Fructose risk factor for metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension

FOODCONSUMER ^ | 06/25/2013 | David Liu, PHD

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Tuesday June 25, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new report published in Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism suggests that eating foods or drinking beverages with fructose may increase risk of endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance/diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension.

Z. Khitan and D. H. Kim, the authors of the report, from Marshall University Joan Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, WV, USA say that uric acid resulting from uncontrolled fructose metabolism is the risk factor for metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus.

What happens, according to the report, after fructose is ingested is that the sugar in the liver bypasses two highly regulated steps in glycolysis by glucokinase and phosphofructokinase, both subject to regulation by the concentration of their metabolic byproducts.  Fructose, on the other hand, is metabolized by fructokinase (KHK), which has no negative feedback system leading to intracellular phosphate depletion and the rapid generation of uric acid when AMP deaminase is activated.

Uric acid, which is commonly known to be associated with gout, is also known to be linked to endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance (diabetes mellitus) and hypertension.

Other studies have shown that eating fructose can cause damage to the liver leading to hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases.

One study led by Kylie Kavanagh and colleagues at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center confirms in animal models that eating foods with fructose causes damage to the liver even if there is no weight gain resulting from such a dietary practice.

Early studies have shown fructose and intake of high calories may play a role in the development of obesity and fatty liver diseases, but not all studies are consistent.

The Kavanagh et al. found over the six-week period, a high fructose diet more than doubled liver damage as compared to those on a control diet.

The study is released in the June 19 online edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In a previous trial, Kavanagh's team allowed monkeys to eat as much as they wanted of a low-fat diet high in added fructose for seven years, as compared to controls fed a low-fructose, low-fat diet for the same period.  Those on a high fructose low fat diet gained 50% more weight and were three times more likely to develop diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than those on the low fructose, low fat diet.

Fructose is high in sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (now called corn sugar), which are commonly used in foods and beverages.  Fructose is also found in many fruits, but fruits are generally considered healthier than added fructose.

Because sugars are generally associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, artificial sweeteners are used, particularly in diet beverages.  But even diet soda increases the risk for diabetes mellitus.

Some sugars including glucose and maltose may be healthier. But they are not as sweet as fructose.  It should be noted that starch such as rice starch and wheat starch, which is made of glucose, is safe to eat. 

Many other things such as trans-fat and red meat can also increase risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus while curcumin cna help prevent the disease. (reporting by David Liu, PHD)

[Coleus]

Hyperinsulinism and syndrome-X; hypertension, high-triglycerides, high cholesterol, pot belly, pre-diabetes or type-II diabetes.