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Is Fructose The Cause Of Obesity?
The Glycemic Index offers an interesting, and scientifically valid, way of assessing the types of
carbohydrates we eat. It measures and rates the way these carbohydrates enter the bloodstream.
And in doing so, offers us a way of approaching a meal so that it may be both nutritionally valid,
and keep hunger pangs at bay, preventing overeating. And its also a great way for parents to try
and curb their children's desire to eat unhealthy food between meals.
The Glycemic Index (GI) rates carbohydrates as having either a high, low or medium glycemic
index. And the idea is to eat more foods that have either a low or medium glycemic index, and less
with a high one. Low glycemic index foods enter the bloodstream more slowly, so they don't raise
blood sugar levels like high glycemic index foods.
So, what is a carbohydrate? All sugars, or foods that are broken down into sugar, are
carbohydrates. This includes regular cane sugar, glucose (often used in sports drinks), fructose
(found in fruit), lactose, (found in milk and similar products like yogurt), maltose (found in malt,
often used to flavor cereals), all types of starches (found in foods like potatoes and pasta), and
legumes (such as lentils and peas - though these also contain some protein).
Recent research has found what they believe is a link between fructose and obesity. However, the
type of fructose studied was in corn syrup, which is a refined and concentrated form of fructose
and doesn't have the beneficial fiber, antioxidants and other phytochemicals that fruit does (which
is a natural and unrefined form of fructose). Researchers from the University of Florida found that
high fructose corn syrup may make people believe they are hungrier than they actually are or
should be. When these researchers interrupted the way fructose was metabolized, the study rats
did not put on weight, even though they still ate fructose.
This is not the first research that has suggested high fructose corn syrup may be linked to a
propensity to put on weight, more so than other types of food. A study at the University of
Cincinnati found that eating high fructose corn syrup, led to greater fat storage. They reported that
the body processes high fructose corn syrup differently than other types of sugars.
Research from the University of Florida found that there were higher levels of uric acid in the
bloodstream after eating or drinking high fructose corn syrup. This spike in uric acid affects insulin;
insulin regulates the way our cells store and use fat. If uric acid levels are often elevated,
symptoms of metabolic syndrome can develop. These symptoms include high blood pressure,
high cholesterol levels, as well as gaining weight. High fructose corn syrup is used in a lot of soda
drinks; if you drink a lot of soda you will frequently spike uric acid levels in your blood. Metabolic
syndrome is also a precursor of type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is associated with the way the body responds to insulin.

2. Signs of metabolic syndrome include:
1. Fat on the abdomen, such that the waist appears as big as the hips or larger
2. Lower amounts of the good type of cholesterol in the blood
3. High levels of triglycerides which make the blood 'sticky'
All of these signs can be tested by doctors.
References:
1. http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/
2. Australian Healthy Food, November 2005
3. Nature and Health, Oct/Nov 2005
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NOTICE: You should check out the diet that compliments the exercise! Click on the link.
www.bodyfatlosstoday.com
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