“The longer I have it, the more I need. Whenever I’m on it, my whole body hurts and my memory is fuzzy, but if I try to quit, I get angry. My vision changes like I’m looking through a filter and I feel like I can’t function. I’m scared of what I’ll do.”
The above scenario is not referring to an illegal substance. It refers to a legal drug available in every store on every shelf, and almost everywhere. I’m talking about sugar. It’s easy to glance over this topic thanks to decades of commercial conditioning and downplayed dangers, but it is one worth educating yourself on.
A friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer some time ago. He was shocked to discover the prep for the treatment was an injection of sugar. When he asked the doctor why they explained that cancer loves and feeds on sugar, they inject the sugar into the affected area and allow the treatment to attack as many of the cancer cells as possible.
Sugar is NOT your friend.
Processed sweeteners send a dangerously pleasant high to your chemosensory system. It quickly begins to change your taste cells, nerves, and neurobehavior. A high-sugar diet reshapes and deadens nerve responsiveness to stimuli.
It may appear challenging to cut processed sugar for good when it goes by so many names, and 80% of all grocery store foods contain added sugar, and the FDA does not try to regulate it at all! They deem processed sugar in all of its forms is perfectly safe in any amount. Taken directly from their site, they stated:
“In accordance with § 184.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice.”
That is a load of crap and here are three reasons why.
Obesity
According to Eric Edmeades, the serial entrepreneur and outdoors enthusiast, “Obesity is seven times more lethal than an entire pack of cigarettes a day”. His logic behind this is that you see older people smoking all the time, but you rarely see elderly obese people. Why? Because obesity will not allow you to live that long.
When you are overweight, the inflammation puts a strain on your heart and lungs, putting you at a greater risk for heart disease, inflamed or clogged arteries, reduced blood flow, reduced oxygen, and neurological problems.
More than 100 million American adults are simultaneously obese and diabetic or pre-diabetic. That is not a coincidence.
Neurological Damage
Sugar affects an overwhelming portion of your ability to process thoughts. Increased glucose destroys blood vessels and reduces vital oxygen in the brain. This causes slower cognitive function and evaporates your memory and attention span. Technology and sensory overload are only a piece of the blame for our short attention spans, but sugar is a significant contributor.
One of my clients struggled to remember things at work, keep her focus, and complete tasks that took more than 5 minutes. She said she felt like a squirrel constantly beginning one task and remembering another, so she’d hop in it immediately. She could not escape the hamster wheel, and her career was suffering for it. She was rarely able to meet deadlines. We decided it was time to reduce sugar in her diet significantly.
Once she realized how her addiction affected her money, she decided it was worth the investment to join my sugar detox. Within three weeks, not only was her memory improved, but she could focus and complete tasks that took 2 to 3 hours. Additionally, her seasonal and environmental allergies VANISHED! It is incredible what removing one ingredient from your diet can do.
Mood
Raised blood glucose also compromises emotional processing.
Have you experienced a vision change when you are depressed? It almost looks like you’re looking at the world through sunglasses or a color-altering lens.
That is typically a result of inflamed retinal nerves as well as decreased or distorted brain function. Depression is simply neurological inflammation.
Processed and refined sugars are the number one cause.
“A study, published in 2017 in the journal Scientific Reports, found those with the highest level of sugar consumption were 23% more likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder than those with the lowest sugar intakes.”
Cutting out sugar might seem like a challenge, but there are plenty of resources out there to help you kick it to the curb. For starters, it’s essential to learn why you’re craving sugar and how to fix it.
Some sweet alternatives for your sweets include:
- Coconut Sugar
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Apples
- Bananas
- Berries
- Dates
- Figs
- Sweet Potatoes
In complete honesty, I’m not an advocate for monk fruit or agave. Doing your research on natural sweeteners can be fun and lucrative! Swapping processed sweeteners for real food not only reduces your risk for countless health effects but contributes to your wellness.
Be your own success story. Click here to discover how you can learn to kick sugar addiction for good, eat what you love, and love what you eat.
Bringing the family back to the table,
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