ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose Corn Syrup Before we get to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), we will take a look at two other frequently used sweeteners, dextrose and maltodextrin. Dextrose Dextrose is more or less an industry term for glucose. Glucose isthe most prevalent sugar in the human and the only molecule that the brain can metabolize. Dextrose is refined from corn starch. It has a very high glycemic index (no surprise since it is glucose) and while it contains no fructose, it is still a simple sugar that is very readily absorbed. It is not as dangerous as sucrose but it still is a highly processed product that should be avoided. Maltodextrin Maltodextrin is also a refined product usually made from either corn or potatoes. It is multiple glucose units somewhat loosely hooked together (a polymer). Because the bonds between the glucose units are very weak, it is also very readily absorbed and has a very high glycemic index. Like dextrose it should be avoided as much as possible. It has been called a "sugar substitute"but that is based on a rather strict definition of sugar as "sucrose." It is a very common additive and I have found it in many packaged foods, including potato chips. High Fructose Corn Syrup High fructose corn syrup is made by treating corn (which is usually genetically modified corn) with a variety of enzymes, some of which are also genetically modified, to first extract the sugar glucose and then convert some of it into fructose, since fructose tastes sweeter than glucose. The end result is a mixture of 55% fructose and 45% glucose, that is called "high fructose corn syrup." Improvements in production occurred in the 1980's making it cheaper than most other sweeteners. I remember in the 1980's when the price of Pepsi dropped from about $3 for a sixpack to about $1.50. In 1966 refined sugar such as sucrose was the was the leading sweetener / additive. In 2001 corn sweeteners accounted for 55% of the sweetener market. Consumption of high fructose corn syrup went from zero in 1966 to 62.6 pounds per person in 2001. A 12 ounce soda can contain as much as 13 teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Once again, the dangerous combination: fructose and glucose. When high fructose corn syrup breaks down in the intestine, we once again find near equal amounts of glucose and fructose entering the bloodstream. As covered in recent newsletters, the fructose short-circuits the glycolytic pathway for glucose. This leads to all the problems associated with sucrose. In addition, HFCS seems to be generating a few of its own problems, epidemic obesity being one of them. Fructose does not stimulate insulin production and also fails to increase "leptin" production, a hormone produced by the body's fat cells. Both of these act to turn off the appetite and control body weight. Also, fructose does not suppress ghrelin, a hormone that works to increase hunger. This interesting work is being done by Peter Havel at UC Davis. Some of the problems associated with high fructose corn syrup: Increased LDL's (the bad lipoprotein) leading to increasedrisk of heart disease. Altered Magnesium balance leading to increased osteoporosis. Increased risk of Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus. Fructose has no enzymes or vitamins thus robbing the body ofprecious micro-nutrients. Fructose interacts with birth control pills and can elevateinsulin levels in women on the pill. Accelerated aging. Fructose inhibits copper metabolism leading to a deficiencyof copper, which can cause increased bone fragility, anemia, ischemic heart disease and defective connective tissue formation among others. The list below is from The San Francisco Chronicle February 18, 2004 "How much is too much? The list below shows how much sugar, mostly in the form of high fructose corn syrup, is in each of these single servings. Sunkist soda: 10 1/2 teaspoons of sugar Berkeley Farms low-fat yogurt with fruit: 10 teaspoons of sugar Mott's applesauce: 5 teaspoons of sugar Slim-Fast chocolate cookie dough meal bar: 5 teaspoons of sugar 1 tablespoon ketchup: 1 teaspoon of sugar Hansen's Super Vita orange-carrot Smoothie: 10 teaspoons of sugar" Today's health tip: Cut down or stop any food or drink with high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is made from genetically modified corn treated with genetically modified enzymes. Stop or limit all foods with either dextrose or maltodextrin. Once again, read all your food labels carefully. Consumption of the limited amounts of fructose that occur in fresh whole organic fruit is not a problem. Reference: Stryer Biochemistry Fourth Edition "Sugar coated
We're drowning in high fructose corn syrup.
