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Summary of Transcript:
Dr. Rick Johnson, a professor of medicine in the Department of Nephrology at the University of Colorado, discusses his interest in fructose and its connection to high blood pressure. He explains that his research initially focused on the cause of high blood pressure and its relationship with the kidney’s ability to excrete salt. However, he discovered elevated uric acid could be a significant risk factor for high blood pressure. When they studied what made uric acid go up, they found that fructose raised uric acid. Dr. Johnson also discusses the conventional approach of reducing sodium intake to prevent high blood pressure and how recent studies show that it is not the amount but the concentration of salt that affects blood pressure.
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Summary of Description:
Rick Johnson, a nephrology professor at the University of Colorado, discusses his research into the profound metabolic effects of fructose on Peter Attia’s The Peter Attia Drive podcast. Johnson initially focused on the relationship between salt and high blood pressure before shifting to fructose. The discussion covers the mechanisms and pathways by which fructose can impact metabolic health, the difference between glucose and fructose metabolism, and how excess glucose can cause problems without fructose. Other topics include uric acid levels, the impact of sugar on obesity, cancer’s affinity for fructose, and the potential of fructokinase inhibitors as a therapy. Johnson also discusses artificial sweeteners, acceptable levels of fructose consumption, and his approach to managing his children’s sugar intake.
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Understanding the metabolic effects of fructose has become an important area of research, according to a Professor of Nephrology at the University of Colorado, Rick Johnson. In a recent episode of The Peter Attia Drive podcast, Johnson explains that his research into the causes of high blood pressure led to a change of focus, highlighting the impact of fructose on metabolic health instead. The wide-ranging interview delves into the mechanisms of sugar metabolism and its role in diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Johnson explains that while salt is often linked to high blood pressure, it is important not to overlook the impact of sugar, particularly fructose. He explains that fructose converts into fat in the body more quickly than glucose, significantly contributing to obesity. The interview also touches on research into pharmacotherapy for fatty liver, insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity.
Throughout the podcast, Johnson shares insights into the impact of fructose on various areas of the body and its ability to cause oxidative stress to mitochondria, insulin resistance, and diabetes. He also highlights the effects of elevated uric acid levels and their associated problems. Johnson provides practical advice on salt intake and how he manages sugar intake in his young children.
In addition to discussing fructose, the podcast also touches on other metabolic issues, such as the problems associated with high-carb diets, the differences between artificial sweeteners and real sugar, and whether fructose found in fruit is acceptable in moderation. Johnson provides a wealth of knowledge for improving metabolic health and longevity.
The Peter Attia Drive podcast aims to maximize health and longevity, covering many topics, including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and mental health. With over 30 million downloads, it features exclusive subscriber-only content and a newsletter from Attia himself. Subscribe to the podcast and start maximizing your health today.
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Source Description
Original release date: 1/6/20
In this episode, Rick Johnson, professor of nephrology at the University of Colorado, explains how his research into the causes of blood pressure changed research direction to focus more on how fructose has such profound metabolic effects. Rick begins by discussing the relationship between salt and high blood pressure, then provides a masterclass into uric acid and expertly reveals the mechanisms and pathways by which sugar (specifically fructose) can profoundly impact metabolic health. From there, he explains how he applies this information to real-life patients and touches on some of the most promising ideas around pharmacotherapy that are being developed in response to the epidemics of fatty liver, insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, Rick gives his take on artificial sweeteners compared to real sugar, discusses cancer’s affinity for fructose, and much more.
We discuss:
-The connection between blood pressure and fructose that shifted Rick’s professional focus [4:00];
-The relationship between salt and blood pressure (and the role of sugar) [5:45];
-Defining fructose, glucose, and sugar [19:30];
-An ancient mutation in apes that explains why humans turn fructose into fat so easily [23:00];
-The problems with elevated uric acid levels and what it tells us about how sugar causes disease [31:30];
-How sugar causes obesity—explaining the difference in glucose vs. fructose metabolism and the critical pathway induced by fructose [40:00];
-Why drinking sugar is worse than eating it [50:00];
-Unique ability of sugar to drive oxidative stress to the mitochondria, insulin resistance, and diabetes [54:00];
-Why cancer loves fructose [1:00:20];
-The many areas of the body that can use fructose [1:05:00];
-Fructokinase inhibitors—a potential blockbuster? [1:07:15];
-Treating high uric acid levels—Rick’s approach with patients [1:10:00];
-Salt intake—what advice does Rick give his patients? [1:16:30];
-How excess glucose (i.e., high-carb diets) can cause problems even in the absence of fructose [1:21:00];
-Artificial sweeteners vs. real sugar—which is better? [1:29:15];
-Umami, MSG, alcohol, beer—do these have a role in metabolic illness? [1:33:45];
-Fructose consumption—Is any amount acceptable? Is fruit okay? Where does Rick draw a hard line? [1:38:45]
-How does Rick manage the sugar intake of his young kids? [1:43:00]; and
-More.
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About:
The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 30 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.
Peter is a physician focusing on the applied science of longevity. His practice extensively deals with nutritional interventions, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, emotional and mental health, and pharmacology to increase lifespan (delay the onset of chronic disease) while improving healthspan (quality of life).
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blood pressure, high blood pressure
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