Every health article tells us we need to eat whole grains and to limit the sugars we consume. The following article provides some information on why we should avoid processed foods and certain sugars.
Thanks
Aaron
Fit-Nex
You can find sugar in just about everything. Sugar in raw form can be found in fruits and vegetables. But, we are looking at is the damaging destruction to our bodies caused by man-made sugar products that has been refined and processed. Anywhere from energy bars, white flour, soda, white bread, white rice, yogurt, milk, crackers, candy, ice cream, white pasta, frozen dinners, ketchup, salad dressing, and well just about anything processed OR MAN-MADE!! But how does this effect me? What does it mean to have high blood sugar? How does this affect my organs and lead to heart disease over time? Eating too much processed foods and juices each day will increase your likelihood to develop Type 2 Diabetes. It is estimated that over 60 million Americans are Pre-diabetic! Over 10 millions people have Type II Diabetes! But that can never happen to me? Or can it?
What is high blood sugar anyhow? “When processed food and juices (carbohydrates) get ingested they are broken down into single sugar rings (monosaccharides) so they can be absorbed through the intestinal lining to get into your bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream they travel to your liver. Your body can only use carbohydrate energy in one form-glucose also called “blood sugar”- so your liver converts these single sugar rings that is not already in the form of glucose into glucose. The liver then releases the glucose into the bloodstream so that it is available for delivery to individual cells that need it for energy. The main function of glucose is to supply energy for the body because, the brain nervous system, and red blood cells depend almost exclusively on glucose as an energy source. “However, only a limited amount of glucose can comfortably “fit” in the bloodstream (the equivalent of about 80 kcal worth!), and excess will do damage. This is where we can run into problems” (Bacon, 53). When your brain senses high blood sugar (eating processed foods or over-eating) it signals a system overload! “The body must start the process to bring your blood glucose down by releasing insulin, allowing energy-containing nutrients like glucose to get into cells” (Bacon,59). Your cells take up the glucose and use what they need. What your cells don’t need is usually stored as fat.
When your body cells has been flooded with insulin for so long, that they loose their sensitivity to insulin! Uh Oh! You are now becoming insulin resistant! And if the cells are resistant to insulin, your body must produce more of it to be effective. This causes the cells to become even more resistant to insulin. Eventually, the cells lose so much sensitivity to insulin that they cannot effectively use glucose, so it starts to accumulate in the blood. This condition is called Type II Diabetes. This is a very serious condition. Diabetes causes blood clots which leads to heart attacks, and stroke. High levels of insulin causes the kidneys to retain salt and raise blood pressure, and eventually can lead to kidney failure. According to the American Diabetes Association Type II Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2006!
Last Thursday February 4, 2010 on The Oprah Show Dr. Oz had demonstrated how dangerous diabetes can be. He described having too much sugar is like having glass shards that scrape and make holes in the arteries of our heart. That causes scarring that can lead to a heart attack, which is the leading cause of death in diabetics. “Dr. Oz wanted everyone to “feel” diabetes and not just think about it. He visited a lady by the name of Laureen, 44, at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has had diabetes for most of her life, and says that she did not take care of herself the way she should have when she was younger. By the age of 34, she had a kidney transplant. 7 years later, she lost the transplant kidney as well. She is now on dialysis 3 times a week in order to stay alive. She has also lost half of her left leg, and half of her right foot. There are over 60 million people who are pre-diabetic (their fasting blood glucose numbers are not high enough to classify them as diabetic, but if the proper changes are not made they can go on to develop diabetes), many who are unaware of the possible danger they are facing in the future. Dr. Oz asked Laureen why she thinks those who are pre-diabetic are not taking it seriously. She says it is because “They feel ok now. When it finally hits you, it’s too late”. She broke down in tears remembering the day “it hit her”. She said she was in disbelief when she was shown the dialysis unit she had to use for the rest of her life. She says you are fine one day, then you are not the next. 86,000 amputations are done yearly for diabetics. The blood flow to extremities are cut off causing the limb to die as well as infection to set in from the decrease of white blood cells” ( Riley, Examiner). Lauren’s story really hits home and makes you think twice about consuming too many processed foods, white breads, white rice, etc. (You can follow up on this Oprah episode on You Tube).
It is estimated over 60 million Americans already are pre-diabetic and are at risk of developing Type II Diabetes. Drugs are made available to improve insulin sensitivity and deal with the symptoms of insulin resistance and Diabetes II. However, they do not reverse the disease and do not reverse the damage already done to the body. Some warning signs are as follows:
Constant thirst
frequent urination
non-healing infections
tingling toes
blurred vision
feeling fatigue run down/or tired
dry mouth
It’s very important to know that eating processed foods and juice can be damaging to our bodies. You can further prevent the risk of developing Type II Diabetes by simply not eating processed foods, refrain from sodas, juice drinks, or beverages that contain sugar, and skipping meals. Type II Diabetes is not caused by eating food that comes from the earth!
Here are some healthy eating choices:
Eat frequent small meals
Drink lots of water
Eat small portions of whole wheat grains
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables
Whole grains are very important! They provide energy for our body’s cells. Skipping grains, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, brown rice is a recipe for disaster. Because, the brain, nervous system, and red blood cells depend almost exclusively on glucose as an energy source. Start today by eating healthy and exercise each day! Do not make excuses as to why you are eating processed foods because, you only have one body to live in! Think more about the joy of eating something that comes right from the earth that provides nutrients, and energy to keep our bodies healthy and alive!
Cited Sources:
Diabetes Statistics, 2010. Internet: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/
Bacon, Linda, Eat Well. San Francisco, 2005.
Jenn Marshall
SET FITNESS
