A Common Sweetener Prevents Slimming - Essay Example

Literature Critique "Discovered: A Common Sweetener Prevents Slimming" Written by Brenda Kearns in May 19th 2008s edition of First Magazines pages 22-25. "Discovered: A Common Sweetener Prevents Slimming" discussed the established link between America’s obesity epidemic, which started to climb in the 1960’s, to the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which manufacturers started to use in the same period in lieu of sugar. The said additive triggers weight gain by suppressing appetite regulating hormones in the body as well as increasing the body’s fat storage. HFCS also raises the risk of several health problems. Nutritionists and health experts recommended that losing weight requires eating foods that do not contain HFCS; this can be achieved by minimizing one’s intake of processed foods. When processed foods are unavoidable, consumers are advised to read the ingredients carefully to ensure that they are getting HFCS-free food. The article was written by Brenda Kearns, a freelance magazine writer who, over the years, has been writing mostly about health and wellness topics and has contributed several such related articles for First and other magazines. Kearns’s success as a writer and her track record on writing several health and wellness issues makes her a credible author. The scientific findings presented in the article were well-researched and were attributed to known experts in the field rather than the author’s own; citing the expert opinion of various specialists was what lent credibility to the material. The article was taken from a popular US magazine. Being such, the editors come from a wide range of expertise and each collaborated to perfect the presentation of the topic in a magazine spread. As with any lifestyle magazine, the list of editors is found in a section after the table of contents section. First Editor in Chief Carol Brooks has an extensive experience writing for various magazines (http://www.bauerpublishing.com). Though she has written on a broad array of topics, most of her articles discussed health issues for magazines such as Men’s Health, Sex and Health, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. First, the magazine from which the article was taken, caters to the interests of working women and, as such, devotes an average 15% of its content to health-related issues (http://www.bauerpublishing.com). The track record of the magazine in providing up-to-date health-related news gives it a measure of integrity to discuss the health effects of HFCS on weight gain and how to combat it. Nevertheless, the article didn’t have the same weight as it would have if it has been presented as a scientific paper in a health journal or periodical whose editorial board is composed solely of experts and specialists. Scientific research or data was not explicitly presented in the article. From the author’s quotation of well-known experts from respected institutions, however, it was implied that the data presented on this article, particularly the consequences of HFCS on one’s health and on weight gain, was of scientific origins and supported by scientific studies. It may be gleaned from the text and from further exploration of the topic that independent studies have been conducted for several years and that those studies have confirmed the adverse effects of high-fructose corn syrup. References were not fully cited in the article but resource persons have been quoted and their works on the particular may be verified and further examined. The author’s discussion was more focused on the conclusions and recommendations of the above scientific findings; that is, the article advocates the minimization and avoidance of HFCS-containing food intake in order to lose weight effectively. Although not scientific, the article built on the testimonials of successful dieters to prove the conclusions and recommendations at the end of the article thereby lending credibility to the article’s claims. The underlying hypothesis in the article is that since HFCS triggers weight gain, people trying to lose weight should then change their diet to avoid the HFCS-containing processed food and shift to eating mostly, if not only, natural food. The article argued that weight loss is hindered by consumption of HFCS. As confirmed by scientists, HFCS poses health risks and, in particular, triggers weight gain by suppressing the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin. HFCS also increases the body’s fat storage due to the inflammation of liver cells and to the disruption of the body’s ability to control blood sugar. For the body to effectively lose weight, the article recommended that one’s consumption of processed food be eliminated thereby cutting off the intake of HFCS. A person trying to lose weight will need to shift to a carefully planned diet of mostly natural food and HCFS-free processed food. The article’s discussion regarding HFCS is based on scientific studies and by way of obvious deduction, its recommendations are corollary to the conclusions of scientific findings initially presented in the article. The major premise of this article is actually on eating foods free of HCFS in order to lose weight. Since the testimonials presented in the article were isolated cases, it is suggested to focus additional research on proving the claims that shifting to the suggested diet could result to significant weight loss and better overall conditions of the body. This proposed additional research would need a number of volunteers, an equal mix of relatively healthy men and women