THE HANDSTAND

JULY 2007

 

REPORT FOR SCHOOLS,
OB-GYN AND PEDIATRICIANS
ON CHILDREN AND ASPARTAME/MSG

REPORT ON ASPARTAME AND CHILDREN

Prepared By Mission Possible
Dr. Betty Martini
9270 River Club Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097
Telephone: 770-242-2599
E-Mail: BettyM19@mindspring.com



Posted: 04 August 2006


A compilation of observations among physicians, researchers and laypeople who have demonstrated the link between aspartame consumption and the cascade of adverse neurodevelopmental and physiological complications occurring epidemically among children and; foundational science and observations regarding the link of adverse neurodevelopmental and physical complications of monosodium glutamate consumption.

This report has been prepared especially for parents, physicians, teachers, school administrators and lawmakers so they may understand the short and long-term dangers of aspartame consumption and the importance of removing from school cafeterias, vending machines and student stores food products that contain aspartame.


Contributors:
The Feingold Association
Mission Possible Founder Betty Martini
Barbara Metzler
Jack Samuels

Medical Consultants:
Russell Blaylock, MD
Sandra Cabot, MD
Joseph Mercola, MD
H.J. Roberts, MD
John Olney, MD
Ralph Walton, MD


Report on Aspartame and Children

By Ralph G. Walton, M.D.


Although undoubtedly well intentioned, any attempt to replace sugared beverages with aspartame containing diet products will, in my opinion, have a devastating impact on the health of our children and adolescents. The alarming increase in obesity, type II diabetes, and a wide variety of behavioral difficulties in our children is obviously attributable to multiple factors, but I am convinced that one powerful force in accentuating these problems is the ever increasing use of aspartame.

Aspartame is a multipotential toxin and carcinogen. The dipeptide component of the molecule can alter brain chemistry, significantly changing the ratio of catecholamines to indolamines, with resultant lowering of seizure threshold, production of carbohydrate craving and in vulnerable individuals leading to panic, depressive and cognitive symptoms.

The methyl ester component of aspartame is metabolized to methanol, which in turn is broken down into formic acid and formaldehyde. Methanol can lead to serious eye problems, formic acid and formaldehyde are potent carcinogens. The diet food industry and the F.D.A. are fond of saying that aspartame is "the most studied product in history" with an outstanding safety record. In fact however virtually all of the studies in the medical literature attesting to its safety were funded by the industry, whereas independently funded studies, now numbering close to 100, identify one or more problems. It would be especially tragic if an attempt to improve the health of our children led to even greater exposure to this highly toxic product. Thank you for your attention to this urgent public health issue.

Ralph G. Walton, M.D.
Medical Director, Safe Harbor Behavioral Health
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Adjunct Professor Of Psychiatry, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Walton's study on aspartame: "Adverse Reactions to Aspartame: Double-Blind Challenge in Patients from a Vulnerable Population: http://www.mindfully.org/Health/Aspartame-Adverse-Reactions-1993.htm
Dr. Walton's research on Scientific Peer Reviewed Studies and Funding: http://www.dorway.com/doctors.html#walton


The Dangers of Aspartame

Russell Blaylock, MD, is arguably the world's foremost authority on the biochemistry of aspartame and its effect on brain function. Dr. Blaylock classifies aspartame alongside monosodium glutamate as an "excitotoxin"-substances that overstimulate brain cells causing cascades of neurological complications. His book, "Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills," is considered by many to be a definitive work in the field of excitotoxicity.

By Russell Blaylock, MD


In 1965, a researcher at G.D. Searle pharmaceutical company inadvertently discovered the artificial sweetener aspartame while working on an anti-ulcer medication. It was discovered that the sweetener was about 150 times sweeter than an equal amount of sugar. Over the next decade, the research staff at the G.D. Searle Company conducted a series of studies in an effort to get the product approved by the FDA.

Over all this consisted of about 11 different studies. In 1974 aspartame was approved for use only in dry foods. Its approval was based on these studies. Yet, even before these studies were being presented to the FDA, the pharmaceutical giant was under investigation for improprieties associated with several of its other drugs.

