A

Aldolase B

A liver enzyme that breaks down fructose-1-phosphate—its deficiency causes fructose intolerance and cellular stress.

AMPK

A cellular energy switch that turns on fat burning and healing—suppressed by fructose metabolism and uric acid.

B

Berberine

A natural plant alkaloid shown to improve insulin sensitivity and activate AMPK—often paired with compounds like luteolin for metabolic support.

Bloating

A feeling of abdominal fullness or swelling—often linked to inflammation and fluid retention from fructose metabolism.

Brain Fog

A state of mental fatigue and poor focus—often tied to low ATP from fructose metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction.

C

Carbohydrate Intolerance

A condition where carbs lead to fatigue, fat gain, or cravings—often driven by excess internal fructose conversion.

Cravings

A drive to eat, often caused by low cellular energy and mitochondrial stress—commonly triggered by excess fructose metabolism.

D

De Novo Lipogenesis

The process by which the liver converts excess carbohydrates—especially fructose—into fat, driving fatty liver and insulin resistance.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter tied to reward and motivation—disrupted by fructose metabolism, leading to addictive food behavior and cravings.

E

Endogenous Fructose

Fructose your body produces internally, especially during stress or high carb, salt, or alcohol intake—even without sugar consumption.

F

Fasting

A metabolic reset that activates fat burning and cell repair—supports recovery from fructose-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Fatty Liver

A condition where fat accumulates in the liver, often driven by fructose metabolism—can lead to inflammation and insulin resistance.

Fructokinase

An enzyme that initiates fructose metabolism by rapidly phosphorylating fructose, consuming cellular energy.

Fructose

A simple sugar found in many foods that promotes fat storage and disrupts cellular energy when consumed in excess.

G

Glucose

A simple sugar used by cells for energy—unlike fructose, glucose is regulated by insulin and supports ATP production.

Gout

A painful condition caused by uric acid buildup—often triggered or worsened by fructose metabolism.

H

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

A processed sweetener made from corn that contains a high percentage of fructose—linked to obesity and metabolic disease.

I

Insulin Resistance

A condition where cells stop responding to insulin, often driven by fat buildup and energy stress from fructose metabolism.

K

Ketosis

A fat-burning state triggered by carb restriction—often blocked by fructose metabolism and low mitochondrial function.

L

Leptin Resistance

When the brain no longer responds to the hormone that signals fullness—linked to fructose-driven fat gain and inflammation.

Luteolin

A natural flavonoid studied for its ability to block fructokinase, reduce inflammation, and restore metabolic balance.

M

Metabolic Flexibility

The body's ability to switch between burning fat and glucose—often impaired by fructose-driven mitochondrial dysfunction.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions—including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and fatty liver—often rooted in excess fructose metabolism.

Methylglyoxal

A toxic byproduct formed from excess sugar metabolism—damages proteins and mitochondria, linked to aging and disease.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

When cellular energy factories fail to produce enough ATP—often due to stress from fructose metabolism and uric acid buildup.

N

NAFLD (Fatty Liver)

A condition where fat builds up in the liver, often driven by excess fructose intake or internal fructose production.

NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis)

An advanced form of fatty liver involving inflammation and liver damage—often driven by excess fructose metabolism.

O

Oxidative Stress

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, worsened by fructose metabolism and linked to aging and metabolic disease.

P

PCOS

A hormonal disorder often tied to insulin resistance—potentially worsened by fructose metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Polyol Pathway

A metabolic route that converts glucose to fructose inside the body, especially during stress or high-carb intake.

S

Sugar-Free Diet

A diet that avoids added sugars—helpful, but not always enough to stop internal fructose production and its metabolic effects.

T

Tart Cherry Extract

A natural compound shown to lower uric acid and inflammation—used in SugarShield to reduce fructose's metabolic byproducts.

Triglycerides

Fats found in the blood—elevated by fructose metabolism and linked to heart disease, insulin resistance, and liver fat.

U

Uric Acid

A byproduct of fructose metabolism linked to inflammation, gout, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial stress.

V

Visceral Fat

Fat stored around internal organs—driven by fructose metabolism and linked to chronic disease risk and inflammation.