Frequently used sweetener – one you consume every day – could be extremely damaging to your health. One should always strive for total wellness!
It replaced sugar in many products back in the 1970s. And WHY? Because it was cheaper, of course. In 1977, sugar tariffs and quotas were imposed in system. And, the price of corn was kept low through government subsidies. United States food manufacturers refused to pay the higher sugar costs, so, they switched from sugar to a corn-based alternative. It saved them billions in cost.
They did NOT consider the health of the consumers, as is frequently the case. The FDA does NOT consider total wellness for the consumer.
And thus, the time of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) had begun. Consumption of high fructose corn syrup increased by 1,000% from then to the present time. Now, we must make an effort to avoid HFCS as much as we possibly can.
Past studies indicated a major link of HFCS to obesity and diabetes. New research links HFCS to something even worse – a deadly form of cancer (pancreatic). No total wellness here!!!
Why does the FDA let this continue to happen? How can they support Big Corn instead of the public? Here’s the real truth of WHY.
Why High Fructose Corn Syrup Is Bad
Dr. Anthony Heaney published a study revealing new information about high fructose corn syrup. Dr. Heaney is an Associate Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He’s written many articles for peer-reviewed publications, including the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nature Medicine, Clinical Endocrinology, and Pituitary. He is also a reviewer for the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Cancer Research, and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
His study, published in Cancer Research, focused on pancreatic cancer, which is one of the very worst cancers.
The formulation of high fructose corn syrup is a combination of fructose and glucose. These two sugars have long been considered interchangeable… but that may not be the case. Dr. Heaney found that pancreatic cancer cells metabolized them differently. The cells used fructose to generate nucleic acids – building blocks of RNA and DNA – which cancer cells need to divide and grow.
Dr. Heaney believes his findings “have major significance for cancer patients, given dietary refined fructose consumption.” In fact, he feels so strongly about the need to reduce fructose intake that he believes the federal government should intervene.
Dr. Andrew Weil is in agreement that “high fructose corn syrup is definitely bad for you.” Dr. Weil holds degrees in biology and medicine from Harvard University. He has an international reputation as an expert on alternative medicine, mind-body interactions, and medical botany.
“Eliminating high fructose corn syrup from your diet can have many health benefits,” says Dr. Weil. “[Dr. Heaney's] UCLA study suggests that prevention of pancreatic cancer – and possibly other malignancies – may be one of them.” We need to take back control of our total wellness!!!
Meanwhile, the FDA does absolutely nothing to protect you. In actuality, it works in opposition to total wellness…
Big Corn…
Big Corn’s position is that high fructose corn syrup is “natural.” In the words of Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), “high fructose corn syrup, like table sugar and honey, is natural. It is made from corn, a natural grain product.”
In a letter to the CRA, the FDA gave Big Corn the go-ahead to label high fructose corn syrup “natural.” Despite the fact that it contains a synthetic mixing agent.
Does that sound natural to you? NOT!!!
But according to the FDA, it’s natural as long as the synthetic agent doesn’t touch the corn starch. Talk about stretching the truth.
Geraldine June is the supervisor of product evaluation and labeling at the FDA’s Office of Nutrition, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements. Responding to an inquiry about the decision, she said:
“However, we would object to the use of the term ‘natural’ on a product containing HFCS that has a synthetic substance such as a synthetic fixing agent included in or added to it.”
Needless to say, Big Corn was thrilled with the FDA decision.
But, here’s the repercussion…
That decision led other companies to stretch the definition of “all natural.” Cadbury Schweppes (whose U.S. beverage unit is now Dr Pepper Snapple Group) and Kraft also made the claim for their 7Up and Capri Sun labels.
How did they get away with it? Both drinks have high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient, which the companies decided makes the drinks natural. They didn’t get away with it for long. Both faced lawsuits. They avoided legal action by quickly changing their labels.
Something stinks, big time…
Meanwhile, the FDA’s decision started to get a lot of bad press. Fighting back, the CRA launched a series of television ads, which presented HFCS as being natural, nutritionally the same as sugar, and with the same number of calories. But consumers are becoming more and more skeptical. The CRA had to quickly find another solution.
So on September 14, 2010, they applied for a name change. They requested to rename high fructose corn syrup “corn sugar” on U.S. food labels.
What was the reason they gave for doing it?
“Consumers need to know what is in their foods and where their foods come from and we want to be clear with them,” said the CRA’s Audrae Erickson. Well, that’s one explanation. But, it is more likely that the HFCS backlash had become so important that they were trying to get rid of the name.
High Fructose Killing Syrup
You see, Dr. Heaney’s findings aren’t the only bad news about high fructose corn syrup…
Studies have also connected it to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. One of those studies is from Princeton University where researchers found that high fructose corn syrup encourages considerable weight gain. Bart Hoebel, a psychology professor who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight, and sugar addiction, was on the research team.
“Some people have claimed that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity, but our results make it clear that this just isn’t true, at least under the conditions of our tests,” says Hoebel.
High fructose corn syrup consumption is completely out of control in this country. The government even targeted high fructose corn syrup to help foot the bill. Remember when President Obama was trying to pass that $950 billion health care plan? It needed some significant funding. The government considered imposing federal taxes on sugary drinks. A tax of three cents per 12-ounce serving would generate $24 billion over four years. That’s how much of this stuff Americans drink.
