THE WHITE DEATH

OK, We’re going to discuss sugar today. Now all of our tongues taste sweet on the tip, so obviously, God created us to enjoy sweetness. Whole foods like fruits, veggies, dairy, and grains have natural sugars. They are food, so your body digests those carbs slowly, so your cells get a steady supply of energy. Added sugars, on the other hand, come in packaged foods and drinks. Your body does not need any added sugars.

Sugar consumption has become disturbingly common all over the world. We use it in absolutely everything from baked goods, to gum to mints to coffee. But like the saying that “all that glitters is not gold”, all that tastes good is not good for you! From your mouth to your stomach and even to your brain, sugar has numerous negative effects that can lead to long-term health issues. That's why I refer to it as the White Death.

In the mouth, sugar consumption leads to tooth decay and gum disease. It also creates an environment where gingivitis, periodontal disease and other gum diseases can form due to inflammation.

On the skin, sugar accelerates aging through glycation. That means that the sugar molecules bind to proteins like collagen, making them stiffer and less effective at their job of keeping skin healthy and supple. It also exacerbates conditions like acne and rosacea, because it increases oil production in the skin which can clog pores leading to breakouts.

Now let’s talk about the heart. Excess sugar has been linked to coronary artery disease because of how it contributes indirectly to inflammation throughout the body (which is a cause of atherosclerosis). I’ve talked about inflammation in several earlier shows and if you remember, inflammation is responsible for 98% of the critical health issues we deal with today.

But wait, there’s more! Consuming too much sugar throws off gut health by disrupting the microbiome balance of our intestines. I’m going to discuss this in more detail in an upcoming show.  But the imbalance created by over-consuming sugary foods can not only lead to problems such as indigestion but also pave the way for certain types of infections and autoimmune disorders over time.

The liver is another organ harmed by excessive sugar intake because it uses insulin (released from eating sugary foods) to convert any surplus sugars into fat for storage within the liver itself. Similar to overly consuming alcohol which places a heavy burden on the liver’s detoxification process, overloading it with sugar can take its toll over time with resulting complications such as liver cirrhosis or even cancer in some cases.

Last but certainly not least is how excessive amounts of sugar affect our brains – specifically how they light up the reward centers with dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure). In some cases studies have suggested that this stimuli may be more addictive than cocaine! You may know this as the “sugar high”. And if you have experienced that, you also know about the inevitable crash that follows shortly after.

Weight gain

Diabetes

Gout

High cholesterol

Poor sleep

Mood swings

ADHD

Kidney stones

Acceleration of the aging process

Ok, I hear you out there – But Karen, I don’t use sugar anymore. I’m sugar free! ARE YOU? I would suggest that possibly you’ve traded one poison for another. Which brings up artificial sweeteners and the dreaded sugar alcohols. But those will have to wait until next week!

In the meantime, speaking of sugar, why not go to the website at Herbgal.org and sign up for the FREE 5 day Stop the Sugar Challenge? It comes with 5 days of breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes as well as snacks. Plus a shopping list. All you need to do is give me an email address and I’ll send it right out. We just started the meal plans this month and people are loving them! I will be doing a free challenge every month, but if you have special needs or health issues you’re dealing with, I can customize a meal plan just for you. Don’t like broccoli? No problem. Allergic to seafood? I’ll take it out and provide you with a perfect plan that hits all your needs without pushing things that you don’t like and won’t eat. Summer’s coming and I want all of you healthy. So let’s cut back on the sugar and

LET’S GET BETTER!

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