with ages between their mid-20’s to late 30’s with no history of health problems. At the start of the study, they would be tested for the following: body mass index, body fat index, blood pressure, baseline glucose, insulin, triglyceride concentrations, the presence of insulin resistance, and the amount of dietary fructose. Their age, sex, and weight would be recorded. Prior to the study, they would record their normal food consumption for five days to determine their type of diet. The control group would be composed of ten people; 10 people would be one test group who would increase the amount of their HFCS intake in the form of carbonated soft drinks and sugar-sweetened drinks; and another 10 people would have to submit themselves to a strict diet plan of limited or no HFCS. Each person in each group would need to record their daily food consumption during the one-month period of observation. Weekly interviews would be conducted to track their diets and any changes in their daily activities. After the one month study period, the same clinical tests conducted at the start of the survey would be conducted again to verify the changes in the results and to determine if the results would be conclusive. The one-month survey period should be chosen because nutritionist and diet book author, Tosca Reno, claimed in the reviewed article that she lost 15 pounds in her first month on the special diet. That was a very significant result and the proposed research is designed to see if the same can be achieved with just controlling the diet of the subjects and leaving all other aspects, such as exercise or other activities, as they have been. The article’s claims on the adverse effects of HFCS on the body are plausible and convincing, particularly on how it triggers weight gain. Since HFCS is found on almost 70% of processed food these days, cutting back on our consumption of these foods would definitely be beneficial. Personally though, I subscribe to the belief that weight loss is a much complicated issue. Several researches have been conducted and several solutions have been presented on how to slim down. These have been successful also, to some extent. But weight loss could not be addressed by a single formula and HFCS is not the only contributor to obesity. And in this case specifically, I suppose that effective weight loss is not just about a carefully planed, HFCS-free meal; it is but one aspect to a successful weight-loss program. For most readers, forming opinions on a topic that has been debated over the years and to base it on a single article would not give their conclusions enough weight. Below is a list of suggested articles that the readers can look up to read further on the topic: 1. Appleton, N. (2002, Jan. 5). Fructose is no answer for a sweetener. Natural Health Information Articles and Health Newsletter by Dr. Mercola. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/01/05/fructose-part-two.aspx The paper presents discussion on the continuing increase in sugar consumption in the US in the form of fructose and the increased negative influence on health. 2. Park YK, Yetley E. (n.d.) Intakes and food sources of fructose in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 1993; 58(suppl), 737S–47S. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/58/5/737S?ijkey=917d51001b02deda2a2c1cb3abccaa8fb669d60e Trends in the consumption of added and naturally occurring fructose in recent years are presented in this paper, as well as the total fructose consumed by the US population, and food sources of fructose in the US diet. 3. Sanda, B. (2004, Feb. 19). The double danger of high fructose corn syrup. The Weston A. Price Foundation. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/highfructose.html The author cautions the reader to avoid over-exposure to fructose, particularly commercial fruit juices, because these are dangerous to one’s health. 4. Teff, KL, Elliott, SS, Tschöp, M, Kieffer, TJ, Rader, D, Heiman, M, et. al. (n.d.) Dietary Fructose Reduces Circulating Insulin and Leptin, Attenuates Postprandial Suppression of Ghrelin, and Increases Triglycerides in Women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 89, No. 6 2963-2972. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/89/6/2963?ijkey=e71492d03bcfe07458c97211ccd5f52e390a0808 This study demonstrated that decreases in circulating insulin and leptin and increased ghrelin concentrations led to increased caloric intake and contribute to weight gain and obesity. 5. UT Southwestern Medical Center (2008, July 28). Limiting Fructose May Boost Weight Loss, Researcher Reports. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/07/080724064824.htm The article suggests that limiting processed carbohydrates, many of which contain high-fructose corn syrup, may help prevent weight gain. 6. www.toscareno.com and www.eatcleandiet.com Tosca Reno, a renowned nutritionist and successful dieter, discusses strategies to lose weight effectively through eating natural foods. REFERENCE LIST Advanced Dermatology (2008, July 30). Advanced Dermatology: Center for Laser and Cosmetic Technology. Retrieved July 30,2008, from http://www.advancedd.com/where_been.htm Bauer Publishing (2007). Bauer magazines. Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://www.bauerpublishing.com Goddess Diet (2008). Goddess diet slimmy award winner. Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://menopausediet.com/Articles/miraclecarbds.htm Kearns, B. (1999). The surprising mineral that can cure your fatigue [Electronic version]. Woman’s World. 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