A
recent study led by a California endocrinologist has once again thrust sugar
into the limelight. Why? Because this doctor claims that sugar is toxic. WOW. Bold statement? Apparently he thinks so too,
but has evidence to support his argument.
Dr. Lustig, who led the research
and has published scientific work on sugar, was interviewed for the CBS article. Lustig says the American
lifestyle is killing us and 75% of the diseases in this country linked to sugar
are preventable.
In short, Lustig is reporting
that sugar is evil yet Americans continue down the path of obesity, type II
diabetes, hypertension and heart disease by consuming more than 130 pounds of
refined sugar, per person a year.
The rest of the article is
interesting and insightful into Dr. Lustig’s theory of sugar. Another study at
the University of California is highlighted in the article, which links excess
high fructose corn syrup to increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Kimber
Stanhope, a nutritional biologist, leads the study and her work rejects the
age-old statement that ‘a calorie is a calorie’. In a tightly controlled
environment, Stanhope completely decreased sugar levels and then slowly
increased consumption of sugary beverages. Her interview included some of these
statements:
Kimber Stanhope: ‘We found that the subjects
who consumed high fructose corn syrup had increased blood levels of LDL
cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”
Dr. Sanjay Gupta: How quickly did these
changes occur?
Kimber Stanhope: Within two weeks.
Kimber Stanhope's study suggests that when
a person consumes too much sweet stuff, the liver gets overloaded with fructose
and converts some of it into fat. Some of that fat ends up in the bloodstream
and helps generate a dangerous kind of cholesterol called small dense LDL.
The
purpose of sharing this article is not to say that I too, think sugar is evil.
BUT, I do think that the average American consumes too much refined sugar (baked
goods, sugary beverages and processed junk food). This study poses an extreme
perspective, and yet there is a hint of truth. This doctor is just trying to
help people, especially children as he is a pediatrician.
Take home
message: Watch your intake, cut the
sugary beverages and be aware of the research developments. Stay informed.
Have
a great day!
Sara
Shipley
University
of Central Oklahoma
Nutrition
and Dietetics Student
