Fructose Intolerance

HFI
• HFI is a metabolic disorder in which the small intestine cannot
process fructose (fruit sugar) into a source of energy because
of an enzyme deficiency that prevents fructose absorption .

• HFI is a condition people are born with usually in families

where there is no previous history
.
• It makes difficulty for our body ( liver , kidney)to use fructose
or fructose containing foods . The sugar is taken by the body
but in attempting to use sugar, toxic substances are produced ,
which leads to serious illness.
• Fructose metabolism is due to the deficiency of fructose
1-phosphate aldolase (necessary for fructose absorption)
• Fructose accumulated in liver , kidney , small intestine.
• The accumulated fructose interferes with conversion of
glycogen ( the body’s energy material ) into glucose .As
a result , the blood sugar falls to abnormal levels,
( hypoglycemia).
• Prolonged fructose ingestion in infants leads ultimately
to hepatic and /or renal failure and or death.
 Symptoms

• Initial symptoms include , abdominal pain ,

vomiting , that can lead to dehydration and
unexplained fever ,
• Other symptoms include extreme thirst and
excessive urination and sweating.
• Loss off appetite and failure to grow
• The liver becomes swollen and patient becomes
jaundiced with yellowing of eyes and skin. left
untreated , this conditions can lead to coma and
death.
 Diagnosed
• HFI is checked by one of the two tests
• An enzymatic assay to determine aldolase activity
the aldolase is obtained from a patient liver tissue in an invasive surgical
procedure called a liver biopsy.
• A fructose tolerance test - Fructose is injected
Intravenously under controlled conditions where acute glucose , fructose ,
and phosphate levels are monitored .
• Both test represent a considerable risk in new born baby.
• A newer , non -invasive DNA test is readily becoming more available .
• while DNA test is not diagnostic because negative results do not
guarantee that one does not have HFI, positive results along with clinical
symptoms are strong indicators of disease.
• A presmptive diagnosis can be made .
 Treatment

• Strict fructose free diet . Successfully treated by

eliminating fructose , sucrose and sorbitol from the
diet(less than 40mg/per day ).
• Early symptoms of hypoglycemia can be treated
with oral glucose or gel available for most
pharmacies.
• Severe hypoglycemia should be treated with a
glycogen injection to increase the blood glucose
level.
 Foods to avoid

• Eliminating more than just fruit and honey is

necessary when following a low fructose diet
because it is present in many processed foods.
• Read nutritional labels and ingredients carefully
to determine which food is safe and which ones
should be avoided.
• The words fructose , sucrose ,sugar high fructose
corn syrup ,honey , sorbitol or sweetened milk
indicates the presence of fructose.
 Fruits

• can consume fruits with low fructose diet.

• High fructose fruits include
watermelon ,pineapple , orange ,apples , pears,
peaches, and mangoes.
• Some people can eat some of these fruits in
combination with other foods.
• Juices from concentrate should be limited
because they contain more fructose in a serving
than fresh fruits do.
 Sweeteners

• Sweet foods are like to contain some forms of

fructose.
• high fructose corn syrup should limit or avoid if you
are maintianing or a fructose free diet.
• Soda ,candy , Packaged desserts, yogurts, jams,
condiments, some sports drinks contains this
sweetener.
• Any food sweetened with honey, sorbitol fruit juice
should be limited.
 What to Eat

• The university of virgina health system recommends meat, egg , diary, egg ,
beans,and vegetables.
• Combining these foods will create a balance diet that offers nutrition and prevents
health problems.
Meats
Fresh meat contains no fructose .they high in protein and iron .Red meat , pork
sausage are all high in fats as well.
Fish
catfish ,tilapia ,salmon etc.. Are some kinds of fish which are low in fructose. they
are also high in protein and low in carbs. shellfish such as crabs , lobster , shrimp,
oyster are low in fructose as well
Beans
Beans is a natural state free or fructose .they are also rich in fiber, Protein
And complex carbohydrates.
• Whole grains
have high protein content and low fructose content.
• Eggs
Eggs contain no fructose and low in carbs and high in protein and fat. these
include the yolks and whites and egg substitutes as well.
• Seeds and nuts
seeds and nuts are low in fructose , high in protein healthy fats and fibre.
• Vegetables
Majority of vegetables are low in fructose .iceberg, green peppers ,radishes ,
cabbage , mushrooms are exmp
• Dairy
Dairy products such as cheese , buttermilk and milk are low in fructose .they are
high in calcium , protein and fat.
THA NK YOU