Is Fructose Really Just Sugar?

Sugar is just Sugar, right?

Not really, according to the researchers at the Duke University Medical Center.

Increased fructose consumption may increase the risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for the obese and those with diabetes.

What is fructose?

Fructose is a type of sugar that is found in many plants. It is also the sweetest tasting of the most available type of sugars.

Sources with the highest concentrations of fructose are

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
2. Honey
3. Molasses
4. And Dried Figs

Fructose is also the most common form of sugar added to many processed foods, candies, sodas and fruit juices.

What is Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?

It is a condition that involves the accumulation of fat in the liver without alcohol abuse. Overtime, NAFLD can lead to more serious health conditions of hepatitis, liver failure and death.

Being overweight is a risk factor for NAFLD along with a family history of fatty liver. And now, the results of this new research suggest that a high consumption of fructose, especially for the obese, is also a risk factor for NAFLD.

Why is Fructose Different from the other sugars?

The researchers at Duke indicate that fructose, unlike other sugars, requires a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in order to be metabolized in your liver. ATP is a molecule in every cell in your body that chemically stores energy. When your cells need energy to do mechanical work, it gets that energy from ATP.

If you consume large amounts of fructose from processed foods, it can deplete the amount of ATP in your liver. This is especially true for the obese and those with diabetes, since they may already have an inability to produce adequate amounts of ATP. With the addition of fructose, their livers can easily be depleted of necessary energy to function properly.

This, in turn, can lead to the development of fatty liver disease and hepatitis.

This is just another reason to avoid processed foods with added fructose, especially if you are obese and have diabetes. Focus on eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and staying away from sweetened juices and sodas to improve your overall health and fitness.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

Duke Health: " Increased Fructose Consumption May Deplete Cellular Energy in Patients with Obesity and Diabetes "
Fatty Liver Diets: " Fatty Liver "
Wikipedia: " Adenosine Triphosphate "
Wikipedia: " Fructose "
" Is Fructose Stealing Energy From Your Liver? "

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease involves the accumulation of fat, especially triglycerides, in liver cells. If excessive use of alcohol is not a factor, then this disease is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. Generally, you may have NAFLD if the amount of fat in your liver is more than 5 to 10 percent of your liver's total weight.

Fatty liver is the initial phase of NAFLD and typically does not involve liver inflammation or liver scarring. Patients can have fatty liver for many years or even decades without serious medical implications. However, if left untreated, fatty liver can develop into a more serious phase of this disease.

Some patients with NAFLD develop the second phase of this disease known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis of NASH. NASH is the accumulation of fat in liver cells along with liver inflammation. Again, if left untreated, this phase can cause liver scarring. Eventually, it can lead to irreversible scarring known as cirrhosis of the liver. When this occurs, your liver can no longer function properly and can develop into liver failure, liver cancer or liver related death.

However, if you undergo yearly physicals, your doctor can detect NAFLD in its early stages. Patients typically experience no symptoms in the early stages of this disease, and may be surprised to learn that they have NAFLD. But if patients do experience symptoms, they may have a dull ache just below their ribcage on their right side. Other symptoms that they may have are:

• Nausea



• Weight loss



• Fatigue



• And an enlarged liver.

Research indicates that a change in diet and exercise routine can reverse this disease in its early stages.

Losing weight is will also help stop and reverse fat accumulation in your liver. However, the weight loss must be gradual. Sudden and rapid weight loss can actually make NAFLD worse by causing liver inflammation. Patients should target a weight loss goal of just 1 or 2 pounds a week.

Guidelines for improving your liver health include:

• Not abusing alcohol



• Not abusing medications and drugs



• Not eating food high in saturated fats



• Not eating foods high in sugar content



• Staying away from highly processed foods like bleached flour, white bread and white rice



• You should exercise regularly and stay physically active



• Don't smoke



• Eat whole grains and brown rice



• And get adequate amounts of choline in your diet to help prevent fat accumulation

Stay fit and trim, stay physically active and eat properly, and follow your doctor's instructions for insulin resistance and diabetes, and you will not have to worry about fatty liver disease.

My Gall Bladder Story

For 8 years, I had near sleepless nights due to digestive tract spasms. It actually felt like my stomach was being twisted.

My physician usually pointed to possible vision problems or stress. I knew, however, that these possible problems were not the cause of my spasms.

So, I experimented with diet and lifestyle changes. Nothing seemed to work. The spasms continued, and I slept less and less.

I finally realized that the spasms were coming from my gall bladder. Determined to keep my gall bladder right where nature put it, I started researching for possible cures.

I tried various suggestions, even the Chinese Gold Coin Grass herb. Nothing really worked.

I finally came across a suggestion that seemed plausible. It was lecithin.

I started taking 3 teaspoons of granular lecithin with meals everyday. In 2 days, the spasms stoppoed. I have continued taking 3 teaspoons of lecithin per day with my doctor's approval, and I have been spasm free for almost 2 years now.

With the spasm free nights, I sleep much better.

Lecithin contains choline compounds. Choline helps prevent the abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. Some studies suggest that it may also help dissolve fatty deposits in the liver , gall bladder and blood vessels. Choline is used by our body to transport and metabolize fats. Choline also regulates inflamation in our cardiovascular system.

I also eat half a red beet root everyday, also. Compounds found in red beet root increases bile flow, which helps prevent fatty buildup in the liver and bile ducts. Betalain found in beet roots also converts choline to betaine, which provides anti-inflamatory functions in our body.

For more information on the benefits of exercise and a proper diet, click on http://www.exercise-to-a-healthier-life.com/benefits-exercise.html .

Charles