Statistics show that the average North American consumes about 150 pounds of sugar each year, 60 pounds of which is in the form of refined white sugar! Sugars not only feed the anaerobic forms of life and disease, but also cause the peaks and valleys, or ups and downs, in blood sugar & insulin levels, mood, mental focus and our energy.
To experience a substantial level of energy, mental focus, and sustained performance, the proper maintenance of constant and adequate glucose (blood sugar) levels is one of the body's most important functions.
A slow, steady absorption of glucose rather than rapid peaks and valleys which come from refined sugars, starches, and even high amounts of complex carbohydrates and fruit sugars, is key to maintaining level blood sugar.
Excess sugar consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weakened pancreas, digestive distress, allergies, Candida Albicans, hypoglycemia, type II diabetes, heart disease, stress, aging, as well as degenerative diseases. Over-consumption of sugars can even contribute to the increase of low density lipoproteins and heart disease.
In like manner, over-consumption of complex carbohydrates in the absence of a balanced amount of good fats and protein can be metabolized by the body just the same as refined sugars. This can trigger hypoglycemia and late onset diabetes, which statistics show are on the rise, particularly among vegetarians.
Although high blood sugar levels may be controlled by the use of insulin, there are associated complications with prolonged use of insulin. There is medical evidence that daily injections of insulin may be partly responsible for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. Dr. Bernard E. Lowenstein, M.D., reports that too much insulin can stimulate the production of excessive cholesterol in the body. High insulin doses can aggravate the tiny blood vessels, a condition characteristic of diabetes.
We are actually born with a palate for sweets but acquire the taste for sour, bitter, and other tastes later in life. So, for the most of us, sweet foods give us a sense of pleasure. Nature provides us with all the sugar we require through our foods; especially whole foods or superfoods which have the fiber, enzymes, co-enzymes, catalysts, trace minerals, and nutrients to properly assist the slow absorption and assimilation of the sugars that are contained in these foods.
There are some natural sugar substitutes that can be used to help you with your sweet tooth but the goal is to change your taste preference away from sweet/sugar. This can be done by reducing sugar consumption over time and replacing sweet with nutrient dense fat and protein foods.
I work on nutrition with all my patients and address some of these exact changes on an individual basis. Contact me for one on one health support and book a visit today! www.drlindseynd.com
HEALTHIER SWEETENERS
STEVIA
Stevia is a natural plant extract which is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, with hardly any calories. Stevia does not feed yeast or Candida and should be a natural sweetener of choice when dealing with parasites, fungal infections, diabetes and hypoglycemia.
MAPLE SYRUP
Dark, pure maple syrup is an unprocessed sweetener and has naturally occurring minerals and nutrients. The natural minerals and nutrients help slow the absorption into the blood stream so you do not get as strong of a spike in blood sugar as we see with white sugar.
DATES
Whole dates contain fiber and nutrients and make a great option to add sweetness to smoothies, recipes, or to have with tea. The fiber and nutrients of the dates help slow spikes in blood sugar.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Be sure to include healthy fats in your daily diet. Omega-3 essential fatty acids from natural oils are essential to health, but your body cannot manufacture it. Therefore, they must be consumed daily in your diet. Essential fatty acids also play a very important role in keeping the blood sugar level.
For example, give a bottle of soda pop or sugar water to one child and a bucket of ice cream to another. Assuming that both of these foods contain the same amount of sugar, you will notice that the child drinking the soda pop will have an elevated glycemic index, whereas the child eating the ice cream will not have elevated blood sugar. The second child's blood sugar was not elevated, not because the ice cream is a wonderful food or had less sugar, but because the ice cream, along with the sugar, contained fat and protein.
WHOLE FOODS AND A BALANCED DIET
After an initial cleanse, consider a balanced diet of properly combined whole foods. Work to develop a balanced diet high in fiber, high-moderate in fat, moderate in protein, and moderate-low in carbohydrates. Eat organic whole foods with sufficient quantities of quality protein and fat at each meal.
When your blood sugar drops, you may become drowsy, foggy or sluggish. When elevated, high blood sugar may cause you to become jittery, irritable and hyperactive, with no mental focus.
To avoid the peaks and valleys that come from refined foods, stay with a simple diet containing quality proteins such as lean meats, fish, free range eggs, avocados, coconut oil, grass fed butter, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and lots of green vegetables.
Our bodies are genetically programmed to repair, regenerate and fight diseases every living moment of our lives. The same way a wound, a broken bone or a cut heals itself before your eyes, our body is capable and is programmed to repair, regenerate, and fight diseases every living moment of our lives.
