How To Avoid The Obesity/Diabetes Trap: How To Change Your Life and The Planet

In this article we are going to examine some statistics and some basic solutions to the obesity epidemic and how we can make some very simple changes in the choices we make at our local stores or commissaries and make significant changes in our health. First let’s look at some statistics. The United States is seeing an epidemic of obese children diagnosed as young as 6 months old. Obesity can cause excess estrogen in fat cells leading to early childhood breast development. Xeno-estrogens (estrogen mimics or fake estrogens not produced by the body) also contribute to these early childhood developments. Pesticide and chemical exposure rampant in our food and water and also BPA (bisphenol A) from plastic containers are major contributors this problem. Ten percent of Caucasian girls and nearly a quarter of African American girls begin breast development at age 7(7). Since 1980 the obesity rates have tripled. As of 2010, 36% of adults and 17% of adolescents in the United States were obese(9). So lets get passed some of the negative news and look at some scientific conclusions. There are some genetic and epigenetic factors involved in this phenomena. Some metabolic pathways have been evolved to keep us alive and one of those effects was production of an element called URIC ACID especially in times of starvation and lack of food. When fat stores were depleted the body would break down protein forming uric acid. Uric acid does increase Triglyceride (triglyceride is a fat) levels in blood needed for energy and to help store this fat for future use. So it plays an important role in survival but as you will see later plays a role in what’s called Metabolic Syndrome/Syndrome X. SO the benefits of this syndrome are Stroke, Obesity, Dementia, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, Osteoarthritis, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia, increased risk of colon and breast cancer and heart disease. Not fun.
So let’s look a little further. Evolution has given us three metabolic pathways for the creation of uric acid. Starvation surely does not lead to obesity. Overeating and malabsorption of proteins cause bacteria in the gut to convert amino acids (amino acids are from the breakdown of protein foods) to certain forms (think Ammonia which converts to Urea and is expelled in the urine) so that is not an issue. One other paradigm put forth is the depletion of ATP, our main energy source needed for our cells to function which 90% is formed from our daily food intake. The one connection here is what interferes with this ATP depletion which is the sugar FRUCTOSE. So much for all sodas and high sugar energy drinks which are high in fructose sugar. It has been found that most cells cannot transport fructose across cell membranes so those cells cannot use fructose as an energy source. So what happens to it? The body has the option to store the excess in the liver the rest will be stored as fat. Don’t forget your food must be converted into fuel (ATP) for energy, so the body has to either use it or store it for future use. The liver takes the first load that has not been used. Once in the liver without a chemistry lesson, there are changes that occur of which fructose1-phosphate turns into, you guessed it, Uric Acid. These large loads of fructose literally deplete ATP, your own energy source. So we are back to the production of Uric acid and its effects on fat storage mentioned above. The more Fructose consumed the more the body must adapt and the more Fructose 1-phosphate the liver makes. The liver will eventually see this as a toxin.
Here is the dangerous part. Within an hour of drinking one soda which contains upwards of 30-40 grams of sugar (about 10 tsps) uric acid levels can rise 40%. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey involving over 14,000 people showed a linear increase in uric acid levels with the number of high fructose corn syrup (HCFS) soft drinks consumed a day, while there was no correlation between uric acid levels and sugar free-soft drinks 12. There are also dangers using certain sugar free sweeteners which are detrimental to health but that is for another day. HCFS (high fructose corn syrup) effects Ghrelin hormonal levels in the brain which is responsible for us being satisfied after a meal. So the typical response when the liver has had it’s fill, the blood sugar of course rises and the pancreas releases insulin which among other functions tells cells to store the excess. The brain gets effected because Ghrelin previously mentioned is responsible for telling you that you are satisfied and is suppose to switch off that feeling of hunger. But guess what the brain CANNOT detect fructose as a fuel source so then there is no way to (down regulate) stop the hunger response. Ghrelin levels up, hunger ALWAYS UP! Fructose can be used for energy in what’s called the citric acid cycle but in excess cannot be stored in the liver but instead stored as fat. The average American takes in as of 2008 statistics approximately 60 grams of fructose per day. Within a 20 year lifespan adds on an approximately 83 pounds of fat which leads to all the disease complications mentioned above. Sweetened soft drinks including high sugar energy drinks, just 2 -12 ounce servings is enough to cause renal(kidney) damage in thin individuals 24. For thin persons 24 ounces represents 10% of their caloric intake which most consume 17% of their daily caloric intake. These are dangerous numbers. Not to mention the environmental damage caused by production of corn and turning it into HCFS (high fructose corn syrup).
OK LETS RECAP: We now know that there are definite correlations with high fructose corn syrup and metabolic syndrome and it’s accompanying diseases mentioned. We also know that fructose detrimentally affects the hormone Ghrelin, keeping that switch on always keeping you hungry and looking for more food. About 50 to 75% of all fructose is metabolized in the liver and turned into fat and causes fatty liver similar to what you would see in an alcoholic. A 12 ounce container of soda equals content of 10 tsps of sugar. More food for thought. The average American drinks 50 gallons of soda per year which is an extra 219 calories per day! If you go to the 16 ounce size that is an extra 400 calories per day. That is an extra pound of fat every 9 days. That’s 23 pounds of fat per year! Again not to mention the detrimental effects to our land for production of HCFS and the byproduct of plastic productions and pollution that wind up in our water and soil as BPA (bisphenol A) a carcinogenic cancer causing compound in plastic containers.
Prevention is the key to health that keeps ourselves and our families from disease. Eliminating sugary sodas and high sugar energy drinks which are detrimental to you and your children’s health is the best and simplest change we can make for our health. All Soda products are considered by our nation’s and global health organizations as dangerous to people’s health as tobacco. Children are more susceptible then adults particularly if their hormonal systems are triggered abnormally at a young age. In Australia parents and physicians have decided to try to ban advertisement’s of soda products by athletes because of their effects on children. Parents in certain states within the U.S. are now trying to eliminate sodas and energy drinks from their schools. All of these products contain HCFS (high fructose corn syrup) and as mentioned is the most harmful substance to our physiology. Simple steps to take. Avoid all soft drinks and high energy drinks at all costs. Not only are they expensive they are dangerous to your health and the health of the plant. Substitute with Hydrex to get your full complement of nutrients and hydration.
Remember that good health is a gift to share with others. Eat well and be healthy!
James Stivaly LMT has been a health care provider for 28 years with over 20 years experience in the functional medicine, nutritional and manual therapy fields. James has been in the martial arts for 30 years. In 2010 James and his wife founded Hydrex to provide cost effective nutrient dense supplement formulas and Health and Lifestyle programs for individuals in need. His office is in Montclair N.J. and is a member of the AUSA. For more information go to Hydrexsupplements.comJames can be contacted at Hydrex33@gmail.com. Hydrex is a SAM registered company.








