Posted on 11/22/2010 4:43:33 PM PST by decimon
Increasing evidence shows that excess fructose may play role in diabetes, obesity and other health conditions
More and more people have become aware of the dangers of excessive fructose in diet. A new review on fructose in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) indicates just how dangerous this simple sugar may be.
Richard J. Johnson, MD and Takahiko Nakagawa, MD (Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado) provide a concise overview of recent clinical and experimental studies to understand how excessive amounts of fructose, present in added sugars, may play a role in high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Dietary fructose is present primarily in added dietary sugars, honey, and fruit. Americans most frequently ingest fructose from sucrose, a disaccharide containing 50% fructose and 50% glucose bonded together, and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a mixture of free fructose and free glucose, usually in a 55/45 proportion. With the introduction of HFCS in the 1970s, an increased intake of fructose has occurred and obesity rates have risen simultaneously.
The link between excessive intake of fructose and metabolic syndrome is becoming increasingly established. However, in this review of the literature, the authors conclude that there is also increasing evidence that fructose may play a role in hypertension and renal disease. "Science shows us there is a potentially negative impact of excessive amounts of sugar and high fructose corn syrup on cardiovascular and kidney health," explains Dr. Johnson. He continues that "excessive fructose intake could be viewed as an increasingly risky food and beverage additive."
Concerned that physicians may be overlooking this health problem when advising CKD patients to follow a low protein diet, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Nakagawa recommend that low protein diets include an attempt to restrict added sugars containing fructose.
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Disclosures: Dr. Johnson and Dr. Nakagawa are listed as inventors on several patent applications related to lowering uric acid for the treatment or prevention of hypertension, diabetes, and fatty liver. Dr Johnson has also published a book, The Sugar Fix that covers this topic for the general public.
The article, entitled "The Effect of Fructose on Renal Biology and Disease," will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org on November 29, 2010, doi 10.1681/ASN.2010050506.
The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.
Founded in 1966, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is the world's largest professional society devoted to the study of kidney disease. Comprised of 11,000 physicians and scientists, ASN continues to promote expert patient care, to advance medical research, and to educate the renal community. ASN also informs policymakers about issues of importance to kidney doctors and their patients. ASN funds research, and through its world-renowned meetings and first-class publications, disseminates information and educational tools that empower physicians.
Even Pepsi got the message recently and produced a new "Throwback" Pepsi made with only cane sugar. It tastes great, better than their sucrose-laden drink, but it is hard to find in the stores. Costco sells Mexican-made Coca Cola that is also made with cane sugar. It's not as tasty as the Throwback Pepsi, but both are bad for your health.
Chemically, I think the major difference between corn syrup and cane sugar (sucrose) is that the former is a mixture of fructose and glucose in monosaccharide form, and the latter is fructose and glucose covalently bonded as disaccharides. Your body makes and breaks those bonds fairly readily, so there is no reason to think that, biologically speaking, the difference is significant. Also, I have no idea what you mean by "man-made", since all sugars are extracted from plants.
I don't drink sodas. The taste of them isn't that good, and trying to swallow a carbonated fizzy liquid feels like trying to swallow a suspension of tiny glass shards. Plus, the sugar in sodas and other drinks makes them so sweet and thick, they could almost be used as a pancake syrup. Why so many people like them is a complete mystery to me.
Personally? I’m not a chemist or even a doctor. What I do know is that several medical doctors (both family practice and an endocrinologist/diabetes specialist) have made such statements.
I had a college professor “way back” in 1990 or 91 (been a long time) who was heavily involved in biomedical research both in oncology and endocrinology who made such a statement back then.
And then you have the direct experience of both family members and others I know personally who have “put it to the test” by experimenting with their blood sugar levels with “natural” sugars vs. HFCS-based sweeteners in their diets. Without fail, HFCS caused a much higher spike in blood sugar, with a much more pronounced drop/bottoming out of the levels in short order.
It's tempting to think that part of the obesity "epidemic" is caused by so-called experts trying to alter the diet according to whatever is the result of their latest "study." In school, I was taught that there are four main food groups, and that I should have a little of each in every meal. Now there's the "food pyramid" which has so many food groups and recommends so many servings that it seems anyone following it would get fat.
True, but Soldier Dad has information on new chemicals he has discovered. They are called "complex sugars" and they won't make you fat.
He claims they are in orange juice which "isn't fattening"
Hopefully he can come here and inform all us high-glycemic food index types with the good news.
Ok, I'll agree. Of course any food in large amounts can be "bad" for you. My point is that as carbohydrates go, HFCS is not that much different than sugar. Both are bad when consumed in excess.
this just in, eating any amount of anything will eventually kill you!!!! Film at 11.
Just between you, me, and the wall, I believe that history will show that HFCS is one of the most severe slow-acting poisons in the entire history of the human race.
Just an opinion.
Not to mention that most people today have absolutely no idea how to cook from scratch. My husband took my homemade cookies to work on a food day and the other ladies wanted to know where he bought them. He said I made them from scratch and then they wanted to know what brand of cookie mix I used. They didn't get the whole start with flour and eggs and butter thing.
Good job, glad you feel better.
My dad makes the best bread ever. All kinds. Not in a bread machine. I haven’t quite got his method down. Makes you never to want to eat store bought bread again. One hint: Makes sure the flour you use is 100% wheat flour. Lots of them have barley flour, too.
Okay, that makes three. Happy now?
If you want to treat HFCS as a poison and remove it from your diet, I say go for it. Just don’t go and replace those missing calories with something much more poisonous- like apple juice.
Apple juice? Is bad for health??? That’s a new one on me...
Thanks for the heads up - I’ll cross it off my shopping list.
Yep, grind my own in my own mill. I prefer winter hard red. What does your dad use?
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