Signs that you are close to sugar addiction

Sugar addiction is one of the most underrated types of addiction that many people are not aware of. Many people love taking sweet things, but there is a point you get to where you develop a dependence, and become addicted in the process.

Free Close-Up Photo of Sugar Cubes in Glass Jar Stock Photo

Here are some of the common signs that you may be struggling with sugar addiction

Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms

One of the ways to know that you are close to sugar addiction is when you begin to experience negative withdrawal symptoms.

When you are used to taking much sugar, and you stay away from it from some time, some symptoms begin to set in. Some of these symptoms are anxiety, bloating, chills, cravings, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, nausea, mental fog, etc.

Cravings

According to some scientific studies, taking too much sugar can rewire your brain to become too dependent on any sugary substance.

When this happens, it can become difficult to fight against sugary temptations.

Most times, sugar cravings can get worse when your blood sugar level is lose, and you begin to lose energy. When you take more sugar, more insulin is released. And excess insulin can considerably reduce your blood sugar levels.

Poor skin health

Another way to know that you are close to sugar addiction is when you begin to notice your skin health deteriorating.

If there’s excess sugar in your bloodstream, it binds to some proteins that form new molecules called Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in a process known as glycation.

If glycation occurs regularly, it makes your skin age faster. Glycation is responsible for weakening elastin and collagen, which are popular skin proteins, that keep the skin firm.

Sometimes, people feel fatigued when their blood sugar level is low. This is why some people feel tired when they are awake from sleep. If you are always fatigued, and you don’t have strength to finish your regular tasks, sugar addiction might be at play. Anytime you feel any of these signs, it is best to contact a health professional for proper treatment.

Benefits of sugar to the body

Usually, when you check online for anything related to sugar, you will see that there is more emphasis on its negative effects than the positive sides. Several dieticians repeatedly state the need for people to take less sugar because of the adverse effects.

In this guide, we will be stating the benefits of sugar and how they help the body in diverse ways.

  1. Provision of immediate burst of energy

It would interest you to know that a healthy meal that aids productivity contains sugar. The primary source of fuel in the body is Glucose and it is from the breakdown of sugar. When we don’t take glucose, it would be difficult to have stamina to carry out our regular activities.

  1. Provision of instant mood boost

Sugar makes us happy and based on how we’re wired, we are meant to like sugar. When we take sugar, the pleasure center of our brain is activated, which induces dopamine rush. Then, a euphoric feeling is produced.

  1. Additional nutrients from natural sugar sources

When you take sugar from natural sugar sources, you become a beneficiary of healthy nutrients. Some of these natural sugar sources are fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fiber, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and the likes.

Taking more natural sugar is one of the best and safest way to avoid spikes in insulin levels.

  1. Stores Energy

Asides the instant boost, sugar provides energy. When the glucose is transformed into energy for instant use, the body saves some of the glucose for a reserve of energy, which is known as glycogenesis. A connection of glucose molecules are known as glycogen chain and it’s broken down when there is no basic source of energy.

  1. Improvement in thinking skills

If you want to improve your thinking skills, you need sugar. And one of the best sources solely for this purpose is chocolates. Chocolates contain natural sugar and some healthy components. Even though there is no direct proof for this, researchers have opined that cocoa flavanols improves cognitive function.

Also, they prevent brain cell damage and they create connections in the brain.

Reasons why Sugar is not good for you

In almost all the food products, you will discover that sugar is present. You will find sugar in processed foods, natural foods and the likes. Some people have imbibed the habit of taking too much sugar without realizing that it is not good for them.

This guide shows you why sugar is not good for you

  1. It causes weight gain

Each year, the rate of obesity increases and it is majorly from the intake of sugary products. Sugar-filled drinks like juice, soda and the likes come with fructose which is a simple sugar. When you take fructose, you become hungrier than when you take glucose.

On the other hand, when you take too much fructose, it prevents leptin from functioning properly. Leptin is the essential hormone for hunger regulation that tells your body to refrain from eating.

When you take a lot of sugar, the amount of visceral fat in the body increases. And it causes diabetes and heart disease.

  1. Increases the risk of Diabetes (Type 2)

It is imperative to note that the link between diabetes and excessive sugar consumption should not be ignored. Notably, obesity is caused by taking too much sugar and this is the strongest risk factor for diabetes.

Similarly, taking too much sugar increases the resistance to the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas and responsible for regulating the blood sugar levels.

When insulin resistance sets in, the blood sugar levels rise and it increases the chance of diabetes.

  1. Might increase the risk of cancer

Taking too much sugar can increase the risk of some forms of cancer. First, meals high in sugar causes inflammation in the body, and this causes insulin resistance. Both incidences increases the risk of cancer.

Furthermore, a diet that has too much sugar causes obesity which prominently increases the risk of cancer.

  1. Accelerate the skin’s aging process

If you don’t want to look old faster than your age, you need to cut down on your sugar intake. In the body, there are reactions formed between protein and sugar. These reactions form Advanced Glycation End Products which play a vital role in skin aging.  s

 

EFFECT OF SUGAR ADDICTION

Sugar is found in almost every food we eat, and they can even be found in food products you do not expect. A good number of people depend on quickly processed foods for snacks and meals, and these foods are known to contain a high quantity of sugar. Studies have shown that excess sugar consumption is a major cause of chronic diseases and obesity.

To start with, sugar addiction increases the chances of heart disease. Diets which have high sugar content are known to be associated with heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the world today. In addition to heart problems, obesity, high blood pressure levels and a host of others, are likely effects of sugar addiction.

Also, sugar addiction also increases the chances of having Type-2 diabetes. Research has shown that there is a connection between the risk of diabetes and sugar consumption.

Obesity is caused by taking too much sugar, and this is the strongest risk factors when it comes to diabetes. In addition to this, insulin resistance induces blood sugar levels to rise, and this increases the chance of diabetes.

Sugar addiction also increases the risk of coming down with cancer. Just like diabetes, taking too much sugary foods causes obesity, and it in turn leads to cancer. Insulin resistance which is also an effect of sugar addiction, also leads to cancer.

Another effect of sugar addiction which people are not aware of is, it increases the risk if depression. A healthy diet improves your mood, and one high in sugar enhances your chances of being depressed. All processed foods contain sugar, and this has been strongly linked to depression.

Sugar addiction also makes you grow older faster than usual. When you have wrinkles on your skin, it is a sign of aging, and when you take foods which high sugar content, they appear faster than usual. Hence, you will discover that you are looking older than you are supposed to.

Foods which have high sugar content also saps your energy, and you might not be aware of this. Taking sugary foods can cause fluctuations in your energy levels.

Treatment for Sugar Addiction

sugar addiction treatmentAn addiction to sugar can be very serious, with devastating effects on a person’s health and wellness. Sugar addiction is a less known addiction because it is a more recently qualified addiction than alcohol, drugs, sex and other long established addictions. But it is every bit as serious. Sugar addiction is responsible for millions of cases of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and dental problems in North America. When left untreated, sugar addiction has the potential to be fatal due to the diseases it can cause. It is very important that those who are struggling with a sugar addiction receive the treatment they need in order to regain control of their health.

It is important that a recovering sugar addict go through a thorough detox to cleanse their system. This can be done through an addiction treatment center or a separate detox center. Detoxification medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms may or may not be prescribed. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms of a sugar addiction are headaches, trembling, nausea, irritability and moodiness. It is highly recommended that this process is done under the supervision of medical and mental health professionals to ensure that withdrawal symptoms are not dangerous and that no undiagnosed medical conditions arise.

After a detox has been completed and the recovering sugar addict has a balanced intake, they will begin to work with mental health professionals on the underlying causes of their sugar addiction. It is important to discover what life events and circumstances lead the recovering sugar addict to rely on sugar for escape in the first place. By unlocking this knowledge, the individual can confront it with a new perspective which sets them up for changed behavior and thought patterns. The recovering addict spends time developing their coping abilities and mental health through counseling, various therapies and healthy recreation, which enables them to reenter the world with a new found strength. If a sugar addition is weighing you down, do not despair. Contact a quality addiction treatment services center to learn about your options.

If a sugar addiction has caused you to be overweight or obese, help is available to you. All through out the United States and Canada, nutritionists, personal trainers and weight loss surgeons are at your service. In New York City nutritionists are available to create you a customized diet plan to suit your needs, in Edmonton personal trainers can motivate your fitness plan and in Kelowna weight loss surgery is a popular method of slimming down.

Visit weightlosesurgery.com

Ending Your Sugar Addiction

end sugar addiction (2)When a person has been eating an excessive amount of sugar, their body and their brain will be programmed to need it and will go into withdrawals without it. This is a textbook case of addiction. Many people are unaware that sugar is a legitimate addiction, brushing it off as a “sweet tooth” or “low self control,” minimizing the biological and chemical ways it alters a person’s system to crave it. Bringing a sugar addiction under control is a difficult task for the addict, in some ways every bit as difficult as controlling an alcohol or drug addiction, but it is entirely possible to do so.

When you are ready to take control of your personal health and end your sugar addiction, the first thing to keep in mind is to respect your sugar problem like an addiction. Part of the reason people fail is because they do not take their condition seriously. This is often because their support system does not take it seriously. Well meaning family members might tell you that you simply need to be on a diet, not understanding that your system is addicted to sugar and feel ill without it. Treating an addiction like an addiction means applying the Twelve Steps to it, which requires surrender, humility, treatment, self-help literature and even calling on your higher power for support.

Any addiction is really just a way of escaping instead of coping, so in order to be successful, you need to use your cognitive behaivoral skills to think critically about why you abuse sugar so that you can think your way into healthier thoughts and behavioral patterns. Part of this is by finding healthy ways of achieving the same peace of mind that sugar gave you, such as through exercise, yoga, meditation or a beloved hobby. This, plus learning to positive self-talk, is the definition of healthy coping. Quitting cold turkey is not for everyone. If you have to, take baby steps toward your goal. Slowly begin to taper off your sugar intake and replace the refined sugars you eat with natural sugars. Then slowly bring the level of natural sugar you ingest into balance. If you relapse and binge on sugar, start again the following day. Be persistent, do not give up, tell your support system what you are experiencing and reach out for help. There is hope for your sugar addiction!

Addicted to Sugar

sugar addictionMany people are not aware that sugar cravings can turn into a certifiable addiction. This is because harmful types of sugar are not restricted or labeled for the public at all. In fact, they are found in every popular food chain and sit down restaurant in North America. This is concerning, considering that refined sugars cause deadly diseases when consumed in excess. It is up to us to understand what a sugar addiction is, and hold ourselves and our loved ones accountable.

Refined sugars are qualified as addictive because the body’s chemistry actually changes as it receives more and more sugar. Just like in the case of an addictive drug, the body becomes reliant on refined sugar as it receives large quantities of it, and goes into withdrawals if it does not receive it. This is a major qualifier of an addictive substance. When someone is legitimately addicted to sugar, their behavior will show it. If they are kept away from the object of their sugar craving, they will become irritable or emotional. Their cravings may become so strong that they are willing to go to great lengths to achieve the sugar they are craving, no matter what time of day or night it is. Frequently, if people who are close to the sugar addict have expressed a concern for their behavior, the addict will begin to indulge in secret, keeping hidden stashes of sugary items in desk drawers and cupboards.

If you believe that yourself or someone you care about is struggling with a real sugar addiction treatment is the best option. This method of recovery works the same way as drug or alcohol abuse recovery does. It is important not to take a sugar addiction lightly. Sugar addiction is one of the leading causes of obesity, heart disease, tooth decay and diabetes in North America and the world. When left untreated, it can have devastating health consequences. The mental health professionals who treat addiction will certainly not take your sugar addiction lightly. They are eager to see you recover and restore your body to its original health.

Sugar Cravings

craving sugarPeople who are prone to sugar cravings are faced with the difficult task of learning to control their cravings. This is not an easy thing to do considering that sugar is chemically addictive. As with everything in life, the more you feed a sugar craving, the more your body and mind will think that sugar is a life necessity. The truth is, a certain amount of natural sugar is normal and healthy for the system, such as the sugar found in fruits and vegetables, but any kind of white or refined sugar is being revealed as toxic more and more everyday by health experts, and should largely be avoided.

Refined sugars are incredibly bad for people. They are a leading cause of a number of heart diseases and of diabetes. They also cause tooth decay, tooth infection and a range of other bodily destruction. The surgeon general has strongly advised to stay away from foods and beverages that are heavy in refined sugar content. Particularly chastised in recent years has been any kind of soda pop beverage. The high sugar content in soda is more responsible for obesity and disease than foods containing saturated fats. There is still a great deal of confusion over which kinds of sugars to avoid, but generally speaking, they are the ones found in processed, high calorie foods such as pastries, baked goods and things accompanied by white flour.

It is not uncommon to feel overwhelming cravings for these types of foods. Many adults, young and old, were raised on these items, consuming them far more often than we know is healthy in the present day. However, it is possible to train yourself to reduce their presence in your diet and take control of the amount of unhealthy sugar in your system. It may be a struggle for a time because your system is used to refined sugars, but by gradually replacing them with the natural sugar found in fruit and plants, you too can be sugar free!