Google News can be entertaining (http://news.google.com/). Late August 2004 headlines show that at least some USA government experts understand the difference between "good" and "bad" sugars. However, they stopped short of telling us to limit refined sugar intake, in updated dietary guidelines for 2005.

Could this reluctance to state the obvious be signs that commercial interests are taken seriously by the Feds? News articles said that 7 of the 13 panel members have financial interests in the food industry.

Duh!

The full "2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report", released August 27, 2004, is available at http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/report/

Most of the panel's recommendations are consistent with those in my two health books. Restrict salt, meat, dairy, alcoholic beverages, trans fats. Eat whole grains and fruits and vegetables. Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, such as brisk walks. And don't get hung up on "low carb".

"Good sugars" are those that occur naturally in healthful foods, such as fruits and vegetables. "Bad sugars" are those which are refined to have no nutrients other than calories.

But representatives of the sugar and soft drinks industries maintain that overeating and lack of exercise, not a particular food or beverage, are causing America's obesity.

Item: My article, "High Energy Food Illustrations", shows that sugar, fat, alcohol are concentrated energy sources which can support fire. Restrict their intake and you help your calorie balance.

Item: Such sources as the American Medical Association show that sugar enriched foods and beverages correlate with risk of diabetes, as well as risk of obesity.

Item: My diet book noted that some young people being treated with Ritalin[tm] for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were able to flush their drugs when they removed refined sugars from their diets. (I knew one such youth.) I also noted that average USA consumption of refined sugars and artificial sweeteners is now about 25 times the per capita consumption of the early 1900s. Use of the three major artificial sweeteners is no magic cure, because they can cause the symptoms of several serious diseases.

So, should we take the advice of the sugar-foods and soft drinks industries?

As reporter John Stossel would say, "Give Me a Break".

** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. **