Fructose Sugar and Alcohol are the Same - Learn the Truth!

Robert H. Lustig, MD, Professor of Pediatrics Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of California San Francisco, presents “A Mini Medical School for the Public – Current Controversies in Nutrition – Sugar: The Bitter Truth.”

This is a compelling presentation offering scientific research and explanation as to why diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity rates have risen dramatically over the last 30 years while human genes have not changed. The cause is not from a high fat diet but from diets high in sugar.

During Dr. Lustig’s presentation, you will learn how the body processes various types of sugar, why different sugars are not equal and why sugar is a dangerous poison. The primary focus is on explaining the body’s biochemical process of fructose, such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a hepatotoxin which is a toxic chemical substance that damages the liver. Dr. Lustig also explains why fructose is a leading cause of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, obesity, lipid problems, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, inflammation, and non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease.

Even though fructose is a simple carbohydrate, it is metabolized by the body like a fat. Many American’s who are eating low fat diets are also consuming high amounts of fructose which doubles as a fat. But it is not a healthy fat which has the necessary components to tell the brain to stop eating. In 1982, the American Heart Association, The American Medical Association and the US Department of Agriculture advised Americans to lower total fat consumption. That nutritional advice has led to an increase in the production of low fat products containing fructose, an increase in food consumption and higher rates of obesity, heart disease and other diseases.

Most shocking is Dr. Lustig's research showing that fructose sugar and ethanol from alcohol are the same. The only difference is that ethanol gets metabolized by the brain but fructose does not. According to Dr. Lustig, fructose is ethanol without the buzz. “You wouldn’t think twice about not giving your kid a beer, but you don’t think twice about giving your kid a can of Coke.” And though this hepatic fructose is a chronic toxin that makes people sick after consuming repeatedly over a long period of time, the FDA will not regulate it. The bottom line is they both are the same and lead to diseases such as cancer which cause death.

Please watch Dr. Lustig’s very informative presentation and consider the amount of sugar you are consuming and how it is affecting the quality of your life and the people that you love. It is the choices that you make each day that determine the quality of your health and well-being. What you do today will affect the rest of your life. Please don’t choose foods that cause liver damage, obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, cancer, cellular death and rapid aging. If you are giving food as a gift to someone, especially someone who is sick, avoid giving anything containing sugar and focus on quality that is also nourishing.

My professional training and background is heavily based on eastern healing methods that recognize the connection between sugar and disease. All forms of sugar can weaken the immune system and cause disease. Each individual person’s health condition must be considered when advising on various types of sugar including fruit. For optimal health, long-life and energy, I recommend completely eliminating sugar from your diet or only using small select amounts. For those that are not chronically ill, only consume natural unprocessed sugars on occasion. Avoid all artificial sweeteners.

Please read this companion blog article: "Are You Pouring On the Pounds?"