REFINED SUGAR

Health Risks of Processed Salt, Sugar and Flour in Foods

2010-07-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

Processed salt, sugar and flour are considered "innocent" ingredients that gradually deprive the body of vital nutrients. These are white refined flour; white refined sugar and white refined salt, popular ingredients are considered poisons of the body. They are normally present in canned, processed and prepared foods, or your household flour or your table salt. Processed foods and other food by-products are some of the advancement that comes from the works of industrialization.

We see flour, salt and sugar as white as the by-product after the industrial processing. It was bleached and broken down from its natural color. Pure whole flour and raw non-refined salt are normally gray or brown in color, while raw sugar is golden brown. Thus, when these ingredients are processed for long term storage and mass consumption, they undergo arduous, chemical transformation. Medical practitioners emphasized to be watchful of the amount of calories we consume; however, attention is shifting to the type of calories our body consumed. More specifically, the kind of salts, sugars and flours in the foods we eat.

You can start to be aware of the processed sugar, salt and flour as silent poisons of our body.

Try to read the labels of the items before you buy. Sugar is normally listed as Fructose, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sucralose or Saccharine. Try to avoid processed white sugar instead use natural brown sugar. Also try natural sea salt and rock salt because it is a good source of mineral-rich sodium and is now in a finer grain as well. When a bread product lists just flour, or enriched flour, try to choose bread with whole-wheat flour or another whole grain instead. This will allow a drastic cut down health risk from an otherwise healthy style of eating. A diet with lots of sugars, salts and flour-based carbohydrates is not within the healthy diet. Try using natural and unprocessed sugar, salt and flour to avoid irreversible risk on your health.

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Processed Sugar, Salt and Flour - Are They Safe?

2010-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

There are some foods, especially baked goods that contain high quantity of refined sugar, salt and flour. It is difficult to say which of these three ingredients considered the most damaging to our bodies or the most prevalent one. Several years ago, flour was stone-ground and lacked some of the original nutrients from the grain. A grain of wheat has a number of layers to it that contains necessary nutrients that are normally lost when being refined. This is the reason why several manufactures were mandated to add vitamins and nutrients after it was processed.

Nowadays, you will see on labels of flour-based products appears as "enriched" flour and list the nutrients that are being added. Currently, wheat is still stone-ground, however, grained-based food are being refined down to empty calories because of industrial age of mass produced goods.

Empty calories are the main concern in refined sugar, salt and flour against their natural counterparts. When grains, raw sugar cane and salt rock are processed down into a refined state, the calories are then void of any nutritional value.

When we eat empty calories, our body in reality has a difficulty digesting and breaking them down. They also burn much quicker than calories that are digested with ingredients complete with nutrients. This is the reason why sugary foods frequently give us high energy but lost quickly to cravings. For hundreds of years, we have lived on processed ingredients and the harm has been silent and the poison unfelt. Their effect is said to contribute to an increasing obesity problem and subsequent diseases.

We cannot afford to take risk on the harm caused by consuming refined sugar, salt and flour. However, we cannot escape from these ingredients because sugar, salt and flour are found in almost every food. Sugars and salts are naturally found in various foods like sugar in fruit or dairy and salt in meats and vegetables. The difference is that, naturally occurring salts and sugars have little quantity of healthy nutrients. Nature has actually provided most all we need to live well and much of the food we eat is the product of industrial convenience more than enriched nutrition.

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Slow Death by Refined Sugar

2010-07-03T21:34:00.002-07:00

Did you know that an average person in North America consumes one hundred and fifty lbs of refined sugar annually! This is substantial when one compares it to the 5bs per annum in the early 1900's.

Sugar, particularly in its refined condition, seems to have numerous damaging consequences within the human body. To start with, it happens to be exceedingly acid-forming. Which means that the ingestion will toss off your current pH stability causing your blood et cetera to become increasingly acidic. The greater acidity in your body the more significant the opportunity for disease to blossom.

Arthritis, asthma, headaches, psoriasis, cancer, stomach gas, intestinal gas, osteoporosis, heart disease, weight gain, PMS, candidiasis, tooth decay, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer sores, cataracts, gallstones, kidney stones, and cystic fibrosis are all diseases and conditions that are negatively affected by the intake of sugar.

Eliminating sugars from your diet can easily improve these types of and several additional ailments substantially. Oftentimes, a fabulous sugarless diet plan will extinguish the actual suffering entirely whenever coupled with a highly sensible healthy diet.

Nonetheless you likely have found that removing sugars from your diet isn't always easy, and only with a great deal of support are you able to be certain of getting good results.

