Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syryp

       We are being poisoned on a daily basis by a common food additive - high fructose corn syrup.  It is present in a wide variety of processed foods, soft drinks, salad dressings, cereals, bread, commercially made cakes and cookies, just to name a few.  This additive increases our risk of obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. 

            Regular table sugar is 50% fructose and 50% glucose.  High fructose corn syrup can contain up to 80% fructose and 20% glucose, about twice the fructose of table sugar.  Each contain about the same number of calories, but the difference is in the metabolism.  Not to mention that the high fructose corn syrup is made from genetically modified corn.  Between 1970 and 1990 the intake of HFCS increased by more than 1,000% and is now the primarily sweetener added to soft drinks in the US and comprises more than 40% of sweeteners added to foods and beverages. 

            Fructose, the main component of HFCS is metabolized in the liver and can cause increased triglycerides and fat storage in this organ.  This increased fat storage can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  This disease now affects 20-30% of the population.  The rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease paralleled the rise in consumption of dietary fructose. 

            Other potential consequences of excess fructose include weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high triglyceride levels, abnormally high uric acid levels (can result in the development of gout), kidney stones, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.  HFCS has also been found to have very high levels of mercury.  Mercury is very damaging to the body, especially young children.  

            You can minimize the dangers of HFCS by avoiding all sweetened soft drinks, switch to an alternative such as water or home brewed teas, read the product labels carefully, use stevia as your main sweetener, this will allow you to cut down on your consumption of sugar.

            Some supplements to consider to help protect yourself include the B vitamins, particularly B1 and B6, alpha-lipoic acid, omega 3 fatty acids, acetyl-L-carnitine, and vitamin C.    

            PLEASE avoid this poison at all costs, read labels, and take supplements. 

Stay Strong!