Side Effects Of Aspartic Acid | LIVESTRONG.COM
Aspartic acid, also known as aspartate, is considered a non-essential amino acid, which can be synthesized within the body. However, it can also be found in aspartame, a sugar substitute and artificial food sweetener approved by FDA in 1981. Aspartame is comprised of 40 percent aspartic acid, according to a 2009 article in the journal "Impulse."
Acute and Chronic Nervous Disorders
According to the 2009 "Impulse" article, aspartate can increase the stimulation of nerve cells causing disturbance and rapid firing action of these affected cells. This is supported by the results of a study published by the journal "Psychopharmacology" in April 2009, which states that the excessive activation of aspartate receptors by aspartic acid in the nerves, can lead to a number of acute and chronic nervous system disorders such as seizures and Alzheimer's disease. The study also states that other nervous conditions can occur, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease that causes gradual progression of nerve cell degeneration causing problems in voluntary muscle movement and Huntington's disease, a genetically determined deterioration of nerve cells in the brain.
Headaches
In a study published in October 1994 in the journal "Neurology," researchers observed that headaches can occur in patients who take in too much aspartic acid, in the form of aspartame. This is particularly true in aspartame-susceptible patients, who ingest a considerable amount of this artificial sweetener. However, the exact mechanism of how this problem occurs is still unknown.
Increased Blood Alcohol Level
As noted in the 2009 "Impulse" article, patients who drank alcoholic beverages that contained aspartame had higher blood alcohol levels compared to those who drank the conventional alcohol-plus-table-sugar combination. In response to this effect, more alcohol consumption-related problems can occur such as depressive episodes, severe anxiety and insomnia. Furthermore, with the effects of increased alcohol levels in the body, inhibition of certain brain activities can occur, leading to behavioral changes, muscle relaxation and decreased brain activity, notes the article.
References
- "Impulse": The Premier Journal for Undergraduate Publications in the Neurosciences"; Effect of an Aspartame-Ethanol Mixture on Daphnia magna Cardiac Activity; Schleidt, S. et al.; 2009
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; The Nature of Human Hazards Associated with Excessive Intake of Amino Acids; Garlick, P.J.; June 2004
- "Neurology"; Aspartame ingestion and headaches: a randomized crossover trial; Van den Eeden, S.K. et al.; October 1994
- "Psychopharmacology"; The Discriminative Stimulus Effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate Glycine-site Ligands in NMDA antagonist-trained Rats; Nicholson, K.L. et al.; April 2009
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