Refined sugar has become one of the worst poisons it is possible to pollute your system with. The intake of sugars suppresses the immune system practically right away, decreasing the body's biological defenses and rendering it much less competent to stop dangerous pathogens.

Sugar - What happens?

Whenever you ingest sugars, blood insulin will be circulated from your pancreas, triggering the cells to take up glucose from your bloodstream as well then store it within the liver and muscle. Sugar goes in conjunction with mood swings. Whenever blood sugars are abnormally increased, the sugar behaves just like a drug, so you come to be more elated.

As soon as blood insulin packages your sugar away in your cells, heightened feelings will certainly turn bitter and your brain alerts that more sugar is required in order to restore the high. This is often the moment you feel yourself reaching for those sweets. You will discover your moods are consistent 24 hours a day with the introduction of a sugar free diet and that your body will actually utilize fat as the supply of energy and not sugars. Did you know that as soon as you ingest something sugary, your body stops using the fat is has stored for energy? There could be loads of toxins are stashed away within your body fat and you really want to get rid of them for sure.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of all the negative things about sugar.

KayLynne is student at the University of Guelph. Following completion of a Bachelor of Science she plans to further her schooling and become a Naturopath. She is a firm believer in natural health and fully supports the Total Wellness Cleanse Program created by Yuri Elkaim, RHN.
Total Wellness Cleanse
The Toxic Side of Food

How Refined Sugar Destroys Our Health

2010-07-03T21:34:00.001-07:00

The term 'sugar' is commonly used to refer to any of the three substances, namely sucrose, lactose and fructose in crystalline form. The common denominator is 'sweet flavor' and therefore, the basic function of any sugar is to impart sweetness.

Types of sugar commonly known are:

- Food sugar - mainly sucrose, derived primarily from sugarcane and beet root; used for domestic consumption
- Fruit sugar - fructose; high fructose corn syrup is another form
- Glucose

What is refined sugar?

Simply speaking, it's plain or raw or naked calories, without the minerals and vitamins that are normally present in sugar obtained from natural sources. That is, it's pure chemically. During the process of refining, raw sugar is made to pass through a series of steps that involve mechanical and chemical processing. Though foods as honey offer a definite advantage in pure form as compared to adulterated ones, we hardly get it in this case. Except for improved physical features, it offers no nutritive value.

But how is it harmful?

As mentioned, refined sugar is devoid of any elements (read minerals and vitamins) that accompany raw sugar. Since these elements are essential for sugar metabolism, our body is not able to process these sugars via the normal pathway. This leads to the formation of 'toxic metabolites' as pyruvic acid and abnormal five carbon (5C) sugars. These chemical substances interfere with respiration at the cellular level (pyruvic acid in the nervous system including the brain and 5C sugars in the red blood cells). As a consequence, cells fail to function normally and eventually start dying. This is the onset of 'degenerative disease'.

Secondly, the mechanisms of digestion, detoxification and elimination require vitamins and minerals, causing their depletion further.

True, these elements may be supplied from other foods. However, natural foods only contain these in amounts just sufficient to metabolize the carbohydrates present in that food itself.

Thirdly, generation of high amounts of acids in blood forces mobilization of minerals as sodium, potassium, magnesium from other body parts resulting in imbalances. Calcium mobilization results in weakening of bones and teeth.

Fourth, intake of refined sugar in amounts higher than required amounts of natural sugar may lead to ballooning of liver, followed by deposition of fatty acids in other areas, and finally affect the vital parts as brain, heart, kidneys, circulatory system etc. causing severe symptoms.

In addition, it kills bacteria that produce glutamic acid (essential for brain function) in our intestine. In view of the above harmful effects, refined sugar has many-a-times been referred to as "Sweet Poison".

I am a qualified medical practitioner and a public health specialist, also trained in public health management. I have worked in the past for a major government run hospital (Delhi), Escorts Heart Institute (New Delhi), a public sector company, as well as the World Health Organization.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gaurav_Gupt

Reduce Refined Sugar, Why? What is the Big Deal Anyhow?

2010-06-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

Why is eating refined sugar such a big deal anyhow? We have been told to reduce our sugar for years, but why? "Too much sugar will rot your teeth!" Isn't that what Grandma always used to say? Well she may be right, but if that is the only hold up, dental care has come a long way in the last 50 years. I certainly want my teeth to last my entire life, but if worst came to worst, I can certainly remedy that argument with modern medicine. There are a lot of other reasons sugar should be reduced that are less easily remedied.

