Fructose Intolerance/Malabsorption and Depression
Over 15 years ago, I figured out for myself that although my symptoms were identical to my brother's Lactose Intolerance, my trigger was Fructose. I therefore called my problem (logically) Fructose Intolerance.
At that time (the mid 1990's), there was NOTHING about this on the internet and no doctor I spoke to knew what I was talking about, so I just stopped eating fruit and anything labeled as containing fructose (including High Fructose Corn Syrup).
About two years ago, I searched the internet for Fructose Intolerance, wondering if any resources had developed. I was pleasantly surprised! In fact, most scholarly websites distinguished between Hereditary Fructose Intolerance, which is genetic and very serious and can lead to death; and Dietary Fructose Intolerance - which is more similar to Lactose Intolerance, and it is what I have.
I did another search yesterday and the 'Net is TEEMING with info! Hoorah!! My ailment, however, has been renamed Fructose Malabsorption though. Probably to avoid confusion. I have found out many new things, including the link between Fructose Malabsorption and Depression - which I have also suffered from all my life. It seems that fructose is supposed to be absorbed in the stomach and upper intestine. In 'malabsorbers' as we are called, the fructose is not fully absorbed and most of it makes it down to the lower intestine - where it is not meant to be. There, it prevents the body from absorbing Tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid (which means it is essential to your health, but your body cannot make it - you much ingest it). Tryptophan is used by the brain to maintain an even, moderate mood; it is used by the body to make Seratonin which is also an important neurotransmitter; and it is used to make Niacin (also known as Vitamin B3). Niacin is needed for a healthy digestive system, skin, and nerves.
Wow! I had no idea that ingesting fructose contributed to my depression! But, I ask myself, why am I still depressed even though I stopped consuming fructose 15 years ago (okay, I indulge in a little soda pop and a little strawberry and cream once in a while when I'm willing to pay the price)? Turns out, table suger (also known as white sugar) is Sucrose. Sucrose is Glucose bonded to Fructose! When you consume Sucrose, your body breaks it down into Glucose and Fructose during digestion.
My sweetie and I went off white sugar sometime ago, (yes, yes, barring the aforementioned lapses into soft drinks) but we use unrefined sugar instead. While this does not contain the traces refining chemicals of white sugar and has actual nutritional value UNLIKE white sugar, it is still Sucrose! Honey is also Glucose and Fructose - though existing separately, not chemically bonded as in white sugar. Wheat also contain Fructose!
Why so many exclamation marks? !!!
This means control of my depression my be attainable without the dreaded medication! Yay! Now that I know I am actually still consuming Fructose and this is contributing to my depression, I can root out the remaining hidden fructose from my diet and possibly find some light at the end of the tunnel! Hence, exclamation points!!!!
(Shockingly, the so-called "sugar-free" sorbitol is also a culprit!)
If the often talked about symptoms of Lactose Intolerance sounded exactly like YOUR problems, but when you eliminated milk from your life it didn't help....try eliminating FRUCTOSE. The symptoms are basically the same. A multitude of recent studies have now conservatively estimated that 37% of people of European descent have Fructose Malabsorption to some degree.
I am going off sucrose and wheat tomorrow, and hopefully the spring will bring emotional sunshine as well as literal sunshine!
:)
AT
At that time (the mid 1990's), there was NOTHING about this on the internet and no doctor I spoke to knew what I was talking about, so I just stopped eating fruit and anything labeled as containing fructose (including High Fructose Corn Syrup).
About two years ago, I searched the internet for Fructose Intolerance, wondering if any resources had developed. I was pleasantly surprised! In fact, most scholarly websites distinguished between Hereditary Fructose Intolerance, which is genetic and very serious and can lead to death; and Dietary Fructose Intolerance - which is more similar to Lactose Intolerance, and it is what I have.
I did another search yesterday and the 'Net is TEEMING with info! Hoorah!! My ailment, however, has been renamed Fructose Malabsorption though. Probably to avoid confusion. I have found out many new things, including the link between Fructose Malabsorption and Depression - which I have also suffered from all my life. It seems that fructose is supposed to be absorbed in the stomach and upper intestine. In 'malabsorbers' as we are called, the fructose is not fully absorbed and most of it makes it down to the lower intestine - where it is not meant to be. There, it prevents the body from absorbing Tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid (which means it is essential to your health, but your body cannot make it - you much ingest it). Tryptophan is used by the brain to maintain an even, moderate mood; it is used by the body to make Seratonin which is also an important neurotransmitter; and it is used to make Niacin (also known as Vitamin B3). Niacin is needed for a healthy digestive system, skin, and nerves.
Wow! I had no idea that ingesting fructose contributed to my depression! But, I ask myself, why am I still depressed even though I stopped consuming fructose 15 years ago (okay, I indulge in a little soda pop and a little strawberry and cream once in a while when I'm willing to pay the price)? Turns out, table suger (also known as white sugar) is Sucrose. Sucrose is Glucose bonded to Fructose! When you consume Sucrose, your body breaks it down into Glucose and Fructose during digestion.
My sweetie and I went off white sugar sometime ago, (yes, yes, barring the aforementioned lapses into soft drinks) but we use unrefined sugar instead. While this does not contain the traces refining chemicals of white sugar and has actual nutritional value UNLIKE white sugar, it is still Sucrose! Honey is also Glucose and Fructose - though existing separately, not chemically bonded as in white sugar. Wheat also contain Fructose!
Why so many exclamation marks? !!!
This means control of my depression my be attainable without the dreaded medication! Yay! Now that I know I am actually still consuming Fructose and this is contributing to my depression, I can root out the remaining hidden fructose from my diet and possibly find some light at the end of the tunnel! Hence, exclamation points!!!!
(Shockingly, the so-called "sugar-free" sorbitol is also a culprit!)
If the often talked about symptoms of Lactose Intolerance sounded exactly like YOUR problems, but when you eliminated milk from your life it didn't help....try eliminating FRUCTOSE. The symptoms are basically the same. A multitude of recent studies have now conservatively estimated that 37% of people of European descent have Fructose Malabsorption to some degree.
I am going off sucrose and wheat tomorrow, and hopefully the spring will bring emotional sunshine as well as literal sunshine!
:)
AT