Renowned obesity expert Robert Lustig, M.D,, the pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF, who I just wrote about in my previous post, was kind enough to get back to me right away with comments about his study and my blog entry about it. He e-mailed me to clarify that he was implicating insulin, not just sugar, as the problem.
Here’s what he wrote me:
"Ms. Bennett, thank you for your email.
"I must correct the Chronicle story, which I was not allowed to view prior to publication. My problem is with the hormone insulin and anything that makes it go up. Of course, sugar is the primary foodstuff that causes insulin secretion, but there are many others, including lack of fiber, fat, energy density, lack of dairy, etc. The reporter chose to switch `insulin’ to `sugar’ to make it simpler for the readership. I am attaching the paper, and another on fast food, for you to review on this subject, so you can determine the specific role for sugar vs. other problematic foodstuffs.
"As to a discussion, I would be happy to give you some time as regards to the science…."
Sincerely,
Robert Lustig, M.D.
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, UCSF
More later.
Right now, now that I’m finally feeling better (after my bout with laryngitis and bronchitis), I have something rather important to do — a bicycle ride and errands.