If fructose is the main driver of insulin resistance, and evidence certainly supports this contention, then removal of sugar from the diet is a requirement to reverse insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a metabolic dysfunction, and leads to aberrations in normal metabolic regulation. Reducing energy intake or performing physical activity in the midst of such a metabolic dysfunction will not be successful at causing weight loss because the dysfunction caused by insulin resistance prevents the correct mobilisation and oxidation of stored fuel. This explains the lack of efficaciousness of exercise regimens and diets in those with obvious symptoms of insulin resistance. However, there are two main problems with the strategy to remove sugar from the diet in order to reverse insulin resistance. The first is that sugar is so widespread within the foods of the Western diet. The second is that sugar is physically addictive and most who eat it regularly are addicted to its presence.
It therefore takes a large amount of effort and willpower to cut sugar from the diet. Avoidance of sugar means avoidance of sugar sweetened soft drinks, cakes, biscuits, sugar in tea, fruit juice, sweet, desserts, and anything containing sucrose or fructose. Generally however, once a period of time has elapsed where no refined crystalline sugar has been consumed, the addictiveness subsides and the taste readjusts to accept less sweet foods. Organisation and preparedness are therefore vital so that situations do not arise where sugar sweetened foods are the only one available for consumption. The onus is therefore on the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the diet complies with the sugar restriction. Those with a sweet tooth can supplement the diet with licorice and dried fruit to supply a sweet taste to foods, although artificial sweeteners should be avoided as they are not only unhealthy, but may have deleterious effects on appetite regulation that make weight loss less rather than more likely.
RdB
