When you hear the word sugar, you probably think of your favorite dessert. Maybe you are all about cookies or cakes. Or perhaps you are a candy bar or chocolate addict. Sugar is what makes those desserts so delectable.
But did you know that sugar is a large percent of what you eat? Even the things that aren’t desserts or sweets? Sugar is everywhere and in almost everything, including many foods you often think of as healthy. Too much sugar is not good for your body.
If you have tried cutting back on sugar and have not been successful, you are not alone. Sugar addiction is real. Some people swear sugar is more addictive than drugs!
The doctors at Balanced Care are friendly and experienced, and they want to help you live your best and most healthy life. They have the experience and tools necessary to help you overcome your body’s craving for sugar.
A Balanced Care approach does not rely on conventional drugs or medicine to get results. Instead, they follow a holistic approach that aims to cure the root of the problem, not merely treat the symptoms.
Sugar addiction is something that people struggle with all over the world. But what is sugar addiction? And what does eating too much sugar do to your body? Among the many effects sugar has on your body, these five are the most noticeable and the most detrimental.
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of your body’s natural response to fight off bacteria and viruses. Your brain directs white blood cells to protect the body against anything that can harm it. Unfortunately, our body sometimes triggers an inflammatory response when there is no disease or germ to fight. In this case, the body’s immune system — which is supposed to protect the body — attacks and damages itself.
There are many symptoms of inflammation, including redness and swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints, or diminished joint function. Inflammation can also cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, chills, muscle stiffness, and reduced appetite. Overeating sugar causes inflammation in your body. Excess sugar causes pain in your joints and swelling.
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Depression
When you eat sugar, there is a release of dopamine into your brain. Dopamine is called the feel-good chemical, or happy chemical. All sugar causes your body to release dopamine, but processed foods elicit a more significant release than whole foods. Over time, this trains your body to desire foods that will give your brain a more massive dose of dopamine. You will crave sugar more and more, and feel depressed without it.
This release and subsequent drop in these hormones creates a roller coaster type feel in your brain. The symptoms include feeling fatigued, irritable, dizzy, and depressed. Furthermore, excessive sugar intake is linked to depression because converting sugar to energy requires B vitamins, which enhance mood. Processing sugar also uses up your supply of chromium, which regulates blood sugar levels.
Arthritis
Whether you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, arthritis is an inflammation of your joints. All types of arthritis cause joint pain and stiffness. Sugary foods can increase your risk of inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
While sugar has not been shown to cause arthritis directly, it can worsen the symptoms if you already have the condition. Furthermore, being overweight or obese can put more pressure on your joints, causing even more symptoms.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, it is wise to avoid sugar to help keep your inflammation under control. Corticosteroids, a common medicine used to treat RA, also increase blood glucose levels, so controlling your sugar intake is all the more essential.
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Gum Disease
Too much sugar inflames your gums and damages your teeth. The bacteria build-up that causes cavities and gingivitis thrives on sugar that sticks to your teeth after eating sweet things. Eating too much sugar can also lead to painful cavities. Over time, oral inflammation develops into gum disease, which can cause pain while chewing and tooth loss.
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Problems
Over-consuming sugar can make your liver resistant to insulin. When this happens, your body isn’t able to control your blood sugar, which leads to Type 2 diabetes. Excess insulin in the bloodstream can affect your circulatory system, especially your arteries. The walls of the arteries grow and become firm, causing extra stress on your heart. This added stress can cause heart disease and heart attacks.
The pancreas is another organ affected by the insulin-imbalance caused by overeating sugar. The pancreas is responsible for secreting insulin into the body. However, your body doesn’t respond correctly to insulin if there is too much in your system. This imbalance triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin, potentially causing the pancreas to overwork and shut down.
It should come as no surprise that sugar addiction can lead to excess body weight. People who consume a large amount of sugar, particularly in sugary drinks and processed foods, generally weigh more. They are also more likely to have Type 2 Diabetes.
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Can a Nutritional Detox Help?
So what if you’ve been eating too much sugar? Good news! The experts at Balanced Care can help. They offer a 14- or a 21-day Detox that helps eliminate toxins from your body and allow it to heal. This detox will aid in weight loss, increase your energy levels, enhance digestion, and reduce inflammation, among other benefits.
The Detox prescribed by the doctors at Balanced Care supports bodily functions throughout your system including liver, skin, intestines, and kidneys. You will eliminate bad habits and learn new and healthy ways to eat.
If you want help undoing the damage that eating too much sugar has done to your body, call the doctors at Balanced Care today. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will meet with you and design a plan that meets your goals and fits your needs. You will be supported and encouraged every step of the way.
Take your health, and your habits, into your own hands. Call Balanced Care and kick sugar addiction to the curb.