Posted on February 7, 2010.
Low Carb Diet Tips-sugar addiction and the immune system Anyone following a low carb diet knows that sugar is bad for health in many ways, including weight gain. If you need some motivation to avoid a sugar addiction, read this list of health problems associated with sugar. The information has been compiled from medical journals this and other publications, including "Lick the Sugar Habit" by Nancy Appleton, PhD.
1. Sugar suppresses the immune system.
This is the most important reason to avoid a sugar addiction, if you try to maintain a low carbohydrate diet or not. Two research projects have been done at the University of Loma Linda have evaluated the effects of sugar on phagocytes, white blood cells of the immune system that eat harmful bacteria. One study showed that Loma Linda sugar caused the phagocytic index to a dramatic decline, which had a negative effect on the amount of bacteria that could be eliminated by the immune system. To put it simply, the more bacteria consumed by phagocytes, the immune system more, and less chance of disease. So to avoid running over men who eat low-Pac foreign invaders in your immune system, stay away from sugar, including fructose corn syrup and high dextrose.
2. Sugar upsets the mineral balance in a healthy body. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc are essential minerals for the body to function properly. If any of these minerals is exhausted, the chemistry of the whole body can be disrupted. With only two teaspoons sugar, trace elements in the body changes dramatically, which causes the blood chemistry to pass. Some increase the mineral levels, some decrease, and the delicate relations are disrupted. If you follow a diet low in carbohydrates and concerned about having enough essential nutrients such as calcium , is another good reason to avoid sugar. Even a little sugar can reverse the effects of consumption of added calcium or mineral supplements.
3. Sugar can lead to obesity, hyperactivity, anxiety and poor concentration in children. Sugar Smacks, Cap N 'Crunch, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms and Trix are just some cereals loaded with sugar which is still consumed by children around the head prior to school. Even something as healthy as oatmeal is full of sugar in these packages instant variety of flavor. You may think that oats is a good low-carb, foods high in fiber, but once the sugar is sprinkled over it, oatmeal is no longer part of a diet low carbohydrate. In addition, look at all the sugar consumed by children in sodas and other products that are loaded with corn syrup rich in fructose.
Writing for the Journal of Abnormal Psychology in 1986, J. Goldman noted in "effects on the behavior of preschoolers sucrose on" a dose of sugar equivalent to that found in a 12-ounce soft drink has the effect of disrupting children's performance at school. It caused their concentration and reduce their inappropriate behaviors to increase. It is important to note that in 1976 the sugar industry was considered cheaper to make sugar from corn than beet or cane sugar. Corn syrup High fructose replaced sucrose as a sweetener since in many processed foods and soft drinks. It has been shown that fructose causes white blood cells of the immune system to become inactive and unable to defend the body against harmful invaders. Anyone following a low carb diet should be wary of fructose corn syrup, high, and avoid a sugar addiction.
4. An addiction to sugar accelerates aging.
