Is Sugar Toxic?

“In 1980, roughly 1 in 7 Americans were obese, and almost six million were diabetic, and the obesity rates, at least, hadn’t changed significantly in the 20 years previously. By the early 2000s, when sugar consumption peaked, 1 in every 3 Americans are obese, and 14 million were diabetic.”

~ Gary Taubes, NY Times

In today’s society it is common knowledge that Americans are facing a health epidemic. A boom in obesity and diabetes. On May 26th, 2009 a professor, Robert Lustig, gave a lecture called “Sugar: The Bitter Truth.” This sparked a huge viewing and a lot more research into sugar. One journalist from NY Times, Gary Taubes, wrote a very intriguing article in which all the italicized paragraphs are quoted from in this article.
 

Is Sugar Toxic? Article by Gary Taubes

In our practice we are constantly reminding people that sugar is bad for them, it is hard on organs such as pancreas, liver, kidneys and the brain. This goes for all people across races, ethnic, genders, etc. These organs are vital in detoxification, metabolism, and SO MUCH MORE!! For people who have diabetes there is a multitude of interactions that must be corrected in order to regain a person’s health.

In Gary Taubes article he talks about how Diabetes Mellitus type II and insulin resistance is due to a dysfunction of the pancreas not being able to release enough insulin. This theory is not completely true.

One of my mentors discussed with me one of his research findings that in a cadaver study while looking at Type II Diabetics, some of the cadavers in the study had normal pancreatic insulin function. This means that the pancreas was able to release normal levels of insulin but the patient was still diagnosed with diabetes. This means that when addressing issues of high blood sugar we must look at both pancreas function and insulin receptor sites.

Sugar is not just an empty calorie, Lustig says; its effect on us is much more insidious. “It’s not about the calories,” he says. “It has nothing to do with the calories. It’s a poison by itself.”

Is Sugar Toxic? Article by Gary Taubes

If Lustig is right, then our excessive consumption of sugar is the primary reason that the numbers of obese and diabetic Americans have skyrocketed in the past 30 years. But his argument implies more than that. If Lustig is right, it would mean that sugar is also the likely dietary cause of several other chronic ailments widely considered to be diseases of Western lifestyles — heart disease, hypertension and many common cancers among them.

I believed this article to be very valuable. Doctors such as myself love gloating to the everyone and telling them to “do this” and “do that” but yet modern medicine (in the past) has refused to believe what we (Holistic providers) say is true. Finally the research is here proving it. Dr. DeJarnette and Dr. Rees to worldly renowned doctors dedicated a few decades of their life to research and helping people feel better. So much research like this article are finally getting out and opening eyes and ears.

Closing Thought

A key point in the article, the writer states “... because he’s willing to insist publicly and unambiguously, when most researchers are not, that sugar is a toxic substance that people abuse. In Lustig’s view, sugar should be thought of, like cigarettes and alcohol, as something that’s killing us.”

I hope you all take GREAT care of your bodies! Remember, you only have one!

Dysglycemia: Body Disruptor

Dysglycemia

Do you have poor focus and concentration? Do you have some extra pounds around your waist that will not seem to leave no matter how much exercise or healthy eating you do? You very well may have a blood sugar issue.

Dysglycemia is defined as any disorder of blood sugar (glucose) metabolism. This includes incompetent pancreatic function and/or faulty insulin receptor sites. Poor blood sugar metabolism is highly common in the U.S. population today. The “SAD” (Standard American Diet) is very low in essential fatty acids and fiber, but high in polyunsaturated fats and sugar which will promote blood sugar disorders for decades to come.

"Diabetes Mellitus type II has become explosive in today’s society, and studies have predicted that it will bankrupt the national healthcare system over the next decade."

Health Considerations:

Dysglycemia disrupts ALL aspects of human physiology; muscular performance, digestion, hormones, and central nervous system function including neurotransmitter production. If the body is unable to adequately digest and utilize blood sugar from our diet, it leads to oxidative stress which results in inflammatory processes and free radicals causing cell death.

In our office, it is astounding how many patients fight depression, anxiety and/or dementia. Several of our patients have decreased the signs and symptoms of these issues just by managing their blood sugar better. Issues like these are often a direct result of unresolved blood sugar metabolism. Years of misery and sadness can be avoided if your blood sugar is regulated appropriately.

The current healthcare model does not adequately manage or prevent the progression of dysglycemia. We have to remember that we get our energy from blood sugar properly converted to ATP (cellular energy). When blood sugar is not properly regulated it may lead to the following:

1. Increased Risk for coagulation (Clots)
2. Arteriosclerosis
3. Difficulty losing weight
4. High Cholesterol
5. Hormone Disorders in Women and Men
6. Increased Risk for Infections
7. Fatigue
8. Hypothyroid
9. Anemia
10. Allergies/Food Sensitivities
11. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Adrenal)
12. Dementia / Alzheimer's
13. Early Onset Aging
14. Insomnia
15. Chronic Pain patterns - Fibromyalgia

Types:

There are two main types of blood sugar problems that should be identified before diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, insulin resistance and reactive hypoglycemia.

Reactive Hypoglycemia takes effect when the pancreas pumps out too much insulin due to spikes in blood sugar, this is typically the result of sweets or other high glycemic foods. These types of people space out easily, have poor short term memory, irritable and short-tempered if they go too long between meals. These people often have difficulty eating breakfast because of nausea or lack of appetite and feel exhausted around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune reaction. This article discusses insulin receptor issues.

Please understand what a normal functioning insulin receptor site does.

The second type of blood sugar problem typically results in high blood sugar levels, a fasting glucose above 100 mg/dL termed insulin resistant.

This particular group of people are on their way to Type 2 Diabetes in a very short time if lifestyle modification (diet and exercise) is not changed quickly. Insulin resistance is also known as Syndrome X or Metabolic Syndrome in current literature. Insulin is normally used to allow glucose into the cell, the same way a key gets put into the lock of a door to open it. The excess amount of insulin in high blood sugar exhaust the lock (cell), making the key (insulin) not work effectively, therefore the cells become insulin resistant. 

     In this respect the cells are not receiving their food supply and lacking the ability to make energy. These types of people fall asleep easily after a meal. If this particular person eats a rich-carbohydrate meal they typically nod-off after the meal. People with this issue often find it difficult to fall asleep, they may need coffee or sweets after a meal to keep from napping, and have a very difficult time losing weight. When these people get stressed, it is very easy to put on unwanted weight.

     So with respect of knowing these 2 types of dysglycemia, our office can effectively manage and assist people with these blood sugar issues with nutritional supplementation, SOT chiropractic methods, change in dietary habits, and better exercise routines.

In Conclusion:

Dysglycemia is not something that you should just watch and monitor until full blown Diabetes. In my opinion this is a serious problem that is overlooked by our current healthcare model. Take it upon yourself to recognize the symptoms and seek help and support. At Weber Chiropractic we are passionate about educating patients and making sure they know what their body can handle and not handle to keep it healthy.

If you are interested in discussing your case with our office staff, please contact our office, www.weberchiroca.com.