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?"
Kim Severson, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
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://www.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.
deep house cleaning Bannockburn ..Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More
Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More
Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More
Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
kitchen deep cleaning Winnetka ..Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes many new bodybuilders make is... Read More
If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis,... Read More
Water is a vitally important component of any valuable and... Read More
Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Nutrition |