Allopurinol Lowers Fructose-Triggered Hypertension

Medpage Today ^ | September 23, 2009 | Kristina Fiore

[MetaThought]

*

A diet high in fructose can increase uric acid levels, but allopurinol may help lower the resulting high blood pressure, researchers say.

Men who took the drug to mitigate the effects of a high-fructose diet did not experience the increase in blood pressure observed among men on the same diet who did not take the drug, Richard Johnson, MD, of the University of Colorado, and colleagues said at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure Research Conference in Chicago.

"These results support the idea that fructose, such as present in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, could have a role in the epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome," Johnson said. "Further, they suggest that [the two sweeteners] could have a role in high blood pressure, and that this might be mediated by uric acid."

Eating a lot of fructose -- typically from sugary drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup -- has previously been associated with increased levels of uric acid.

"It has been known for a long time that fructose can raise uric acid levels, and in the last few years epidemiological studies have also confirmed that those with the highest fructose intake have higher uric acid levels," Johnson said.

[MetaThought]

Sugar/Hypertension link ping.

[poobear]

I hate sugar but like beer. Any correlation? HB runs in my family. Dad has had it for 40 years (he's almost 80). Me, 7 years.

[KarlInOhio]

These results support the idea that fructose, such as present in table sugar

Huh? I thought table sugar was sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) and not fructose (C₆H₁₂O₆).

[WackySam]

Huh? I thought table sugar was sucrose (C12H22O11) and not fructose

In the body it's converted to glucose and fructose.

[WackySam]

I hate sugar but like beer. Any correlation?

Could be. Alcohol also raises uric acid.

[RedWhiteBlue]

Sucrose is one molecule of glucose and one molecule of fructose.

[achilles2000]

You forgot that the piece was written by a journalist. Scientific facts are mere details to great liberal minds...

[faucetman]

allopurinol has been a MIRACLE treatment for my gout. Gout for me is a thing of the past. It was the sharpest cruelist pain I have ever suffered with. Now it’s gone.

[CholeraJoe]

More on the evils of HFCS.

[FatherofFive]

This is 90 minutes long, but worth the time.

Sugar: The Bitter Truth

[poobear]

Well then, back to the drawing board. Let’s see, no fried foods, no salt, no sugar, no red meat, no beer, just fruits and veggies.

Just shoot me!

[MetaThought]

My opinion ? Skip the sugar and fried stuff , eat more red meat.

Very little evidence against red meat.

[WackySam]

More on the evils of HFCS.

There's really nothing inherently bad about HFCS- the problem is the quantities in which it's being consumed.

[VOA]

bump

[poobear]

That's a good thing.

Hey, Dad outlived all his brothers and sisters. He pretty much eats anything he wants (or can still chew, no dental work for years but still has most teeth). 80 years is long enough for me. I wouldn't mind him staying around a lot longer though.

Hamburgers tonight. NO MAYO!

[WackySam]

Well then, back to the drawing board. Let’s see, no fried foods, no salt, no sugar, no red meat, no beer, just fruits and veggies. Just shoot me!

Watch your calories, and exercise, and you can pretty much eat whatever you want.

[MetaThought]

This may be way out there, but try cutting out the wheat(also while flour) and see if that helps.

[poobear]

You know there are so may conflicting reports. Just recently I bought all whole wheat pastas to mix with fresh vegetables along with olive oil, garlic and sesame seeds and now I might have to rethink wheat.

I'm all for healthy eating but at some point I have to go back to the basics.

I'm growing legumes, okra, tomatoes, squash and fresh herbs. I'll take my chances with all of the sugar/beer/no wheat folks. Thank Goodness I hate dessert. It really does make me sick.

Our “greatest generation” parents are still alive for the most part and they ate their portions of veggies out of the garden on a regular basis.

Thanks for your kind advice. I really am ALL ears. You see, I have a 14 year old and don't want this future for her.

[moonhawk]

My Mon was recently diagnosed with low grade B-cell Lymphoma. She is taking alopurinol to counteract the side effects of Rituxan, her immunotherapy drug. It can cause uric acid problems and lead to kidney failure.