Fructose is the Silent Killer in the North American Diet. Inflammation, Early Death, Kidney Failure, Arthritis.

I spend an enormous amount of time with patients, far more than does the average 'medical practitioner.' Much of that time is spent trying to convince the patient that they are causing most of their medical issues through what they eat in their diet.

Nobody is ever surprised, and yet it continues to be a problem. Fructose is cheap. Sucrose is cheap. Food, as a proportion of our income is far less of a relative percentage now, than at any time in human history. And yet, poor choices result in poor outcomes and we are eating ourselves to death.

Before I receive the onslaught of complaints that the discussion below, is too technical, please understand that it is actually a simplification, but I present it to you in an attempt to convince you that it is very important, and not simply one of those many platitudes that one learns to expect from their well-meaning doctors.

Simply stated, Fructose is more addictive than alcohol, nicotine, cocaine or heroin. Over consumption is most probably responsible directly or indirectly for more deaths than those previously mentioned poisons.

Fructose, High Fructose Corn Syrup Directly Causes Arthritis

Fructose, a monosaccharide prevalent in the modern diet, particularly through high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose, has been implicated in exacerbating inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Its metabolic pathways and subsequent physiological effects contribute to inflammation and various health disorders.

Metabolic Pathways of Fructose and Inflammatory Mechanisms. Arthritis and Triglycerides

Flowchart of fructose metabolism showing conversion pathways to glucose, pyruvate, triglycerides, and phosphoglycerides with enzymes and ATP. — Fructose cause Triglycerides elevate and available ATP to be decreased.

Upon ingestion, fructose is primarily metabolized in the liver. Unlike glucose, fructose metabolism bypasses the regulatory step catalyzed by phosphofructokinase, leading to unregulated phosphorylation by fructokinase. This process results in the rapid depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and accumulation of AMP, which is subsequently degraded to uric acid . This is, in part, one of the reasons that fructose consumption can lead to hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid) which is directly related to decrease life expectancy and an increase in the incidence of non-cholesterol related atherosclerotic heart disease.

For further information, there, read my blogs on Uric Acid. Pay close attention to the statistics.

Worsening of a persons arthritis can be experienced mere hours after ingesting fructose rich foods, and the effect can last days. Improvement of arthritis symptoms can be experienced a day or two after dropping it from the diet.

Biochemical pathway of fructose metabolism in enterocytes and organ cells, leading to NAFLD, insulin resistance, and other conditions. — Fructose causes insulin resistance (metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes) as well as kidney damage, obesity blood pressure elevation and Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Fructose elevates Uric Acid Levels, causing kidney disease and Liver disease (NAFLD)

Elevated uric acid levels can induce inflammation by stimulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), contributing to joint inflammation observed in arthritis.

Moreover, fructose metabolism promotes de novo lipogenesis, leading to increased triglyceride synthesis and lipid accumulation. This lipid overload can result in hepatic steatosis and the release of inflammatory mediators, further exacerbating systemic inflammation. That is, it can be the cause of 'Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Fructose and Gut Dysbiosis

Diagram shows fructose and dietary fiber effects on gut microbiota and inflammation. Pathway leads to potential arrhythmia, with labeled arrows. — Fructose causes gut inflammation and cardiac rhythm disorders

High fructose intake has been associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis. This imbalance can increase intestinal permeability, allowing endotoxins to enter the circulation and trigger inflammatory responses. Such mechanisms are implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and inflammatory diseases . Yes, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup and the products made from it cause serious bowel diseases.

Cardiac arrhythmias? Let's consider the rather remarkable increase in the number of patients presenting with atrial fibrillation, with no apparent precipitant cause. '

The number of 'Cardiac Ablations' done is remarkable, and most of them may be unnecessary, as reducing the intake of fructose and lowering the level of uric acid below the 5.5 level may be all that is required to correct the problem.

Systemic Inflammatory Responses

Consumption of fructose-rich diets has been shown to elevate levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). These markers are indicative of endothelial dysfunction and heightened inflammatory states, contributing to the development and progression of chronic inflammatory conditions .

Impact on Insulin Resistance and Obesity

Diagram of gut-liver axis in health and disease. Shows effects of fructose, microbes, and inflammation on liver health. Text, arrows included. — At best, Fructose will make you fat. The Insulin resistance and liver damage will eventually catch up with you.

Fructose consumption is linked to insulin resistance through mechanisms involving increased hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipid accumulation. Insulin resistance itself is a pro-inflammatory state, contributing to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Obesity further exacerbates inflammation due to adipose tissue's role in secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines .

Conclusion

Excessive dietary fructose contributes to the pathogenesis of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions through multiple mechanisms, including increased uric acid production, promotion of gut dysbiosis, induction of systemic inflammatory responses, and exacerbation of insulin resistance and obesity. Limiting fructose intake may be beneficial in mitigating these inflammatory processes and improving overall health outcomes.

Stop eating yourself to death.

More so, Fructose directly causes the skin to age prematurely, but more on that, later!

References

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High-Fructose Diet Increases Inflammatory Cytokines and Alters Gut Microbiota Composition in Rats: A Pilot Study. BioMed Research International. 2020;2020:6672636.
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