If you decide on becoming a healthy person, breaking the sugar addiction is very important indeed. You need to get rid of sugar out of you life once and for all, it could be the major sticking point and preventing your complete recovery!
If you decide to become a healthy person, breaking the sugar addiction is very important indeed. You need to get rid of sugar out of you life once and for all; it could be the major sticking point and preventing your complete recovery!
“If Obama wanted to make radical changes to America’s health long-term, all he has to do was treble the price of sugar.” — Jamie Oliver
If you want to break the sugar addiction, give yourself at least 3 months, because that is how long it can take for you to break away from this extremely addictive substance. Because sugars and refined carbohydrates are so addictive, the first few days of being off them can be quite difficult. There is no doubt; you will experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms. After about four days, you’ll break the cycle. Then, try some sugar to see its impact on your body. I can assure you, it isn’t pleasant experience.
To repair your body’s digestion to the point where it can tolerate small amounts of unprocessed sugars, it can take from 3 to 6 months. This allows you not only to wean off that sugar addiction, but it also gives your digestive system the time it needs to heal and to develop the health bacterial flora so important in keeping that overgrowth of candida yeast at bay.
One of the best ways to wean off sugar is by following a whole food plan just like I have outlined in this website. Check out my healthy food choices and junk food page. After your health starts to improve significantly, you can start testing small amounts of whole sugar foods like pure maple syrup, malt extract, and honey. If you notice the burping, bloating and gas production again, then reduce and stop these sugary foods and focus on the whole foods again. Once you begin to re-introduce these sweet foods into your diet, do it slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to remain on the probiotic during this stage as well, and this is one of the main reasons why the probiotic is the last dietary supplement for you to stop taking during your period of recovery from any illness.
Bacteria and yeasts in your gut loves sugar and sweets, and if the bugs don’t get fed on the most refined of carbohydrates (the simple sugars), honey or molasses will do.
Bugs are not fussy, they will feed on the sugar you supply it in your diet, whether it be a refined sugar or a less refined sugar like the fructose in fruit which will be perfectly acceptable. The more severe a chronic gut problem is, the higher the demand for these sugars will be, and the more pronounced the symptoms of bloating and gas will be as a consequence for most people. Sugar is also contained is most processed foods such as smoked luncheon meats, tomato sauce (ketchup), soup, etc. so reading labels carefully is very important. Reading labels can be tricky if you don’t know the many names of sugar and sweeteners. Here’s a partial list to help you wean yourself from that sugar addiction!
Aspartame, carob powder, corn starch crystalline carbohydrate dextrin dextrose, disaccharides, fructose, galactose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, levulose, malts of any kind, maltitol, maltodextrin, maltose (malt sugar), mannitol, mannitol, mono-saccharides, sucrose NutraSweet, polydextrose, polysaccharides, ribose, saccharin, sorghum, suamiel, succanat.
Please note, not all sugar substitutes directly feeds candida, but all of them damage the immune system, and most are neuro-toxic (causing damage and disturbances to the brain and nervous system).
For many years, it has been known that sugar significantly depresses the immune system, largely due to the work of Linus Pauling.Pauling is the only person ever to have received two unshared Nobel Prizes, one for Chemistry (1954) and for Peace (1962). He concluded that white blood cells require a high dose of vitamin C. This led to his theory that high doses of vitamin C are necessary to combat the common cold, flu, and even cancer.
Did you know that vitamin C and sugar have similar chemical structures so that means they compete with one another for entry into the cells? If there is more sugar around, less vitamin C is allowed into the cell, and vice versa. It is interesting that taking vitamin C also helps curb sugar, alcohol and high carbohydrate cravings.
Since our bodies cannot make vitamin C on it’s own it must be obtained from foods or supplements on a daily basis. Try taking 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily if you have strong sugar cravings. You might be quite surprised to find that you no longer want that ice cream or cookie after your main meal.
Here’s a rewritten version:
– Sugar weakens the body’s defenses against bacterial infections.
– It serves as a primary food source for yeast, particularly candida.
– Sugar disrupts the balance of essential minerals in the body.
– It hinders the absorption of calcium and magnesium.
– Sugar can also interfere with protein absorption.
– It has the potential to alter the structure of proteins.
– Sugar contributes to increased fluid retention in the body.
– It can lead to hormonal imbalances.
– Sugar acts as an addictive substance, producing effects similar to those of alcohol.
– It reduces oxygen supply to your cells.
– Ultimately, sugar can contribute to illness and weight gain.
Insulin, a hormone from the pancreas, facilitates the body’s use of blood glucose by binding to cell receptors, akin to a key fitting into a lock. Once unlocked, glucose enters cells, where it’s either used for energy or stored as glycogen in the liver or muscles.
Cells become insulin resistant to protect against high insulin levels needed to manage blood sugar from sugary/carbohydrate-rich diets. This reduces receptor activity, akin to lowering loud music volume to avoid constant irritation. Insulin resistance leads to issues like fatigue, hypoglycemia, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Insulin has a lesser-known but vital role in the storage of magnesium. When cells become resistant to insulin, magnesium cannot be effectively stored and is lost through urine. This loss impairs muscle relaxation, resulting in constricted blood vessels and muscles, which in turn elevates blood pressure and decreases energy levels.
Intracellular magnesium is necessary for energy production within cells, and it is also needed for proper insulin action and production. Elevated insulin levels further deplete magnesium, exacerbating insulin resistance. This detrimental cycle often starts early in life, underscoring the importance of avoiding sugar and high-carbohydrate foods to support overall health.
If you’re looking to cut sugar from your diet, consider Gymnema. This incredible herb blocks sugar receptors, making it an ideal companion during the first month after quitting sugar. While it has a slightly bitter taste, you’ll quickly adjust to it. The best part? Gymnema doesn’t harm beneficial bacteria or cause die-off; it simply helps to curb those pesky sugar cravings.
Xylitol is another great option, known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it’s very heat stable. I love using it in cooking and baking because it tastes fantastic. Just remember to consume Xylitol in moderation—avoid it during the first three to four weeks. As you progress and your cravings decrease, you can start incorporating small amounts of Xylitol and Stevia back into your diet.
When working with patients who have severe candida issues, I often recommend abstaining from all sweeteners until they’ve achieved a few important milestones:
A) Breaking the sugar or sweet addiction cycle
B) Learning to shop without the need for a sweet treat
C) Balancing their digestive flora (no more bloating or gas)
D) No longer needing sugar between meals (like in tea or coffee) or after meals (for dessert)
Have you heard of Gymnema Sylvestre? This herb can significantly reduce the perception of sweetness when placed in your mouth. Its leaves contain glycosides called gymnemic acids, which exhibit powerful anti-sweet effects lasting up to two hours after applying a small amount to your tongue. Carrying a small bottle with you during your sugar-free journey can be a game changer.
Vitamin C is another helpful ally against sweet cravings. I recommend starting with 1,000 milligrams in the morning and another 1,000 milligrams in the afternoon before meals. If you find it only helps a little, feel free to increase the dosage to 1,000 milligrams three times daily. You can use Vitamin C alongside Gymnema—just ensure your vitamin C powder is free from sucrose (sugar), as many contain it!