Americans are having a deleterious love affair with sugar without even dipping into the sugar bowl. Largely due to the amount of sugar added to processed foods, the average American consumes 77 pounds of sugar annually (or 22.7 teaspoons of sugar daily), which adds a whopping 363 calories to their dietary intake each day. The American Heart Association recommends a daily limit of 9 teaspoons daily for men and 6 teaspoons daily for women. In 1973, 2% of the population or 4.2 million Americans had adult-onset, now called type 2 diabetes. As of 2011, nearly 10% or 26 million Americans have type 2 diabetes and the numbers continue to rise. It is believed that an additional 79 million people have prediabetes. Another 1.9 million are diagnosed with diabetes every year. If the current trend continues, 1 in 3 Americans will have diabetes by 2050.
The American Heart Association warns that sugar provides empty calories with no nutritional value. According to Richard Johnson, a nephrologist at the University of Colorado, Denver, “sugar isn’t just empty calories, it’s toxic. It seems that every time I study an illness and trace a path back to its first cause, I find my way back to sugar.” “It has nothing to do with calories,” states endocrinologist Robert Lusting of the University of California, San Francisco. “Sugar is a poison by itself when consumed at high doses.” When sugar gets into our bloodstreams it stimulates the same pleasure centers in the brain that respond to heroin and cocaine. Sugar, with this pronounced effect, is literally an addictive drug.
Johnson believes that Americans are overweight because they eat too much and exercise too little. But he also feels that this is a direct result of sugar addiction which, after the initial “sugar rush,” saps our energy creating a vicious cycle. The solution he says “Stop eating so much sugar.” It’s not as easy as it sounds as sugar is so pervasive in the foods we eat that it’s difficult to avoid. But avoid it we must as nearly one third of our population may meet the criteria for Metabolic Syndrome set by the National Institutes of Health.
Metabolic Syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase the chances of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These include central obesity (excess fat in the abdomen), high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high blood glucose levels and high cholesterol. All of these factors can produce insulin resistance, a fatty and dysfunctional liver and other metabolic changes. Physical inactivity and excess weight are the main contributors to the development of Metabolic Syndrome.
Why we need to take a better look at our nutrition and reduce sugar consumption:
- 85.2% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.
- The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. increased by 128% between 1988 – 2008.
- Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates that are 2 – 4 times higher than those without diabetes.
- The stroke risk of those with diabetes is also 2 – 4 times higher.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20 – 74 years.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
- Approximately 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage or neuropathy.
- Hearing loss is twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those without diabetes.
- More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes. About 180 amputations are performed every day.
- Total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2012 was $245 billion including $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion due to lost productivity, disability and premature mortality.
- People with diagnosed diabetes have health care costs that are 2.3 times higher.
- Diabetes kills more Americans every year than AIDS and breast cancer combined.
- A person diagnosed with diabetes at age 50 will have their life span shortened by about 6 years.
- Overall, the risk of death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people of similar age but without diabetes.
What you can do to prevent, reverse, or significantly reduce the health risks associated with poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and too much sugar consumption:
- Lose excess weight. Moderate weight loss in the range of 5 -10% of your total body weight can help your body use insulin more efficiently and can help reduce the risks associated with metabolic syndrome.
- Make the dietary changes necessary to restore your health. Cut way back on sugar and processed foods. Avoid baked goods, candy, ice cream and soft drinks. Increase your fiber intake by adding more legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to your diet. Make sure you choose healthy fats and reduce your intake of red meat and animal fats.
- Exercise can improve your insulin levels and assist with weight loss, improved blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk for developing heart disease.
- Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Products for blood sugar support:
Glucose Balance by Protocol for Life – This product supports healthy glucose metabolism and supports normal insulin function.
Alpha Lipoic Acid w/ GlucoPhenol by Pure Encapsulations – Supports glucose and fat metabolism and overall cardiometabolic health by maintaining healthy cellular function and inflammatory balance.
Glucose Tolerance by Allergy Research Group – Contains a formulation of nutrients that support the body in regulating blood sugar levels.
Chromium (polynicotinate) 200 mcg by Vital Nutrients – To promote the maintenance and regulation of fat, cholesterol and glucose metabolism.