No basis for reliance

During this investigation, Dr. Adrian Gross was placed in charge of examining these studies and Jerome Bressler was assigned to examine three of the studies. This investigation included a through examination of the pathology laboratory used in the tests, interviews with the scientists and technicians involved and a careful analytic review of the studies themselves.

In a letter to Senator Howard Metzenbaum, Dr. Gross discussed many of their findings in this investigation. He pointed out that at the heart of the regulatory process was the ability of the FDA to "rely upon the integrity of the basic safety data submitted" to the FDA. Further, he says, "Our investigation clearly demonstrates that, in the case of G.D. Searle Company, we have no basis for such reliance now."

He then pinpoints why he had reached this conclusion, when he states:

"Through our efforts, we have uncovered serious deficiencies in Searle's operations and practices which undermine the basis for reliance on Searle's integrity in conducting high quality animal research to accurately determine or characterize the toxic potential of its products."

Who cares about the unborn?

Dr. Gross expressed his disdain at the way teratology experiments were conducted. These are critical tests with any new drug because it determines possible dangers to unborn children when their mothers are exposed to the product during pregnancy. He found that technicians responsible for the tests had no formal training in teratology or toxicology. In fact, they were given some books by the company and trained themselves for three months.

Unlawful carcinogenicity

Of most concern was the way the carcinogenicity tests were conducted. These are tests to see if the product could cause cancer. According to the law, any product intended as a food product cannot have demonstrated cancer-causing ability at a dose 100 times that which is commonly consumed.

Even though the tests were poorly conducted they did demonstrate that aspartame was associated with a dramatic, dose-dependent, increase in a variety of brain tumors-mainly astrocytomas-the type commonly seen in humans. This means that the higher the dose of aspartame the more tumors that were found.

The most appalling findings were by Dr. Bressler's investigation group. They found that in several instances malignant tumors were classified as benign and that in others, tumors were removed from rats and tissue slides and reported as normal.

Neurotoxic ingredients

Dr. John Olney, a neuropathologist and neuroscientist, pointed out to FDA investigators that aspartame contained at least two distinct components that could harm the brain-diketopiperizine and aspartic acid. The former is a suspected carcinogen and the latter an excitatory amino acid. As a world expert on excitotoxicity, a process where amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid causes brain cells to be excited to death, he understood the real danger to babies and small children. His laboratory studies had demonstrated that high dose aspartame could cause the very same brain injury as other excitotoxins.

The 1974 approval was withdrawn and after the results of these investigations were reviewed privately, aspartame was given approval once again in 1981. Ironically, it was approved using the very same studies that resulted in it being banned as too dangerous for human consumption in 1975.

Aspartame and brain tumors

In 1981, Arthur Hull Hayes was appointed commissioner of the FDA and in 1983 he approved aspartame for use in beverages. Three months later her left the FDA and accepted a position as the Senior Medical Advisor to Searle's PR firm of Burson-Marstellar.

Despite the objections of Dr. Olney and other neuroscientists and pathologists, the product was given approval, essentially for all foods and beverages.

In 1992, Dr. Olney published a study that suggested that the significant rise in human brain tumors was related to the widespread use of aspartame, since it began after the approval of aspartame in foods and beverages. In Searle's original study Dr. Olney found that there was a 47-fold increase in brain tumors in the rats exposed to high dose aspartame. Even Searle's figures showed a 25-fold increase in brain tumors.

Using existing data, Dr. Olney and his co-authors found a 65-percent increase in brain tumors in humans since aspartame was approved by the FDA. Dr. H.J. Roberts also reported a similar rise in a rare form of brain cancer associated with aspartame use.

