Cell: Excessive sugar intake can cause mitochondrial damage

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Cell: Excessive sugar intake can cause mitochondrial damage

Cell: Excessive sugar intake can cause mitochondrial damage.  Among the many flavors, the “sweetness” is suitable for all ages and is most loved by people. Sugar is a direct source of sweetness. It not only makes food more palatable, it is also an important source of energy for the body. In daily life, whether it is milk tea, cakes or cola, all contain a lot of sugar, which gives us a “sweet” feeling.

However, studies have shown that excessive consumption of sugar can increase the health risks of the body. A high-sugar diet can lead to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, and accelerate human aging and increase the risk of suffering. The risk of heart disease. However, the hazards of high-sugar diets have not yet been revealed at the cellular level.

On August 3, 2021, researchers from the Van Andel Institute in the United States published a research paper titled: Excess dietary carbohydrate affects mitochondrial integrity as observed in brown adipose tissue in Cell Reports, a subsidiary of Cell.

The body needs glucose to survive, but too much is too late. Excessive intake of carbohydrates is related to excessive glucose in the cells, which will affect the body’s lipid composition, which in turn affects the integrity of mitochondria and the efficiency of the electron transport chain, and ultimately leads to lower mitochondrial energy output. The study also found that this situation can be rescued by a ketogenic diet.

Mitochondria, often referred to as the power source of cells, are highly studied organelles. Damage to mitochondria affects ATP production, metabolite conversion, and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction involves a variety of health problems, including cardiovascular problems, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

In this study, the researchers established a mouse model and found that excessive glucose will reduce the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the mitochondrial membrane and reduce the efficiency of the mitochondria. PUFA is an important participant in supporting mitochondrial function and mediating many other biological processes (such as inflammation, blood pressure, and cell communication).

In addition, excess glucose is synthesized into a different form of fatty acid, which is not as effective or flexible as polyunsaturated fatty acids. On the contrary, it also subverts the lipid composition of the membrane and exerts pressure on the mitochondria, damages the mitochondria and affects their performance.

Interestingly, the researchers reversed this harmful effect by feeding the mouse model a low-sugar diet, which showed that lowering glucose and restoring normal membrane lipid components can support healthy mitochondrial integrity and function.

Low-sugar diet restores mitochondrial function

Not only that, research has also found that excessive intake of carbohydrates will reduce the beneficial effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements.

Researchers say that if the lipid balance is disrupted after long-term intake of excessive sugar, our body may begin to feel subtle changes, such as getting tired more quickly.

In general, the study investigated the relationship between excessive sugar intake and mitochondrial function at the cellular level, and confirmed a negative aspect of the high-sugar diet from the organelle mechanism.

(source:internet, reference only)

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