axis of aspartame

so it seems that mr. rumsfeld has been involved in more than just world politics, although what i am about to say could be considered world politics--but just not the kind that involves the military. aspartame, known by the names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure has been shown to be linked with as many as 92 negative symptoms exhibited by the human body. i can only imagine what appeared in rats. interesting to note that according to one source, the amount of aspartame deemed as safe is as much as 20 times SMALLER than what the FDA in the US has established as safe levels. a recent european report is now claiming that aspartame does NOT pose a threat, even in levels higher than the daily recommended dose. so what do we believe. here's a little tidbit that may sway you one way or the other: the guy who was at searle (the company that produces aspartame; in fact he was CEO) when aspartame was pushed through the FDA and was proclaimed as "safe" was noneother than our buddy donald rumsfeld. still listening? now what does that tell you? let's say you arch an eyebrow. let's even say you don't.

read these facts:

• you'll find aspartame in any number of items you consume that are labelled, "sugar-free"--cookies, yogurt, chewing gum, soft drinks, candy, to name only a few.
• a sampling of the 92 health risks associated with aspartame include blindness, tinnitus and hearing impairment, migraines, severe depression, insomnia, personality changes, asthma, hypoglycemia, severe PMS, brain damae, suicidal tendencies, and even death.
• according to consumer advocate attorney jim turner, who was instrumental in the 1969 banning of cyclamate in the US for its link to cancer, Rumsfeld was hired by Searle specifically to obtain FDA approval for aspartame. there have been calls for the reversal of that approval ever since.

My feeling is this: I'll have my little piece of poison in the form of one stick of chewing gum here and there, knowing that it contains aspartame. When it comes to sodas, I'll skip it altogether. As for sweetening my cereal--as long as I am not diagnosed with diabetes, Ill choose agave nectar because it's delicious (and you can use less because it is actually sweeter tasting than any other natural sweetener), along with maple syrup, honey, and yes--a little bit of sugar.

A votre sante.