Toxic Reactions to Aspartame Nov 10, 2009
It contains 50% phenylalanine, an amino acid that must be carefully avoided by those who cannot process it properly, known as phenylketonurics, or PKU. PKU disease is one of several metabolic disorders routinely screened in newborns. Another component of aspartame is methanol (wood alcohol). (Suite101.com)
Full Story » Oct 16, 2009
Untreated PKU can Cause Mental Retardation. Manage PKU with KUVAN.. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
SCID Kids Leading Healthy, Normal Lives 25 Years After 'Bubble Boy' Oct 14, 2009
"Babies frequently die from infections, but no one thinks about SCID," Buckley says, "and autopsies are rarely done any more, so the death certificate simply lists 'infection' as the cause." Buckley believes SCID may actually be as prevalent as PKU, an inherited metabolic disorder that is routinely identified and treated through newborn screening. Buckley has been advocating for over a decade about the need for routine screening for SCID in newborns. (Science Daily)
Are All Sweeteners Equal? Sep 10, 2009
Another problem with aspartame is that it can't be used by phenylketonurics (persons with PKU). Aspartame contains phenylalanine, which cannot be properly broken down by these persons' metabolisms. (Suite101.com)
Food for thought Aug 27, 2009
Anyone with PKU (phenylketonuria -- a problem of phenylalanine, an amino acid, metabolism) should not use aspartame. MSG (monosodium glutamate) -- common allergic and behavioural reactions, including headaches, dizziness, chest pain, depression and mood swings, also a possible neurotoxin. (India Times, India)
PKU patients have more drug, food options Aug 11, 2009
Arneson is a 27-year-old mother of two, living with phenylketonuria, or PKU, which is a metabolic disorder involving a malfunctioning or missing enzyme that doesn t allow a person to process an amino acid called phenylalanine, or phe ... If phe levels go unchecked and uncontrolled in a PKU patient, severe mental retardation can result ... Most of us only learn about PKU if we have a newborn baby. (Helena Independent Record)
Newborn screening test saves lives, money Aug 1, 2009
In 1998 NSW led the world in funding high-tech screening in all newborns for 30 rare metabolic disorders on top of the more well-known conditions identified by the heel-prick test, such as cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria (PKU). While this screening has since been implemented in other developed countries, the research by the Childrens Hospital at Westmead and the University of Technology, Sydney, is the first to measure the effectiveness of screening for babies and cost. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical 2Q profit declines Jul 31, 2009
Kuvan treats phenylketonuria, or PKU, a genetic disorder that can cause problems with brain development. For 2009, revenue is expected between $311 million and $336 million, compared with prior expectations for $307 million to $336 million in sales. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Blue Cross debuts low-cost small-business plan Jul 24, 2009
The plan saves money by cutting out coverage for a host of services: chiropractor visits, wigs used by cancer patients, mental health services, mental health drugs, treatment of jaw joint disorder (TMJ), weight-loss surgery, infertility treatments and dietary treatment of the genetic disorder phenlketornuria (PKU). Maternity benefits are still covered. (Twin Cities Business Journal, MN)
Shodair Hospital hosting first Montana Metabolic Day Aug. 15 Jul 21, 2009
We want to provide people who have been diagnosed with PKU or another metabolic condition an opportunity to come together from all corners of Montana to discuss the importance of managing metabolic disorders, Shodair Administrator Jack Casey said in a press release ... The event will include presentations by experts in metabolic conditions, a cooking demonstration on foods that are appropriate for PKU patients, and fun activities for children with metabolic conditions ... PKU (phenylketonuria)... (Helena Independent Record)
Crowds mourn loss of "national treasure" Jul 14, 2009
BEIJING, July 13 -- More than 3,500 people came to Peking University (PKU) Auditorium yesterday to mourn Ji Xianlin, one of China's most celebrated scholars, who died Saturday at the age of 98. Top government leaders including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao entrusted the university to deliver their condolences to Ji's relatives and to lay their wreaths for the great scholar, according to a statement released on PKU's website yesterday ... He Jiancheng, Ji's former colleague at PKU,... (Xinhuanet, China)
Brave New World of Infant DNA Data-Basing Jul 14, 2009
The primary purpose is to test for PKU (phenylketonuria, an inherited disease that can result in brain and nerve damage) and other diseases (California, for example, tests for some 76 different conditions). Were the test itself the end of the matter, few questions would be raised. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
How do you feel about the death penalty? Jun 4, 2009
