THE TRUTH BEHIND ASPARTAME: AN EXAMINATION OF THE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS CONSUMPTION by NAVEED MAJD

...................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................. x INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Aspartame’s Path to FDA Approval ............................................................................... 4 Goals ............................................................................................................................... 6 PUBLISHED STUDIES ..................................................................................................... 8 The Carcinogenic Risk of Aspartame ............................................................................. 8 Aspartame’s Association with Metabolic Disturbances and Diabetes ......................... 20 The Role of Aspartame in Oxidative Stress .................................................................. 25 Changes in Neurological Behavior, Function, and Chemistry due to Aspartame ........ 30 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................... 38 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 50