Refined sugar consumed over the course of a lifetime has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, stomach problems, hardening of the arteries, depression, ADD, ADHD, obesity, and other serious illnesses. There is a lot of research that explains the link to these diseases and conditions in great detail. But for me as scary as these negative health conditions are I like to keep things simple, if I am filling up on sweets, I am missing the opportunity to eat something that could give my body health.

As parents, we really need to consider what this means for our children. What kind of patterns are we starting for our children when we load their little bodies with refined sugars and empty calories? What type of path are we leading them down? Giving our children sugar not only fills them up with empty calories it actually robs their growing bodies of vital nutrients. Sugar actually leaches minerals and B-vitamins from your child's body.

Reducing refined sugar can dramatically help our bodies and our children's growing bodies. Unless we are aware of an existing medical condition such as diabetes or hypoglycemia, remedying this issue is quite simple. Make the switch from highly refined sugars to natural ones. Provide natural sweets in your home that offer nutrients, living enzymes, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

We don't have to eliminate sweets from our homes; we simply need to make a shift. Simple choices can make dramatic differences in our personal health and the health of a growing child. Here are a few tips:

Keep fresh fruit on hand. When you go to the pool or the park simply say, "If you are hungry I brought some apples." Who is going to pick a filling delicious sweet apple when a cookie is offered first? Not most children. An apple is filled with living enzymes and nutrients that help your child grow and give them energy to perform well in school, sports, music, and other activities. -And chances are if you bring apples for the kids, that will be what you snack on as well.

Prepare fresh desserts and treats at home. Toss a variety of your favorite fruits into a blender and enjoy a nourishing fruit smoothie. Add some raw cacao and you have a chocolate shake. Throw some bananas into the freezer, and then run them through an ice cream press. You will be surprised how much your children will love these sweets. And you can feel great about serving them instead of handing out highly refined sugars.

Use natural sweeteners such as raw agave nectar, raw honey, or stevia. There are many great natural sweeteners on the market today. Simply visit your local health food store and ask them to explain the pros and cons of each.

We all want to live a life of abundance and physical health. Start today by making a simply shift to lowering the refined sugar in your diet. We all want to give our children the best opportunities in life. We go out of our way to create rich opportunities and experiences for our children. We spend time, money, and energy taking them to lessons, tutors, and classes. Why not create the opportunity for our children to have true health and vitality. If you feel like your child is healthy now, imagine what he or she might be like when filling his or her body with nutrient rich foods. You and your child could experience a new level of health...and keep your teeth!

The answer to why we should reduce the refined sugar in our diet and our children's is simple. It gives us more opportunities to fill our bodies with nutrients and life giving foods. We can still enjoy sweets, just keep them natural. Fresh fruits, naturally sweetened foods, and other naturally sweet desserts and treats are delicious and provide nutrients. It isn't necessary to remove sugar from our diets, just make a better choice and select natural sweets!

Carolyn Pennington is the author of this article and Naturally Sweet Recipes; delicious recipes your entire family will enjoy. Please visit http://www.naturallysweetrecipes.com for more info about the book.

Why Refined Sugar is the Most Dangerous "Food" You Can Eat

2010-06-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

If you only make one improvement to your diet this year, I hope it is to replace refined sugar with raw food sweeteners. If you do, I can guarantee you that smoother digestion, more relaxed muscles, more peaceful emotions and increased mental clarity are soon to follow.

Before looking at the negative health consequences of eating refined sugar, let's have a quick look at how it's made. This will give you some insight into why it affects the body the way it does. The majority of sugar comes from sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) which is a dense tall grass that grows in tropical regions. The juice from sugar cane is traditionally used as a sweetener from India to the Caribbean. And, interestingly, raw sugar cane juice is pretty good for you, being alkalizing and relatively low on the glycemic index.

But in the 1500s manufacturers began refining sugar cane so that it could be more easily transported overseas, especially back to Europe. Over the years, the process has become increasingly complex and dependent on chemicals. Here is what happens between cutting sugar cane in the fields and delivering refined sugar to your local store.

After harvest, machines at a sugar mill wash, cut, shred and press the juice out of the cane stalks. This liquid is then heated to boiling and treated with chemical solvents to remove impurities. Then it is moved to huge tanks and heated again to evaporate the water content. This leaves a thick syrup that is placed in a centrifuge machine to form the syrup into crystals.

These crystals are then transported to a sugar refinery where they are heated to boiling again, treated with bleach and other chemicals and then filtered through bone char, which is a powder made from cow or pig bones. After filtering, the syrup is then centrifuged again to produce refined white sugar. Brown sugar is created by adding molasses before putting it in the centrifuge.