Brain tumors in lab rats-and people

And a recent study by one of Europe's most prestigious oncology groups (a million dollar study) found a non-statistically significant increase in brain tumors in 1,800 rats tested using aspartame. The control animals, which received no aspartame, developed no brain tumors, whereas the aspartame exposed animals developed 10 malignant gliomas, 1 medulloblastoma and 1 malignant meningioma. I have had contact with a number of young women who have developed brain tumors (astrocytomas) following heavy use of aspartame products. When we combined the experimental studies with the clinical data it is obvious that aspartame is strongly linked to brain tumors and most likely lymphomas and leukemias.

Of great concern is the study by Trocho and his co-workers from the University of Barcelona, which found that aspartame was absorbed and then broken down into its component parts, including methanol and the methanol was further broken down into formic acid and formaldehyde. Using sophisticated radioactive labeling techniques he proved that the formaldehyde from the aspartame attached itself to the DNA, RNA and proteins of cells and that it was very difficult to removed. Further, they showed that the formaldehyde caused breaks in the DNA.

This has major implications in humans, since DNA damage, as was seen in their study, causes a multitude of cancers in humans as well as worsening of autoimmune diseases, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's and ALS. It also causes concern because DNA breaks in the DNA in sperm and ova can cause increased cancer risk and developmental problems in the offspring of mothers and fathers consuming aspartame products.

In the Bressler examination of the Searle tumor study they found that the female animals exposed to aspartame had a very high incidence of uterine polyps, which were rare in rats not exposed. In fact, at even moderate doses, there was a 15-fold increase in uterine polyps. In addition, they found several ovarian tumors, breast fibroadenomas, several pituitary adenomas, several lymphomas and pancreatic tumors.

Contemporary confirmation

The new million-dollar study by Dr. Morando Soffritti and co-workers found a dramatic increase in malignant lymphomas and leukemias in female rats consuming even low doses of aspartame-doses known to be consumed by millions of children, pregnant women and others. Their carefully done study concluded that most likely it was the formaldehyde breakdown product from the aspartame that was causing the cancers, which confirms what Trocho and co-workers had found earlier. Formaldehyde is known to be a powerful toxin and carcinogen, even in low concentrations.

WARNING for pregnant women

Of great concern was the finding by Trocho, that formaldehyde tends to accumulate in the DNA and is difficult to remove. This means that drinking even a single diet cola sweetened with aspartame can eventually produce significant DNA damage to raise one's risk of cancer and other diseases. Today, over 5,000 products contain aspartame. It is also important to appreciate that we are exposed to a number of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, which can add to aspartame's toxicity.

There are sufficient studies on the effect of aspartame on the developing fetus to draw serious concern about the safety of this product. For example, it has been shown that aspartame in the dose accepted as safe by the FDA (50 mg/kg/day) can produce phenylalanine levels in a large number of women and their babies during pregnancy-large enough to produce abnormal development of the baby's brain. This is because phenylalanine interferes with the normal migration and connections of the developing brain. In my estimation, pregnant women should never consume foods containing aspartame at any level, for the reasons I have discussed. The aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol are all known to produce abnormal development of a baby's brain.

Revealing side study

There is also evidence from the studies done by Dr. Ralph Walton, indicating that depressed people are especially sensitive to the toxic effects of aspartame and that this is especially true of those with suicidal tendencies. In a separate study he has shown that virtually all of the independently conducted studies done on aspartame safety have found problems with the product, yet not a single study funded by the makers of aspartame (now Monsanto) reported even minor problems.

This is especially puzzling when you consider that among all the food-related complained registered by the FDA, 75 percent to 85 percent are related to aspartame. This alone should tell us there is a problem.

There are sufficient independent studies to show that aspartame is a dangerous product and that it should have never been given approval. In fact, it was approved using the same shoddy studies alluded to by Dr. Adrian Gross in his letter to Senator Howard Metzenbaum.

