Hohoho...Merry Christmas to all of you readers out there. How's your Christmas celebration? Any nice gifts? Had a sumptuous dinner? Anyway, let's continue with the discussion about sugar. I have a colleague, who would always 'crash' whenever after he ate a meal. He would feel very sleepy, lethargic and unable to keep his energy level up to par. This is not a common symptom, it is happening to many people, especially the ones who loves eating carbs, diet which is high in sugar. In this post, I would like to talk a bit about insulin resistance and uric acid.
The universal fear that all fats that gripped many health conscious people for several decades, has been replaced by cardio-phobia. More recent research suggests that consuming a high fructose diet over a shorter period can have an even worst effect on triglycerides and cause other metabolic changes that raise the risk of heart disease, especially people who are overweight. The same research found that no ill effects from consuming a high glucose diet.
The universal fear that all fats that gripped many health conscious people for several decades, has been replaced by cardio-phobia. More recent research suggests that consuming a high fructose diet over a shorter period can have an even worst effect on triglycerides and cause other metabolic changes that raise the risk of heart disease, especially people who are overweight. The same research found that no ill effects from consuming a high glucose diet.
It may seem odd that eating fructose, which is a carbohydrate, raises levels of fat. But, your body constantly converting one compound into another to suit its needs. In this case, transformation occurs in the liver, where most fructose ends up after a meal. The sugar is processed by an enzyme known as fructokinase, which breaks down fructose into smaller components. Your body uses these smaller parts to make either glycogen or triglycerides.
"A single serving of fructose does not cause your blood glucose level to rise right" asked my colleague. Well, unfortunately, that is far from true. If you consume a high fructose diet, you could develop the condition known as insulin resistance. At some point, insulin resistance also known as syndrome X.
Insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes, which is now an epidemic in various countries including Malaysia. People who develop insulin resistance tend to be overweight, likewise, people who put on too many pounds are more likely to develop insulin resistance. A number of studies have shown that eating a high fructose diet, makes cells resist insulin. High insulin levels, indicate that body tissue is not able to use the hormone properly. In other words, eating fructose made us insulin resistant, but not glucose.
Now, let's talk a bit about uric acid. I had write briefly about how fructose impact on uric acid level in our body, causing gout and hypertension in my previous post. Firstly, the cells that make up every piece of tissue in your body have a limited life span. As they naturally die off, they break down into smaller parts. The uric acid story begins with DNA, serves as genetic blueprint for every cell in your body. Then, we have RNA, the messenger which carries out the instructions of DNA.
As old cells break down, DNA and RNA degrade into smaller parts, including components called purines. Enzymes which converts purines into a substance called xanthine. Over time, xanthine degrades further into uric acid. Your body also produces uric acid as it burns ATP, an organic compound in cells that plays a vital role in producing energy.
As I mentioned in my earlier post that purines and fructose are primary contributors for high levels of uric acid, but most doctors do not acknowledge and realize the connection between fructose and gout. When uric acid levels in the body get too high, the acid hardens into sharp crystals that are deposited in joints. That is just a summarized version of uric acid forms in our joints causing severe pains and I've met so far a few people who suffer from Gout.
Uric acid levels are greatly influenced by your diet and can fluctuate wildly, depending on what you eat. Sweet foods are not the only ones that increase uric acid. Eating purine-rich foods can also raise uric acid in the body. Eating fewer purine-rich foods can help you to maintain a safe uric acid levels.
If you love beer or lager, you may then carry with you visual proof in the form of beer belly. A paunchy midsection, doesn't flatter anyone's appearance, in addition, it may serves as a strong indicator that you are developing from serious metabolic problems. I've told this tons of times to my friends and colleagues who love to consume alcohol.
Alcohol not only causes your body to produce uric acid, it also blocks the kidney from excreting the compound. In theory, any type of alcoholic beverage should cause elevated uric acid levels. Beer in particular, has a very strong effect on uric acid. Amongst all alcoholic beverages, beer has the most potential to raise uric acid levels. Along with excess abdominal fat, many people with beer bellies have other conditions of metabolic syndrome, particularly elevated triglycerides and high blood pressure. Many beer devotees don't want to hear this, and who are we to tell them if they do not appreciate their health? I wonder how they feel when they look themselves into mirror every single time with that huge sagging belly? Hmm..
Now, let's talk a bit about uric acid. I had write briefly about how fructose impact on uric acid level in our body, causing gout and hypertension in my previous post. Firstly, the cells that make up every piece of tissue in your body have a limited life span. As they naturally die off, they break down into smaller parts. The uric acid story begins with DNA, serves as genetic blueprint for every cell in your body. Then, we have RNA, the messenger which carries out the instructions of DNA.
As old cells break down, DNA and RNA degrade into smaller parts, including components called purines. Enzymes which converts purines into a substance called xanthine. Over time, xanthine degrades further into uric acid. Your body also produces uric acid as it burns ATP, an organic compound in cells that plays a vital role in producing energy.
As I mentioned in my earlier post that purines and fructose are primary contributors for high levels of uric acid, but most doctors do not acknowledge and realize the connection between fructose and gout. When uric acid levels in the body get too high, the acid hardens into sharp crystals that are deposited in joints. That is just a summarized version of uric acid forms in our joints causing severe pains and I've met so far a few people who suffer from Gout.
Uric acid levels are greatly influenced by your diet and can fluctuate wildly, depending on what you eat. Sweet foods are not the only ones that increase uric acid. Eating purine-rich foods can also raise uric acid in the body. Eating fewer purine-rich foods can help you to maintain a safe uric acid levels.
If you love beer or lager, you may then carry with you visual proof in the form of beer belly. A paunchy midsection, doesn't flatter anyone's appearance, in addition, it may serves as a strong indicator that you are developing from serious metabolic problems. I've told this tons of times to my friends and colleagues who love to consume alcohol.
Alcohol not only causes your body to produce uric acid, it also blocks the kidney from excreting the compound. In theory, any type of alcoholic beverage should cause elevated uric acid levels. Beer in particular, has a very strong effect on uric acid. Amongst all alcoholic beverages, beer has the most potential to raise uric acid levels. Along with excess abdominal fat, many people with beer bellies have other conditions of metabolic syndrome, particularly elevated triglycerides and high blood pressure. Many beer devotees don't want to hear this, and who are we to tell them if they do not appreciate their health? I wonder how they feel when they look themselves into mirror every single time with that huge sagging belly? Hmm..
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