iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll o tclhdfliThei mdcdaeAccording to Dr. Lusting, fructose is a “chronic, dose dependent liver
toxin.” In contrast to glucose, extra fructose is stored as fat when we eat
too much of it. Researchers claim excess fructose consumption can lead
to liver toxicity similar to the kind seen with alcoholic liver disease.
In one study, obese men and women who drank either glucose- or fruc-
tose-sweetened beverages as 25 percent of their calories were followed
over a period of ten weeks. Both groups gained weight during the trial,
but the fat distribution was different. Those in the fructose group add-
ed fat in the belly, while the glucose group gained fat under the skin
(subcutaneous).
Belly fat has been linked to a high risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Besides that, the fructose group also had higher cholesterol and LDL
(“bad cholesterol,”) and more often had insulin resistance in comparison
to the glucose group.
Many Hashimoto’s patients have greatly benefited from limiting fructose
and implementing a low-carbohydrate or no-carbohydrate diet. Excess
fructose can be taxing on the liver, feed pathogenic bacteria and yeasts, and
drive up blood sugar.
As fruit are generally not restricted in the SCD and GAPS diets, I contin-
ued eating liberal amounts of fruit after starting my diet and hit a plateau
with my healing progress. Since Proteus bacteria ferment fructose, I was
providing them with ample food, despite cutting out so many things
and being ultra-strict on the SCD. Limiting fructose was a major break-
through for me and helped me overcome blood sugar imbalances, gut
dysbiosis, and anxiety.
How Much Fructose Is Too Much?
Dr. Mercola, a well-known integrative physician, advises that fructose
consumption should be limited to 25 mg daily for most people. For those
with a high risk of or who are already suffering from a health condition,
it would be wise to lower fructose intake to 10–15 mg daily.