Dr. Lustig is he on to something?

ajaxe432

After watching Dr. Lustig on youtube and hearing some of his lectures I would like to hear more opinions on him. Preferably counter arguments. Basically he states sugar is one of the primary causes of obesity and has some convincing arguments.
Opinions?

SJVZEE

After watching Dr. Lustig on youtube and hearing some of his lectures I would like to hear more opinions on him. Preferably counter arguments. Basically he states sugar is one of the primary causes of obesity and has some convincing arguments.
Opinions?

I've watched some of his lectures and I do think he's on to something. I've also read that Gary Taube's next book will be about the dangers of sugar, but haven't seen any publication date info listed anywhere yet.

bumblebums

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

roxierachael

Sugar may disrupt metabolism, but let's not get confused. Over-eating is what causes obesity.

SideSteel

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

^ Those.

And I believe Alan totally owns Lustig in the comments section of that blog as well if I remember correctly.

bumblebums

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

^ Those.

And I believe Alan totally owns Lustig in the comments section of that blog as well if I remember correctly.

Dr. Lustig thoroughly embarrasses himself in the comments section. I cannot bear to even look at it again, I blush too hard.

aaronagostini

Another article discussing similar ideas to Dr. Lustig:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/sugar/cohen-text

The doc from the Nat Geo article was interviewed on NPR and spoke favorably of Lustig's work. I'm really thinking of trying to stick with only naturally occurring sugars, such as those in fruit or veggies, as a start.

I haven't read the comment sections above, but I would say that ultimately who's right or wrong is born out in the lab. How someone comports themselves online doesn't speak to the validity of the ideas.

darkguardian419

I can't help but laugh at him. Both his theory, and his name. (those who know german will get it)

WendyTerry420

Yes, he is probably on something. My guess is LSD. Oh, wait....what?

bumblebums

Another article discussing similar ideas to Dr. Lustig:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/sugar/cohen-text

The doc from the Nat Geo article was interviewed on NPR and spoke favorably of Lustig's work. I'm really thinking of trying to stick with only naturally occurring sugars, such as those in fruit or veggies, as a start.

I haven't read the comment sections above, but I would say that ultimately who's right or wrong is born out in the lab. How someone comports themselves online doesn't speak to the validity of the ideas.

No, of course not. Which is why the two links I gave above get into the actual evidence for Lustig's claims. Cliff's notes for the busy: it's nonexistent.

nomeejerome

After watching Dr. Lustig on youtube and hearing some of his lectures I would like to hear more opinions on him. Preferably counter arguments. Basically he states sugar is one of the primary causes of obesity and has some convincing arguments.
Opinions?

I've watched some of his lectures and I do think he's on to something. I've also read that Gary Taube's next book will be about the dangers of sugar, but haven't seen any publication date info listed anywhere yet.

Isn't Taube's the guy who promotes not counting calories? Or something silly like that?

ajaxe432

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

Thank you for the informative argumentive articles! I just read the first argument! Many valid points!

ajaxe432

Yes, he is probably on something. My guess is LSD. Oh, wait....what?

Yanicka1

In my opinion, they have no credibility what so ever.

LolBroScience

All you need to know: He's a moron.

Acg67

After watching Dr. Lustig on youtube and hearing some of his lectures I would like to hear more opinions on him. Preferably counter arguments. Basically he states sugar is one of the primary causes of obesity and has some convincing arguments.
Opinions?

I've watched some of his lectures and I do think he's on to something. I've also read that Gary Taube's next book will be about the dangers of sugar, but haven't seen any publication date info listed anywhere yet.

Isn't Taube's the guy who promotes not counting calories? Or something silly like that?

His original book was carbs made you fat due to insulin, since only carbs are insulinogenic. Now that his first book has thoroughly been debunked as garbage, he now wants to jump on the sugar is evil bandwagon

tedrickp

A "retrospective" on the Alan Aragon post:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/02/19/a-retrospective-of-the-fructose-alarmism-debate/

This is Alan breaking down the ensuing comment battle from the article SideSteel posted. Alan not only owned him in the comments, but others like Jamie Hale (who's book 'Should I Eat the Yolk' is nearly must read material IMO) did as well.

Here is a thorough breakdown (some would say demolishment of Taubes book):

http://thescienceofnutrition.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/good-calories-bad-calories-a-critical-review/

Both links recently posted on Ian McCarthy's facebook page (yes I know he is easy to hate, but if you can get beyond the arrogance he says some smart things).

ajaxe432

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

On the paper "Straight talk about high-fructose corn syrup", who is this Bray that is referenced in 2004 that coorelates the obesity rise with HFCS? Can not seem to find him on google, lol.

