"There are a growing number of clinicians and basic scientists who are convinced that excitotoxins play a critical role in the development of several neurological disorders, including migraines, seizures, infections, abnormal neural development, certain endocrine disorders, specific types of obesity, and especially the neurodegenerative diseases; a group of diseases which includes: ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and olivopontocerebellar degeneration."

"An enormous amount of both clinical and experimental evidence has accumulated over the past decade supporting this basic premise. Yet, the FDA still refuses to recognize the immediate and long term danger to the public caused by the practice of allowing various excitotoxins to be added to the food supply, such as MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and aspartame." [Not Just Another Scare: Toxin Additives in Your Food and Drink by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D.]

As a general rule, it would be best to avoid the use of aspartame, especially if you have ever experienced any negative reaction such as headaches, susceptibility to seizures or an increase in appetite when using aspartame. Other symptoms that have been reported include rash and leg nodules.