Given the fact that it's heated to boiling at least three times, treated with chemicals, filtered through bone powder and forced to crystallize, it's no wonder that refined sugar has literally had the life force beaten out of it.

Refined sugar, white or brown, literally has zero nutritional value - no minerals, no vitamins, no fiber, no enzymes, no fats - nothing of value for the body. Instead it's toxic to the body. You can live longer on pure water alone, than on water mixed with sugar.

Here is what refined sugar does in the body:

It produces an acidic condition in the digestive system. This drains the body of vitamins and minerals and the consequences can be life threatening. For example the metabolism of sugar requires leaches calcium from the bones and teeth which can lead to tooth decay or osteoporosis. Sugar also depletes the body of potassium and magnesium, which are required for proper cardiac function, and is therefore a major factor in heart disease.

It compromises the body's immune system and stresses the pancreas by forcing it to produce a rush of digestive enzymes. This can lead to the formation gallstones and diabetes.

It depletes stores of vitamin B, which is our brain food, and can interfere with memory, concentration and other mental functions.

It makes the blood very thick and sticky, inhibiting much of the blood flow into the minute capillaries that supply our skin gums and teeth with vital nutrients. Refined sugar has been shown to increase wrinkles and dry aged skin.

When excess sugar is eaten, it is first stored in the liver. With continued consumption the liver expands like a balloon and begins to function poorly. An improperly functioning liver can quickly lead to high blood pressure, skin disorders and acne to name a few.

In addition, most people consume far more sugar than their bodies can possibly use for energy. When this happens, the liver converts the extra sugar into molecules called triglycerides and stores it as fat, or else produces cholesterol from the by-products of sugar and deposits it in veins and arteries. Sugar is thus a major factor in obesity and arteriosclerosis.

It also negatively effects behavior. Refined sugar consumption has been linked to violent behavior, hypertension, and learning impediments. In one study violence in prisons was remarkably reduced simply by eliminating refined sugar and starch from prison diets. And Singapore in 1991 banned sugary soft drink sales from all schools and youth centers, citing the danger that sugar poses to the mental and physical health of children

Finally refined sugar is an addictive substance. Abruptly giving up sugar often brings on the sort of withdrawal symptoms associated with narcotic drugs- fatigue, lassitude, depression, moodiness, headaches, aching limbs. This happens as the body eliminates the left over toxins from the sugar and begins to bring itself back into balance.

As you can see, putting processed sugar into your body makes no sense at all. It is something like pouring sugar into the gas tank of a million dollar racing car. Only do it if you want to screw up your car/body for some reason.

Fortunately for all of us with a sweet tooth, there are many natural raw sweeteners that are not only harmless to the body, but actually support it. The highest choice is to use 100% unrefined and untreated sweeteners. These are what I use exclusively:

Fruits,
Dried fruits like dates or raisins,
Pure cane juice,
Raw, unprocessed cane sugar,
Agave syrup,
Stevia and Stevia extract,
Yacon syrup,
Raw honey,
Mezquite powder,

Most of these are available at any health food store. Just make sure to ask if they are minimally processed and raw (meaning unheated).

Whatever you choose, you can be sure of this: eliminating refined sugar from your diet is one of the kindest and most loving things you could ever do for your body. Please pass this information on to anyone in your life who you care about.

Some interesting sugar facts:

Sir Frederick Banting, the co discoverer of insulin, noted in 1929 that among sugar plantation owners who ate large amounts of refined sugar, diabetes was common. Among native cane-cutters, who only chewed the raw cane, he saw no diabetes.

In 1915, the average of sugar consumption was around 7-10 Kg per person per year. Today the average person consumes about 70 kg

In 2002, almost 132 million tons of sugar were consumed worldwide.

Sugar is used in leather tanning, printers' inks and dyes and even in textile sizing and finishing

Film stuntmen use bottles and plate glass windows made of sugar

Chemical manufacturers use sugar to grow penicillin

Sugar hardens asphalt. It slows the setting of ready-mixed concrete and glue.

About 30% of refined sugar comes from sugar beets. The rest comes from sugar cane

One 12 oz. Cola contains 11 teaspoons of sugar.

