Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup?

You read right. A recent investigation revealed that "significant levels of mercury were found in 45% of (High Fructose Corn Syrup - HFCS) samples analyzed." From this study it is estimated that the potential average daily mercury exposure from HFCS could range from 0 to 28 micrograms.

An Environmental Health Officer from the FDA conducted an investigation to find missing mercury from the chlor-alkali industry. Mercury, a potent neurotoxin, is a regulated toxic substance and tons of it were unaccounted for at the chlor-alkali plants in the U.S. These plants produce mercury grade caustic soda which is "primarily used by the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) industry". It is one of the main ingredients used in the process to produce HFCS. The officer realized that some of the mercury residue may have ended up in the end product, thus the investigation was launched. To read more go to: http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/2

28 micrograms may not seem like a whole lot for a body to have to process, but let's look at some HFCS facts:

*HFCS is found in almost almost all processed foods - soda, candy, granola bars,crackers, bread, yogurt, peanut butter, jelly, salad dressing,lunch meat, juice drinks, canned fruits and vegetables and MOST foods marketed to children.
*Most fats are formed in your liver. When sugar enters your liver it decides whether to store it, burn it or turn it into fat. Most sugars have a breakdown process in your body. While the HFCS industry claims that it is similar to table sugar, HFCS does not use sucrase (the enzyme used to break down sucrose - table sugar) to break it down. It bypasses the breakdown process and goes straight to the liver intact where it is then converted to fat.
* HFCS is implicated in multiple chronic conditions: obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity, tantrums, lethargy, irritability and cravings.
* It is estimated that the average daily consumption of HFCS is approximately 50g (200 calories) per person, according to a USDA website.( i.e.. 10% of a daily diet - sound healthy?)

So should you be worried? If you are a high end consumer of HFCS (i.e. - consume more than the average 50 g.), YES! High end consumers are people who consume a lot of soda, children who eat a lot of processed food (including school lunches), and those who eat out a lot - and not just at fast food restaurants. So 50g of HFCS may be a conservative estimate for some. If a child is a high end consumer, the potential adverse effects of the mercury - and the HFCS itself - are magnified simply because a child's body is so much smaller than an adult's. Also, consider all the other sources of exposure to mercury - water, fish, amalgam fillings - and you have a potential problem on your hands.

Signs of mercury toxicity include ,but are not limited to, attention problems, sensory problems, clumsiness, loss of hair, teeth or nails, itchy skin, memory problems, hypertension and it can be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's.

What can you do? READ YOUR LABELS! Don't eat out a lot. Avoid high fructose corn syrup. There are alternates for virtually everything that contains HFCS. Also, keep in mind that the mercury residue was found in U.S. products. There is no regulation for overseas HFCS production/consumption - and China has super high mercury emissions.

P.S. For interesting story on HFCS and school lunches, see tomorrow's post.