Fructose and Liver Damage

liverA new study, published last week in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that eating dietary fructose causes liver damage in monkeys.


The study used monkeys in two groups over a several year period. The study was designed so that the monkeys would NOT gain weight. Both groups were fed the same number of calories, just distributed differently. One group received fructose (sugar), the other a different form of carbohydrate with equal caloric impact.


The results?



Vegan Diets Associated with Lower Weights

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Vegan Diets Associated with Lower Weights

People who follow vegan diets weigh less and consume more protective nutrients such as beta carotene and fiber, according to a study published in next month’s issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Researchers collected data from 71,751 participants enrolled in the Adventist Health Study 2 for five years. Participants were categorized into five dietary patterns: vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, and nonvegetarian. Those who followed nonvegetarian diets ate the most saturated fat and the least fiber, compared with the vegan group. The vegan group (defined as consuming animal products less than one time per month), consumed the most beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, compared with all other dietary groups. The vegan group had the lowest average body mass index (a measure of body weight adjusted for height) and the lowest prevalence of obesity, compared with those following all other dietary patterns. Levels of BMI and rates of obesity went up as animal product intake increased.

Rizzo NS, Jaceldo-Siegl K, Sabate J, Fraser GE. Nutrient profiles of vegetarian and nonvegetarian dietary patterns continuing professional education (CPE) information. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113:1610-1619.