Ep. 63: Why Fructose Does NOT Cause Fatty Liver (NAFLD Part 1)

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In this episode we discuss:

  • Why fructose does not cause fatty liver 
  • The 3 major problems with the research suggesting that fructose causes fatty liver 
  • How fat production in the liver can be protective 
  • The role of PUFA and endotoxin in de novo lipogenesis and inflammation 
  • Why overeating is not the cause fatty liver 

3:54 – an introduction to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 

15:34 – the basics of fat production in the liver 

17:24 – what happens to carbohydrates when they reach the liver 

20:16 – the basics of why fructose doesn’t cause fatty liver  

26:24 – the details of why fructose doesn’t cause fatty liver 

47:11 – what actually happens when humans consume fructose, even in large amounts 

55:15 – whether low-calorie diets or avoiding fructose and saturated fats are practical dietary strategies 

1:09:52 – what actually happens when humans consume fructose, even in large amounts (cont.) 

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2 Comments
  • Julie
    Posted at 21:33h, 16 March Reply

    Never once did I hear Dr Robert Lustig, Pediatric Endocrinologist at Stanford, say not to eat fruit. He gave solid reasons why fruit CANNOT be put in the same category as HFCS. Micronutrients and fiber are two reasons why fruit does not equal the impact of HFCS. Drs Lustig, Hyman and Perlmutter will all same the same thing about fruit vs HFCS and if you don’t think the quantity of sugar and HFCS that children eat isn’t creating NAFLD you’re bananas!! Your arrogance is palpable.

    • Jay Feldman
      Posted at 18:38h, 24 April Reply

      We weren’t commenting on whether or not he said to eat fruit, but rather that his claims regarding fructose, including that fructose is a poison (which he says, word for word) and the mechanisms he cites for this, are entirely erroneous. These claims are incredibly harmful and dangerous, as they distract from the factors that are actually causing fatty liver disease.

      And I don’t think the quantity of sugar and HFCS consumption is the cause of NAFLD in children (or anyone), though it is a contributing factor, but not because of the fructose they contain.

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