I have counseled many people about healthy eating habits in my Manhattan office.  I have warned against the consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HCFS) in the past and I feel that this topic needs to be revisited, so that it is fresh in your minds. 

A big part of why HCFS is unhealthy is the way that it is processed.  HCFS is made from cornstarch.  Enzymes are added to the glucose in cornstarch to convert it into fructose.  HCFS is cheaper than table sugar, so it is preferred and widely used in the processed food industry

WHAT’S SO BAD ABOUT HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP?
Mercury:  It’s contaminated with mercury.  Mercury is toxic to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), kidneys, liver, and immune system.
Zinc:  It depletes the body’s Zinc supply, which is needed to help the body get rid of heavy metals, like mercury, arsenic, aluminum, and cadmium.
Glutaraldehyde:  It contains glutaraldehyde, which is a toxic chemical that contributes to asthma, sneezing, wheezing, burning eyes, drowsiness, headaches, and dizziness.
Liver Disease:  It can cause steatosis aka fatty liver disease.
Diabetes:  Increases risk of developing diabetes.
High Blood Pressure:  Increases risk of hypertension (high blood pressure).  It inhibits endothelial nitric oxide synthase, which is needed to produce nitric oxide.  Nitric oxide relaxes our cardiovascular system.
Cancer:  Increase risk of cancer.  This is especially true of pancreatic cancer.  A 2010 study found that pancreatic cancer cells are able to metabolize fructose and use it to multiply.  This study was written by the American Association of Cancer.
 
Common Sources of HCFS include:
Soda-  soda is an inefficient way to hydrate yourself, since the sugar content dehydrates you.  Try tea or water instead.  There is a brand called Zevia, which makes carbonated beverages sweetened with stevia.
Salad Dressings- especially the “Fat-Free” options.  Read the label carefully before consuming
Ketchup- for those who love ketchup, look for brands that do not contain HCFS.
Cereals
Frozen Dinners
Sauces and Condiments
Juice- fruit juice concentrates are considered empty calories, because they lack any significant amount of vitamins and minerals.  They are also high in fructose.  Even products labeled as 100% juice are made with concentrates.  Read the labels carefully.
Coffee Creamers
Energy Drinks
Agave-  That’s right, I said it.  I know that it is touted as a healthy sweetener, but agave syrup contains more fructose than HCFS.  Honey (manuka and buckwheat), Maple Syrup, Molasses, and Stevia are better alternatives.

How To Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup
The best thing you can do, is to read labels very carefully.  If high fructose corn syrup is found on a label, then you can infer that the item is very poor quality. Eating vegetables and fruits that are fresh or frozen are a better way to satisfy a sweet tooth. Stay away from processed foods that are most likely found within the aisles of the grocery. If you limit your shopping to the perimeter of the store you are most likely shopping where the fresh ingredients are located.

Nutritionally deficient foods can lead to many deficiencies and toxicities which may cause disease and inflammation. It is easy to detect vitamin and mineral status with comprehensive testing. By testing a blood panel to determine where your diet is void of vitamins and minerals, you can quickly make changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits to optimize your level of health.

By discovering what vitamins and minerals you need to supplement with, you can live a life towards optimal health. Dr. Phelts analyzes your blood work and helps get you on the right track with individualized dietary and supplement guidelines based on your test results.  His office is located in New York, NY.

Sources:
1. Runyon, Joel, and Joel RunyonJoel Runyon. “The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup / Ultimate Paleo Guide.” Ultimate Paleo Guide, 19 June 2017, ultimatepaleoguide.com/the-dangers-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup/.
2. “Salad Dressing, French Dressing, Fat-Free Nutrition Facts & Calories.” Nutrition Data Know What You Eat., nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7181/2.
3. “Soda Health Risks: 21 Ways Drinking Soda Is Bad for Your Health.” Food Revolution Network, Food Revolution Network, 15 May 2018, foodrevolution.org/blog/food- and-health/soda-health-risks/.
4. “A Brief History of High-Fructose Corn Syrup.” EarthSky, earthsky.org/human-world/a- brief-history-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup.
5. Dr. Hyman, Mark MD. 5 Reasons High Fructose Corn Syrup Will Kill You. May 4, 2013. http://drhyman.com
6. High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated with Toxic Mercury, Says Research. January 27, 2009. http://www.naturalnews.com
7. Adams, Mike. High fructose corn syrup contaminated with mercury and made using a toxic chemical catalyst that can burn a hole in your stomach. July, 2011. http://www.naturalnews.com
8. Clinical Epigenetics. A macroepigenetic approach to identify factors responsible for the autism epidemic in the United States. April 2012.
9. Price, Annie. “How High Fructose Corn Syrup Destroys Your Body (It's NOT a Pretty Picture).” Dr. Axe, Dr. Axe, 2 Aug. 2018, draxe.com/high-fructose-corn-syrup- dangers/
10. Warburg O, Posener K, Negelein E On the metabolism of cancer cells. Biochem Z 1924;152:319–44.
11. Hsieh PS, Tai YH, Loh CH, Shih KC, Cheng WT, Chu CH. Functional interaction of AT1 and AT2 receptors in fructose-induced insulin resistance and hypertension in rats. Metabolism. 2005 Feb;54(2):157-64.
12. Harvard Health Publishing. “Added Sweeteners.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Health Publishing, www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/added-sweeteners.