Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change the way our metabolism uses specific amino acids to make the neurotransmitters needed for proper brain function. Eating refined carbohydrates increase the level of the amino acid tryptophan, which helps to create the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is the calming neurotransmitter. So when we need to relax we will crave sugar so that we can create more serotonin. This is one of the main reasons sugar is so addictive.
Refined sugars are added to many foods to improve the taste. Sugar consumption has increase dramatically since the 1950's. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated in 1993 that the average American ate 130 pounds of sugar per year, in 1998 it went to 147 pounds of sugar, and now this number is around 170 pounds of sugar per year. This includes whole sugar and many forms of processed sugars, including high fructose corn syrup. If you are tired all the time, look at your level of sugar consumption and foods that turn to sugar quickly in your system.
Sugars and other sweeteners are used in most processed foods today. Sugar can be hidden as many different names such as sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, maltose, lactose, and high fructose corn syrup. All of these are names of refined sugars. If a food you are buying has any of these names on the label as the first ingredient, or a combination of them as one of the first four ingredients, do not buy it! It will cause blood sugar imbalances over time, and affect your immune system.
High fructose corn syrup was developed in 1966 as a sweetener to blend into processed foods. It is made from cornstarch and turns into fructose and glucose. This type of processed fructose is metabolized differently than glucose and can contribute to high triglycerides and insulin resistance. Fructose found in whole fruits does not have the adverse affect of processed fructose, and should not contribute to higher blood fats. But we are getting more processed fructose as an additive in foods. The consumption of high fructose corn syrup increased to an average of 62.6 pounds per person in 2001.
Our body, especially our brain, uses glucose for energy. Glucose is found in fruits and vegetables, and is used in the metabolism of all plants and animals. Yet, overuse of sugar, especially processed sugars in adults and children causes the adrenals to work harder, putting out more adrenaline than is necessary. With excess adrenaline there is a feeling of constant stress and anxiety in adults. In children it is seen as hyperactivity, concentration difficulties, and irritability. Concentration is affected because brain wave activity increases and focusing on one subject becomes more difficult. Over time, when the brain cells have been stressed too long, symptoms of depression will begin to occur. At this stage the whole system becomes overwhelmed, causing symptoms of fatigue and indifference, signaling that we need a rest. If depression is caused by excess refined sugar intake, no matter what medication is taken, the symptoms will not be alleviated properly.
Eating sugar is worse than eating nothing. Do not eat sugar-based foods just to try to get food into your system. Soft drinks are one of the worst drinks to consume on a regular basis. The average can of soda pop contains eight to nine teaspoons of sugar. This amount of sugar that is usually consumed in a very short period of time creates havoc with sugar metabolism in the liver. In response, the body must mobilize large amounts of adrenalin and insulin to clear the sugar from the bloodstream. Fruit juices are not much better. Juices contain about the same amount of sugar as soft drinks. They are basically sugar water with very few nutrients. Drinking juices or soft drinks regularly can lead to significant health problems as well as blood sugar disorders.
Recent studies show that 30% of our foods are basically high sugar, high carbohydrate junk foods, and children are some of the worst offenders. Too much sugar does affect our brain function. B-complex vitamins are used to process glutamic acid, which is needed by the brain. B-complex vitamins are used to metabolize excessive sugars. If you get sleepy after eating, or cannot think clearly, look at the level of processed sugars in your meals, especially the hidden ones, to see what may be causing these problems to occur. Avoiding processed sugars in our diet can prevent many potential chronic health issues.
Dr. Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is Naturopath and Doctor of Homeopathy in Southwest Michigan. She is the author of "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia" and "Natural Choices for Attention Deficit Disorder". She is a professional speaker on a variety of natural health topics, and can be reached at doctoroelke@aol.com and doctoroelke@aol.com
Alexis limo rentals ..Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples... Read More
We come from a society where growing organic and just... Read More
You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
In parts 1-4 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First... Read More
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin like A and E.... Read More
Before the thirties, people knew the importance of mineral. Their... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
Eating right to suit your blood type" is a subject... Read More
Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse... Read More
car service from Midway Alsip ..Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Copyright ? 2004 priya shah Glutathione, the body's... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
I confess: I'm completely addicted to Pringles. My determination weakens... Read More
Can we really stop the aging process, slow it down,... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Nutrition |