Pizza & Gelato Della Zona owner Bob O'Neil's comment in the Sept. 18 article Pizzeria is a natural choice
claiming that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has horrendous effects on the body is misleading.
HFCS is a safe, natural, nutritive sweetener. Since 1983, the Food and Drug Administration has listed HFCS as Generally Recognized as Safe (known as GRAS status) for use in food.
HFCS, like table sugar and honey, is composed of fructose and glucose, which are found in many other naturally-occurring foods. The human body cannot discern a difference between HFCS, table sugar and honey because they are all nearly compositionally equivalent.
Current research shows that HFCS is metabolized similarly to sugar. Kathleen J. Melanson, et al. at Rhode Island University recently reviewed the effects of HFCS and sucrose on circulating levels of glucose, leptin, insulin and ghrelin in a study group of lean women. The study found no differences in the metabolic effects of HFCS and sucrose (Nutrition 23(2):103-12). There is no credible scientific evidence to suggest that HFCS contributes to obesity any different from other sugars. Dr. Walter Willett, Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Department chairman, told The New York Times, There's no substantial evidence to support the idea that high-fructose corn syrup is somehow responsible for obesity.
A newly published expert review of the research literature on the dietary role of HFCS has found insufficient support for the notion that HFCS could play a unique causal role in obesity. The expert panel led by Richard Forshee, Ph.D. of the University of Maryland Center for Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture Policy (CFNAP) concluded that the currently available evidence is insufficient to implicate HFCS per se as a causal factor in the overweight and obesity problem in the United States. The panel's report was published in the Aug. 2007 issue of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
HFCS can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet. According to the American Dietetic Association, Consumers can safely enjoy a range of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners when consumed in a diet that is guided by current federal nutrition recommendations ... as well as individual health goals.
Audrae Erickson is the president of the Corn Refiners Association and writes from Washington D.C.
,",17,Archives,Letter to the Editor ,",",",",",","
21549,2007-09-19 00:00:00,Students for a Democratic Society support custodial staff,",As you know recently 24 of the hardest-working employees of the university have been laid off due to budget reallocation. The custodial staff here at Ohio University is some of the most dedicated
truly inspiring personnel on campus. They are the men and womyn that students come into contact each day
they are the men and womyn who work behind the scenes while students are sleeping
and they are the men and womyn that have the thankless job of keeping this university running.
Members of the administration said the lay-offs occurred due to a budget reallocation which included the hiring of several administrative positions whose salaries could support multiple members of the custodial staff. It is probable that members of the administration could provide many more bogus excuses for laying-off valued employees of this university. Whatever rationalizations are given
the point is these men and womyn need these jobs and should be reemployed as soon as possible.
Currently
four members of the union for the custodial staff are picketing at various locations and handing out informational flyers
so that students might better understand the situation. Students for a Democratic Society fully support the efforts of these men and womyn in their attempts to be heard by the administration and help the laid-off workers regain employment. Unfortunately
the contract that the custodial staff recently signed states that they may have no more than three or four members picketing at each location. How can their dire message for reemployment be heard with so few voices? We urge all students to step up and show your support for this hard-working and dedicated group today when Students for a Democratic Society will be joining the picketers at 1:00 p.m. at the Gates to College Green.
Amanda Carton is a sophmore international studies major.
,",17,Archives,Letter to the Editor ,",",",",",","
21550,2007-09-19 00:00:00,Become a columnist
publish racist stories free of charge,",From Chris Yonker to Joe Vance
