Childhood Obesity starts with Formulas?

Last week’s blog regarding the New York Times article citing bypass surgery for children set off a raw nerve with readers.  Childhood obesity is multi-factorial but can it actually start with the first bottle of formula?

One ingredient to avoid on food labels is high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup.  Many infant formulas list this ingredient as second or third.  Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF, gave an elaborate lecture on you-tube regarding the consequences of sugar and high fructose corn syrup.  He blew the whistle on the obesity epidemic starting with corn syrup in infant formulas.

Many women are unable to breastfeed for multiple reasons.  A few years ago some of my female clients turned to me for help in selecting an appropriate formula.  After spending many hours online and in the store I only found one or two formulas that came close to something I would recommend.

Besides corn syrup in cow-based formulas there even more issues with soy formulas since they are made with soy protein isolate (SPI).  To make SPI, manufactures take soybeans that are about 90 percent genetically modified, and mix them with a solution to remove the fiber.  This fiber-less soybean is then dried at high temperatures which denature the quality of the protein.  In addition, soy acts like a pseudo-estrogen in the body and it is estimated that an infant fed soy formula receives the amount of estrogen per day in at least 5 birth control pills – not such a great start to life.

Formula makers are now supplementing with the important omega-3 fats DHA and EPA to help the baby’s brain development.  However, the sources of these essential fats can be poor or contain inadequate amounts.

It might be time to demand infant formula makers to make a change-maybe the first step needed in Michelle Obama's campaign against childhood obesity.  Women receive cases of these formulas free in the hospital to encourage usage, unknowingly feeding their babies something which could influence their future health.  It’s time we started preventing obesity from the beginning – rather than prescriptions later.

Corn Syrup on Trial?

In yesterday’s Los Angeles Times there was a full page advertisement that stated:  High Fructose Corn Syrup ACQUITTED!  I did not realize HFCS was on trial, but maybe I missed that news.  In recent months, TV ads have been telling us that corn syrup is the same as sugar.  However, what do the studies reveal?

Last week David Kessler, whose new book The End of Overeating recounted his statements of corn syrup being dangerous stating its effects were similar to sugar.  This made the Center for Consumer Freedom very happy and well as many others that make money from this “food.”  Mr. Kessler’s book is excellent.  However, I would disagree that corn syrup is similar to sugar.  Today’s LA Times had a nice summary of the arguments going back and forth.

For detailed information on HFCS see my blog April 3^rd.  The bottom line manufactured corn syrup has a higher percentage of manufactured fructose which has a straight shot to the liver, thereby causing fatty liver.  In addition, when consuming high fructose corn syrup a hormone that helps you feel full called Leptin does not kick in.  Therefore, your brain does not get the signal you are indeed full, and you may continue to eat.

Fatty liver and gaining weight – not a good combination to me.  I have HFCS on my NOT TO SHOP list in my new book A Recipe for Life and this is not something I intend on going back on.