Sugar was one of the first pharmaceutical ingredients used, as it still is today, to mask the bitter taste of medicines

Mark Ament is the author of several books and programs on natural health, including his unique introduction to natural healing course called the "5 Master Keys To Ultimate Healing." To get your free copy and learn more about Mark's work visit http://www.healingvibes.com

Brown Rice Syrup - A Good Substitute For Refined Sugar

2010-06-15T23:28:00.000-07:00

Brown rice syrup (BRS) is a wonderful substitute for plain old refined sugar. Like its name implies, it is made from brown rice; therefore, it is considered a complex carbohydrate and generally accepted as a better sweetener than refined sugar which is a simple sugar. It also has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, making it ideal for diabetics or anyone looking for a healthier alternative to refined sugar.

Brown rice syrup is similar in appearance, texture, and flavor to honey. It even smells a little like honey. Some say BRS has a buttery, caramel-like flavor, but don't think you're going to be eating anything that tastes like caramel candies! Even though it has a similar flavor to honey, I found that it did not alter the taste of my recipes. Feel free to use it in your recipes wherever you would use regular sugar.

Substituting brown rice syrup for sugar can be a challenge since one is granulated and the other is a liquid, and BRS is only half as sweet as refined sugar, but it can be done successfully. Just remember a few important tips when using BRS in place of regular sugar.

BRS is not as sweet as sugar, so you will need to use approximately 1 and 1/3 Cup of BRS to 1 Cup of sugar.

BRS is a liquid, so you will need to reduce the other liquids in your recipe. Reduce other liquids by about 1/4 Cup for every 1Cup of BRS.

For reasons beyond my scientific knowledge, it's a good idea to include 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 Cup of brown rice syrup.

I made a chocolate mousse using brown rice syrup, and the texture was heavenly. I believe refined sugar would have made the mousse gritty, but the BRS gave the mousse a smooth, rich texture. In some instances, a liquid form of sugar is actually preferred and BRS is the perfect solution.

As you can see, it does take some planning and tweaking to use brown rice syrup in your current recipes, but its health benefits are truly worth the effort.

Refined sugar is terrible for your body, so why don't you try this wonderful alternative.

Sugar is great - if it's not refined. Better sugars do exist and it's easy and painless to incorporate them into your life.

For tips, information, products, and recipes that will help you become a healthier person, visit my website at:

http://www.bettersugar.com/

As an advocate for good health, I enjoy sharing my knowledge of natural sugars so others can lead healthy, happy lives.

Thanks!

The Dangers of Refined Sugar and Its Impact on Fitness

2010-06-11T23:27:00.001-07:00

Sugar: Is it Food or Poison?

Refined sugar is ubiquitous in our culture. Simply visiting a local supermarket, one is convinced that the most common ingredient found in our food today is refined sugar. Omitting the obvious sources like candy and soda pop (which usually occupy 2-3 isles), sugar is hidden in almost all processed foods in the forms of evaporated cane juice, high fructose corn syrup, and molasses. But how unhealthy is sugar? Is it only its high caloric content that induces obesity and all its associated diseases? Or is sugar far more harmful than the calories it adds on?

As a personal trainer, I often advise my clients to avoid refined sugar. Many that are active still believe that as long as they are active, sugar does not have impact on their health. Based on the research I have done, that is a false statement. In fact, refined sugar may seriously debunk your fitness efforts.

First, sugar is not real food! Refined sugar is stripped of all its nutritious values. Consequently, refined sugar cannot be effectively utilized by the body, and if it is not used for immediate energy it will be stored in the liver. Liver capacity for sugar is limited. Daily intake of refined sugar can cause the liver to release sugar back into the blood stream in the form of fatty acids. This often causes unhealthy weight gain that could lead to obesity, and eventually other problems like heart disease.

Refined sugar has no vitamins and no minerals. However, the true dangers of refined sugar are its metabolites; purvic acid and abnormal sugar containing five atoms. According to Dr. William Coda Martin, a poison is any substance that can induce a disease. Based on this general definition, refined sugar can be easily categorized as a poison. These metabolites are toxins to the body, mainly because they interfere with respiration of cells. If the cells are not getting their oxygen, they will eventually die. The death of these cells can take a long time. Therefore, daily intake of sugar may ensue a degenerative disease like cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis and many more.

Effects of sugar on health and fitness. Sugar has been linked to poor health and obesity for several decades. The following list explains how sugar can have an impact on your health and impede your fitness goals.

o Refined sugar leaches the reserve of vitamins and minerals stored in your body. Depletion of these nutrients impedes the rebuilding process of tissue therefore adversely affecting the response to exercise.
o Refined sugar increase acidity in the body. To neutralize this acid state, the body draws calcium from bones and teeth making them weaker and more susceptible to degeneration.
o Excess sugar is stored in liver. When liver capacity is reached, excess sugar is released into blood stream in the form of fatty acid. Sugar it is then stored as fat on vital organs (possibly causing their malfunctioning) and area least metabolically active (i.e. belly).
o Refined sugar invades the lymphatic system (disease fighting system). This results in increased white blood cells production and therefore the rebuilding of tissue slows down. The response to strengthening training decreases since the body cannot rebuild its self as effectively.
o Since sugar has an effect on the lymphatic system, the immune system is less resilient. One is therefore more susceptible to attacks on the body (i.e. common cold).

