[Mase]

Lustig's point is the dramatic increase in fructose - primarily HFCS - in the diet is the cause of many problems. He suggests getting rid of all sugared drinks - only water and milk for children.

I guess Lustig is unaware that HFCS has replaced sucrose on a nearly one-for-one basis since the early 70's. Where there was once (or would be) regular old table sugar, there is now HFCS. Since HFCS and table sugar are made up of the same two chemicals, in almost identical proportions, I don't see what his point is....other than demonizing HFCS.

Does Lustig realize that milk contains sugar?

Lustig did say Fructose and Ethanol are metabolized the same way - only the liver can metabolize fructose.

Yes, the liver metabolized fructose. Ethanol and fructose are not metabolized in the same way. It's hard to believe an accomplished man like Lustig wouldn't understand the citric acid cycle.

Knowing that Lustig believes that ethanol and fructose are metabolized in the same manner disqualifies him from commenting on whether or not the process yields a "multitude of toxic effects." He has an agenda and he's not going to let the truth get in his way. He's just another charlatan trying to needlessly scare people for some unknown reason. Money?

[FatherofFive]

I don't see what his point is....other than demonizing HFCS

If you bother to watch his video – which is admittedly long – you would see his point. Because of a mistaken belief that fat causes classic metabolic syndrome, Americans have reduced fat consumption, but significantly increased fructose consumption over the past 30 years which has resulted in an obesity epidemic. The way fructose is metabolized, it becomes fat in the body.

Does Lustig realize that milk contains sugar?

Yes, but not HFCS. It is the quantity of increased sugar consumption, powered by HFCS that is the problem.

Yes, the liver metabolized fructose. Ethanol and fructose are not metabolized in the same way. It's hard to believe an accomplished man like Lustig wouldn't understand the citric acid cycle.

Fructose is capable of promoting hepatic and skeletal muscle insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic lipid deposition, and inflammation; similar to the dose-dependent toxic effects of ethanol. Furthermore, fructose is capable of promoting hypothalamic leptin resistance and activation of the reward pathway, resulting in an abnormal drive to continuous consumption, also similar to ethanol. Indeed, fructose may be described as “alcohol without the ‘buzz’”. The metabolic and central similarities between fructose and ethanol are striking. (Lustig’s words) Perhaps you can describe the differences you believe exist?

Money?

Big Sugar and Big Corn have the money. Do you work for either?

Think about it - he is promoting the drinking of water and eating real food. Lot's of money in that. Maybe he works for Big Water.

[Bobsvainbabblings]

Mase, I find it interesting that you would like us to believe this man is a charlatan.  Would you please show me what credentials you have to make such a statement.

This is Lustig's bio from wikipedia,

Robert H. Lustig, MD

 

Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, in the Division of Endocrinology Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Program at UCSF

Dr. Lustig is a nationally-recognized authority in the field of neuroendocrinology, with a specific emphasis on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. He is currently investigating the contribution of biochemical, neural, hormonal, and genetic influences in the expression of the current obesity epidemic both in children and adults. He has defined a syndrome of vagally-mediated beta-cell hyperactivity which leads to insulin hypersecretion and obesity, and which is treatable by insulin suppression. This phenomenon may occur in up to 20% of the obese population. He is interested in the hypothalamic signal transduction of insulin and leptin, and how these two systems interact. He is studying the cardiovascular morbidity associated with hyperinsulinemia, and developing methods to evaluate and prevent this phenomenon in children. He is also analyzing the contribution of the autonomic nervous system to insulin secretion and insulin resistance in obese children, and the utility of assessing insulin dynamics in targeting obesity therapy.

Dr. Lustig graduated from MIT, and received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College. He performed his pediatric residency at St. Louis Children's Hospital, and his clinical fellowship at UCSF. From there, he spent six years as a post-doctoral fellow in neuroendocrinology at The Rockefeller University in New York.

Dr. Lustig has authored over 70 research articles and 35 chapters.  He is the Chairman of the Obesity Task Force of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, a member of the Obesity Task force of The Endocrine Society, and on the Steering Committee of the International Endocrine Alliance to Combat Obesity. 

The video we have asked people to watch is him in his role as a teaching professor at the University of Cal. San Francisco explaining his concerns with HFCS. 

I would like to believe he knows a little more about the subject of HFCS and how our body processes it compared to other sugars than you do.