biochemistry lesson

What, you may be asking, is the big deal with sugar anyway?  It's natural, it's from plants for crying out loud: beets, or sugarcane.  It's a food ... right?!  Well, yes .... and no.  Check this out:

from an article entitled "Toxic Foods and Mood:  You Are What You Eat!"

"Foods trigger the production and release of brain chemicals that control your mental and emotional responses.  Sugar exaggerates the production of serotonin, beta-endorphin and dopamine.  The overproduction results in a "high" followed by a crash, which sets up your craving for more sugar.  Your receptors also become less sensitive in order to protect against the overdosing of the 'drug'.  It is why you require more and more (sugar, alcohol, heroin, refined carbohydrates, etc.) just to feel normal.  This results in physical dependence on the drug to pick you up, but your 'habit' now results in depression instead of well-being, and exhaustion and anxiety instead of an energy pick up."

[disclaimer:  I realize the source is not scientific ... but none of the scientific sources I found were terribly intelligible to me.  If you have the brains for it, the science is definitely out there for you!]


And now, a few lists for you, courtesy of Potatoes, Not Prozac by Kathleen DesMaisons, who posits that sugar consumption affects blood sugar, serotonin, and beta-endorphins in the following ways.

So.  Blood sugar, first. Blood sugar is affected by the speed with which our digestive systems process our food (think "glycemic index", on which low is good, and sugar is very, very, high) 

With optimal blood sugar, you'll feel:

           energetic

           tired when appropriate (at the end of long day, after hard exertion, etc.)

           focused

           relaxed

           clear-minded

           good memory

           able to concentrate

           able to solve problems efficiently

           easygoing

           even-tempered

With low blood sugar levels, caused, for instance, by the consumption of sugar, you'll feel:

           tired all the time

           tired for no reason

           restless/can't keep still

           confused

           have trouble remembering and concentrating

           easily frustrated

           more irritable than usual

           get angry unexpectedly

Next, Serotonin (affected by protein/tryptophan, sugar, and anti-depressant medications).

With optimal serotonin levels, you'll feel:

           hopeful, optimistic

           reflective & thoughtful

           able to concentrate

           creative, focused

           able to think things through

           able to seek help

           responsive

           looking forward to dessert a bit

           hungry for healthy foods

With low serotonin levels, caused, for instance, by the consumption of sugar, you'll feel:

           depressed

           impulsive

           short attention span

           mentally blocked, scattered

           flying off the handle

           suicidal, possibly

           reactive

           craving sweets

           craving mostly carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cereal)

Last is beta-endorphins.  They are produced by the pituitary gland during exercise, excitement, pain, eating spicy or sugary food, and tanning (i.e. absorbing infrared rays from the sun).  Other "quality of life" experiences may also cause beta-endorphin production (i.e. stroking a pet, praying, watching a sunset, listening to beautiful music, talking with a good friend, etc.)

With optimal beta-endorphin levels, you'll feel:

           high tolerance for pain

           sensitive & sympathetic

           high self-esteem

           compassionate

           connected and in touch with others

           hopeful, optimistic, euphoric

           taking personal responsibility

           a "take-it or leave-it" attitude toward sweet foods

           solution-oriented

With low beta-endorphin levels, caused, for instance, by the consumption of sugar, you'll feel:

           low pain tolerance

           tearful, reactive

           low self-esteem

           overwhelmed by others' pain

           isolated or rejected

           depressed, hopeless

           feeling "done to" by others (martyr or victim syndrome)

           craving sugar

           emotionally overwhelmed

See yourself in any of those "low" lists?  I sure did.  You may think you don't have a problem with sugar; after all, you could quit if you wanted to, anytime!

Well then, try it.  You have nothing to lose if you're not sensitive to sugar (a week later if there are no changes you can go right back to your stash - I mean former eating habits) and everything to gain if you are sensitive to sugar: clear mind, freedom from cravings, greater physical wellness & creativity, just for starters.

Go ahead.  I dare you!  Begin now to be the person you were created to be!!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(click here for the next post on sugar freedom, or here for the first post in my story)