SUGAR: Are we all addicts?

Sugar is much like a drug, we are left wanting more. Is it because it tastes good or is it something more complex? Could sugar be your addiction?  This is not just a silly cliché; it is backed by medical and psychological fact with case studies. So what’s the big deal? It’s just sugar.

Let’s start off with some random facts:

• On average, Americans eat in excess of 156 POUNDS of sugar a YEAR. For the record, that is more than I currently weigh and I am deeply disturbed by this number
• More than half of the sugar consumed by us is through beverages: soda, sports drinks, energy drinks and “juices”.
•  Research has directly linked sugar to increased levels of LDL (I like to remember that as the bad cholesterol by calling it “Loser” while HDL is the good cholesterol, the “hero”).
• Studies have revealed that tumors have been knows to feed on glucose, increasing their size.
• Sugar reduces/suppresses the immune system. After consuming things with sugar (such as bottle of soda) it temporarily inhibits the immune system. If sugar is consumed regularly, you are impairing your defense mechanisms for an even longer period of time.
• Refined sugar has been directly linked to all of these ailments/illnesses:·         

·         Hair Loss

·         ADD/ADHD

·         Obesity

·         Hypertension

·         Metabolic Syndrome

·         Cardiovascular Disease

·         Allergies

·         Dizziness & Insomnia

·         Type 2 Diabetes

·         Bipolar and other Mood Disorders

 There have been many controversial debates as to whether or not sugar is an actual “addiction”, but let’s see what the professionals have to say: -Neuroscientists have shown, using fMRI to scan the brain‘s activity in real-time, that sugar leads to dopamine release in the nucleus accumbency – an area associated with motivation, novelty, and reward.  This is the same brain region implicated in response to cocaine and heroin. - Nora Volker, a researcher at the National institutes for Drug Abuse has shown, using brain imaging, that there are similarities in the brains of obese people and those of drug addicts and alcoholics. This is indirect evidence, as we don’t know that sugar consumption caused this effect. - Nicole Avena, Ph.D., a Princeton researcher has shown that rats deprived of food for 12 hours and then given sucrose added to their regular food on a regular basis showed signs of bingeing, and increased searching for the sucrose (craving), These effects continued even after the sucrose had been withdrawn for one month. Withdrawal also occurred including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and increased aggression. Interestingly, the rats did not become obese – they cut down on regular food to compensate for the sucrose. Also, these effects were not shown in rats deprived of food and given just their regular food without sucrose. - Research suggests that sugar can lead to changes in dopamine receptors, such that tolerance develops – more of the substance is needed to get an effect. A decrease in some types of receptors (D2) occurred, which suggests an overall decreased ability to get pleasure from other substances and experiences.  This could make the person or animal more dependent on sugar for pleasure and reward, since the light of other experiences is dimmed. - Sugar consumption also leads to release of endogenous opioids in the brain; leading to a rush of pleasure, similar (although not of the same magnitude) as injecting heroin. Interestingly, heroin addicts show increased cravings for sweets when they are first abstinent. This effect, known as cross-tolerance, shows that addiction to one substance makes it easier to become addicted to another substance that may use the same brain chemistry. While we don’t know for sure that the same effects would occur in humans as animals, it is possible that eating too much sugary foods  could lead to cravings, withdrawal, tolerance (needing more to get an effect) and preoccupation with finding the favored food.  (Information gathered from http://www.psychologytoday.com/)

Given the abundance of information we have on the negative effects of sugar on the body, I believe it is time to start removing it. I can only speak from personal experience therefore that is precisely what I will do. Here is what I know:
I have never felt better when I removed sugar from my diet. I never felt worse when I broke down and consumed products containing high levels of sugar. That;s too generic of a statement, isn't it? Ok, here is a real time story for you. Just last night we hosted a birthday party at our house for our soon to be 9 year old. It was an outdoor movie night and we loaded the kids up with chips, candies and opted for “make your own sundae” instead of a traditional cake. Let’s face it, I was stressed. 10 wild boys all hopped up on sugar circling each other like sharks and then simultaneously crashing, this is not for the weak. However, weak is exactly what I had become. One by one, I popped in an Oreo here and some Reeses Cups there. To be honest, I lost track the number of times I performed my shameful hand scooping motion of throwing back candy, like that of a patient taking a pill. I was all charged up and felt fine. Then it came, the wave of nausea and then the dull headache which grew bigger as the hours ticked on. Unfortunately it did not end there, as I woke to feelings of depression and lethargy. Was it because the kids wore me down as I am now almost 40? Or was it the sugar? I will tell you that this is not my first sugar rodeo, I have experienced this before. I used to blame the environment, stress, fatigue, my job…you name it. Here is the truth, people: It’s the sugar. There is not a doubt in my mind that I have done this to myself. 
The issue here is that if I TELL someone this, much like a person would say " oh I am sooo hungover", I would be met with some eye rolls and scoffs. I have experimented with this before (expressing my sugar hangover) and its seems the majority of people say the same thing to me, “it’s a natural substance”. To that I reply “so is cyanide”. I will then add that cyanide is a chemical compound that is found in seeds such as the pit of wild cherry, but you won’t catch me eating it!  If you have ever tried to stop sugar cold turkey, you may find that it is not as easy as you thought. If you think I am nuts, just try it. Don't read just the nutritional values on the side of the packages either, read the ingredients..you will be SHOCKED at how many things contain sugar. 
Are you ready to take on the challenge?  What do you have to LOSE? (wink wink)
Speaking of losing- if you have any interest in learning about clean eating and transforming your life, visit www.allaboutomni.com. Time to skim some fat off the top? Visit my page, If I can do it, you can do it! 20 pounds in 30 days eating clean... yup, true story!

(please excuse the poor font transitions, I am hungover from sugar)...don't judge me !

visit me at www.allaboutomni.com