Can sugar also be addictive? What about diabetes?
The influence of hyperglycemia on human health is profound and extensive. Understanding the harm of hyperglycemia is helpful to control the deterioration of a series of health problems. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report of the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2017, there were 30.3 million diabetic patients in the United States in 2015, accounting for 9.4% of the total population. Among these, 7.2 million have not yet been diagnosed. This is terrible, because millions of undiagnosed diabetics will not be treated, their condition will deteriorate further and lead to other complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Sugar addiction
There are many factors that increase the risk of diabetes, such as obesity and malnutrition. In both developed and developing countries, such as the United States and India, high-sugar diet is the most important element, which is why the global diet industry has begun to reduce sugar consumption.
European pharmaceutical spokespersons have expressed concern that sugar intake has been virtually zero for most of human history, and that 140 pounds of sugar added to food processing every year are now the main contributors to insulin tolerance and diabetes. This means that 18% of the calories people consume are almost free of vitamins and minerals, which is why in the era of obesity, there are many malnourished people at the same time.
Recent dietary guidelines for Americans from 2015 to 2020 suggest that people should limit their sugar intake to 10% of their daily calorie intake; however, old habits are hard to change. The problem of diabetes is not just sugar overconsumption, but sugar addiction.
For example, a recent study in clinical nutrition and metabolic care shows that the taste experience of sugar and sweetness can not only replace addictive drugs like cocaine, but also be more valuable and attractive than them. Although this evidence is limited by the inherent difficulty of comparing different types of rewards and human psychological experiences, it is supported by recent experiments on sugar and sweetness rewards in mice.
Although people are reluctant to compare sugar addiction with cocaine or other substances, they act in a similar way at the physiological level, which may explain why people find it difficult to control their intake of high-sugar foods. This is not to say that one cannot always enjoy candy, but sticking to sugary foods and drinks may be a sign of a more serious problem. There are four main types of sugar addiction, all caused by fatigue, adrenal fatigue can also cause hypoglycemia, overgrowth of candida, and anxiety or depression associated with perimenopausal syndrome.
In particular, the first two may be more common among consumers. The first two are probably the ones that resonate most with your customers. It is common to crave sugary drinks such as soda water or sweet coffee because of lack of energy or adrenal fatigue. At this time, people seem to hear a warning from “hunger”: feed me, or I will starve you to death.
Can sugar also be addictive? What about diabetes?
How about diabetes?
Limiting the intake of sugary foods and beverages is likened by Teitelbaum to an “energy usury”. He suggests that people can rely on natural resources such as fruits and vegetables, eat less and eat more meals, and increase protein intake to reduce their dependence on sugar. In addition, whole grains can be substituted for whole white flour in diet.
–Taking Nutrient
Tieraona Low Dog mentioned in her book Fortify Your Life that vitamin B1 or thiamine play an important role in the energy production of the human body. It is a coenzyme responsible for the conversion of food into energy, especially the metabolism of carbohydrates, glucose and alcohol. Thiamine supplementation is particularly important because the body consumes carbohydrate or sugar in its diet every day, especially in people prone to diabetes – studies have shown that thiamine helps prevent or alleviate the deterioration of diabetes-related symptoms.
Food sources of thiamine include pork, trout, Hawaiian nuts, sunflower seeds, green peas, asparagus, oatmeal, beans, flaxseed, brown rice and yeast. American cereals are usually fortified with thiamine, which can provide 25% to 100% of the body’s daily demand. In addition, thiamine can be supplemented with multi-vitamin supplements. Normally, 1.5-3 mg of thiamine per day is enough. Diabetic patients can increase to 10-30 mg.
B vitamins are generally taken in a complex situation, thiamine is particularly dependent on magnesium, it is best to take both elements at the same time. Magnesium can also regulate blood sugar, and the loss of magnesium caused by food processing is one of the main causes of hyperglycemia. Other vitamins that contribute to blood sugar health include vitamin C and vitamin K.
Chromium is an important nutrient that nutritionists have always emphasized. First, it plays an important role in the effective metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, and secondly, it can stabilize blood sugar levels. Most importantly, it helps cells respond to insulin. As mentioned in the book, chromium enhances the role of insulin, increases insulin sensitivity, and increases the use of blood sugar by human cells.
