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by Baloo 1214 days ago
"...other foods can also stimulate fructose production in the body and induce features of metabolic syndrome. These include foods that provide the glucose substrate for the polyol pathway, such as high glycemic carbohydrates, and foods that stimulate aldose reductase, such as *salty foods and alcohol*. Umami foods (especially processed *red meats, organ meats, shellfish, and beer* that is rich in yeast extracts) also engage the purine degradation pathway leading to uric acid.

The second more proximate factor has been the dramatic rise in the intake of added sugars that contain fructose and glucose, such as *table sugar (sucrose) and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)*."

And...

"Interestingly, *whole fruits tend not to activate this pathway* owing to a relatively low fructose content in individual fruits and the presence of neutralizing factors (such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and flavanols) and because the small intestine metabolizes some fructose before it reaches the liver and brain."

So basically processed meats, table sugar & high-fructose corn syrup are bad for you. I'm shocked /s

2 comments

> So basically processed meats, table sugar & high-fructose corn syrup are bad for you. I'm shocked /s

The interesting part of the research is that the authors identified a common player that might progress the development of chronic diseases: high uric acid levels.

Uric acid has historically been associated with gout. But more recently, there has been growing interest in the role of uric acid on the development of chronic diseases like metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer.

An interesting (imo) pop-medscience video by Dr. David Perlmutter - Uric Acid: A KEY Cause of Weight Gain, Diabetes, Heart Disease & Dementia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ6jPCcFNa8

Uric acid may be a complex symptomatic expression rather than a cause.

My own journey may reflect this. I suffered from gout and also other worrisome blood work markers that indicated metabolic syndrome. I am now largely vegan, alcohol free and avoid sugar and processed food. I have not had a gout attack for a long time. Then in a recent blood test my uric acid was through the roof. My (excellent) doctor first wanted to raise the amount of allopurinol I was taking but I suffer from side effects and was reluctant. My doctor did some research and found that uric acid levels are raised during periods of weight loss.

So it’s complicated and not well understood.

With regards to gout, I don't think it's symptomatic: actual uric acid crystals are causing the inflammation that is called gout. The crystals are deposited when the serum level of UA goes above ~400umol/l.

But it's fascinating to hear your story, where you have high UA serum but no gout attack. Were you on 300mg allo or more?

With Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease, there is much uncertainty, agreed!

honey also
Yes, most forms of sugars contain 40-60% fructose.
and bees can't transport fruit fibers!