Sugar Attack

What is the common ingredient amongst these foods?

Donuts, french fries, soda, margarine, ice cream, processed cereals, potato chips, pretzels, store-bought cookies.

SUGAR.

A Study in April 2010, published by the Journal of American Medical Association, found that daily sugar intake increased your risk of heart disease by altering the Total Cholesterol composition. When sugar is present in the body it is: burned for energy, stored for energy, and then all the remaining sugar is stored as fat for long-term energy use. The problem begins because the average American diet rarely takes a break from sugar consumption. Thus more fat is produced than consumed, and with the fat sticking around, literally to our arteries, we are at risk for heart attacks, clogged arteries, strokes, and eventually cardiac failure.

So what do we do?

1. Eat-
Eating a diet low in white sugar is a great start. Unfortunately it is not always enough. It is also important to be cautious about the over-consumption of these sources of sugar as well: fruit, beverages, grains, and all pre-packaged or processed foods. In addition, make sure you are getting enough good fats from cod liver, flax seed, olive, coconut, and tuna oils; avocados; and lean proteins. Lastly, lots of vegetables--try eating from the rainbow of colors in the grocery store.

2. Exercise-
A study out of University of Michigan states that exercise is just as effective at lowering blood sugar as two different diabetes medications. High Blood Sugar levels can lead to Diabetes which is a large risk factor in heart disease. So get moving and cut your risk factor down!

3. Educate-
Getting our health information from television or magazines can be dangerous work. If something interests you, seek out the facts, read peer-reviewed articles, and ask your trusted Health Care Provider for answers.

Dr. Allison K. Norris, D.C.

Norris Family Chiropractic