Comments on: Australian Health Survey: the facts about sugar intake

By: ENW

ENW — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:52:31 +0000

I find that when people change there diets significantly they often come more into line with the healthy eating guidelines without really knowing it . They reduce sugar and often processed carbohydrate ( and in your case gluten because you have coeliac disease) and replace these with foods we are encouraging people to eat more of like fresh fruit and vegetables, dried beans and legumes which all have carbohydrate but in a much better form. Also there is more mindful planning of meals and snacks rather than grabbing quick processed food/snacks which are often marketed as being healthy. As they say -”It is what you put in your mouth which is important, not what you leave out!”

By: Bill Shrapnel

Bill Shrapnel — Tue, 20 May 2014 21:34:34 +0000

Hello Rick. You have asked lots of good questions, all worthy of investigation.
You will have seen from my comments elsewhere in this blog that I have wider concerns about carbohydrate. But hopefully this post will serve two purposes. Firstly, it pushes back against the baseless notion that sugar intakes are increasing. There is no point basing public health action on fairy stories.
Secondly, I hope it encourages some people to step back from the all-eggs-in-one-basket approach to addressing obesity. I argued against the fat-causes-obesity mantra for 15 years because the evidence simply didn’t support it. I suspect I’ll be arguing against the sugar-causes-obesity mantra for the next 15 years. Targeting just one source of calories didn’t work in the past but we didn’t learn the lesson – we just repeated the error with sugar.
Hopefully research will ultimately illuminate the way forward for us. Regards, Bill

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 20 May 2014 10:49:46 +0000

Hi Bill,
OK so sugar consumption has gone down in toto, but who is consuming the sugar, is it the obese or non-obese; both to an equal extent? Can we be sure the effects of high sugar consumption 20 years ago has “dissipated”, what about the potential effect of sugar intake on genetic programming in utero, and the effect on the infants of 20 years ago? I think the issue complex and not yet put to rest.
Also, note the comments, at the end of the AHS about under-reporting.
I think methodological problems are a significant issue in nutrition research, eg self(under)-reporting of diet; or the approach where some nutrient (in this case sugar) goes into a “black box” (the community), “something happens”, and something comes out (obesity), ie what is happening in the black box (remember that cartoon?).
Also, should milk-sugar (lactose) be considered the same way as sugar (sucrose)?

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 20 May 2014 05:30:51 +0000

That’s why I said ‘start with’. Improved knowledge of science and scientific evidence would obviously follow.

By: Bill Shrapnel

Bill Shrapnel — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:06:47 +0000

Hello Kate. I think part of the problem at present is that the general public has little exposure to or understanding of the world of science. So they rely on others to interpret evidence and present it to them in a way they can understand. This is partly our job and most of us do our best as we have a vested interest in the science.
It’s also the media’s job and, with notable exceptions, they do a pretty poor job. I had a recent experience with an ABC journalist who had no interest in the facts at all – she just wanted to tell a pre-determined story. If I had supported the story I would have been quoted, but because I argued against it on scientific grounds she attempted to discredit me. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
One problem with the media is they are not interested in consensus. Their vested interest is in an argument – that’s what generates readership. So, minority views are often given emphasis and the majority position of scientists is played down. Or even attacked – witness last year’s Catalyst programs!
And the internet is worse as there is no need to present an opposing view at all. Who knows what the vested interests are.
No simple solutions to this one. Regards, Bill

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 20 May 2014 00:04:44 +0000

Thanks Kate. My background is in Science I appreciate both the controlled studies and the anecdotes and am excited that some really helpful research is starting to be done: http://nusi.org/the-science/current-science-in-progress/#.U3qbna2KB1s and http://terrywahls.com/resources/research/

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 19 May 2014 23:55:25 +0000

I appreciate your position Bill and think that is probably generally helpful. I’m just very thankful that my doctor is sufficiently aware of the spectrum of symptoms and of the need to be ‘extreme’ in certain situations. She put me on a ketogenic diet to reverse my diabetes and it worked and I am maintaining my health being generally low carb.

By: Bill Shrapnel

Bill Shrapnel — Mon, 19 May 2014 23:43:12 +0000

Hello Jenny. I wasn’t defending carbohydrates. My view is that official recommendations for carbohydrate intakes are too high. Less would be better, especially if we replace some carbs with unsaturated fats.
But the evidence doesn’t support ‘eat less sugar’ in isolation. There are many aspects to this. It is very hard to distinguish between the health effects of refined sugars and refined starches. However, if we cut the lot out then we also cut out the nutrients that are present in some sugar-rich and starch-rich foods.
So a balance needs to be struck and to achieve that balance we need advice that preserves the better carb-rich foods in our diet and limits those that provide few nutrients and send blood glucose sky-high.
Good nutrition is never at the extremes – it’s always in the middle somewhere. Regards, Bill

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 19 May 2014 15:12:28 +0000

I eat everything in moderation and exercise. This includes (predominantly limited, because nobody is perfect) sugar and (appropriately portioned sized) carbohydrates. I manage a healthy weight. I reduce my weight when I limit my calories, usually achieved by limiting nutrient deficient, energy dense food, (no targeting of any particular macro-nutrient required). I don’t experience rashes, digestive issues, sickness and I have great energy levels and brain function. And while I have been fortunate to not break a bone, I am confident it will heal (although I will see a ‘conventional’ doctor, with training, to ensure it sets properly).

Perhaps Bill we could start educating the public why scientific evidence isn’t made up of only anecdotal evidence, no matter the conviction or credibility of the individual behind the claims.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 19 May 2014 13:12:57 +0000

Yes Gabrielle I agree. I am commenting because I think that sugar is a major part of the problem, not just for me but for lots of people who have struggled with their weight and health.