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Friday, December 5, 2008

Flying without high fructose corn syrup

Have you seen the recent commercials about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? You know the ones telling us how it is just like sugar and is fine in moderation? Those commercials really bugged a sistergirlfriend of mine. She was adamant that HFCS is not just like sugar and is not fine in moderation. She was convinced that she was a victim of HFCS's disastrous effects. Research is supporting her accusations.

Coincidence or not, a doctor friend of mine (Dr. Ann) wrote about it in her recent newsletter. She states that HFCS is not natural. It is manufactured and found solely in processed, man-made foods. A recent study showed that rats who ate a high fructose diet over a six month period developed leptin resistance. What does that mean? Leptin is a strong appetite-suppressive hormone that adheres to brain cells to stop hunger. If you have a resistance to it, you never feel full and can over eat constantly which potentially lead to obesity. It this study, after becoming leptin-resistant the rats while on a high fat diet gained significantly more weight than the control group of normal rats put on the same high fat diet.

Okay, that does not come across in the commercials. And why would it? The goal is to get the public to believe that HFCS is fine in moderation. But what isn't fine in moderation? There are just some things better than others in moderation or not.

Make up your own mind, but be aware of the facts. I will continue to avoid it whenever possible.