New Research Carbohydrate Overconsumption a Factor

Press Release

A new epidemiological study published in The Lancet shows that abundant carbohydrate consumption is a factor in total mortality.

The 10-year study (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology or PURE) investigated dietary habits of 135,335 people aged 35 to 70 residing in 18 nations, with a median follow up of 7.4 years. The researchers sought to reveal any link between diet (macronutrients) total mortality and cardiovascular events (fatal cardiovascular disease, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure). The researchers assessed associations between intake of carbohydrates, total fat and types of fat with total mortality and cardiovascular disease.

During the followup, the researchers recorded 5,796 deaths and 4,784 major cardiovascular events in the cohort. Statistical analysis found that higher carbohydrate intake was associated with an increased risk of total mortality, but not with the risk of cardiovascular mortality.  Higher saturated fat consumption was linked with lower risk of stroke, and total fat, saturated fat and unsaturated fats were not significantly associated with risk of cardiovascular mortality or myocardial infarction.

PURE researchers concluded that higher carbohydrate consumption was associated with higher risk of total mortality, and that “global dietary guidelines should be reconsidered in light of these findings.”

Mitch Skop, Senior Director of New Product Development for Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., manufacturer of Phase 2 Carb Controller®, commented, “The results of the PURE study powerfully validate what we have known for years – that excessive simple carbohydrates can be a major contributor toward significant health issues and disease that can result in early mortality and dramatically reduced quality of life. The problem is that people are still not getting the message that consumption of too much of the wrong carbs can be hazardous to your health.”

In fact, last year, a consumer survey showed that people still focus on the wrong foods when trying to lose weight; and those foods include simple carbs. In the survey of 1200 people in 2016, polling company, Customer Experience Partners, discovered that American consumers may not be aware of the biggest cause of weight gain—excessive consumption of starches. In fact, when asked how likely various types of foods were to contribute to weight gain, sugars and fats received the highest percentage of responses, with starches only coming in third.

In addition, while respondents felt starches only represented 23% of their daily diet, the survey showed many consumers may be eating more darb-laden foods than they realized, with 83% indicating they consumed a starchy food like bread within the most recent 48-hour period; 65% snacked on crackers, chips or pretzels; and nearly 60% ate potatoes in some form.

“Our Phase 2® has been studied numerous times and may play a significant role in promoting better health for those carb lovers amongst us by reducing their digestion and absorption,” Skop said.

He added, “In a perfect world, everyone would shun simple carbs, the companies would cease production as demand would dry up, and incidence of total mortality, and cases of related health issues such as metabolic diseases and obesity would drop dramatically,” continued Skop. “A solution that can positively impact western populations is an increased effort to educate about the dangers of a high-carb and high-sugar diet, and to use tools such as dietary supplements that are shown to be effective in managing weight and carbohydrate utilization.”

Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., Kearny, NJ, is a family of companies specializing in the manufacture and supply of a wide variety of custom and specialty nutritional ingredients, as well as process services. The company is a NOP-Certified organic handler and processor, operating 14 manufacturing facilities in the U.S and Mexico. It is also (c)GMP compliant, producing a variety of ingredients and ingredient systems under strict quality control. For further information call 800-526-0609, 201 246 1000 (outside the U.S.) or visit www.pharmachemlabs.com.