fructose metabolism simplified

Comment

Comment by Kevin Breault on June 13, 2012 at 12:35am

As a result of getting excited about fructose metabolism in another forum, about the paleo diet, I took a few hours to read through a few peer-reviewed articles (sciencedirect access) and break it down to clarify the fructose role into metabolism.

Due to kinetics of the reactions, fructose uses mostly pathway 1 until glycogen tanks are full (270 grams). Then, it takes the pathway 2, to body fat. Note that if ATP is being used (energy being spent) pyruvate is being consumed so a bit of the original amount of fructose will also head that way.

I recommend the ones that are curious about nutrition and biochemistry to read this paper written in Toronto:

Fructose, insulin resistance, and metabolic dyslipidemia
http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/2/1/5

P.S. To know if you are curious or not, did ask yourself questions like "Interesting that glucose and fructose are made from the exact same elements but have such a different metabolism?" ........zzzZZ... no?.... anyone?? =P