Dr. Robert Lustig From 'Sugar: The Bitter Truth' Shares His Thoughts On Low-Carb Diets

Dr. Robert Lustig has become somewhat of a hero in the low-carb/health community thanks to the YouTube sensation his 90-minute masterpiece lecture entitled "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" has elicited. Watch that video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Because of the overwhelming demand from his listeners, Jimmy Moore has previously asked Dr. Lustig to come on his podcast "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" -- http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/shownotes -- to talk about his YouTube lecture, his thoughts on the detrimental health effects of fructose, and other items of particular interest to my audience. Unfortunately, he turned Jimmy down in early 2010 citing he doesn't believe in low-carb diets.

On May 13, 2010, Dr. Lustig was a guest on Sean Croxton's "Underground Wellness Radio" program sharing a fantastic wealth of information on fructose, lipids, calories, and so much more. Listen to the entire 90-minute interview here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/undergroundwellness/2010/05/14/the-bitter-truth-...

One of the topics that came up was when Sean asked a question from Jimmy Moore about why Dr. Lustig is such a strong opponent of fructose and sugar, but not of starchy and other culprit carbohydrates. He answered the question explaining why he doesn't believe in low-carb diets. However, after the interview, Jimmy again asked for a chance to speak with Dr. Lustig explaining that the show is more than about low-carb diets. He said as long as Jimmy understood he supported "safe carb" and not low-carb then he would do it.

An interview has been set up to be recorded on June 15, 2010 and will air on "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show" on Monday, July 5, 2010 on iTunes and at http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/shownotes.

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[amarko87]

@livinlowcarbman what the fuck are you on about? He advocates starchy carbs because of the fibre that goes with them. A low carb diet is inherently low fibre as well and he makes the point in his lecture and other interviews that fibre is an essential nutrient. Everywhere in nature sugar is surrounded by fibre. You can't agree with a low carb diet while still maintaining the belief that fibre is an essential nutrient that has been virtually removed from all foods that are sellable worldwide.

[livinlowcarbman]

@amarko87 No need to be vulgar. Anyone who eats low-carb knows you can get plenty of fiber from the non-starchy veggies you consume.

[dahlenu]

Very strange comments from Dr. Lustig. I mean, carbs *are* sugars. Unless they are two long, carbohydrate chains are broken down in the body to glucose. It really doesn't matter if it's sugare cubes in the coffee or starch in potatoes, it ends up as glucose, raising the insulin level and then promoting fat accumulation. So, Dr. Lustig is right that sugar is a huge problem, but by definition he should then be pro low-carb!

[livinlowcarbman]

@dahlenu I agree, and maybe he'll come around someday.

[aleterra]

His lecture was on fructose, not on glucose. LOL

[livinlowcarbman]

@aleterra Right! Who said anything about glucose? :)

[maryposa1978]

Ug, I never knew he thought that way. I am 1000% sure that I would gain weight on a sugar free diet if it included grains potatoes and corn. I guarantee that I will have major cravings and overeat. But I am not willing to prove it! lol

[UndergroundWellness]

YEEEEEEEEAH!!!

[Warpath2198]

@livinlowcarbman Yep, I eat green vegetables and have lost 40 lbs years ago and it has stayed off. On a low carb diet high in fat and protein I don't even get hungry for 8-10 hours.

[Warpath2198]

@amarko87 Uhh with low carb diets you can eat green vegetables which have fiber. So your defense of sugar is moot. Some fruits have a lot of carbs. Vegetables>Fruits

[pcangeldust]

@blueconversechucks those are sugars not carbs

[blueconversechucks]

If you read between the lines, it sounds like Dr. Lustig is all for a low-carb diet as long as sucrose and fructose are two of the carbs being removed.

[ALucas73]

Taubes says the same about there needing to be a clinical study done, but it will take millions of dollars to do it because you have to pay to feed a lot of people for a long time and no one yet wants to put up the money. Come on Gates and Buffett, do it for the people.

[s1k3st937]

@dahlenu Starches are glucose polymers, not fructose.  Dr. Lustig says fructose is the problem, not glucose.

[TheSivarts1087]

lustigs point is about fructose and its load on the liver. glucose weather found in sucrose or by itself in simple or complex carbs have little effect on the liver. however glucose does effect insulin and can derail a host of metabolic pathways including fat storage.

[Diogeneia]

I am on board with Lustig, but I don't think he has found "the" key... only "a" key. Too much sugar will make you fat. HFCS will screw with your leptin/sense of satiety. His research definitely supports the "processed foods = crap" idea that you see in most serious diets. But there is more. Dr. Amen is also on to something with his brain research. Dr. Atkins (and others) were/are on to something regarding yeast and food allergies. We need research that puts it all together.

[Pelonetillo]

this reminds me of dr ozs position on low carb. he pretends to oppose low carb, but pushes complex over simple carb. this is analogous to recommending 4 cigs a day vs 12. yeah, you may not be as susceptible to cancer by cutting back 8 cigs, but if you follow the logic to its conclusion, it stands to reason 0 cigs are better than his recommended 4.

[steveatrayve]

@dahlenu all carbs are not sugars, just the simple carbs. that's why people eat whole grains and legumes which have complex carbs. low-sugar & low-carb are not necessarily the same.

stop believing in fancy mumbo-jumbo. lol. ignorance is bliss!