Yeast is the most abundant source of bioactive chromium, containing about 60 micrograms of chromium per tablespoon of yeast. It is also found in meat, whole grains, broccoli, mung beans, tomatoes, nuts and eggs. Food processing reduces chromium content, and soil conditions where plants grow also affect chromium content.
–Plants and their extracts
Animal and human clinical trials have shown that balsam pear can improve cell sensitivity to insulin, and balsam pear, like insulin, can promote the decomposition of blood sugar. Compounds in balsam pear also activate a protein that regulates glucose metabolism to achieve similar effects as exercise. Generally speaking, balsam pear can help the body convert the carbohydrates absorbed into energy. Experts suggest that the simultaneous use of balsam pear and Triphala can improve digestive efficiency and insulin performance. Herbs such as Saint Basil and Indian Ginseng also improve metabolism and reduce cortisol levels.
Independent experiments were carried out in animal models at Georgetown University Medical College and St. John’s College in India. Finally, it was found that Bitter Melon Extract (Glycostat) can effectively control blood sugar levels. It is known that this is a patented wild balsam pear extract provided by Jarrow Formulas. In addition, in a hospital in India, experts involved in the diagnosis found that the balsam pear extract significantly reduced patients’fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels. And the effect appeared in the first month and remained stable six months later.
In the study of diabetic mice, it was also found that the extract of Momordica charantia had similar effects to metformin, a diabetic drug. The researchers revealed that the extract concentration of Momordica charantia was 250 mg/kg body weight and the dose of metformin was 150 mg/kg. At the fourth hour, the former reduced blood sugar levels by 63%, compared with 54% for metformin.
- Hintonia latiflora Extract
Hintonia latiflora is a plant from Mexico and Central America. It is a traditional local tonic and tea. This plant has received a lot of clinical research in Europe, especially in Germany. In the past 60 years, doctors have often recommended the use of this plant to control blood sugar. Scientists have also found that it is rich in polyphenols, which can improve blood sugar regulation and insulin function.
Studies have shown that Hintonia can significantly reduce the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (mean blood sugar), fasting blood sugar (pre-meal blood sugar) and postprandial blood sugar. Researchers say fasting and postprandial blood sugar are important because they show how sugar circulates in the body and how it is processed after meals. In addition, the subjects’blood pressure, blood lipids and liver function were also significantly improved.
- Old garlic extract
In a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study, 43 patients with metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into two groups: one group received garlic extract and the other group received the same amount of placebo. The results showed that the adiponectin level in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group. Adiponectin is a protein hormone produced and secreted by adipocytes, which regulates lipid and glucose metabolism and affects the body’s response to insulin. The researchers also pointed out that garlic extract can also inhibit inflammation and increase the utilization of blood sugar by human cells.
Old garlic extract contains a sulfur compound called S-Allyl cysteine, which can reduce blood sugar levels and increase plasma insulin, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels. Researchers found that alliin had similar antidiabetic and antioxidant effects as Glycalazide, a blood sugar-lowering drug.
- Purslane extract
Portulaca oleracea is famous for its rich nutrients. Its beta-carotene level is 7 times higher than that of carrot, its vitamin E content is 6 times higher than that of spinach, and it is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. In the folk medicine of the Middle East, Portulaca oleracea has been well used for its anti-diabetic properties. The effect of Portulaca oleracea extract on maintaining glucose level has been confirmed in preclinical and clinical studies. For example, after eating Portulaca oleracea seeds, blood sugar levels before and after meals were controlled, and blood lipid levels were also significantly reduced in diabetic patients.
For mushroom extracts, perhaps people are more familiar with its immune health benefits, but in fact, some mushrooms also have a good regulation of blood sugar. Many medicinal mushrooms are well known, such as Royal Agaricus, Betula platyphylla, Poria cocos, Ganoderma lucidum and so on. These plants have been proved to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.
One kind of mushroom is called dancing mushroom. It is clinically found that its extract contains proteoglycan, which can effectively reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. Researchers have revealed that its main role is to make cells more sensitive to insulin, because the ability of cells to process blood sugar increases and the amount of insulin needed decreases. Studies have shown that it is also good for cardiovascular health. Of course, in addition to the above functional raw materials, it is more important to develop a good lifestyle and diet to prevent and alleviate diabetes.
