Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:09PM
According to a recent campaign from the Corn Refiners Association, high-fructose corn syrup is "made from corn, it's natural and like sugar, it's fine in moderation." Pamela Rockwell, D.O., assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan (U-M), disagrees with the sweetener's claim to be "natural." The association uses the term under accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which does not have a specific definition for the term and only restricts its use on products that contain added color, synthetic substances and flavors. "Sugar does not come from corn naturally," says Rockwell. High-fructose corn syrup is made from genetically modified corn and processed with the use of genetically modified enzymes. Like sugar, high-fructose corn syrup has minimal effects with moderate use, but it's difficult to moderate intake when it's used in many sodas, juices, condiments, salad dressings, processed foods and more, says Rockwell, who is also medical director of U-M's Family Medicine center at Domino's Farms in Ann Arbor, Mich. Unexpected products such as breads, cereals, cough syrups and yogurt may also contain high-fructose corn syrup. Independent studies imply hypertension, heart disease and more may be linked to overconsumption of high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose is processed through the liver, causes increases in triglycerides and may cause alcoholic-type complications of fatty liver, the buildup of excess fat in the liver cells, in the long run. Sucrose, which is table sugar, does not. Other research has found high-fructose corn syrup to increase leptin resistance and decrease insulin sensitivity. Leptin is a hormone that tells the body to stop eating once full by signaling the brain to stop sending hunger signals. Resistance to leptin would cause a person to eat more than necessary and result in extra weight gain. The decrease in insulin sensitivity has led some researchers to believe it is directly related to the development of Type II diabetes. Rockwell's suggestion for shopping: "Read the labels. Stay away from foods, drinks and candies with high-fructose corn syrup as the first or second ingredient."