I have always hesitated to become overly dramatic about substances and foods as - depending on which study you read you're going to hear such varying views. However... back in 1997, when I started my Kinesiology studies in the UK, I was introduced to the effects of Aspartame on our body's systems.

It's always been my belief that, with the knowledge that we have, we must make our own decisions about what we put into our bodies - as long as it isn't negatively interfering with other's health... and this is where I have drawn the line on this issue.

Are you aware that decisions have been made to remove sugar containing drinks and other products from vending machines in schools and hospitals and replacing them with 'Diet' drinks. This is directly influencing others and seemingly telling children it's OK to drink 'Diet' drinks.

For many years my clients have become used to me asking the questions, "Do you chew gum?" & "Do you drink diet drinks?"

The fact that incidences of severe depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, behavioural issues, insomnia, cramps, speech disturbance, confusion, blurred vision, skin eruptions, cravings for carbohydrates, development of diabetes, and neurological symptoms have all been linked to the ingestion of Aspartame, is just too great to ignore. I urge you to have a look at the packets of food you are consuming to check if they mention they contain:

Aspartame; E951; Aspartic Acid; Phenylalanine; Methanol; Sucralose (Splenda); Nutrasweet; Equal; Spoonful; Benevia; Canderel; or Equal Measure.

Aspartic Acid, Phenylalanine and Methanol are the components of Aspartame (E951) They may feature singly, or combined, within the other products mentioned above. It has been proven that these additives are addictive and actually cause cravings for simple carbohydrates (sugar), the very thing the promoters say they are removing by adding this product.

Have a look on the packets of chewing gum, Berrocca, Redoxon, Lempsip, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig products, 'Diet' drinks e.g. Coke, Pepsi, V, and other products that advertise as 'sugar free'.

If you are sceptical, try taking yourself off the products you are consuming with these additives and monitor your well-being. If you have a variety of irritating (even minor) symptoms see how different you feel after a couple of weeks. Sometimes the benefits are demonstrated within a few days!

Rather than re writing information from various sources here are three web addresses that I feel are worth checking out:

www.dorway.com

www.indymedia.org.nz

www.tvnz.co.nz

Going back to my heading... would you drink Formaldehyde?

I want to finish this article by quoting directly from the - In-Tele-Health, 2001 (from Hyperhealth CD-ROM) - with regard to just one of the ingredients of Aspartame.

Methanol can damage the Thymus Gland (due to its metabolism to Formaldehyde and Formic Acid within the body).

Methanol damages the Optic Nerve and can cause Blindness. Methanol causes Headaches. Methanol causes Nausea. Methanol causes Neuralgia. Methanol causes Neuritis. Methanol causes Neuropathy. Methanol causes Tinnitus.

Methanol is a component of the Artificial Sweetener - Aspartame (E951) - and is responsible for many of the toxic effects of Aspartame consumption.

Ingested Methanol is metabolized by the Liver to form Formaldehyde and Formic Acid.

Methanol is absorbed efficiently and has a very low rate of excretion - it is regarded as a cumulative toxin.