Fructose risk factor for metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension

FOODCONSUMER ^ | 06/25/2013 | David Liu, PHD

[neverdem]

Tuesday June 25, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new report published in Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism suggests that eating foods or drinking beverages with fructose may increase risk of endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance/diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension.

Z. Khitan and D. H. Kim, the authors of the report, from Marshall University Joan Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, WV, USA say that uric acid resulting from uncontrolled fructose metabolism is the risk factor for metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus.

What happens, according to the report, after fructose is ingested is that the sugar in the liver bypasses two highly regulated steps in glycolysis by glucokinase and phosphofructokinase, both subject to regulation by the concentration of their metabolic byproducts.  Fructose, on the other hand, is metabolized by fructokinase (KHK), which has no negative feedback system leading to intracellular phosphate depletion and the rapid generation of uric acid when AMP deaminase is activated.

Uric acid, which is commonly known to be associated with gout, is also known to be linked to endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance (diabetes mellitus) and hypertension.

Other studies have shown that eating fructose can cause damage to the liver leading to hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases.

One study led by Kylie Kavanagh and colleagues at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center confirms in animal models that eating foods with fructose causes damage to the liver even if there is no weight gain resulting from such a dietary practice.

Early studies have shown fructose and intake of high calories may play a role in the development of obesity and fatty liver diseases, but not all studies are consistent.

The Kavanagh et al. found over the six-week period, a high fructose diet more than doubled liver damage as compared to those on a control diet.

The study is released in the June 19 online edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In a previous trial, Kavanagh's team allowed monkeys to eat as much as they wanted of a low-fat diet high in added fructose for seven years, as compared to controls fed a low-fructose, low-fat diet for the same period.  Those on a high fructose low fat diet gained 50% more weight and were three times more likely to develop diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than those on the low fructose, low fat diet.

Fructose is high in sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (now called corn sugar), which are commonly used in foods and beverages.  Fructose is also found in many fruits, but fruits are generally considered healthier than added fructose.

Because sugars are generally associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, artificial sweeteners are used, particularly in diet beverages.  But even diet soda increases the risk for diabetes mellitus.

Some sugars including glucose and maltose may be healthier. But they are not as sweet as fructose.  It should be noted that starch such as rice starch and wheat starch, which is made of glucose, is safe to eat. 

Many other things such as trans-fat and red meat can also increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus while curcumin cna help prevent the disease. (reporting by David Liu, PHD)

[Izzy Dunne]

intake of high calories may play a role in the development of obesity

Well, now, THERE is some news for you!

[count-your-change]

And raise the average age of babies being born! Now the gluten, dairy, peanut, fragrance, and smoke sensitive can cruise the restaurants demanding fructose free or court costs and fees.

Soon the only approved things will be soy, sodomy and organic marijuana.

[Right Wing Assault]

And because they have other nutrients like vitamins and fiber.

But those 'healthy' features don't negate the affects of the fructose content. 12 oz of OJ has about 36 g. A 12 oz can of soft drink has about 40 g.

[Right Wing Assault]

Uric acid, which is commonly known to be associated with gout...

Some kidney stones, too.

[numberonepal]

They may have somewhat come down on the wrong side of the issue, true. However, I’ll bet they never recommend the MASSIVE DOSES of fructose that people ingest to cause diabetes.

[palmer]

Conclusion: eating food is will kill you. Previous studies have shown that eating food is necessary for survival. The package in front of me asks: How can I have a balanced treat? Their answer: Coated in rich Nestle chocolate, RAISINETS offers REAL FRUIT in every serving. That means “natural” fructose which according to the article is better than processed fructose.

[sergeantdave]

“I can barely drag myself to a breakfast Quarter Pounder. “

Well done satire.

[faucetman]

“That’s because fruits are politically correct ... in more ways than one.”

Just let me repeat that for ya

“That’s because fruits are politically correct ... in more ways than one.”

LOL

[imardmd1]

Sucrose is likewise a risk factor. In general, grain is a risk factor and most people eat too much of it.

Healthy Greenlander Inuits eat blocks and blocks of seal blubber.

[metmom]

Fructose occurs naturally in fruit.

Are they talking about high fructose corn syrup?

[wbill]

Fructose is also found in many fruits, but fruits are generally considered healthier than added fructose.

"generally"???? There's a big difference between eating an apple, and snarfing down a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew. :-)

The author of this article could use some time on FR to learn a bit of critical reasoning.

[9YearLurker]

I suspect you are both right, and it is both the quantity and quality of sweetener that is problematic.

[Art in Idaho]

Many other things such as trans-fat and red meat can also increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus while curcumin cna help prevent the disease.

Lots of good data on turmeric curcumin Here and Here.

I get mine at Puritan's Pride and Swanson Health Products.

[thesearethetimes...]

BookMark

[dfwgator]

Thank you ADM.

[jdege]

I have long suspected that the massive shift from cane sugar to corn syrup as our primary food sweetener has been the primary cause of the stunning increase in the nation’s obesity.

Metabolically, there's no meaningful difference between cane sugar and corn syrup. Both are about half fructose.

But there is one critical difference. Corn syrup is cheaper. So the manufacturers use a lot more of it.

[Mase]

HFCS. High fructose corn syrup. One of the main reasons of American obesity.

Yeah, it can't be the fact that we consume more energy than we expend because of our sedentary lifestyle. The fact that we're a nation of fatties has to be because of something beyond our control. The food industry is making us fat. Bastards.

[RedhairRedhair]

North Dakata sugar beets

[Mase]

The body takes it and breaks the bond, processes the glucose and fructose up to a point then shuts down the cleaving and no more fructose or glucose enters your system.

Huh?

HFCS, as noted in the study, bypasses the bodies control mechanism and you get all the problems noted.

Bypasses the bodies control mechanism? Huh?

So with less total input of “sugar” (which is what HFCS is called by the corn industry and many others) you get a magnified impact on your health.

What specific "magnified" impact are you claiming?

If HFCS is bad for you then so is sucrose. Either one, in moderation, is not bad for you in any way - unless you're a diabetic.

[Mase]

Metabolically, there's no meaningful difference between cane sugar and corn syrup. Both are about half fructose.

Sucrose is half fructose and half glucose. Corn syrup is more than 90% glucose.

But there is one critical difference. Corn syrup is cheaper. So the manufacturers use a lot more of it.

There are many reasons manufacturers use corn syrup instead of sucrose. Cost is one.