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   Aspartame 
  
Reviewed  03-26-2003  

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What is the concern about Aspartame?
Is there any treatment?
What research is being done?

Organizations

What is the concern about Aspartame?
Over the past three decades, questions have been asked about the safety of the artificial sweetener aspartame, specifically, whether aspartame is a neurotoxin. A neurotoxin is a substance that adversely affects the nervous system. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued statements declaring that aspartame does not pose a threat to the general population. Still, some people may be sensitive to aspartame and may experience headache or fatigue. Pregnant women are advised to ingest only moderate amounts of aspartame, and people with phenylketonuria (a rare, inherited metabolic disease) should not ingest any.

Is there any treatment?
There is no standard treatment for side effects associated with aspartame use. People who have experienced side effects from the sweetener should abstain from products containing it.

What research is being done?
Researchers are investigating whether aspartame has any adverse effects on health. They are also exploring the effects of other additives and contaminants on health and well-being.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

 Organizations

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
5600 Fishers Lane
CDER-HFD-210
Rockville, MD 20857
http://www.fda.gov
Tel: 301-827-4573 888-INFO-FDA (463-6332)

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 10A31
Bethesda, MD 20892-2580
cancermail@icicc.nci.nih.gov
http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov
Tel: 301-435-3848 NCI's Cancer Information Service 800-4-CANCER (422-6237) TTY: 800-332-8615


NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.


Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892




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