It is clear that sugar has more harm to health than the mere calories it may add to ones diet. Use caution when choosing foods that may have refined sugar and try to replace them with natural sweets like fruit, maple syrup, stevia, or raw unfiltered honey.

Stop Sugar Crash and Regain your Energy

What happens what energy fluctuates throughout the day? Does refined sugar have anything to do with that?

There is good chance that those who consume refined sugar often experience a sugar crash. Americans consume approximately 175 pounds of refined sugar a year. Sugar is omni-present in our diet for two reasons. It is cheap to produce. Nearly all of highly processed foods in supermarkets have some corn syrup or other sugar. Corn grows easily through out Midwest and is relatively cheap to harvest. Secondly, processed sugar products, like protein bars, are easily stored and replace REAL meals for a lot of people.

Finally, many people consume sugar because it gives them a short burst of energy. Sugar is not digested in the stomach but enters the lower intestine and thence the blood stream quickly. This leads to brisk insulin secretion which causes the sugar to be absorbed by the tissue at an accelerated rate. This is why we feel awaken after sugar consumption. Eventually, however, the blood sugar level drops and most feel fatigued, irritated, and lethargic.

The body learns quickly. So, the more sugar we consume the more we crave it. The metabolism becomes dependent on refined sugar, so most us feel the need to consume it. Consequently, in attempt to avoid sugar crash most consume sugar throughout the day in order to maintain focus and energy to get through the day.

The following are some tips to avoid sugar crash:

o Eat a balanced breakfast with no sugar (i.e. eggs, bacon, and oatmeal)
o Limit sweets to 2 times a week
o Stay away from white flour for lunch and eat plenty of vegetables
o Eat 4-5 metabolically balanced meals a day (protein, fat, carbohydrates)
o Eat sweets only after a large balanced meal (with plenty of protein)
o Eat plenty of complex carbs throughout the day (vegetables and whole grains)
o Don't eat sugar before sleep

Ralph Klisiewicz, is a certified personal trainer and a certified muscle activation technique specialist working in Chicago area - Chicago Personal Trainer

Sugar - Bad Or Good Carbohydrate?

2010-06-11T23:25:00.000-07:00

Do we need sugar at all? No, not pure sugar - known as refined sugar. Sugar only contains empty calories, calories without any nutritional value. But the body indeed needs carbohydrate, which is also sugar but in a more complex form. Potatoes, rice, bread and pasta are all pure carbohydrate but with a big nutritional value! The body breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugar and then uses it for energy.

Does sugar make you fat? Yes, but only if you eat more than your body can handle - too much sugar will be stored as fat in the fat cells all over the body.

Are we already eating too much sugar? Yes, way too much! There is too much "hidden" sugar in food we eat each day - over 80% of the sugar we eat is hidden in "every day foods". Lets just take ketchup as an example. Ketchup contains far more sugar than most chocolate does! People eat in general around 100 grams of sugar every day - or 41 kilos a year!! That's two times more than we should!

What's the different between the sugar in fruit and refined sugar? Sugar in fruit will be absorbed more slowly by the body than refined sugar and will keep insulin and blood sugar stabile - refined sugar will make insulin and blood sugar rise very quickly!

Can sugar be dangerous then? Yes, because sugar is a mild form of poison - eating too much of it will affect the body in a negative way! Let me try to explain how:

- Sugar will disturb the natural bacteria flora in the stomach, which in turn can lead to candida!

- Just 100 grams of refined sugar can suppress the immune system significantly!

- Sugar slows down the absorption of calcium and magnesium!

- Refined sugar disturbs the balance of normal insulin production and a normal blood sugar level!

- It will change the metabolism so salt and water will be retained which will further lead to high blood pressure!

- Sugar affects the blood concentration of serotonin and beta-endorfin - a natural hormone in the body, which affects moods. That's why some people crave sugar - those people get "high" on sugar and are addicted to the daily "sugar-rush".

