Sheldon, do you have a copy of Protein Power Lifeplan? You might want to check out The Trouble With Fructose which is on pp 159 - 162. It's explained very well there.

Basically what happens is: the cells get used to not requiring insulin in order to admit fructose. Eventually, insulin receptors on the cells become less sensitive to the effect of insulin. What happens when glucose levels rise is that more insulin is required, since cells do require insulin to utilise glucose. Eventually insulin resistance develops.

Chronic fructose consumption is common, especially in children (most soft drinks and fruit drinks are sweetened with high-fructose syrup) .. and Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed more and more in children. That's why Type 2 is no longer called Adult Onset diabetes

Another good article about the adverse metabolic effects of fructose was written by Nancy Appleton PhD. (author of "Lick the Sugar Habit) It's posted at Mercola's website http://www.mercola.com/2002/jan/5/fructose.htm

Hope this makes it a bit clearer,

Doreen