Sweet heart

When will the American Heart Association tell me something I don’t already know? Although I have to say, I’m happy to see that they’re at least getting their facts straight for a change.

According to new research out of the University of Texas, a glucose metabolite called glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) stresses the heart, causing damage to this organ’s muscle tissue.

This leads to poor pump function… and eventual heart failure. And the threat is especially acute if you’re already dealing with compromised cardiovascular function.

So how, exactly, does G6P accumulate in your body? You guessed it–from eating too much sugar or starch.

This study appeared in the AHA’s own Journal of the American Heart Association. And it drives home an important message that I’ve been trying to hammer into everyone’s minds for years now.

Ironically, the researchers point to blood sugar drugs like Metformin as a potential foil for G6P. But I’ve got a better idea.

Ditch the sweetened drinks and sugar-packed processed foods. And focus on a whole, fresh diet of protein, vegetables, and healthy fats. Because sugar kills. It’s as simple as that.

Source:
“Glucose Regulation of Load-Induced mTOR Signaling and ER Stress in Mammalian Heart.” J Am Heart Assoc. 2013 May 17;2(3):e004796.