Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius promised, “The U.S. government plans to increase funding to battle obesity and views healthcare reform as an opportunity to encourage better eating habits.” Rather than spending money and attacking the food industry, the secretary and others concerned with the health of Americans ought to go after the U.S. Congress. Let’s look at it.
According to a study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (May 2009), widespread use of fructose may be directly responsible for some of the ongoing increase in rates of childhood diabetes and obesity. Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases abdominal fat and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese people. The participants in the study who consumed fructose-sweetened food showed an increase of fat cells around major organs including their hearts and livers, and also underwent metabolic changes that are precursors to heart disease and diabetes.
Other studies have linked diets rich in high-fructose corn syrup to elevated risks of high triglycerides (a type of blood fat), fat buildup in the liver and insulin resistance, notes Dr. Gerald Shulman and his colleagues at Yale University School of Medicine.
“This is the first evidence we have that fructose increases diabetes and heart disease independently from causing simple weight gain,” said Kimber Stanhope, a molecular biologist who led the UC Davis study, adding, “We didn’t see any of these changes in the people eating glucose.”
You say, “Williams, glucose, fructose — what’s the fuss?” Sucrose is the sugar sold in 5- or 10-pound bags at your supermarket that Americans have used as a sweetener throughout most of our history. Fructose is a sweetener that has more recently come into heavy use by beverage manufacturers and food processors. You ask, “How come all the fructose use now?”
Enter the U.S.
Williams, as usual, is right. The market works very well providing people with quality goods at reasonable prices. When the government interferes with the market it always benefits the politically connected at the expense of everyone else and always with unintended consequences.
The unintended consequence of forcing people to eat fructose turned out to be deadly.
I am proud of my country. I am proud of the great time and effort we as a people have put into science and health and the efforts we have made to ensure the health of our citizenry. This effort has made us one to the greatest nations in history. The 'Market' has nothing to do with providing health or anything else. The market is the exchange of goods and services. The 'Market' has robbed 3 generations now of savings and retirement. We do not live by bread alone. I thank all the great scientist and politicians who have contributed to our great nation.
Scientists, yes!
Politicians,…are you kidding?
Hmmm….., old Downie is not the sharpest knife in the drawer is he. As for the politicians, crucifying all of them on Pennsylvamia Avenue for the trillions of dollars they have looted and wasted and the republic which they have perverted would be letting them off easy.
How about we "crucify" them in November by turning them out of office? Republicans inspire no real confidence, but lo and behold, this is a case of "lessor of two evils" if there ever was one. We've got to stop Barry in his tracks.
Instead of infringing on our rights by telling us what we can and can't eat, infringe on the rights of the obese by making them excercise. That wouldn't take the rights of all though, and complete power and control over all Americans is their objective.
Who can Afford the kind of Food the Government wants you to Eat? They Just Need A excuse to Starve people that have no money! No Money Get It? Not Everyone in America can afford the standards Government puts in to Law! Truth is the only Freedom we have and it is Free! Truth is free.
The politicians involved in the creation of these bills need to be named, and a list made of them, along with other politicians who have supported similar bills. I suspect there are a great many. Then these corrupt weasels need to be outed, and drummed out of office if they are still there. One can understand this kind of behaviour among Democrats, but what of the involvement and acquiescence of Republicans? From them, all I hear is a deafening silence. Has this kind of feather-bedding become so common that almost no one even thinks twice about it anymore? All I have is questions. Issues like this one, and "earmark" spending seem hip-deep in corruption all through both parties in Congress.
the MARKET is the one that's pushed high fructose corn syrup as a cheap alternative to real sugar, the same goes for every other piece of garbage processed food filled with preservatives that the FOOD industry shoves down our throats. Eat fresh, eat local.
The alarming rise in obesity is exactly concurrent with the removal of sugar and replacement of fructose in sodas. Another unintended consequence is the poverty of the Caribbean and Central America, especially Haiti. Some say New Coke was just a ruse to make the changeover. Also, I wonder if the fructose affects those who need a gluten-free diet?
Another brilliant column, Dr. Williams! I will forward it to my friends.