High Fructose Corn Syrup - New Warnings
Dietary consumption of fructose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has increased dramatically in the United States over the past several decades. Higher intake of HFCS has coincided with the swelling obesity epidemic, greater instances of metabolic disorders, and other medical conditions associated with poor lifestyle choices.
Overconsumption of HFCS has also been linked to high blood pressure, gout, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. HFCS is commonly found in a stunning array of processed foods such as sweetened soft drinks, packaged cakes and cookies, jams, crackers, ice cream, fruit juices, and breads.
Fructose in the Body
Unlike other simple carbohydrates, fructose is metabolized differently in the body. The substance essentially skips the process known as glycolysis (the normal progression of carbohydrate metabolism) and transforms into fatty acid synthesis as an unrestricted source of acetyl CoA. This means that fructose speeds excess depositing of fat stores in the body.
What This Means
Several recent studies have documented the negative effects of fructose on the human body. Dr. Meira Fields of the US Department of Agriculture has been studying the impact of dietary sugar on rodents for years. She discovered that when male rats are fed a copper deficient diet high in sugar they developed extreme swelling of the liver, heart, and reproductive organs; conversely, the pancreas atrophied so severely that the rodents died well before reaching maturity. When one considers the sharp increase in HFCS in the average American diet in conjunction with the drastic decrease in copper intake over the past three decades, these findings are troublesome to say the least.
Furthermore, many products with HFCS are aimed at children. Growing children who consume large amounts of HFCS and are copper deficient often develop malformed elastin and collagen, two substances that strengthen joints. Human studies have been limited to this point, but there is evidence to suggest that the increased intake of HFCS is directly related to a host of health problems. An October 2002 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that subjects who consumed at least 28 percent of their daily caloric intake from simple sugars like sucrose and fructose (the two carbohydrates that form HFCS) ate more calories, had greater body weight, had a higher percentage of body fat, and increased hypertension after just 10 weeks as compared with subjects who were provided with artificial sweeteners. Author and clinical nutritionist Nancy Appleton, PhD, has written several books outlining the dangers of fructose and HFCS. She explains that consuming excess amounts of fructose causes uric acid to accumulate in the body, leading to heart disease and gout. Fructose also stimulates the production of lactic acid in the blood, especially in patients with diabetes, stress, or uremia. Extreme concentrations of fructose in these individuals can cause metabolic acidosis that may eventually result in death.
Because fructose is converted to fatty acid much faster than other sugars, the liver is not able to keep up with demand when the body is inundated with HFCS. This causes mal-absorption in the digestive system that can trigger diarrhea, bowel inflammation, and other types of gastrointestinal distress. Fructose has also been shown to interfere with the function of oral contraceptives and may raise insulin levels in women on birth control.
Other rodent studies have revealed that fructose produces higher calcium concentrations in the kidneys of rats, and induces rapid excretion of essential minerals like phosphorus and magnesium. Similar results have been noted in small-scale human studies, which showed that fructose speeds excretion of iron, magnesium, calcium, copper, and zinc. This seems to suggest that excessive consumption of fructose in essence robs the body of essential nutrients.
In stealing minerals from the body, fructose may contribute to conditions like brittle bone disease, anemia, infertility, deformities of the joints and arteries, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, heart attack, and uncontrollable blood sugar levels.
Fructose has been found to accelerate the aging process by interfering with intracellular metabolism. This causes oxidative damage and cell destruction by free radicals. The collagen of the skin is affected, which is one of the most visible hallmarks of aging.
Though no direct link has yet been studied, many of these results also suggest that fructose may play a significant role in promoting obesity. Several studies have reported subjects' weight gain while ingesting large amounts of fructose. Some scientists believe this is because fructose does not increase production of two hormones essential in maintaining long-term regulation of energy expenditure and food intake.
Other conditions that have been linked to excessive fructose intake include retinopathy, kidney disease, mental incapacitation, numbness or pain in the extremities, impotence, impaired speech, incontinence, and hardening of the arterial walls.
Responding to the Danger
Scientists do not suggest eliminating fructose completely from the diet. After all, many healthy foods like apples, melon, and oranges contain some fructose; these foods provide essential nutrients and are important to a balanced diet. However, individuals should increase their awareness of how much fructose, particularly HFCS, they ingest on a regular basis and what foods contribute the most to their daily intake. As a general rule of thumb, most highly processed, sweet packaged food products are going to have a high concentration of HFCS.
Read food labels closely. If HFCS is listed as one of the first ingredients, do not eat that food. Learn to identify foods that most often have large amounts of HFCS: soda, sweetened breakfast cereals, breads, bakery items, snack crackers, etc. One smart piece of advice is to shop the perimeter of the supermarket where most of the whole foods like produce, meats, fish, and dairy products are stocked, and avoid the interior aisles where cakes, cookies, soft drinks, and sugary snacks are located. Choosing foods wisely can help minimize the consumption of HFCS and limit potential risks.
For a whole new realm of free information and resources on Wellness, Fitness & Nutrition - please visit:UltraFitnessDynamics and speed up your journey towards optimal health.
