- Multinationals -

quantity vs toxicity, chemistry 101

Posted by: Mike Sprout ( Canada ) on October 24, 1997 at 19:29:10:

In Reply to: Nutra-Sweet and cancer posted by Anon on October 18, 1997 at 20:58:21:

: > Aspartame causes cancer?

: Many studies do suggest just that.

: > Based on what - the hundreds of studdies showing it to be completely
: > harmless?

: Studies paid for by who?

: > We need to get away from jumping to conculsions everytime some nut
: > does a study. It takes many studies by many idependant researchers
: > to prove a fact.

: Very true.

: I believe tha cancer link because I have locked myself in the Nutrasweet department of Monsantos UK head office for several hours
: while I read their convidential files and faxed copies of them to
: third parties (see SHAG report April 21st 1997). Amoung the files were guidelines on how to deal with press enquires, copies of their own supress research and of independent findings from around the world. Monsanto privately seem to accept the cancer link while putting their efforts into damage control and public relations solutions.

Many substances can be harmful when consumed in large enough quantities. In fact, many items necessary for life become very toxic at high levels. It should be no surprise that studies, giving rats artificial sweetners in amounts that would equal humans consuming swimming pools full of diet pop would show harm to the rats. One must also consider the trade off involved in product choice. While I do not consume any pop, is it worse for those who do to consume aspartame if the alternative is obesity from regular pop? Fear mongering over every suggestion that a given product may cause some harm is not constructive. I have heard some people say they limit their consumption of fruits and veggies over fears of pesticides (they think Big Macs are healthier!) I suggest we stick with the broad consensus of opinion on dietary health, namely eating a low fat/high fibre diet, with special emphasis on orange fruit and orange and dark green veggies, legumes, whole grains and lots of water. Whith the North American diet as it is, most peoples last concer should be the dangers of aspartame.


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