SUGAR AND DISEASE
Sugar is a simple chemical that our body uses for fuel to produce energy inside the cells of various organs. In fact, our brain requires sugar to function properly. So why is sugar so toxic to our body? The answer has been becoming increasingly clear, as scientists and medical doctors have studied the relationship between diet and health. Our bodies evolved as hunters and gatherers of food. This physically strenuous lifestyle burned up the food calories we ate each day. In times of famine, people who were able to store excess food intake as fat were better able to survive. The genetic metabolism that promoted efficient storage of fat was preferentially selected. Now that Americans live in a land where calorically dense foods are cheap and readily available, we are seeing an epidemic of overweight and obesity.
Refined sugar and simple carbohydrate foods are consumed in such excessive amounts that our liver processes the sugar into fat and sends it to the fat cells for storage. The transport system that accomplishes this includes cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the low density lipoprotein that is the culprit in clogging arteries). Doctors have known for some time that eating a low fat, low cholesterol diet is of little benefit for most people. Cutting consumption of sugar and simple carbohydrate will generally lower LDL and total cholesterol. This in turn lowers risk of heart disease and stroke.
Other research studies show that sugar can suppress the immune system and lower resistance against infections. This is one reason why diabetics with high blood sugar are prone to serious infections at such a high rate. High sugar consumption is linked to numerous cancers, including breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, lung and stomach. High sugar intake is linked to osteoporosis, obesity, and tooth decay and gum disease.
Various diseases of the intestinal tract can be caused or aggravated by sugar consumption. Type II diabetes is strongly associated with excess sugar intake. Indigestion and heartburn, poor absorption of nutrients, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are all linked to sugar. Alternative physicians are aware that high sugar intake can lead to overgrowth of Candida (yeast) in the small bowel and colon. This can lead to chronic fatigue, headaches, rashes, chronic vaginal yeast infections, arthritis and numerous other symptoms.
Sugar can contribute to cataracts, emphysema, constipation, gout, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, migraine headaches, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, adrenal gland exhaustion, and high blood pressure.
The liver and pancreas work together to keep the blood sugar level closely regulated between 70 – 100 mg percent. When high amounts of sugar or simple carbohydrates are consumed, the pancreas must secrete more insulin in order to help turn the sugar into fat. Researchers now have shown that chronic consumption of high amounts of sugar leads to insulin resistance. The body is increasingly unable to keep the sugar level in the normal range. As it creeps higher, a prediabetic condition occurs called the metabolic syndrome. This syndrome includes insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides (circulating fats), elevated total and LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and a generalized inflammation within the body. The inflammation drives the resulting degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, cancer and premature aging.
The solution to this problem is relatively simple (but not easy!). Refined sugar should be limited to occasional small amounts (less than an ounce). Simple carbohydrates are nearly as bad as actually eating sugar. The classic simple carb is wheat flour. This is ground up finely and the fiber is removed. As soon as we chew the flour in our food, enzymes in our mouth start breaking it down into sugar. By the time it exits the stomach, the sugars in the flour are rapidly absorbed in the small intestine. Other examples of simple carbohydrates include popcorn, rice cakes, white rice, quick oatmeal, fruit juices, pastas and most breakfast cereals.
Instead of these foods, eat more green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and small amounts of high quality meat and fish.
On a final note, research shows that sugar can be addictive. The most successful way to cut sugar intake down is to eliminate it entirely so that cravings do not sabotage your healthy eating program. The Ayurvedic herb gymnema has been shown to reduce cravings for sugar. Honey, molasses, cane sugar, corn syrup, rice syrup, fructose, glucose, dextrose, dextrin, and maltodextrin are all forms of sugar. Read labels and avoid foods with sugar to stay healthy. Detailed information can be found in the book “Lick the Sugar Habit” by Nancy Appleton or by going to www.mercola.com and typing in the search word sugar.
Daniel Blodgett MD