Interesting article on the possibility of liver damage caused by too much
fructose in the diet-
High Fructose Diet Induces Hepatic Dysfunction in Healthy Men
Richard D. Wasnich, M.D., Medical Director, Radiant Research     - Honolulu
Jon L. Ruckle, M.D., Associate Medical Director, Radiant Research - Honolulu=


Corresponding Author and Reprint Contact: Richard D. Wasnich,     M.D.
Radiant Research =E2=80=93 Honolulu
401 Kamakee Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Phone: (808) 592-2631
Fax: (808) 592-2638
E-mail Address: [log in to unmask]


Abstract


Purpose: Fructose rich diets have been shown to have deleterious metabolic
  effects, including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia,
and     liver dysfunction. This study was conducted to assess the effect of a
high fructose,     excess calorie diet upon liver function.
Procedures: Sixteen healthy, young Japanese men participated in an     open
label crossover study comparing an excess calorie, high fructose diet to
a low fructose, isocaloric diet. Serum transaminases and other biochemical
variables     were measured every 24 hours during two, separate five-day
confinements
Findings: Five of sixteen men experienced significant elevations of     serum
transaminase levels within 5 days of starting the high fructose diet.
None of the 16 men had transaminase elevations with the low fructose,
isocaloric     diet.
Conclusions: High fructose diets may have deleterious effects upon     liver
function, and there may be a genetic susceptibility to this consequence
in a substantial portion of the population.

KEY WORDS: Fructose, metabolism, liver, toxicity


Introduction


Since the introduction of high fructose corn
syrup as a sweetener in the 1970=E2=80=99
s,     it has been incorporated into a variety of food products. It is now
estimated     that fructose accounts for 8-9% of total energy intake in North
America and     Europe. Fructose-rich diets have been shown to have some
deleterious metabolic     effects in healthy individuals, including impaired
glucose tolerance, insulin     resistance, and dyslipidemia (Daly et al,
1993; Hollenbeck, 1993; Dirlewanger     et al, 2000; Thresher et al, 2000).
In addition, liver function abnormalities     have been reported in men feda
high sucrose diet (Kobayashi et al, 1991). This     study was conducted to
compare the hepatic and metabolic effects of an excess     calorie, high
fructose diet, as compared to an isocaloric diet without added     fructose,
in healthy men of Japanese ancestry living in Honolulu, Hawaii. .....
see: http://www.priory.com/med/fructose.htm


Methods