Sugar sensitivity - Food for thought

[Just Sara]

We're all probably aware diet has a lot to do with our brain function and coping mechanisms. I've been reading a book called 'Potatoes not Prozac' by Kathleen DesMaisons (PH.D in Addictive Nutrition) It's about sugar sensitive people and how sugar can be similar to alcohol and illicit drugs for some. It mostly concentrates on levels of Beta Endorphins, Serotonin and Blood Sugar.

I've decided to run with the program and am up to the stage of journaling my food intake and activity/behaviour/emotions/feelings. It's early days yet, but I'm already beginning to see some patterns. She says not to change my habits for a couple of weeks until my patterns are clear, but it's tempting.

This book is so interesting. Symptoms of anxiety, confused thinking and depression are major influences. There are some great little experiments to show how sugar, protein and fat are used in the body, especially regarding the brain; sleep and emotional well being. Some interesting tit-bits are:

• Low calorie sugar replacements like Sugarine have the same affect on the brain as normal sugar
• Sugar affects the same sections of the brain as alcohol and even heroin
• Sugar is more addictive than heroin and can be harder to give up than smoking
• Flour and its bi-products are simple sugars
• When we eat is just as important as what we eat

I did an experiment using a baked potato as a snack prior to bed and had the best night's sleep in a long time. She says to limit simple carbs during the day and have a meal around 6:30 pm using mostly good quality protein and a small amount of complex carbs; no fat. Then 1/2 hr before bed eat a medium dry baked potato, skin on. Protein prepares the body for carbs from the potato which increases serotonin levels over a long period while the potato digests overnight.

Simple sugars digest very quickly as we know from the hit we get after soft drinks for instance. This is not a book for people to lose weight; (though weight loss is inevitable) it addresses our brain chemistry and emotions. It's a winner!

[Just Sara]

Hey Durras...you hit the nail right on the head!

Addiction has two aspects; the biochemical one and the emotional attachment or oral fixation. In my travels with this subject, I've found attachment is the most difficult to address. We place things in our mouths to push down issues, but especially what we want to say but don't. That's why I refer to it as an oral fixation.

The bio chemical issue relates to the physical addiction and has processes like detox and coping with cravings. There's plenty of info out there about this, but attachment is very personal and can only be addressed by remembering why we began in the first place. Then we need to process our historical data to give up the 'need' to binge etc. It's not for the faint hearted as sometimes those memories can be triggers to awful stuff. But if you're brave the pay-off is worth it.

I too have dealt with alcohol and know now it began as a 13 yr old to avoid feelings re sexual abuse. I don't drink anymore, but still smoke and overeat. I won't go into the crux of all my attachments, but I've uncovered some very revealing info about myself and how I've coped. It's not about what other people did, it's about how we reacted.

The book I mention goes into alcohol addiction too as sugar is directly related to the brain in the same way. The woman who wrote it was an alcohol specialist to begin with.

My journey so far has been about recognising my triggers to eat or smoke. I've managed to cut my cigarette consumption down by half, but sugar and flour etc is a whole other story.

Luck to us all...Dizzy xo

[Maureen]

Not sure any of you have heard of this. I have numerous addictions, which have become worse as my anxiety/depression have gotten worse - smoking, sugar, coffee and reading. These have all been 'go to's' for me over the years when I've been down. Now all are excessive. My psychiatrist has said I'm self medicating. Yup, she is right. When I'm down, I feel I can't live without these 4 things. The drugs and psychologists aren't helping. My 'go to's' do, according to my brain.

One thing I believe I have found is my dopamine levels are too low. I base this on having every symptom listed on Dr google. And, deficient dopamine can cause addictions. For me, I rest my case. I could be being too simplistic but this is what I'm currently working on. 

Hmmm, got off topic here. I will grab a copy of this book. Sounds interesting.

Maureen

[Just Sara]

Hi Maureen...our journey's are personal and relative only to us. Similarities to others is bound to happen. But when it comes to recovering, it's hard slog.

I haven't been posting this month as I had surgery on 8th Feb. I didn't smoke during the time I was there and couldn't wait to light up the moment my foot hit the ground at home. Blah!!!

But, it's a process and I have to be ready. That means not wanting to self medicate anymore and face the day ad-hoc. Feel those feelings and deal with it.

Good luck on your journey...Dizzy x

FYI...Dopamine is created to address pain. It's what happens when we scream during childbirth for instance. The screaming gets the neurotransmitters fired up. It's primal, but these days we have so many other types of 'pain', our poor brains don't know if we're primates, reptiles or humans. (Evolution of the brain)

[Maureen]

Hello drizzle, I hope the surgery went well and wasn't of a serious nature. Well done stopping smoking for the surgery.

Good luck with your journey as well.

Maureen

[Obsessed]

Hi. Have a look at a book called"The big book of endurance training and racing" by Dr Phil Maffetone.

I am not suggesting at all for you to become an athlete BUT what he writes about is sugar intolerance and carbohydrate intolerance. In the book he gives you a few test to see if you are carbohydrate intolerance and how to fix the problem.

I have followed his method of dieting and training for the last 18 months now and have seen some great results.Me also has a web page you can look at  it is very informative.Dr Maffetone is very much a firm believer that sugar/carbs are a huge problem.

Cheers Obsessed

[OhmeOhmy]

Hey Dizzy

what a great informative post.  I will get a copy of this book for sure.  I have been struggling with allergies and cough variant asthma and have cut our gluten just as of this week.  I have done lots of research about gut health and its so significant to our overall health and well being.  I will keep following this post and let you know how I go too.

Happy healing to all of us xo