Fructose Is an Inflammatory Word

Inflammatory words arouse strong emotion. Related to our physical being, the term “inflammatory” refers to the body’s strong response to invasion by a foreign substance, such as a virus or bacterium, or to direct injury of tissue, both conditions stimulating the body’s attempt at self-protection with the ultimate goal of healing. Taking a closer look at the word “inflammation,” we see f-l-a-m, which suggests “flame.”  Now that you have the mental image, the defining characteristics of inflammation make sense—capillary dilation, leukocyte infiltration, redness, heat, and pain, all of which pull together to get rid of the damaging perpetrator.

Inflammation is not the same thing as infection, even when infection causes inflammation. Ongoing inflammation can self-perpetuate, particularly if there is a gene variant linked to it. If swelling is visible, our first reaction is to stop it, but not all inflammation is so apparent. This invisible inflammation, at the low end of the spectrum, is usually present for a long time and is termed “chronic.”  We know of its presence because it can be seen under a microscope or through specialized blood tests, such as highly-sensitive C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). This inflammation, some believe, is the basis of degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain forms of cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases, and even wrinkled, sagging skin. Although inflammation is necessary for healing, it needs to stop once the healing is accomplished.

While there are drugs and over-the-counter medicines that can tame inflammation, they come with serious side effects when used long term. An easier solution is to reduce chronic inflammation through diet. Sugars are pro-inflammatory. Refined grains that cause glucose and insulin spikes are pro-inflammatory. Rancid, processed vegetable oils are pro-inflammatory. Processed foods and their trans-fats are pro-inflammatory. Among the most reliably pro-inflammatory molecules, though, is fructose. Common to soft drinks and fruit juices—and to the fruits from which they are extracted—sucrose puts people at risk for depleting their stores of critically important ATP (Abdelmalek, 2012), which provides energy for cellular processes. Unlike other simple sugars, fructose requires ATP for its metabolism, the depletion of which increases risk for inflammation, especially in the liver, where non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may follow (Ouyang, 2008). Additionally, Abdelmalek and colleagues determined that more uric acid is produced when excess fructose is consumed, increasing the odds for suffering gout, elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and uric-acid- related kidney stones (Abdelmalek, 2012). The moderate intake of fructose from fresh fruits is not so much a concern because of their concomitant fiber and micronutrients.

Endothelial cells make up the thin layer of cells that line the interior of blood and lymphatic vessels. Vascular endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart to the tiniest capillaries. Dysfunction of these cells sets the stage for vascular diseases, and is considered a key to the development of atherosclerosis. Such can be initiated by inflammation, which can be induced by fructose (Glushakova, 2008). The response to fructose might also include a cascade of events that leads to the progression of kidney disease and the incidence of metabolic syndrome (Choi, 2009). Where kidneys are concerned, control of blood pressure is important, since the angiotensin-renin system depends upon the kidneys for regulation and adjustment of arterial pressure. A diet low in fructose improves blood pressure and inflammatory markers, especially for those whose lifestyles or genetics increase risk for kidney disease (Brymora, 2012).

For those so inclined, addictions share cross-overs much as training regimens do for athletes.  Alcohol dependence has not only genetic factors, but also psychosocial and environmental factors that can lead to prolonged periods of heavy alcohol consumption.  Sooner or later, withdrawal symptoms telegraph physical dependence, which instigates a variety of social and/or legal problems. Children adopted away from an alcoholic history still have the risk. Fructose is fermentable to ethanol. Close observation of fructose metabolism in the liver and activity in the brain shows parallelism with ethanol. First, both serve as substrates for lipid manufacture and the promotion of hepatic insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and steatosis. Second, fructose will cross-link with proteins to form acetaldehyde, which is an intermediate in the metabolism of alcohol that causes headaches and irritation to mucous membranes, among other disasters. But the third common element might be the worst. The hedonic center of the brain is stimulated by fructose in the same manner as alcohol, creating habituation and maybe even dependence (Lustig, 2010) (Byerley, 2010). Obesity is not an innocuous sequela to fructose overdose. But a least there are no traffic tickets for driving fat.

Triglycerides go up. Advanced glycation end products make cell membranes brittle and dysfunctional. Inflamed kidneys respond by forming stones. Blood pressure may rise. The liver collects fatty deposits made from triglycerides. Insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes. Inflammation by fructose.

Some of the people you see are walking masses of inflammation, a maelstrom of metabolic mélange modulated by mouth. We might not have the right to intervene, but we can set an example.