Are You Consuming Too Much Sugar?

Are we seeing the prospect of safe sugar consumption without toxic effects? A study published this month in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that scientists from the Hospital of the University of Montreal discovered an enzyme that can neutralize the toxic effect of sugar on various organs in the body. This enzyme, called Glycerol 3-phosphate phosphatase (G3PP), plays a central role in regulating glucose and fat utilization in the body. The research team demonstrated the enzyme G3PP's ability to neutralize the toxic impact of excess sugar in cells, which could lead to the development of drugs for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The research was based on the fact that a sharp rise in blood glucose levels causes damage to body tissues. The scientific findings show that the enzyme G3PP can convert large amounts of glycerol phosphate into glycerol and remove it from the cell, thereby protecting the beta cells that produce insulin in the pancreas and other organs from the toxic effects of high insulin levels in the blood.

Glucose Processes and Their Impact on the Body - Mammalian cells can utilize glucose and fatty acids as main nutritional components. The process in cells controls physiological processes such as insulin secretion by beta cells, glucose production in the liver, fat storage, and nutrient processing in energy production.
Interruption of these processes leads to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases. Beta cells detect changes in blood glucose levels and produce insulin according to the body's needs.

Insulin is an important hormone for controlling glucose levels and fat utilization. However, when beta cells are exposed to excess glucose and fatty acids, these nutrients become toxic and damage cells, leading to beta cell dysfunction and diabetes. When cells use glucose, glycerol-3-phosphate is produced, a molecule crucial in metabolism as it is required for energy production and fat creation.

Thus, converting glucose prevents excessive fat production and storage and reduces the excess glucose production in the liver, a major problem in diabetes.

Neutralizing the Toxic Effect of Glucose - The research findings are a significant milestone in studying glucose impacts on the human body.
In the 1960s, a previously unknown enzyme operating at the center of nutrient metabolism in the tissues of all mammals was discovered.

According to researchers, this newly discovered enzyme will now be included in biochemistry textbooks, similar to the enzyme discovered in the 1960s. The research team identified the enzyme while seeking a mechanism enabling beta cells to dispose of excess glucose as glycerol. This mechanism also operates in liver cells, and this enzyme is present in all body tissues.

The research discovery presents a new therapeutic possibility for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome. The research team is currently in the midst of discovering an activator for small molecules of G3PP, which will treat cardiometabolic disorders. These treatments, with their unique mode of action, will initially be tested on animal models before approval for human use.

How Can We Reduce Sugar Meanwhile?

Until the newly discovered enzyme is used in medication, there are ways to reduce our daily sugar intake and thereby mitigate its toxic impact:

Prefer water over sweetened drinks:Sweetened, fizzy, or fruit-flavored drinks contain very large amounts of sugar. For example, one cup of juice contains about 5 teaspoons of sugar on average, while a cup of fizzy soda contains about 4 teaspoons of sugar. Plain water is definitely the better option for reducing sugar intake, reducing calorie count, and maintaining dental health.

Cut back on the sugar you add: When baking a cake, try using half or even a third of the sugar you normally use. The cake will still taste good in most cases. Similarly, try reducing sugar in various recipes by adding spices like ginger and cinnamon, which provide a sweet effect.

Choose natural sweetness: When craving something sweet, try opting for fruits, which have natural sweetness instead of artificial sugar and can satisfy that craving.