No, High Fructose Corn Syrup is NOT a 'Sweet Surprise!'

A new study from Cancer Research [70(15); 6368–76] reports that cancer cells can readily metabolize fructose to increase proliferation (which means that one way cancer cells are fed is from fructose). This has major significance for cancer patients given dietary high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption, and indicates that efforts to reduce HCFS intake may disrupt cancer growth. That’s great news!!

Today, 55% of sweeteners used in food and beverage manufacturing are made from corn--and the #1 source of calories in America is soda--in the form of High Fructose Corn Syrup. It’s challenging to find bottled drinks, beverages, packaged/processed foods without it! (Yet it’s totally worth the effort as you learn more about the many negative effects of HFCS).

This isn’t new information--Among the many studies which have uncovered the negative effects of HCFS, a 2004 study (already 6 years old) in Nature (5/12/2004) credited the significant rise of diabetes cases to the growing consumption of refined carbohydrates (HFCS). The researchers found that the drop in fiber consumption and heavy consumption of corn syrup found in most processed foods were at the root of the problem--not the number of proteins, fats or carbohydrates.

Dr. Richard Johnson, a professor of Medicine at the U of CO, has been heavily involved in researching the effects of fructose on the metabolic system in animals and cell culture, as well as in clinical studies. Much of his research has concentrated on how fructose might cause obesity, high blood pressure, and other health-related problems (like cancer). His book, The Sugar Fix, explains how HFCS can increase a person’s risk for liver & kidney diseases, premature aging and certain types of cancer.

Most conventional cancer programs still do not adequately address healthy eating habits or the benefits of avoiding or at least minimizing sugar intake (before, during & after cancer treatments). All forms of sugar have negative effects on our health in general (as well as promote cancer)--but in slightly different ways & to a different extent. Fructose, however, obviously seems to be one of the overall most harmful.

One of the ways that HFCS has been found to promote weight gain is related to 2 hormones called ghrelin & leptin. Glucose suppresses the hunger hormone ghrelin and stimulates leptin, which suppresses your appetite. Fructose has no effect on ghrelin and interferes with your brain’s communication with leptin, resulting in overeating.

The 'corn industry' has been working hard (under the guise of the innocent title of 'Sweet Surprise') to misinform the public---and, when you think about it, to promote major diseases, in the name of financial gain. It takes educated people making healthy choices to get the message across that we are taking charge of our health and will be avoiding HFCS products in the future. Let's make sure 'they' get the message...are you with me?

Blessings on your health--
Sana

Rules For Food---Check Them Out! :)

Author Michael Pollan has a great (small) book out called, "Food Rules." It's one of those books that just has a few words per page---a very quick read---very witty/funny---and very true! We, as a nation, should honestly NOT need a book like this. Since Michael has gone to the work of writing it, though, I feel we should check it out, smile, and take heed to his sound advice.

I'll share a few to give you an idea of what Michael means by "Food Rules":
*Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
*Avoid foods you see advertised on TV.
*Eat only foods that will eventually rot.
*Eat only foods that have been cooked by humans.
*It's not food if it arrived through a window in your car.
*The whiter the bread, the sooner you'll be dead.
*Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.
And...My favorite:
*It's not food if it's called by the same name in every language. (Think Big Mac, Cheetos or Pringles)

Pretty basic stuff...great reminders when we're shopping, thinking of what to eat and teaching our kids and grandkids about healthy eating choices.

"Food Rules" also offers simple explanations to go along with the 'rules' given.
Yet another way to build health into your life...

May you be blessed with great health--
Sana