The Sugar Monster

SanteMulberry

Cardiologist, Richard J. Johnson has written a book called, "The Fat Switch" where he cites the newest information on how sugar and specifically its fructose component, (table sugar is 50% fructose) is devastating to the body. He details the biochemistry of fructose metabolism and its effect on body fat, Type II diabetes, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, gouty arthritis, and especially cardiovascular disease. Since cancer cells love high blood glucose, sugar may even feed cancer. The rise of obesity in Western nations perfectly tracks the rise in the consumption of sugar. Fructose was likely meant to be taken in the small amounts available in fruit---not guzzled in soft drinks. One can of soda has as much fructose as a dozen oranges--and there is no fiber to slow down its transmission to the liver (where if easily causes fatty liver disease when taken in the large amounts that we currently eat today). To give you an idea of how totally outrageous our sugar consumption has become, here are the statistics on consumption:

"What is driving this eruption of cardiovascular disease? One key
factor: the explosion of sugar in the Western diet. Prior to 1800,
Americans were consuming only about 4 pounds of sugar per person,
per year. By 1800, that number had increased to 18 pounds as sugar
plantations began to emerge. And by 1900, it was 90 pounds.

Today, the average American is consuming 152 pounds of sugar
annually."

When you combine the effects of sugar consumption with our sedentary lifestyle, it is no wonder that obesity has exploded. There are other factors as well (like the consumption of modern wheat) but the main culprit appears to be sugar consumption. From an early age, it causes our body's digestive apparatus to go awry. He explains how fructokinase (provoked by eating lots of fructose) does a lot to cause aberrant blood chemistries. In order to get our fructokinase (which is an enzyme used to digest fructose) back to normal levels, it is necessary to totally fast from fructose for 2 weeks. Once the 2 weeks are up, fruit can be added back to the diet, but it is still important to keep the fructose at 25 grams or below per day---forever after, or it invites all the health problems back again. That is equivalent to about two servings of fruit---and of course, no sugar.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Johnson describes mice that lack the gene for producing fructokinase and he says that they enjoy unusually good health and longevity.

ryansgram

Thanks for the post. Very interesting.

issyfit

You might want to join the group here called "The Skinny on Obesity". It's all about the effects of sugar. There are some very interesting and informative posts.