To JEP wrote on Jun 3, 2009 4:49 PM:" The heel stick done to newborns is a Phenylketonuria (PKU) screening. This test identifies babies who do not have the enzyme required to use phenylalanine. The blood is placed on the test paper. There is no blood collected for DNA analysis. ". D.A. wrote on Jun 3, 2009 5:53 AM:" Some procecutors will do anything for a conviction to support their conviction record or to solve a case, they will even go so far as to have an innocent person hang for it. This is... (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Milton grad walking for 3-year-old niece May 22, 2009
Mifflinburg girl suffers from PKU, a rare metabolism disorder ... Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is an inborn error of metabolism ... Chaislynn is living a healthy life, but the concern remains that other families may not detect soon enough if their children have PKU. According to the March of Dimes, one in 14,000 babies is diagnosed with the disease. (Milton Standard Journal, PA)
Maxx Cook: enjoying life May 9, 2009
"But it was the first time that I was around all my friends and out eating what they were eating and not having something ordered special for me. Just being able to blend in." Born with PKU (Phenylketonuria), a rare genetic disorder, Cook was selected to participate in a study performed by the drug company BioMarin for their drug KUVAN. Cook said his doctor at the University of Iowa, Judy Miller, referred him for the study ... "But my girlfriend is really understanding of it and before this drug... (Lone Tree Reporter, IA)
Artificial Sweetener Wars Heat Up May 3, 2009
There is one caveat, though: People who suffer from PKU, a rare genetic disorder, cannot metabolize one of the main ingredients in aspartame, and so should not use it. It's 160-200 times sweeter than sugar, but aspartame contains some calories. (CBS News)
ADA releases updated position statement on functional foods Apr 1, 2009
Medical foods include PKU formulas free of phenylalanine. Foods for special dietary uses include gluten-free and lactose-free foods. (EurekAlert!)
UW-Madison study reveals new options for people with PKU Apr 1, 2009
MADISON For people with the genetic condition known as phenylketonuria (PKU), diet is a constant struggle ... In April, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers will publish the second of two key papers showing that a unique protein derived from whey known as glycomacropeptide, or GMP is safe for people with PKU to eat ... GMP is the first known natural protein that is safe for this group, and these findings are poised to revolutionize the PKU diet. (EurekAlert!)
China adopts fresh rule for birth defects checks Mar 7, 2009
The defects to be checked include congenital hypothyroidism, which impedes infants' growth and brain development, and phenylke-tonuria (PKU), which causes mental disabilities and hearing disorders, among others ... China started to screen newborns for ailments like congenital hypothyroidism and phenylke-tonuria (PKU) back in 1981, but the effort has only covered about 3 percent of the total of infants. (Xinhuanet, China)
China to introduce screening program for birth defects Mar 6, 2009
The ailments include congenital hypothyroidism, which impedes infants' growth and brain development; phenylketonuria (PKU), which causes mental disabilities and hearing disorders; and other hearing problems like those suffered by Wang Bo. The screening procedure will include taking blood samples to check for PKU and congenital hypothyroidism, and conducting a listening test within one hour of every baby's birth, the ministry said on its website. (Xinhuanet, China)
Isle families grateful for infant screening Mar 6, 2009
PKU requires a low-protein diet because of a genetic inability to process the amino acid phenylalanine ... Screening for PKU alone has saved the state about $31 million, she said ... Chris and Annie Lohmann of Mililani said their 6-year-old, Samantha, was screened with PKU 11 days after birth. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Letters to the editor (Feb. 25) Feb 26, 2009
Jules wrote on Feb 25, 2009 2:06 PM:" Ummm, Chris, our bodies naturally metabolize appropriate foods?You mean like diabetics and carbohydrates? Like sufferers of PKU and phenylalanine? Like lactose-intolerant people metabolize milks and cheeses? Or did you intend to say that carbohydrates, proteins, and dairy products aren't appropriate foods? " ... Jules wrote on Feb 25, 2009 4:13 PM:" JDR, you do know that glucose and glucose-precursors are a very LARGE part of the carbohydrate group, being... (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Newborn Screenings Now Required Across U.S. Feb 20, 2009
The first test that was made available was for phenylketonuria (PKU), a condition in which the body can't process part of a protein called phenylalanine. The disorder affects about one child in every 25,000 born in the United States, according to the March of Dimes. (MEDLINEplus)
SPOTLIGHT: A venture capitalist for a cause Feb 8, 2009
Michaux established a foundation to raise funds for the treatment and cure of PKU, a rare condition with which the girl was born ... These days Michaux is building a community of a different sort: raising money to combat phenylketonuria, or PKU, a rare metabolic disorder that his 6-year-old granddaughter, Tia, was born with ... PKU occurs in 1 in 10,000 births in the United States. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
