I haven't seen anything about aspartame in the book or in the forums. If the question's been asked before, sorry. I must have missed it.

So, my question is, how does aspartame affect the zone. I drink an occasional Diet Coke and am curious what, if any, negative effects it has on my metabolism.

Responses appreciated.

Aces.
A-Ron

Scary picture!

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. It stimulates the sweet receptors on the tongue, which begins an initial let-down of insulin from the pancreas. When the insulin circulates, and there is no food/carb to digest, we feel the sensation of hunger, and we are no longer in the Zone. And, remember, elevated insulin levels leads to an increase in silent inflammation.

Aaorn,

Good question.

If you are restricting the question to if it having any [KNOWN] effects on your insulin levels - the answer SHOULD BE - NO.

The idea behind it is to be a sugar SUBSTITUTE for TASTE - WITHOUT the negative effects of real sugar.

The manufacturer claims it does that.

It probably does - and a few other things that will probably start a "tempest in a teapot" when other repsonses come in.

However : in the upper right corner of this page note the "search" function - type in "aspartame" and/or "other" similar "sweetener" and out will come a number of forum respnses - here's one you can wade your way through :

http://www.zonediet.com/RESOURCES/F....aspx#1522

... from the "End" Zone

e.Wally

ewally@verizon.net

Aaron,

Look here but I would also try and determine EXACTLY WHO IS BEHIND " :

"... the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology ..." mentioned in the excerpt below. It could well be NOT an "independent" publication at all but something set up by the "aspartame" industry -likewise for the "panel of experts" that have "reviewed over 500 studies" - may be legitimate - may not.

I do consume some things with "artificial sweetners" but I attempt to limit it as much as possible for ONE REASON :

ANY DRUG OR ADDITIVE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS TESTED AT BEST UNDER "SHORT TERM" CONDITIONS ONLY - as in up to several years.

It is simply economically not freasable to test something - anything - for 10 or 20 or more years before allowing it to be used.

So - Aaron my boy - IT IS YOU AND I WHO DO THE "LONG TERM" TESTING - LIKE IT OR NOT.

With that in mind I am not going to consume ANYTHING that smells of "controversial" in other than mimimal quantities at best.



http://www.aboutaspartame.com/profe.../index.asp


New, Most Comprehensive Study of Aspartame Ever Conducted Reaffirms Safety of Sweetener
September 11, 2007 –
A new scientific study released today and considered the most comprehensive review of aspartame ever conducted,
reaffirms the safety of the widely used sweetener. The report was published in the September edition of
the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology, available online today and in print next week.
An internationally renowned panel of experts reviewed more than 500 studies,
articles and reports on aspartame and reconfirmed that aspartame is safe at current levels of consumption,
even among the heaviest users.

Please click on the links below for copies of the following materials:

Report conclusions
University of Maryland press release
Informa Healthcare/Critical Reviews in Toxicology press release
Aspartame Resource Center press release
Informa Healthcare/Critical Reviews in Toxicology Web site
American Dietetic Association comment


... from the "ZONE OF SUSPICION"

E.Wally

ewally@verzon.net

Here is a word from Dr. Sears on the use of Stevia. Although the original question is about aspartame, his answer actually covers ALL artificial sweeteners.

http://www.drsears.com/tabid/399/it...tevia.aspx