Health is gained or lost at the cellular level on a daily basis. The quality of the cells you build, your immune function, mental acuity, longevity, and quality of life are dependent upon and begin with your next meal.
To experience a substantial level of energy, mental focus, and sustained performance, the proper maintenance of constant and adequate glucose (blood sugar) levels is one of the body's most important functions.
A slow, steady absorption of glucose rather than rapid peaks and valleys which come from refined sugars, starches, and even high amounts of complex carbohydrates and fruit sugars, is key to maintaining level blood sugar.
Excess sugar consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weakened pancreas, digestive distress, allergies, Candida Albicans, hypoglycemia, type II diabetes, heart disease, stress, aging, as well as degenerative diseases. Over-consumption of sugars can even contribute to the increase of low density lipoproteins and heart disease.
In like manner, over-consumption of complex carbohydrates in the absence of a balanced amount of good fats and protein can be metabolized by the body just the same as refined sugars. This can trigger hypoglycemia and late onset diabetes, which statistics show are on the rise, particularly among vegetarians.
Although high blood sugar levels may be controlled by the use of insulin, there are associated complications with prolonged use of insulin. There is medical evidence that daily injections of insulin may be partly responsible for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. Dr. Bernard E. Lowenstein, M.D., reports that too much insulin can stimulate the production of excessive cholesterol in the body. High insulin doses can aggravate the tiny blood vessels, a condition characteristic of diabetes.
We are actually born with a palate for sweets but acquire the taste for sour, bitter, and other tastes later in life. So, for the most of us, sweet foods give us a sense of pleasure. Nature provides us with all the sugar we require through our foods; especially whole foods or superfoods which have the fiber, enzymes, co-enzymes, catalysts, trace minerals, and nutrients to properly assist the slow absorption and assimilation of the sugars that are contained in these foods.
There are some natural sugar substitutes that can be used to help you with your sweet tooth but the goal is to change your taste preference away from sweet/sugar. This can be done by reducing sugar consumption over time and replacing sweet with nutrient dense fat and protein foods.
I work on nutrition with all my patients and address some of these exact changes on an individual basis. Contact me for one on one health support and book a visit today! www.drlindseynd.com
HEALTHIER SWEETENERS
STEVIA
Stevia is a natural plant extract which is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, with hardly any calories. Stevia does not feed yeast or Candida and should be a natural sweetener of choice when dealing with parasites, fungal infections, diabetes and hypoglycemia.
MAPLE SYRUP
Dark, pure maple syrup is an unprocessed sweetener and has naturally occurring minerals and nutrients. The natural minerals and nutrients help slow the absorption into the blood stream so you do not get as strong of a spike in blood sugar as we see with white sugar.
DATES
Whole dates contain fiber and nutrients and make a great option to add sweetness to smoothies, recipes, or to have with tea. The fiber and nutrients of the dates help slow spikes in blood sugar.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Be sure to include healthy fats in your daily diet. Omega-3 essential fatty acids from natural oils are essential to health, but your body cannot manufacture it. Therefore, they must be consumed daily in your diet. Essential fatty acids also play a very important role in keeping the blood sugar level.
For example, give a bottle of soda pop or sugar water to one child and a bucket of ice cream to another. Assuming that both of these foods contain the same amount of sugar, you will notice that the child drinking the soda pop will have an elevated glycemic index, whereas the child eating the ice cream will not have elevated blood sugar. The second child's blood sugar was not elevated, not because the ice cream is a wonderful food or had less sugar, but because the ice cream, along with the sugar, contained fat and protein.
WHOLE FOODS AND A BALANCED DIET
After an initial cleanse, consider a balanced diet of properly combined whole foods. Work to develop a balanced diet high in fiber, high-moderate in fat, moderate in protein, and moderate-low in carbohydrates. Eat organic whole foods with sufficient quantities of quality protein and fat at each meal.
When your blood sugar drops, you may become drowsy, foggy or sluggish. When elevated, high blood sugar may cause you to become jittery, irritable and hyperactive, with no mental focus.
To avoid the peaks and valleys that come from refined foods, stay with a simple diet containing quality proteins such as lean meats, fish, free range eggs, avocados, coconut oil, grass fed butter, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and lots of green vegetables.
Our bodies are genetically programmed to repair, regenerate and fight diseases every living moment of our lives. The same way a wound, a broken bone or a cut heals itself before your eyes, our body is capable and is programmed to repair, regenerate, and fight diseases every living moment of our lives.
Health is gained or lost at the cellular level on a daily basis. The quality of the cells you build, your immune function, mental acuity, longevity, and quality of life are dependent upon and begin with your next meal.