Fan us on Facebook: Facebook.com/UltraFitnessDynamics
Overconsumption of HFCS has also been linked to high blood pressure, gout, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. HFCS is commonly found in a stunning array of processed foods such as sweetened soft drinks, packaged cakes and cookies, jams, crackers, ice cream, fruit juices, and breads.
Fructose in the Body
Unlike other simple carbohydrates, fructose is metabolized differently in the body. The substance essentially skips the process known as glycolysis (the normal progression of carbohydrate metabolism) and transforms into fatty acid synthesis as an unrestricted source of acetyl CoA. This means that fructose speeds excess depositing of fat stores in the body.
What This Means
Several recent studies have documented the negative effects of fructose on the human body. Dr. Meira Fields of the US Department of Agriculture has been studying the impact of dietary sugar on rodents for years. She discovered that when male rats are fed a copper deficient diet high in sugar they developed extreme swelling of the liver, heart, and reproductive organs; conversely, the pancreas atrophied so severely that the rodents died well before reaching maturity. When one considers the sharp increase in HFCS in the average American diet in conjunction with the drastic decrease in copper intake over the past three decades, these findings are troublesome to say the least.
Furthermore, many products with HFCS are aimed at children. Growing children who consume large amounts of HFCS and are copper deficient often develop malformed elastin and collagen, two substances that strengthen joints. Human studies have been limited to this point, but there is evidence to suggest that the increased intake of HFCS is directly related to a host of health problems. An October 2002 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that subjects who consumed at least 28 percent of their daily caloric intake from simple sugars like sucrose and fructose (the two carbohydrates that form HFCS) ate more calories, had greater body weight, had a higher percentage of body fat, and increased hypertension after just 10 weeks as compared with subjects who were provided with artificial sweeteners. Author and clinical nutritionist Nancy Appleton, PhD, has written several books outlining the dangers of fructose and HFCS. She explains that consuming excess amounts of fructose causes uric acid to accumulate in the body, leading to heart disease and gout. Fructose also stimulates the production of lactic acid in the blood, especially in patients with diabetes, stress, or uremia. Extreme concentrations of fructose in these individuals can cause metabolic acidosis that may eventually result in death.
Because fructose is converted to fatty acid much faster than other sugars, the liver is not able to keep up with demand when the body is inundated with HFCS. This causes mal-absorption in the digestive system that can trigger diarrhea, bowel inflammation, and other types of gastrointestinal distress. Fructose has also been shown to interfere with the function of oral contraceptives and may raise insulin levels in women on birth control.
Other rodent studies have revealed that fructose produces higher calcium concentrations in the kidneys of rats, and induces rapid excretion of essential minerals like phosphorus and magnesium. Similar results have been noted in small-scale human studies, which showed that fructose speeds excretion of iron, magnesium, calcium, copper, and zinc. This seems to suggest that excessive consumption of fructose in essence robs the body of essential nutrients.
In stealing minerals from the body, fructose may contribute to conditions like brittle bone disease, anemia, infertility, deformities of the joints and arteries, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, heart attack, and uncontrollable blood sugar levels.
Fructose has been found to accelerate the aging process by interfering with intracellular metabolism. This causes oxidative damage and cell destruction by free radicals. The collagen of the skin is affected, which is one of the most visible hallmarks of aging.
Though no direct link has yet been studied, many of these results also suggest that fructose may play a significant role in promoting obesity. Several studies have reported subjects' weight gain while ingesting large amounts of fructose. Some scientists believe this is because fructose does not increase production of two hormones essential in maintaining long-term regulation of energy expenditure and food intake.
Other conditions that have been linked to excessive fructose intake include retinopathy, kidney disease, mental incapacitation, numbness or pain in the extremities, impotence, impaired speech, incontinence, and hardening of the arterial walls.
Responding to the Danger
Scientists do not suggest eliminating fructose completely from the diet. After all, many healthy foods like apples, melon, and oranges contain some fructose; these foods provide essential nutrients and are important to a balanced diet. However, individuals should increase their awareness of how much fructose, particularly HFCS, they ingest on a regular basis and what foods contribute the most to their daily intake. As a general rule of thumb, most highly processed, sweet packaged food products are going to have a high concentration of HFCS.
Read food labels closely. If HFCS is listed as one of the first ingredients, do not eat that food. Learn to identify foods that most often have large amounts of HFCS: soda, sweetened breakfast cereals, breads, bakery items, snack crackers, etc. One smart piece of advice is to shop the perimeter of the supermarket where most of the whole foods like produce, meats, fish, and dairy products are stocked, and avoid the interior aisles where cakes, cookies, soft drinks, and sugary snacks are located. Choosing foods wisely can help minimize the consumption of HFCS and limit potential risks.
For a whole new realm of free information and resources on Wellness, Fitness & Nutrition - please visit:UltraFitnessDynamics and speed up your journey towards optimal health.
Fan us on Facebook: Facebook.com/UltraFitnessDynamics
Source...