References

  1. Letter to Senator Howard Metzenbaum from Dr. Adrian Gross, dated October 30, 1987.
  2. Jerome Bressler, The Bressler Report, 4/25/77 to 8/4/77
  3. Olney JW. Excitotoxins in foods. Neurotoxicology 1994;15:535-544.
  4. Olney JW, et al. Brain damage in mice from voluntary ingestion of glutamate and aspartate. Neurobehavoral Toxicolology 1980; 2: 125-129.
  5. Reynolds WA. Et al. Hypothalamic morphology following ingestion of aspartame or MSG in the neonatal rodent and primate: a preliminary report. Environmental Health 1976;2: 471-480.
  6. Brunner RL, et al. Aspartame: assessment of developmental psychotoxicity of a new artificial sweetener Neurobehavioral Toxicology 1979;1: 79-86.
  7. Wurtman RJ. Aspartame: possible effect on seizure susceptibility. Lancet 1985;9
  8. Maher TJ, et al. Possible neurologic effects of aspartame, a widely used food additive. Environmental Health Perspectives. 1987;75: 53-57.
  9. Walton RG, The possible role of aspartame in seizure induction. In, Wurtman RJ, Ritter-Walker E. (eds); Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function. Birkhauser, Boston, 1988, pp 159-162.
  10. Changes in physiological concentrations of blood phenylalanine produce changes in sensitive parameters of human brain function. In, Wurtman RJ, Ritter-Walker E. (eds); Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function. Birkhauser, Boston, 1988, pp187-195.
  11. Christian B, et al. Chronic aspartame affects T-maze performance, brain cholinergic receptors and Na+, K+-ATPase in rats. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 2004;78:121-127.
  12. Nakao H, et al. Formaldehyde-induced shrinkage of rat thymocytes. Journal of Pharmacological Science 2003; 91: 83-86.
  13. H.J. Roberts. Does aspartame cause human brain cancer? Journal of Advancement in Medicine 1991; 4: 231-240.
  14. Trocho C, et al. Formaldehyde derived from dietary aspartame binds to tissue components in vivo. Life Sciences 1998;63:337-349.
  15. Scoffritti M, et al. Aspartame induces lymphomas and leukemias in rats. European Journal of Oncology 2005; 10: (in press)
  16. Sabelli HC and Javaid JI. Phenylaethylamine modulation of affect: therapeudic and diagnostic implications. Journal of Neuropsychiatry 1995; 7: 6-14.
  17. Scharma RP, et al. cerebrospinal fluid levels of phenylacetic acid in mental illness: behavioral associations and response to neuroleptic treatment. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1995; 91: 293-298.
  18. Robain O, et al. Experimental phenylketonuria: effect of phenylacetate intoxication on number of synapses in cerebellar cortex of rats. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 1983; 61: 313-315.
  19. Matalon R, et al. Aspartame consumption in normal individuals and carriers of phenylketonuria. In, Wurtman RJ, Ritter-Walker E. (eds); Dietary Phenylalanine and Brain Function. Birkhauser, Boston, 1988, pp41-52.
  20. Monte WC. Aspartame: methanol and public health. Journal of Applied Nutrition 1984; 36: 52.
  21. Walton RG, et al. Adverse reactions to aspartame: double-blind challenge in patients from a vulnerable population. Biological Psychiatry 1993; 34: 13-17.
  22. Olney JW, Farber NB, Spitznagel E, Robins LN. Increasing brain tumor rates: is there a link to aspartame? J Neuropathology Experimental Neurology. 1996;55:1115-23.

Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., Neurosurgeon (retired)
Visiting Professor of Biology Belhaven College, Jackson, Mississippi

He can be seen in the aspartame documentary, Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World, http:// www.amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. He has a monthly newsleletter: The Blaylock Wellness Report: http://www.blaylockreport.com

On autism: http://www.dorway.com/blayautism.txt
On brain problems: http://www.dorway.com/blayart1.txt
Excitotoxins, Neurodegeneration and Neurodevelopment: http://www.dorway.com/blayenn.html
Miami Herald Letter, Exposing Calorie Control Council, front group: http://www.wnho.net/mh_aspartame_letter.htm

Media contacts through Dr. Betty Martini, D.Hum., Founder, Mission Possible Intl, 9270 River Club Parkway, Duluth, Georgia (770) 242-2599 BettyM19@mindspring.com
http:// www.dorway.com, Aspartame Information List, http://www.wnho.net


