled consumption of this new sweetener might increase the methanol intake of certain individuals to a point beyond which our limited knowledge of acute and chronic human methanol toxicity can be extrapolated to predict safety. The Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Richard Wurtman and myself have received well over a thousand written complaints relative to aspartame consumption. By far, the most numerous of these include dizziness, visual impairment, disorientation, ear buzzing, high SGOT, tunnel vision, loss of equilibrium, severe muscle aches, numbing of extremities, pancreatitis, episodes of high blood pressure, retinal hemorrhaging, menstrual flow changes, and depression. The validity of these complaints has yet to be scientifically evaluated. However, a thorough knowledge of just what makes this new sweetener stand apart from other nutritional substances might aid physicians in making dietary recommendations for their patients.
Proteins are complex molecules which contain many chemically bonded amino acids.
It takes several enzymes to break these bonds and liberate the amino acids. This natural time release process saves the body from large numbers of any one of these 21 amino acids being released into the bloodstream at any one time. Amino Acid Components Phenylalanine Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, the daily consumption of which is required to maintain life. Aspartic Acid Aspartic acid, is not an essential amino acid but is normally easily utilized for human metabolism. The greater toxicity of methanol to man is deeply rooted in the limited biochemical pathways available to humans for detoxification.