Sugar Ills

(Don't let sugar get the best of you!)

My Dad told me about Nightline's segment on sugar (above)- appropriately titled, "Sugar Wars" which just aired the other day (Thanks Dad!). He was curious to know what I thought and if I heard of Dr. Robert Lustig, who is gaining notoriety from his YouTube Video, Sugar: The Bitter Truth (below).


Please note: I have not viewed in it's entirety just yet...

The average American consumes 170 pounds of sugar per year, which has been linked with heart disease, cancer, severe PMS, memory loss, depression, fatigue, headaches, infertility, low libido, polycystic ovary syndrome and many other ailments.

Lustig argues that the current obesity epidemic is due to the marked increase in people's consumption of fructose over the last 30 years. He also points out that fructose is toxic in large quantities, because it is metabolized in the liver in the same way as alcohol- which drives fat storage and makes the brain think it is hungry.



You have all probably seen these commercials sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association trying to save their industry, high fructose corn syrup. They are spending an estimated $30 million dollars on the ads, but don't be fooled.

High fructose corn syrup is highly processed and NOT in any way good for you. I do believe that most health issues stem from consumption of too much sugar. Especially for those who are consuming a SAD diet (highly processed + refined).

I still indulge in sugar from time to time, but it is definitely in moderation and generally in a piece of organic dark chocolate. When I eat it- I enjoy it, but if I eat a lot of it I notice my teeth feel more sensitive and I just feel a little "off". This happens even more so with agave (don't be fooled with those "raw" treats either).

Sugar affects the liver, upsets the balance of flora (ie yeast), taxes the adrenals, and so on. Be aware of what you are eating. I hope with more awareness and education we all will make smarter choices. Remember we get to vote with our dollars each and every time we make a purchase. Who do you want to support? I really like Michael Pollan's simple Food Rule #19: If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't.

So glad the truth is coming out on prime time TV. Please share with those you love.