Aspartame products:
Potentially dangerous to infants, children and future generations

"The chemicals we ingest may affect more than our own health. They affect the health and vitality of future generations. The danger is that many of these chemicals may not harm us but will do silent violence to our children."
~Senator Abraham Ribicoff (l971)

By H. J. Roberts, M.D., FACP, FCCP


I have studied the numerous adverse effects of products containing the chemical aspartame for a quarter century as a corporate-neutral physician (board-certified internist; member of the Endocrine Society and American Academy of Neurology). I encompassed these adverse effects as "aspartame disease" in my large text, "Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic" published in 2001.

The prime motive for this ongoing effort to remove aspartame from products available in commerce is the enormous toll in illness, disability and death attributable to aspartame disease...and failure of the medical profession and many governmental and other public health agencies to concern themselves with this ignored epidemic. The fact that over two-thirds of adults in our society consume aspartame products, and approximately 40 percent of children, often in prodigious amounts, provides perspective.

Perhaps the most grievous aspect pertains to the damage that these products can induce in infants and children. Moreover, aspartame could affect subsequent generations borne to mothers who were misled about the safety of this and related chemicals. Indeed, some who regard the widespread promotion of aspartame products to these groups as "crimes against humanity" have urged the banning of aspartame products for their imminent threat to human health.

A case in point is the full page ad that appeared in Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals magazine (November 2004) titled, "Remember your first taste of Aspartame?" depicting an infant feeding at its mother's breast (see page 15). It noted that the chief ingredients of aspartame are two building blocks of protein "...just like those founds in eggs, fruit cheese or fish - and even in mothers' milk."

In my January, 2005 objection to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission about such perceived deceptive advertising in "a material respect," I listed the following reasons:

(1) omission of other major components of aspartame, especially the 10 percent free methyl alcohol (methanol)
(2) the profound adverse effects of the large amounts of its "two building blocks of protein" on neurotransmitters and other important systems, and
(3) the absence of any references to the terrible reactions induced by aspartame products in numerous infants and children."

Aspartame disease in infants and children

The manifestations of aspartame disease in young children include severe headache, convulsions, unexplained vision loss, rashes, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, obesity, marked weight loss, hypoglycemia, diabetes, addiction (probably largely due to the methyl alcohol), hyperthyroidism, and a host of neuropsychiatric features. The latter include extreme fatigue, irritability, hyperactivity, depression, antisocial behavior (including suicide), poor school performance, the deterioration of intelligence and brain tumors.

Each of these disorders and the underlying mechanisms is detailed in my books, especially Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic. They tend to be magnified in patients with unrecognized hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar reactions), diabetes and phenylketonuria (PKU). Persons with PKU lack the enzyme needed for handling phenylalanine, one of the amino acids (It's dramatic increase in the body can cause severe neurological and other damage if aspartame abstinence and other dietary precautions are not instituted).

It is my further opinion that exposure to aspartame products and other neurotoxins may initiate or aggravate changes in the nervous system that result in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The latter issue is detailed in my book, "Defense Against Alzheimer's Disease."

Pregnant women and nursing mothers

I continue to urge ALL pregnant women and mothers who breast-feed to avoid aspartame products...advice that many of my obstetric colleagues have adopted.

This precaution has been dramatically demonstrated as valid by the occurrence of convulsions in suckling infants as the mother drank an aspartame soda. The scientific grounds for the foregoing continue to increase. They include:

  • exposure of the fetus to considerable phenylalanine and methanol
  • maternal malnutrition associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a reduction of calories
  • transmission of aspartame and its breakdown components via the mother's milk
  • the increased "allergic load," thereby risking future hypersensitivity problems

Birth defects and subsequent generational stigmas

The finding of aspartame metabolites in DNA clearly has profound implications. I have described severe problems in the fetus or the infants of parents-including fathers-who consumed aspartame at the time of conception and/or during pregnancy.