Another reason to cut back on sugar intake is if the food has a sugar content that is too high, it will replace the nutritional value of the food with those empty calories and a lot of important vitamins and minerals will be missing! So the bottom line is try to avoid too much refined sugar - if you want that sweet taste, then go for some of the sweet fruit out there. Just try to eat a banana, mandarin or an apricot, and your sugar craving will be gone for many hours!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Food

Protein’s Affect on Blood Sugar Levels

2010-04-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

Much the same as fiber, eating quality protein with your snacks and meals can have a positive affect on your blood sugar levels. By combining protein and carbohydrates you will slow the digestions of the carbohydrates in your body. This slowing down will prevent your blood sugar from spiking as the result of too many carbohydrates in your system.This does not mean that you should eat more protein than is recommended in one meal.Doing so can lead to other problems down the road. But if you are a diabetic, skipping protein in your diet is not a good idea. For diabetics who are vegetarians or that don’t eat a lot of any protein it is important to find a source that can be consumed on a regular basis.There are many other sources of high-quality protein that does not include animal meats. Other protein sources can include:
* Tofu is a source of protein that can be prepared in a variety of ways including
dessert tofu
* Nuts are an excellent source of protein but can be high in fat too. Read nutrition
labels and enjoy in moderation
* Seeds such as flax, pumpkin, and sunflower can be eaten as a source of protein
* Beans and other members of the legume family. There are many ways to prepare
beans from chili to cold salads
* Protein powders are available to sprinkle on cereals or to make into shakes for
drinking
* Fish sources – be aware that large fish contain high levels of mercury and should only be eaten once or twice per week
When making protein choices, go for a lean cut whenever possible. Even though protein has a positive affect on blood sugars excessive fat can cancel out the benefit and turn it into a health risk. Enjoy high-fat meats or heavily processed meats on rare occasions and eat a wide variety of proteins.

Sugar Gliders

2010-03-30T23:37:00.000-07:00

Sugar Gliders
Sugar gliders are marsupials belonging to Indonesia, Australia and New Guinea. They are small gliding possums and weight up to three to five oz. They have a silky fur of the color pearl grey with patches of colors cream and black. The black color is usually on their ears and end of the tail. They are named sugar gliders because they are able to glide because of the patagium or the skin membrane which connects first toe of the hind foot with the fifth finger of the forelimb, on either side. They expand them to create an aerodynamic plane to glide from one tree to another.
Sugar gliders have the habit of nibbling on each other, and this shouldn’t be confused with biting. They nibble to do many things like testing food, to show affection, force, groom, etc. Babies initially are taught by biting. When they are angered, they get aggressive and bite really hard. So, new owners should be alert until the pets becomes familiar and stops biting. Care should be taken that this biting shouldn’t turn into a habit. Incase, if it turns into a regular behavior, the animal should be held firmly when it bites, so that it cannot move and gets tired of crabbing. Although this takes a long time the pet will eventually get over its natural instinct. The animal must submit to the owner and it shouldn’t be given the feeling it has won. He should also be released very slowly; otherwise it will bite again and flee. Also, they can be fed with some food, to appreciate their discipline when they start learning. They also become comfortable with humans, when they eat in front of them. Usually female sugar gliders are tough to tame, especially those which come directly from the wild.Sugar gliders come from a very rough environment. They are basically hunting animals. So they should be provided with a rich environment so that they don’t get disturbed mentally. The cage should be very big so that they can leap freely. Small cages hinder the health of the animal. They are also very active and need exercise. Their cage should be equipped with toys like exercise wheels with a diameter of eleven inches. They are also very inquisitive animals, so new things like cardboard boxes, should be introduced in their cage from time to time to prevent boredom. The food can also be placed in different places to keep them on their heels. Food can also be hidden in branch holes, which they can dig out.The cage of sugar gliders should be cleaned every week to ensure their hygiene. The urine should be spot cleaned as the ammonia in it can be very harmful to the respiratory system of sugar gilders. Also the moisture can encourage the growth of harmful fungus. If the cage isn’t cleaned for a long time, not only will the occupants become sick but also the house will be filled with odor. Some precautions should be taken while cleaning the cage and also it should be sprayed with disinfectant so as to kill the germs and bacteria.
Sugar gliders are habituated to living in groups. That is the reason why they are never kept alone as pets, as this will adversely affect their health. It also requires attention from humans around it. They cling onto each other when they sleep, so as to keep warm. They communicate with each other by squeaking, crabbing, chirping and barking. They have a good memory and can retain a grudge against a human after receiving harm from him, even if it was caused by accident.Females have the ability to beget offspring every seven to ten months. They give birth to a baby sugar glider after sixteen days of pregnancy, which usually weighs only 0.2 grams. After the birth, the baby shifts to the mother’s pouch, where it stays for seventy days and feeds on milk from the nipples. Both the mother and father have equal participation of bringing up their offspring.

