As The Studies Turn...

From Harvard researchers (Reported in the October, 2004 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition): Too much fructose, especially in the form of high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and fruit punch, and too little complex carbohydrate and hig-fiber food result in an increased level of C-peptide, a hormone that mirrors insulin levels and is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes.

The study was done on 2,000 female volunteers enrolled in the Nurses Health Study. Women with the highest intake of fructose (about 8% of total calories) have 14% higher C-peptide concentration than those with the lowest intake of fructose (3% of calories), independent of total carbohydrate intake.

On the other hand, women with the highest intake of cereal fiber (9 grams per day) had almost 16% lower C-peptide concentrations than women with the lowest cereal fiber intake (2 grams/day).

These findings suggest we should minimize (or eliminate) high fructose corn syrup intake and regularly eat fiber-rich whole grain instead of white flour. If whole grain foods are new to you, try to make 50% of your total grain intake in the form of whole grains such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice and other whole grain cereals. Look for ingredients lists that clearly state "whole wheat" or "whole grain" or "100% whole grain."

With so many Americans on prescription drugs these days, it may surprise you - or not - to find out that drug manufacturers are not required to inform you of what nutrients your prescriptions may deplete. Over the counter medications such as pain relievers and allergy meds also have a nutritional cost if taken regularly.

Information is available on the subject but you are not likely to get it with your prescription. There is a resource available for us, however. Written by a pharmacist and clinical nutritionist, the book is The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs (Morton 2002) by R. Pelton and J. Lavalle.

The book is not an anti-drug screed by any means. The authors want both patients and doctors (they also published a clinical handbook for doctors) to know what nutrients may be depleted by medications so they can take corrective action before a deficiency occurs. One of their theories is that the side effects from long term use of medications may be the result of nutritional deficiencies that occur over time.

The book is readily available. I found a number of used copies available on Amazon.com for half the list price of a new book.