Steve Jobs and Pancreatic Cancer

Steve Jobs was vegan, on a high-fruit (fructose or fruit sugar) diet. He died of pancreatic cancer on 5th October 2011.

Ashton Kutcher playing the Apple co-founder in the movie "Jobs", went on a high-fruit diet, and ended up in hospital with inflamed pancreas.

Article in USA Today: Ashton Kutcher suffers health scare prepping for 'Jobs'

People eating high amounts of sugar, drinking soft drinks or eating a lot of fruits might experience pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Chronic pancreatitis might lead to pancreatic cancer (Article)

"Most recently, a study reported that people who regularly drink soda may be more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. In that study, published in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, people who drank two or more sodas per week had an 87 percent increase in  pancreatic cancer risk."

It is alarming that nutritionists in gyms recommend drinking Gatorade and similar sports drinks when working out. These drinks are no different from soft drinks. They cause a sudden rush of sugar and puts a strain on the organs (liver and pancreas). A high consumption of sugary drinks might cause - on top of an inflamed pancreas - Fatty Liver Disease as well.

It is important to know that alcohol (ethanol), from a metabolic point of view, is no different from fructose. High alcohol consumption has very similar symptoms than high-sugar consumption, except that you don't feel dizzy after drinking soft drinks.

For more biochemistry about the similarity of fructose and ethanol, please watch this presentation by Dr Lustig, Sugar, the Bitter Truth: