One of the biggest roadblocks to weight loss, contributors to chronic disease and nemeses to a whole foods diet is one of the mainstays in most American kitchens…sugar. Diets high in sugar have been implicated in cardiovascular disease, with an increased risk of heart attack as well as increasing bad cholesterol levels. Mood disorders, immune system imbalance, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes all have connections with this simple sweet substance that has become a staple in our diets. Limiting sugar intake has been advised by the World Health Organization, who recommends less than 10% of our diet should be sugar. For many people however, any amount of sugar may become too much. In 1975, sugar was first identified as an addictive substance with the book “Sugar Blues”. Today, research has begun to validate the theory that much like other addictive substances, sugar can cause cravings, withdrawal, binges and other behaviors associated with substance dependence.
Symptoms of a Sugar Addiction
Kathleen DesMaisons first started research in 1998, showing that there is a physiologic response of human’s neurotransmitters to sugar similar to other addictive substances. Her research also showed how the relationship of some people with sugar meets the definition of addiction in the main psychology text, DSM-IV. Only three of these criteria need to be met to be considered a dependence:
1. Tolerance. Over time, an increase in intake of sugar evokes less and less of an effect. People over time may become desensitized to the amount of sugar in their diet, and may not have the energy rush or euphoria they once experienced with a “sugar high”.
2. Withdrawal. Cutting sugar completely out of one’s diet may evoke withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms have even been documented in rats that have sugar taken out of their diet, where they shake and chatter their teeth.
3. Excess. Sugar is consumed in larger than intended amounts and for longer than intended. A few pieces of candy can quickly become a box of candy.
4. Unsuccessful Quitting or Desire to Quit. Many New Year’s resolutions involve low sugar or no sugar diets. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions do not survive past February or March.
5. Time spent acquiring, consuming and recovering. Unfortunately it is all too easy to acquire sugar in our culture, however the consuming and recovery are often signs of addiction. No one feels good after a carton of ice cream.
6. Influencing other activities. Recreational or social activities are impacted by a person’s relationship with sugar.
7. Continue despite the knowledge of consequences. Weight gain, mood swings, acne and more. The list of symptoms from consuming excessive dietary sugar often does not dissuade people.
Many people fail at their attempts to diet because they are approaching weight loss or other health goals without looking at their dependence on sugar.
Naturopathic Approach to Sugar Addiction
Balancing a sugar addicted body includes counseling, supporting a new relationship with food, and feeding healthy biochemical pathways.
Lifestyle Medicine
Nutritional counseling should involve not just recipes and a template of how healthy meals should look, but also finding an individual’s eating patterns and where new habits need to be nurtured. Some people eat mindlessly while watching television. Others are emotional or stress eaters. A satisfying low sugar meal plan can help take people off the sugar roller coaster and develop a sustainable new relationship with food.
Nutrient Support
There are many known minerals and nutrients that have been shown to help stabilize blood sugar, mood and energy levels making the transition to a sugar free life easier. Chromium, omega 3 essential fatty acids, vanadium, selenium and Vitamin D are just a few of the nutrients that people may be lacking in their diet, making dependence on sugar worse. Levels of some of these nutrients can be determined from blood tests or otherwise assessed when looking at their diet. Proper biochemical support enables creating new lifestyle habits by helping to reduce cravings, improve mood and increase energy levels.
Acupuncture for Addiction
Acupuncture has been used for decades in traditional addiction settings. Ear acupuncture has been studied and found to be very effective at treating many types of addiction, from narcotics to sugar addiction. Five simple points in each ear stimulate detoxification, organ function and calm the nervous system. In conjunction with other therapies, acupuncture has been well established to be an effective way to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings as well as establish a new balance for the body.
For many people, sweets and treats invoke wonderful memories of childhood, but a physiological and/or psychological dependence on sugar can cause health problems. A whole body approach to sugar addiction can allow for enjoying memories of grandma’s desserts without having them sabotage health goals.
Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified naturopathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. She is currently accepting new patients and is in network with most insurance companies. To make an appointment, call (860)533-0179 or visit www.ctnaturalhealth.com.