SideSteel

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

On the paper "Straight talk about high-fructose corn syrup", who is this Bray that is referenced in 2004 that coorelates the obesity rise with HFCS? Can not seem to find him on google, lol.

I don't know much about Bray but I'm going to assume this is the paper Lyle is referencing.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15051594

bumblebums

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

On the paper "Straight talk about high-fructose corn syrup", who is this Bray that is referenced in 2004 that coorelates the obesity rise with HFCS? Can not seem to find him on google, lol.

Use Google Scholar:

http://scholar.google.com

You can set a custom date range (2004) and add "high fructose corn syrup" to narrow down the range. This found:

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/4/537.short

nomeejerome

After watching Dr. Lustig on youtube and hearing some of his lectures I would like to hear more opinions on him. Preferably counter arguments. Basically he states sugar is one of the primary causes of obesity and has some convincing arguments.
Opinions?

I've watched some of his lectures and I do think he's on to something. I've also read that Gary Taube's next book will be about the dangers of sugar, but haven't seen any publication date info listed anywhere yet.

Isn't Taube's the guy who promotes not counting calories? Or something silly like that?

His original book was carbs made you fat due to insulin, since only carbs are insulinogenic. Now that his first book has thoroughly been debunked as garbage, he now wants to jump on the sugar is evil bandwagon

got it. thanks.

TheVimFuego

Sugar may disrupt metabolism, but let's not get confused. Over-eating is what causes obesity.

I started my nutritional/fitness journey many moons back with a précis of a Lustig lecture and that led me down the Taubes path but, having read the counter arguments at length I can agree with this, it's the old-fashioned energy gap.

There ain't no one magic macronutrient factor, it's too much fork/mouth movement and not enough leg. In the vast majority of cases ...

WendyTerry420

Sugar may disrupt metabolism, but let's not get confused. Over-eating is what causes obesity.

I started my nutritional/fitness journey many moons back with a précis of a Lustig lecture and that led me down the Taubes path but, having read the counter arguments at length I can agree with this, it's the old-fashioned energy gap.

There ain't no one magic macronutrient factor, it's too much fork/mouth movement and not enough leg. In the vast majority of cases ...

SirBonerFart

Dr Lustig is an objective scientist who constantly works to remove personal bias in order to uncover the truth

silken555

Sugar doesn't cause obesity...excess eating does. Whether you're eating cookies or cauliflower is irrelevant. Surplus of anything equals weight gain.

silken555

Yes, he is probably on something. My guess is LSD. Oh, wait....what?

That is so what I initially read for the title...:D

sabified

bump for later

zyxst

In to find later because I feel this will be a funny read tonight.

tidesong

NoeHead

I can't help but laugh at him. Both his theory, and his name. (those who know german will get it)

when I saw this post I thought it was a joke lol

TribeHokie

Here, have a read:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/straight-talk-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup-what-it-is-and-what-it-aint-research-review.html

^ Those.

And I believe Alan totally owns Lustig in the comments section of that blog as well if I remember correctly.

Dr. Lustig thoroughly embarrasses himself in the comments section. I cannot bear to even look at it again, I blush too hard.

For anyone who is bored and has an hour or two to read through the comment section, it is quite entertaining. My favorite is how Lustig and his supporters keep coming back to this "The Japanese only consume fructose in the form of fruit. They have no added sugar in their diet." argument. But people who have lived there in the past decade keep pointing out how things have changed over the past 20 years to the point where the Japanese consume as much fructose/added sugar and alcohol as we do. So Lustig comes in 50 comments later and posts the study that he used to support his point AND IT IS FROM 1979 even though his whole argument and "study" only focuses on the 90's and 2000's. I legit lol'd.

Oh and sorry if someone else has already pointed this out in this thread. Like I said, I've spent awhile reading through those comments.

And then comes the name-calling

The defense rests. I shall not respond any further, as I have satisfied your criteria for objectivity and experimental and mechanistic rigor, and I have better things to do than engage in this continued puerile one-upsmanship. I’ll let the public decide who they wish to believe. And thus far, based on the 230,000 YouTube hits and numerous blogs extolling this line of reasoning, I’ll take my chances.
Sincerely (for the final time),
Robert Lustig, M.D.

And this follow up from the blog owner

On a whim, I emailed Dr. Lustig thanking him for contributing, and I even praised him for his tenacity despite our disagreement. His initial response was cordial, but contentious. The last thing I want to do is spend my time in a private email debate with him. I let him know that the point of our discussion in the first place is to educate the public, so I invited him to re-engage with me over here, for the learning benefit of the readers. He refused. His second response was less cordial, more contentious, and more bristling toward the idea of coming back here. He even had some choice descriptors of the contributors to this discussion, which I’m sure is why he disallowed me to post our email exchange publicly.

Epic smackdown.