Epidemiological studies will be necessary to corroborate the role of aspartame consumption in medical, neurological, metabolic, immune and neoplastic disorders involving subsequent generations.

The urgent need for action

It is clear to all who have studied the matter that the initial approval of aspartame by the FDA in l981-in the face of severe objections from its in-house scientists, consultants for the General Accounting Office, and even a Public Board of Inquiry-was an erroneous political decision. This opinion is supported by considerable clinical experience, an increasing number of credible scientific studies, and demographic evidence relating to the contributory role of aspartame sodas and other products in the dramatic increase of obesity, diabetes, attention deficit disorder, brain tumors and other malignancies in children.

In the light of this information, it is incumbent upon governmental agencies and consumers to severely curtail or stop the use of ALL aspartame products-including aspartame-sweetened vitamins, drugs and supplements. This also applies to a number of derivatives of aspartame and other chemicals that have not been evaluated by corporate-neutral investigators over sufficient periods of time using real-world products. Failure to do so invites the tragedy of a human "silent spring."

The full spectrum of the mild to severe, even lethal adverse effects of aspartame use have been detailed in Dr. Roberts' numerous articles, reports, studies letters and books. A comprehensive list of references to the literature Dr. Roberts has published on the subject of aspartame is available at http://www.wnho.net/aspartame_potential_danger.htm

REFERENCES:

Roberts, H. J.: Neurologic, psychiatric and behavioral reactions to aspartame in 505 aspartame reactors. In Proceedings of the First International Conference on Dietary Phenylalani8ne and Brain Function, edited by R. J. Wurtman and E.
Ritter-Walker, Washington, D.C., May 8-10, l987, pp. 477-481
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame (NutraSweet) associated confusion and memory loss: A Possible human model for early Alzheimer's disease. Abstract 306. Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Boston, February 13, l988.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame (NutraSweet) associated epilepsy. Clinical Research l988; 36:349A.
Roberts, H. J.: Complications associated with aspartame (NutraSweet) in diabetics. Clinical Research l988:3:489A
Roberts, H .J.: The Aspartame Problem. Statement for Committee on Labor and Human Resources, U.S. Senate, Hearing on "NutraSweet" Health and Safety Concerns, November 3, l987, 83-178, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, l988, pp. 466-467
Roberts, H. J.: Reactions attributed to aspartame-containing products: 551 cases, Journal of Applied Nutrition l988; 40:85-94
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame (NutraSweet): Is It Safe? Philadelphia, The Charles Press, 1989
Roberts, H. J.: Does aspartame cause human brain cancer? Journal of Advancement in Medicine 1991: 4 (Winter):231-241
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame-associated confusion and memory loss. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1991:June:442-443.
Roberts, H. J.: Myasthenia gravis associated with aspartame use. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1991; August/September: 699-700.
Roberts, H. J.: Joint pain associated with aspartame use. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1991;May:375-376.
Roberts, H.J.: Sweet'ner Dearest: Bittersweet Vignettes About Aspartame (NutraSweet). West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, Inc. l992.
Roberts, H.J.: Unexplained headaches and seizures. Townsend Letter for Doctors, 1992: 1001-1002.
Roberts, H.J.: Safety of aspartame (Letter) Townsend Letter for Doctors 1992: November:977-978.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame: Is it safe? Interview with H. J. Robert, M.D., Mastering Food Allergies 1992: 7 (#1), 3-6.
Roberts, H. J.: Testimony: Analysis of Adverse Reactions to Monosodium Glutamate. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Bethesda, April 8, 1993.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame (NutraSweet) NOHA News 1993; Winter:5-6.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame-associated dry mouth (xerostomia). Townsend Letter for Doctors 1993; February/March: 201-202.
Roberts, H. J.: "Dry eyes" from use of aspartame (NutraSweet). Townsend Letter for Doctors 1994;January:82-83.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame as a cause for diarrhea in diabetics. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1994; June:623-624.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame and headache. Neurology 1995; 45:1631-1633.
Roberts, H. J.: Defense Against Alzheimer's Disease: A Rational Blueprint for Prevention. West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press. 1995.
Roberts, H. J.: Lactose Intolerance. (Letter) New England Journal of Medicine 1995; 333:1359
Roberts, H. J.: Memory loss and aspartame. Townsend Letter for Doctors 1995; August/September:99-100
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame as a cause of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1996; 156:1027
Roberts, H. J.: Critique of the Official Australia and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) Position on Aspartame. Soil & Health 1997; July/September: 15.
Roberts, H .J.: Preclinical Alzheimer's disease (Letter) Neurology 1997; 48-549-55.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame effects during pregnancy and childhood. (Letter) Latitudes 1997; 3 (Number 1):3
Roberts, H. J.: "Dry eyes" from use of aspartame. Associated insights concerning the Sjogren syndrome.
Focus (Information Forum For Retinal Degenerative Disorders) 1998: Volume 3 (No. 3):16-17.
Roberts, H. J.: Submission to FDA regarding Docket No. 981F-0052 (Food Additive Petition for Neotame), March 3, 1998.
Roberts, H. J.: What's blinding the world? Focus (Information Forum for Retinal Degenerative Disorders) 1998; Volume 3 (No. 3): 15-16
Roberts, H. J.: Ignored Health Hazards for Pilots and Drivers: The A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H File West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 1998.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame toxicity denied - Dr. Roberts responds. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 1998; April:110-113.
Roberts, H. J.: The CACOF Conspiracy: Lessons of the New Millennium. West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 1998.
Roberts, H. J.: Unrecognized aspartame disease in silicone breast implant patients. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 1998; May:74-75.
Roberts, H. J.: Unrecognized Aspartame Disease in Silicone Breast Implant Patients. Solicited Statement for the Committee on the Safety of Silicone Breast Implants, Institute for Medicine, Washington, D.C. Submitted on June 4, 1998.
Roberts, H. J.: Breast Implants or Aspartame (NutraSweet) Disease? The Suppressed Opinion About a Perceived Medicolegal Travesty. West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 1999.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame (NutraSweet) addiction. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2000; January (#198): 52-57.
Roberts, H. J.: Carpal tunnel syndrome due to aspartame disease. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2000; November: 82-84.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic, West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 2001.
Roberts, H.J.: Response to the assessment by the Alzheimer's Association concerning Research and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2001; May:111-112.
Roberts, H .J.: The labeling minefield, with emphasis on aspartame. Nutrition Health Review 2001; #80:6.
Roberts, H. J.: Reply and commentary to the NutraSweet Company's senior medical Consultant. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2001; October:93-95.
Roberts, H. J.: Pseudotumor cerebri due to aspartame disease. Townsend Letter For Doctors & Patients 2002;June:66-68.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame-induced dyspnea and pulmonary hypertension. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2003; January:6465.
Roberts, H .J.: Useful Insights for Diagnosis Treatment and Public Health. West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Institute for Medical Research, 2002.
Roberts, H. J.: The trouble with sweeteners. Nutrition Health Review 2003; July (#85): 3-6.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame disease: A possible cause for concomitant Graves'disease and Pulmonary hypertension. Texas Heart Institute Journal. 2004; 31:105
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame-induced arrhythmias and sudden death. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2004; May:121.
Roberts, H. J.: The potential hazard of aspartame absorption from within the mouth. Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients 2004; July:100.
Roberts, H. J.: Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic. 3 cassette audio set. (ISBN 1-884243-207).
West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 2005. Roberts, H. J.: Mommylinks to Health: Aspartame (NutraSweet) Disease. CD (1-884243-134) West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 2005.

(Dr. Roberts can be seen in the aspartame documentary: Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World, http://www.amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. He is an internationally known medical consultant and researcher. He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in The World, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, and The Best Doctors in the U.S. He has been knighted by the Order of St. George for his humanitarianism. His web site is http://www.sunsentpress.com or 1-800-827-7991. Many of the reports in his references can be read on http://www.dorway.com and http://www.wnho.net )