
How Endogenous Fructose Fuels Inflammation and Accelerates Aging
In this episode of the Healthspan Research Podcast, Dr. Rich LaFontaine and Brandon Fell, MS, explore the overlooked role of endogenous fructose production—a process triggered by the polyol pathway during periods of metabolic stress, even in the absence of dietary fructose. Their discussion highlights emerging research linking this internal pathway to hallmarks of metabolic dysfunction and accelerated biological aging.
1 min
By: Dr. Richard LaFountain, Brandon Fell
Brandon Fell and Dr. Rich LaFountaine from the Healthspan Med research team did a deep take a deeper dive into the surprising ways fructose impacts your health, even when you’re not eating it. That’s right! Your body can produce fructose internally through the polyol pathway, especially during times of metabolic stress related to excess carbohydrate consumption.
And that has major implications for longevity.
Here’s what they unpack:
How internal fructose production may accelerate inflammation, fat accumulation in the liver, and insulin resistance, key drivers of biological aging
The connection between uric acid and age-related diseases like hypertension and metabolic syndrome
Why beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a ketone body, may act as a protective signal against these pro-aging pathways linked with high uric acid levels
What we can learn from hibernating mammals that instinctively rely on high fructose consumption to store energy as fat, seasonally, for survival through the winter
This episode also coincides with an exciting upcoming debate between Dr. Rick Johnson and Dr. Layne Norton, who bring contrasting views on fructose’s role in health and disease. Our discussion sets the stage and gives you added context for managing the metabolism modifier, fructose.
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