Sugar – a Surprising Skin Beautifier, and Effective Remedy for Acne Prone Skin

2010-03-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Surprisingly enough, a “sugabrasion” is an effective remedy for acne prone skin. It whisks away old skin cells and unclogs pores.
Here’s what to do:
After cleaning face and rinsing completely cover face with soothing acidic oil – such as olive oil. Apply granulated sugar the oil acts as a medium; holding it on the face, preventing the face from being scraped or scratched. Gently roll the “sand” mixture across the skin do not press, do not rub too briskly. Use small circular motions, not sweeping ones. Be careful not to press hard, or stretch the skin.After sugar dissolves about one minute, use warm water and a good cleanser to wash the solution away. Rinse at least a dozen of times to thoroughly remove alkaline residue.Using this method to exfoliate your skin once in the morning and again in the evening is an effective remedy for acne because it “peels” away dead skin cells, and removes bacteria-attracting debris that clogs pores. It also speeds up new cell growth for younger looking skin; mature complexions look radiant and more youthful.
This technique is safer than a chemical peel and less irritating to the skin than a deep skin peel. Visible benefits are immediately realized; dramatic results seen in about three weeks.Another variation involves omitting the olive oil. Instead, dampen washcloth with warm water. Add a mild facial cleaning agent; I like Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. It is an inexpensive yet effective cleaner.
Add to tablespoon sugar. Apply to damp face, using same circular method described above to exfoliate. Rinse well. Apply moisturizer of choice.Using a mild liquid facial cleanser instead of olive oil is quicker, because it omits the need to follow with a seco
Other benefits of this home-remedy exfoliating cleansing method are this: sugar is a natural substance, procedure is simple and inexpensive; sugar benefits the skin because it attracts moisture. Sugar granules are safer than (let’s say) granulated fruit pits, because they dissolve. Lastly, and most importantly, a sugabrasion really works! It is one sweet remedy for acne prone skin, and adds a healthy glow to your complexion for younger looking skin.

How To Get A Rush Without The Sugar

2010-03-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

Are you a sugar user? More and more people are resorting to high sugar drinks and snacks for a quick jolt of energy. But the trouble with using sugar for an energy boost, is that it sets up a roller-coaster effect that can soon become addictive and lead to health problems down the line. Recent research has revealed an acupressure point that boosts energy and alertness naturally and with no come down.The Highs & Lows of using Sugar for Energy Soon after a sugar fix you start buzzing with energy, but it's a short lived boost that soon swings sharply the other way with an energy slump. If you address that slump by eating or drinking something else high in sugar, you'll get that energy rush again, followed by another slump.Using sugar for energy gives sporadic results at best, but there are health dangers too. Diabetes II is an ever increasing risk in a world where we're rushing to get more done and fighting daily battles with stress and fatigue. Sugar increases insulin levels and raises blood triglycerides which increases the risk of developing late onset Diabetes.
Acupressure Energy Boost
Acupuncture and Acupressure share a network of vital energy points situated along meridian channels throughout the body. For thousands of years these points have been used to influence qi (chi), the body's subtle energy force, for a wide variety of physical and emotional benefits.The University of Michigan recently finished an intensive study that set out to prove that acupressure can provide an effective natural energy boost. Lead researcher, Dr Richard Harris, explains "it [acupressure] seems to stimulate the nerves that moderate attention and alertness".
Tapping the Sweet Spot
Students in the trial experimented with massaging five acupressure points for three minutes each. The most effective and stimulating point was the Si Shen Chong point, known to acupuncturists as one of the extraordinary acupoints (HN1), and found right in the centre of the top of the head.Participants in the trial found the most effective way to get a sugar-free energy boost, was to tap this point lightly with the fingertips for two or three minutes.The point used in this trial is one of the extra energy points sometimes used in the EFT meridian points tapping sequence. The beauty of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is that it uses a series of potent acupuncture and acupressure points that not only give the body a natural energy boost, but can also be used to control addictive cravings for sugar and popular stimulants like caffeine.

refined sugar

2010-03-10T02:21:00.000-08:00

Stop Sugar Crash and Regain your Energy

What happens what energy fluctuates throughout the day? Does refined sugar have anything to do with that?

The following are some tips to avoid sugar crash:

Ralph Klisiewicz, is a certified personal trainer and a certified muscle activation technique specialist working in Chicago area - Chicago Personal Trainer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Klisiewicz