Fitness Facts: Fructose and Fastingby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 03 Feb 2009 10:30 AM The next time you are at the supermarket consider leaving the apple and orange juice on the shelf. New research says that fructose found in fruit juices and other processed foods makes you fat. New studies show that fructose dramatically enhances ipogenesis, the process by which the body converts sugar into fat. One particular study found that people who consumed a breakfast drink, which contained high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), produced double the body fat in the four-hour period that followed than those who consumed a glucose-only beverage. For those of you who have considered fasting to shed unwanted pounds (perhaps the ones gained by drinking fruit juices), it appears you may not be damaging your body as much as previously thought. Scientists are now saying intermittent fasting not only helps people lose weight, but it can also reduce the risk of some diseases and even extend life. Dr. Marc Hellerstein, a professor of endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition at UC Berkeley, says moderate fasting (one day a week or cutting back on calories a couple of days a week) can yield health benefits for most anybody. Hellerstein points to studies, which show that occasionally going without food or reducing calories makes the body more sensitive to insulin, which helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Experts say these studies also suggest calorie restriction may reduce the risk of cancer by slowing the growth of abnormal cells. However, not all nutritionists see the merits of fasting. Some think of it as a recipe for disaster that can lead to binge eating and metabolic dysfunction. Leaders at the American Dietetic Assn., say fasting causes people to become hungry, fatigued, and irritable. What's more, people who fast often cut back one day and the next day they overeat because they are so hungry. Have you ever tried fasting? If so, what kind of results did experience? Related Articles: Kids And Juice---Are They A Healthy Mix? How "Fit" is Your Child's Cereal? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantfitness tags weight loss | Kids | ideas | children | holidays | Food | parenting | family | pregnancy | relationships User Comments Jenboda1 (5) 04 Feb 2009 03:27 PMI do think that fasting can be done in a healthy way--barring any kind of pathological eating disorders. And it can be done in a balanced way-you don't have to eat nothing. Once a month or so I do a two to three day fast involving eating only brown rice and vegetables with no seasonings but lemon juice. I think this helps purify my body. I also fast after holidays because I have most often overeaten--contrary to reports, the stomach does shrink and most people will not overeat after fasting but instead feel fuller quicker. jh http://www.bodaweightloss.com  Michele Cheplic |
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