Lets finish reading the article we started in Part 1 and then get down to uncovering insights.

In anecdotal reports, aspartame has been linked to various neuropsychiatric disorders, including panic attacks, mood changes, visual hallucinations, manic episodes, and isolated dizziness. A small, double-blind crossover study of patients with major depression revealed a higher incidence of reactions in these patients compared with nondepressed volunteers after administration of 30 mg/kg for 7 days; symptoms included headache, nervousness, dizziness, memory impairment, nausea, temper outbursts, and depression. None of these conditions has been rigorously proven to be caused by aspartame, but carefully conducted double-blind challenges may be indicated in patients with histories that suggest aspartame as a cause.

Patients with underlying mitral valve prolapse or affective disorders may be at increased risk for neuropsychiatric effects; several studies have shown that individuals without psychiatric or seizure disorders do not demonstrate these effects.

Seizures have been reported via passive surveillance data collected by the FDA and in a few case reports. A recent analysis of FDA reports showed 41 cases of rechallenge with a temporal relationship to aspartame consumption. Most seizures occurred in patients who had an acceptable dietary intake, except for a 16-year-old who ingested up to 57 mg/kg of aspartame. Aspartame is generally considered safe for children with epilepsy. One study found increased spike-wave discharges in children with untreated absence seizures after a high dose of aspartame and suggested that children with poorly controlled absence seizures avoid aspartame.

In the beginning of this article the statement: The major consideration in the use of aspartame in children is in patients with autosomal recessive phenylketonuria warrants careful inspection.

First, what is autosomal recessive phenylketonuria a.k.a PKU?

Phenylketonuria is a type of birth defect a child inherits from both parents, who pass along the abnormal gene. A person who has phenylketonuria is missing or deficient in a specific enzyme needed to process an essential amino acid called phenylalanine. Amino acids are the building blocks for protein. For babies or adults with phenylketonuria, too much of this amino acid can be dangerous. An affected newborn needs special low-phenylalanine formula to meet its nutritional needs. Older children and adults must continue to follow a strict diet low in this amino acid. Although phenylketonuria is rare, recognizing it right away can help prevent serious health problems.

Hmmma rare defect that prevents a person from processing a particular amino acid (phenylalanine) because of a missing or deficient enzyme. My first question: Why isnt lactose intolerance seen is the indicator of milk being bad for you?

After all, people with lactose intolerance do not produce enough of the lactase enzyme to break down lactose. Instead undigested lactose sits in the gut causing gas, bloating, and stomach cramps, and then usually diarrhea because the intestine cannot absorb the lactose-containing foods.

As I end this article series, I want you to read the aspartame article in this series again. Look critically at what is being said. Think heavily about my statement of moderation. Think over the facts about the enzyme deficiency issues above.

After doing these things, I leave you with two questions: What should you responsibly do to insure that aspartame is safe for your use? What tests should you have performed to decide whether aspartame will meet your needs?