I have put myself through many sugar detoxes, one lasting ten years, trying to relieve myself of the grip of this addiction and how it has affected my health (as you can see in the number of posts in my blog relating to this subject....). Sugar comes in many forms - alcohol, white sugar, honey, fruit, starchy carbohydrates like white flour and fried potatoes, juice, etc - and if you crave any of these forms then you are most likely addicted.
There can also be an emotional addiction to sugar, certainly in my experience, in that it provides enjoyment in life and fulfills a yearning not being met in other more healthy ways. This enjoyment in moderation is not usually problematic but most Americans don’t really know what moderation is in this arena. The brain, body, and emotional aspects of this addiction can make it harder to quit than some hard drugs!
Years ago in an endocrinology seminar I learned of insulin resistance and how this leads to inflammation in the body, which can cause a variety of diseases. I read recently of the connection between dementia/Alzheimer’s and sugar/starch addiction. Insulin and the process of converting sugar into energy is vital to our health. Too much sugar can cause problems with this conversion, disrupting many normal body functions as well as emotional and mental stability. Practicing balance is the end goal, but discovering what your body can actually handle usually requires gradual abstinence and reintroduction of these possibly dangerous substances.
More posts will be forthcoming to help you increase your awareness of the affects of sugar on your body, in a gradual whole food sugar detox program that I will guide you through. I do not recommend sudden abstinence, and please consult your doctor if you suffer from any long term health conditions!
No comments:
Post a Comment