On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 02:00:01 -0400, Joe Kosiner <[log in to unmask]>:
> ...I really don't believe that sugar causes an insulinoma.  It is like
>saying that eating sugar predisposes you to diabetes.  It ain't so.
 
I would love to hear what medical studies and/or background leads you to
say that...
 
I've heard a number of ferret vets discuss the likely connection between
diets high in carbohydrates/sugars and insulinoma, because a ferret is
simply not evolved to eat large quantities of either, and it strains
their pancreas to have to regulate their blood sugar when they eat it.
I've also read that US rates of insulinoma rose in correspondence with
the introduction & popularization of carbohydrate-rich kibble as a
primary ferret diet (as opposed to "real meat" based diets).  It sounds
very reasonable to me.
 
And I've seen studies documenting a steady rise in the rate of Type II
diabetes (and a corresponding drop in age of onset) in the US alongside
increasing national weight averages and national dietary trends
(especially among children) of eating larger amounts of highly processed
carbohydrates and refined sugars (white bread, soda, etc.).  This is
likely even better documented and researched than ferrets & insulinoma,
but is closely related in that yet again, excessive amounts of foods
causing sharp increases in blood sugar over time cause abnormalities in
the bodily systems designed to regulate insulin & blood glucose levels.
 
So, if you have any scientific evidence to back up your disagreement,
please share!  I'm sure it would take a great weight off the minds of
many ferret owners, as well as parents of young sugar/fast food addicts.
 
--
Teresa -- and the
Three Polar Packrats
(Zoe, Ziya & Blitzie)
[Posted in FML issue 4631]