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How To Test for Aspartame Poisoning
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in a variety of foods and drinks. The FDA has approved the use of aspartame and states that it is a safe food additive. Aspartame contains aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which are both amino acids founds in proteins. People who believe aspartame use is dangerous, such Dr. Janet Hull, claim that aspartame is toxic and can poison the body 1. Currently, the easiest way to test for sensitivity to aspartame is by following an elimination diet.
How to Test for Aspartame Poisoning
Discuss your concerns regarding aspartame consumption with your physician. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disorder in which the patient is unable to metabolically process phenylalanine, which is found in aspartame. If you exhibit symptoms of PKU, your physician can order a blood test to check for the disorder.
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Obtain blood work to test for PKU and discuss the results with your physician. A diagnosis of PKU involves diet and lifestyle changes to eliminate the amino acids that are not metabolized.
Patients with PKU or patients who believe health conditions are a result of aspartame use should eliminate aspartame from their diets. Aspartame is found in many diet foods, sugar-free foods and pharmaceutical drugs. It may be marketed under several different brand names.
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Continue elimination of aspartame for at least 60 days. Dr. Janet Hull suggests that 60 days of elimination are necessary before a patient would see full results and relief of symptoms.
Obtain a hair analysis, if desired. Hair analysis identifies chemicals and metals stored within hair protein. Dr. Janet Hull recommends hair analysis as part of aspartame elimination so that the patient is aware of the toxicity within his body 1.
Take a detox supplement, if desired. Dr. Janet Hull suggests taking a detox supplement when eliminating aspartame from the diet to fully rid the body of aspartame and chemicals left over from aspartame use 1.
Warnings
Discuss symptoms and aspartame use with your physician before making dietary changes or taking dietary supplements.
- Discuss your concerns regarding aspartame consumption with your physician.
- Patients with PKU or patients who believe health conditions are a result of aspartame use should eliminate aspartame from their diets.
Related Articles
References
- Janet Starr Hull Sweet Poison: Dangers of Aspartame
- Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer. National Cancer Institute. National Institutes of Health.
- Aspartame. American Cancer Society.
- Additional Information about High-Intensity Sweeteners Permitted for use in Food in the United States. U.S.Food and Drug Administration.
- Center for Science in the Public Interest. Chemical Cuisine. Learn About Food Additives.
- Qing Yang. " Gain Weight by “Going Diet?” Artificial Sweeteners and the Neurobiology of Sugar Cravings." Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, June 2010.
Warnings
- Discuss symptoms and aspartame use with your physician before making dietary changes or taking dietary supplements.
Writer Bio
Sarah Thomas has been a freelance writer for more than five years. She has ghostwritten e-books and articles on weddings and other topics. Her work has also been published on various websites. Thomas graduated from Daemen College with a degree in psychology.