SUGAR SHOCK!

We all know that eating too much refined sugar is not good for us, but what do we really do to keep our intake at a healthy level? The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals.

In the last 20 years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year! Prior to the turn of this century (1887-1890), the average consumption was only 5 lbs. per person per year! Cardiovascular disease and cancer was virtually unknown in the early 1900's. There seems to be a direct relationship between the increase in consumption and an increase in many diseases.

What refined sugar can do to your health:

Suppress the immune system.
Upset the body's mineral balance.
Contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
Produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
Cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
Reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
Promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
Cause hypoglycemia.
Contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
Cause kidney damage.
Can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
May lead to chromium deficiency.
Can cause copper deficiency.
Interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
Can promote tooth decay.
Can produce an acidic stomach.
Can raise adrenaline levels in children.
Can lead to periodontal disease.
Can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
Can increase total cholesterol.
Can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Can contribute to diabetes.
Can contribute to osteoporosis.
Can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
Leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
Can cause cardiovascular disease.
Can increase systolic blood pressure.
Causes food allergies.
Can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
Can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
Can contribute to eczema in children.
Can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
Can cause atherosclerosis.
Can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
Can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
Can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
Can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
Can cause depression.
Can increase the body's fluid retention.
Can cause hormonal imbalance.
Can cause hypertension.
Can cause headaches, including migraines.
Can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
Can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.
Can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.
Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

With the Swine flu, regular flu, and common colds in mind it is extra important to keep our bodies as strong and as healthy as possible. Know that when you eat sugar, your immune system is slowing down to a crawl. Same with processed foods...

There are a lot of sweet alternatives, like honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar, and rice syrup to name a few.
Set the example for your children, and you'll be rewarded with a REAL sweet child!

MO