The FDA is at the core of the problem. The same agency that promises to protect consumers is doing the opposite which their decision on high fructose corn syrup shows support for obesity, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. You are encouraged to forget about total wellness in your life!
How to Avoid HFCS
The average American consumes 41.5 pounds of high fructose corn syrup per year. Most people don’t even realize they’re doing it. You may be surprised to learn that high fructose corn syrup can be found in the following products:
- Baked goods
- Tomato sauces
- Soft drinks
- Cereals
- Fruit drinks
- Processed foods
- Salad dressings
- Ketchup
- Yogurt
- Cough syrups
And that’s just the start.
If a dangerous compound like high fructose corn syrup is so ubiquitous, how are you able to protect your own health? How can you lessen your chances of getting the types of cancer that result from high fructose corn syrup intake? Here are some solutions:
- Read the label – You expect to find high fructose corn syrup in sweets. But lots of other foods contain high fructose corn syrup too, including bread and processed meats.
- “Natural” doesn’t always mean natural – Look for foods labeled “organic.” That assures you they’re free of high fructose corn syrup.
- Avoid fast food – It often contains high fructose corn syrup (not to mention hosts of other health-harming ingredients).
- Careful with cans and bottles – Almost every sweet drink contains high fructose corn syrup. So always check beverage labels for high fructose corn syrup or hidden sugars.
- Buy fresh ingredients and cook – That way, you know exactly what you’re eating.
The revolution has begun. Big Corn is feeling the pain. The FDA is beginning to feel exposed. Consumers are taking back control over their food and their health.
So, be sure to watch labels, consider only Organic foods, do more eating of raw fruits or slightly steamed vegetables and help be part of the solution to the High Fructose Corn Syrup problems. I have begun to notice that some manufacturers are eliminating high fructose corn syrup…but be careful…they may have simply changed the label name to corn sugar! Use products with Stevia (natural herb) used for thousands of years! Or Honey! Take back your control and don’t let the FDA cause you major problems with your health! Become involved in Total Wellness for yourself!
Warmly,
Connie
303-770-3180
http://www.behealthysolutions.com
Your answer shows real intelligence.
I had my first gout attack about 10 years ago.
At the beginning I was having attacks every 6 months. Then gradually I was getting them
every 3 months, then every month and eventually every week.
It started at my big toe and then it was moving sometimes in my knees,and generally all
around my joints, in my feet.And the pain was agonising.
I have tried all the cures you can imagine.I tried ACV, lemons, drinking a lot of water, but
to no avail.I tried water fasting, juice fasting,baking soda, again without success.
I almost gave up meat, limiting it to only once a week ,gave up alcohol completely,again
no success.
I was living on vegetables, lots and lots of fresh fruit, milk ,cheese beans and so on .My
eating habits could not be healthier ,or so I thought.But my gout was worsening.
Then I decided to increase the amount of fruit I was consuming, thinking that if some fruit
is healthy, more fruit will be more healthy.Some days I was eating fruit only ,others over 10
portions a day.
And alas my gout instead of improving it became chronic ,it was there all the time.
I was desperate I did not know what to do.
And then one day accidentally I read an article about fructose,which is contained in fruit in
large quantities.It said that it increases uric acid, in a matter of minutes.
Fructose is also present in table sugar, and in HFCS, which is used in soft drinks.
I put two and two together and realised what I was doing wrong.
I stopped eating fruit and all other sugars, for a period of 3 weeks,and by magic I saw a
dramatic improvement.Pain was gone, swelling was gone, I was fine.
I re introduced fruit again in my diet but reducing them to 1 or 2 a day, and my gout completely
disappeared.
I do eat more meat now, and occasionally have an alcoholic drink, and thank God everything
seems to be fine.
Fructose was my enemy.
Hi Wendy and thanks so much for your comment! It is always super to meet like-minded folks who truly understand the need for better health and better health options! I used to be a high school teacher and I applaud you and your efforts to make a difference! Please share this blog with others so that we can continue to educate more people about the importance of health! Thanks again!
Warmly,
Connie
Thank you for this article. As a teacher, I can report that the children of this country are becoming addicted to fast food (and high fructose corn syrup) through school meals–many foods are worse than the cheapest fast food restaurants. (Friday they had corn dogs–and the labels on the foods they had for breakfast are alarming).
These students are facing lives in slavery to fast food corporations, and later pharmaceutical corporations for diabetes, fatty liver disease, obesity, pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases. And what about the emotional cost of sickness and poor health?
Does Audrae Erickson consume that artificial red drink (from the corn refiner commercials) and give it to her children? I’ve asked her and other corn syrup propagandists–but no answer. Why? They quote the American Dietetic Association that is sponsored by soda, fast food, and snack corporations. Check it out:
http://www.eatright.org/corporatesponsors/
The children of this country are being poisoned from the inside out–not by terrorists–but by American fast/processed food corporations. American parents need to know what is happening to the school foods and get involved.
Thanks to articles like this one, the truth is being kept alive. The health consciousness of America has been awakened–and just beginning to stretch its strength. Articles like yours, Connie, are what may save the American children from fast food slavery.
We need to love our children enough to feed them real food.