http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
Fascinating lecture on fructose, HFCS, sucrose and glucose and why a calorie is not a calorie (on a mitochondrial level). He compares ethanol and fructose and draws the conclusion that fructose and ethanol are equally toxic (brain vs liver) and why. By Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology. Very briefly touches on why fructose is (not toxic?) when used at glycogen depletion and use in “elite” athletes.
If fructose is equally toxic as ethanol where is all the patients with cirrhosis and hepatic failure? Also, where are the important pieces in that 90min presentation, I don’t want to watch the whole thing. From what I watched he is a really grating speaker. At min 36 I really appreciate him associating a missing piece in a scientific study with a terrorist attack (the USS Cole).
If fructose is equally toxic as ethanol where is all the patients with cirrhosis and hepatic failure?
I’m not sure quite as many people abuse soda on the same levels you have to abuse vodka to kill your liver, but it probably does happen.
In that supersize movie, where he was abusing soda pretty bad his liver values did get worse.
Its toxic in that the liver can only process a limited amount and it suppresses leptin.
If fructose is equally toxic as ethanol where is all the patients with cirrhosis and hepatic failure? Also, where are the important pieces in that 90min presentation, I don’t want to watch the whole thing. From what I watched he is a really grating speaker. At min 36 I really appreciate him associating a missing piece in a scientific study with a terrorist attack (the USS Cole).
IIRC, the toxicity does not lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure, but instead dyslipidemia, hypertension, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) and (obviously) obesity. It also shuts down insulin receptors (I think). I’m no medical professional so I might have misremembered. Take the time to watch it and make your own decision instead of relying on synopses from others.
When you’re thinking about this don’t lose sight of the fact that sucrose is 50% fructose while high fructose corn syrup is ~55-60% fructose so not that much worse than sucrose. Then again overdoing either is probably bad for us.
Hugh
yeah he says in the video that normal sugar is just as bad
When you’re thinking about this don’t lose sight of the fact that sucrose is 50% fructose while high fructose corn syrup is ~55-60% fructose so not that much worse than sucrose. Then again overdoing either is probably bad for us.
Hugh
yeah he says in the video that normal sugar is just as bad
When you’re thinking about this don’t lose sight of the fact that sucrose is 50% fructose while high fructose corn syrup is ~55-60% fructose so not that much worse than sucrose. Then again overdoing either is probably bad for us.
Hugh
yes, he gets into that, equating fructose and HFCS and sucrose. Only glucose is less toxic and also HFCS/fructose when used at glycogen depletion (I am pretty sure at depletion it doesn’t go through to the point of microbiologic changes to present the toxic issues but I need to watch it again (maybe I’ll make this a question for my boys to answer after they watch it)).
This movie will be required viewing for my teen boys before they drink another coca (rare, but still)…
Then the problem boils down to people eating too much sugar (which I completely agree with) not that HFCS and fructose is some chemical evil that is resposible for killing Americans which is a popular thing right now
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Then the problem boils down to people eating too much sugar (which I completely agree with) not that HFCS and fructose is some chemical evil that is resposible for killing Americans which is a popular thing right now
Actually, he makes both points.
Then the problem boils down to people eating too much sugar (which I completely agree with) not that HFCS and fructose is some chemical evil that is resposible for killing Americans which is a popular thing right now
when tax subsidies make HFCS based candy cheaper than plain vegetables, and HFCS is inserted into bread, hot dogs, chips, peanut butter and other foods as filler/sweetner, and when fruit juices are marketed as a healthy kids snack
well then both of the above are true. people eat too much sugar, thus it is a chemical evil =)
I watched that long ago. Sugar makes people feel good, and it IS tasty. Food industry realizes people like stuff with sugar in it, and it’s added to so many foods that don’t need it, but once you get used to sugar in everything, when it’s absent, things taste odd. Still, in the end it comes down to personal accountability and either carefully studying labeling or preparing your own food from whole ingredients.
What really makes me cringe is ads for diabetic desserts and “treats.” My observation is that where people really get into trouble is the idea that every day they deserve a treat, so cookies or candy or cake or ice cream or whatever. Substitute that treat by a piece of fruit (which still has sugar but will likely have less calories overall) and you’ve killed two birds with one stone. Less sugar intake, less calories.
You can choose to be a victim of the food industry or you can take it into your own hands.
Ok, 15yo is getting ready to watch it, feel free to post questions and I’ll have him answer them. (I’m going for a run)
I don’t know about toxic but it can be bad with certain intestinal/digestive issues.
A couple years ago I was having massive problems with abdominal bloating, gas, GI issues.
Discovered it was from fruit and fructose.
I used to eat fruit with my breakfast, energy drinks, bars and gels with lots of fructose in them, recovery food with fructose and also fruit.
As soon as I stopped eating that stuff my GI issues went away.
I now eat zero fruit- and also eat bike food and drink that has no fructose in it.
Soylent green is people!!!
Then the problem boils down to people eating too much sugar (which I completely agree with) not that HFCS and fructose is some chemical evil that is resposible for killing Americans which is a popular thing right now
when tax subsidies make HFCS based candy cheaper than plain vegetables, and HFCS is inserted into bread, hot dogs, chips, peanut butter and other foods as filler/sweetner, and when fruit juices are marketed as a healthy kids snack
well then both of the above are true. people eat too much sugar, thus it is a chemical evil =)
Don’t forget FDA admonishments to reduce dietary fat consumption. Beginning in the early 90s, “big food” started producing scores of healthy fat-free products. When the fat came out, sugar went in to maintain texture and flavor. Yay for processing!
I wonder if the country moved the early presidential primaries out of the likes of Iowa, there could be a serious effort at eliminating corn subsidies.
Drink a gallon corn syrup.
Drink a gallon of ethanol.
Tell me which one is more toxic.
Edit: It’s the corn! Corn is killing us!
It’s actually a good synopsis, but from my understanding of sugar metabolism, the sugars (and the subsequent insulin/liver issues) are only relevant if the sugars are consumed in excess of what the body can burn. If you burn off the carbs you eat, then you have no problem. If you eat a ton of high-glycemic food and don’t burn it off, you have a problem.
I think the title of this thread might be a bit misleading, at least as it applies to endurance athletes. Water and oxygen can be toxic in excess, too…
People water has been more toxic to triathletes than fructose… 
Bluey