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aspartame and depression » saturn

Posted by pseudoname on April 30, 2006, at 17:47:05

In reply to can aspartame really cause depression?, posted by saturn on April 30, 2006, at 0:30:17

Ivan Goldberg thinks so. He cites this:

 • Ralph G. Walton, Robert Hudak, and Ruth J. Green-Waite (1993) “Adverse Reactions to Aspartame: Double-Blind Challenge in Patients from a Vulnerable Population” Biological Psychiatry 34:13-17. Full text: http://www.mindfully.org/Health/Aspartame-Adverse-Reactions-1993.htm

“In a crossover design, subjects received aspartame 30 mg/kg/day or placebo for 7 days. … There was a significant difference between aspartame and placebo in number and severity of symptoms for patients with a history of depression, whereas for individuals without such a history there was not. We conclude that individuals with mood disorders are particularly sensitive to this artificial sweetener and its use in this population should be discouraged.”

“The project was halted by the Institutional Review Board after a total of 13 individuals had completed the study because of the severity of reactions within the group of patients with a history of depression.”

But an article in the British Medical Journal in 2004 said, “Evidence does not support links between aspartame and cancer, hair loss, depression…,” but it didn't actually cite the Walton study or rebut the depression claim. (BMJ 2004;329:755-756)

An article last year said, “Symptoms of hair loss, depression, [etc] … have all been attributed to its use, although these are unsubstantiated by published research”, but THAT article cited the one above, which despite superficially dismissing the depression claim, didn't actually look at the published research or address the topic directly. (Nutrition Bulletin, Dec 2005; 30:309 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2005.00521.x)

Thus does conventional wisdom get passed around until it looks convincing, despite the only evidence available being contrary. I thought Ivan used to claim there were 2 studies, but I only find the one just now.

So, I don't know. I haven't noticed a difference myself in going without it for several weeks, but the effect might've gotten lost in other factors.

Are you thinking of going without aspartame, Saturn?


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