the proparations blog

-  The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury. Methylmercury and metallic mercury vapors are more harmful than other forms, because more mercury in these forms reaches the brain. (www.atsdr.cdc.gov)

-  Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. (www.atsdr.cdc.gov/)

-  Mercury found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies. (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy or IATP)

-  “Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered.” (Dr. David Wallinga)

– Mercury is especially dangerous for pregnant and breastfeeding women because they pass their mercury consumption onto their babies. (examiner.com)

-  “It is also really bad for the environment. The genetically modified corn used to produce HFCS requires more pesticides and chemical fertilizers than natural corn. It is also not a crop that is rotated, which severely depletes top soil quality.” (current.com)

-  “The problem is that HCFS inhibits leptin secretion, so you never get the message that you’re full. And it never shuts off gherin, so, even though you have food in your stomach, you constantly get the message that you’re hungry” (Dr. Mehmet Oz, author of You: The Owner’s Manual)

-  Because it is metabolized by the liver, fructose does not cause the pancreas to release insulin the way it normally does. Fructose converts to fat more than any other sugar. (westonaprice.org)

-  Fructose has absolutely no enzymes, vitamins, or minerals, and in order to be processed once inside the digestive tract, it must rob the body’s stores of these precious micronutrients. (dynamicathlete.com)

-  Since the body doesn’t recognize HFCS as a regular sugar, it gets shuttled to the liver for processing. However, once there the liver doesn’t really know what to do with it either, and it gets converted to fat much more rapidly and frequently than any other type of sugar. (dynamicathlete.com)

-  To help their image and give the industry some cred, the Corn Refiners Association has launched a $30-million multimedia ad campaign touting the syrup’s humble origins, comparing it to sugar and honey in ads featuring golden corn cobs nestled in bright green leaves. (cornsyrupkills.net)

– The good news is that mercury-free HFCS ingredients exist.