Do the risks go beyond our waistline?" Kick the "sugar habit" with the only diet that is 100% Sugar-Free, the MericleDiet. Make the transition away from dangerous sugar additives to healty "organic" complex carbhydrates easy. To visit the MericleDiet follow the link below: Thanks for your attention. Copyright © John Mericle M.D. 2005 All Rights Reserved http://DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal training in organic chemistry and biochemistry, medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Seven Secret Agents That Can Help You Live To 120 You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's ? about how they boost the immune system and help the body repair itself. Well, that old hat. There are supplements now that are so far ahead of those that it's like comparing a model-T car to the space shuttle. This stuff is the real cutting edge in nutrition and we've got them for you right now. Are you ready to slow down the aging clock? Here we go. Fat Burning Compatible Foods Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic around the gym these days. We also hear a lot about negative calorie foods which are considered a part of fat burning compatible foods. So if you are wondering what all the hype is about here is a simple explaination. Chocolate Is Good For You! Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for you. Under certain circumstances. A Healthy Diet Means Avoiding Trans-Fat as well as Saturated Fat We all need fat in our diet on a daily basis. However, not all fats are created equal ? there are healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Many people know that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the healthier variety, and that saturated fats should be avoided. But did you also know about trans-fats? Read on to learn more about this unhealthy fat: Free List of Fat Burning Foods This free list of fat burning foods will help you make the right choices to burn off more fat than you ingest by eating them. The fat burning secret to losing weight is to eat and drink until you are full and satisfied, choosing foods that burn more calories than you consume. This helps your body burn up the excessive stored fat. Turning an Addictive Snack into a Complete Meal The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending machines in virtually every corner of residential America has created a serious nutritional problem. "Snacking" ? a harmless-sounding verb that deceptively implies something unobjectionable ? has reached addictive proportions[i]. Protein, Carbs and Fat: Learn How to Diet with Macronutrients Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you to get rid of some food that you love. However, the three macronutrients (Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat) as well as the unofficial fourth, water, are all necessary for good health. Never try to eliminate any of these from your diet. If you're trying to lose weight, here is the simple truth about the stuff that makes up food. How to Substitute Fat in Your Everyday Diet Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the increasing problem of obesity in the world today. It's stored in the fat cells of the body. The number of fat cells is estimated to be around 50 billion for the average person. It can be up to 100 billion for the obese person. What A 6-Month Old Can Teach Us About Our Eating Habits Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old niece Rianna in Las Vegas. She has just started eating "real" baby food beyond the formula in her bottle, and I got a kick out of feeding her one of her meals of squash. Okay, so not all of it got in her mouth, but she was pretty cooperative overall. Acid and Digestive Disorders: Breaking the Vicious Circle THE RISK Minimum Health or Maximum Health? That is the Question! Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios. Safely Transitioning Off Meal Replacement Plans Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for decades. They have helped numerous people lose weight, and more importantly, they have helped people learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy eating choices. Both quantity and quality of life improvements can be credited to the concept of meal replacement solutions. Compulsive Eating Alternative: Learning to Eat With Pleasure Do you allow pleasure from food? Are your senses throughly engaged as you eat? Do you fuel your aliveness with each meal or eat to deaden and numb out? Do you eat foods that taste good in your mouth and feel good in your physical body - both now and later? Summer Sun Cures With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes an extra desire to be outdoors and with spending additional time outdoors comes ? you guessed it, sunburn. (Fitness) Health Thoughts, Living on the Health Minimum Wage? Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts consider to be the most important nutrients and health habits a person should have to help them stay healthy long term. We would categorize them into the following areas. Do You Eat Breakfast? It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important part of attaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The morning meal enables your body to refuel itself after enduring a nightlong fast or 10 hours or more. It assists in re-energising your body's metabolism and providing sufficient amounts of energy and nutrients for you to survive the earliest part of the day. Remember breakfast is the first opportunity for you to replenish your body's exhausted energy reserves. Whatever you do don't waste this opportunity. While breaking the nocturnal fast is important, eating appropriately is just as essential. Eating a good breakfast, low in fat, and rich in dietary fibre and micronutrients will mentally and physically set you up for anything the day may throw at you. 3 Important Differences Between White Bread and Whole Wheat For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder Bread for lunch, the encouragement by dietitians and nutritionists to switch to whole wheat bread can be a tough transition. Your bodys pH So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put it to you straight your body's ''pH'' is everything "Life Itself". If you ask most people about ''pH'' what do you think they associate it to? Children Get Constipated, Too Do you notice your child putting off going to the bathroom because he/she is busy doing more important things? Do you notice avoidance of the bathroom for fear of a painful bowel movement? Is your child not experiencing daily bowel movements? These actions may be signals of constipation. The Importance of Water Water is the most abundant substance in the human body. It is a component of virtually everything, except tooth enamel and bone. We are about 70% WATER, 25% PROTEIN and 5% MINERALS.
|
|
|
|
|
