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we give in to those cravings. One of the
reasons we crave sugar (or caffeine) is because of low adrenal function.
The adrenals are hormone glands that sit above the kidneys. Amongst other things, one of their jobs is to secrete
epinephrine (better known to some as adrenaline) which provides us with energy. They also secrete cortisone when
there is inflammation present in the body. Thirdly, they replace the function of the ovaries in the production
of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone when women get close to their menopausal years. When everything
is functioning well and everything is being nourished properly, there is no problem. This hormonal transition takes
place smoothly.
What can interfere with this? Stress, first and foremost. Of any kind. When we're stressed the adrenals secrete
adrenaline as if we were preparing to fight tigers in the jungle. They don't know the difference between the stress
of facing a tiger and the stress of facing an irate boss, a bouncing checkbook or rush-hour traffic. They just
jump into gear and adrenaline flows.
Inflammation can be caused by many well-known factors such as injury and diseases like arthritis etc. What is less
known is that food allergies can also cause inflammation. If the allergen is something that is eaten frequently
such as wheat, we can have consistent low-grade inflammation going on almost all the time. (Dairy is another common
food allergen). The adrenals are consistently under pressure to produce cortisone to keep the inflammation under
control as much as possible.
These two factors are enough to deplete the body's energy reserves. Add to them the requirement of now manufacturing
estrogen and progesterone and you can see that this gland could very well get into trouble.
What happens?
-Lack of energy most definitely
-Fatigue
-Need to take afternoon naps
-Cravings for sugar or caffeine to force the adrenals to give the energy that is lacking
-Menopausal symptoms can also kick in if the adrenals are not up to par
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP
SUGAR CRAVINGS?
What I often do when someone comes to me
with these symptoms is to put them on adrenal supplements. I recommend a higher dosage to start with, which we
reduce as the energy returns. I often start them on one to two, or even three of the sugar craving formula as well. Apart
from this, I make no dietary recommendations at this time. It is just too hard to ask a person to cut out the sugar
when in reality it is like a drug for them. It gives them the energy to get through day and to feel like a human
being. It helps the brain to work. I give them a formula for their adrenal glands for a week and when they come
back in to see me their energy has improved, their mood is better, and they often have a different, more positive
outlook. They now have more willpower in which to make some changes.
This is really where the Sugar Craving Formula comes in. It helps to change the kind of food the body craves. And
what we want to do is to begin to replace the negative foods in the diet with positive foods. This Formula is used
not as much as a meal replacement as a snack replacement. I tell people when they are reaching for the chocolate
or the cookies, to eat a packet first. Wait 10 minutes and if you still want the chocolate, eat it. If you do this
consistently, not only will you cut down on the number of "bad" snacks you eat, but after a while you
will find that you are craving fruits or vegetables instead. (It's also a great item to have on hand while travelling
to avoid the temptation of unhealthy fast food). If you are not a snacker, simply eat some Sugar Craving Formula
15 to 20 minutes before a meal and not only will you eat less, you will soon effortlessly make better choices of
what you eat.
For those who have REALLY bad sugar cravings
I have them take a more concentrated formula as well: sugar craving capsules.
This has many of the same ingredients as the food packet Sugar Craving Formula but is much more concentrated and
is in capsule form.
Another option is taking the Sugar
Craving Formula along with
Adaptogen, as suggested in the Sugar Craving Kit. Adaptogen helps the body adapt to stress and bring it back into balance in a gentle way. It gives
support to the adrenals and other hormones as well. I use Adaptogen myself for my hormonal support, for immune
support and for a "soft" energy boost. When I'm facing a big project and know that stress will accompany
it, I start my day with 3 Adaptogen and it takes the edge off. (That along with 1 or 2 capsules of Ease Distress
everyday, and those involved with the project are much happier with my involvement.)
The next step is to begin replacing the high sugar drinks in the diet with low-carb drinks. And we start with the
most detrimental, i.e. drinks with sugar substitutes and all their side effects as well as caffeinated drinks.
Many people drink sodas or juices consistently throughout the day. For that I recommend a particular lemon tea
formula which helps to give energy by flushing fat. The Lemon
Tea Kit contains a concentrated
liquid form of stevia leaf which is not only carbohydrate-free, it also helps to balance blood sugar levels. This
can help to keep down the sugar cravings and the appetite. Controlling the blood sugar levels can be very effective
in stabilizing mood swings as well. The Lemon Tea is made from all natural ingredients including the lemon flavoring
which is derived from lemon oil extract. It is in powdered form which makes it dissolve easily for iced tea. This
tea comes in other flavors as well available by special order (contact our office). We stock the lemon only as
it is particularly helpful for gallbladder conditions.
To replace your hot coffee in the morning, try this tea hot. It gives you the lift and the mental acuity you need
in the morning, without the detrimental effects that coffee has on the adrenal glands.
After 3 to 4 weeks, dietary changes should be happening quite naturally. That is the time I begin to give some
suggestions about what to eat and what not to eat. For the purposes of sugar cravings the general rule is that
the more refined carbohydrates you eat, the more you crave. And the easiest way not to crave is to not eat ANY
sweets or refined carbohydrates (including white flour etc.) Increasing protein intake can be very helpful too.
For some people simply adding more protein to their diets cuts down their sugar cravings tremendously. This is
especially true for vegetarians.
Some people have the self-discipline it takes to make these changes with no help. I have seen very few pull it
off. For most, the products mentioned above really make the transition effortless and natural. Isn't that the way
life should be?
WEIGHT GAIN DUE TO GALLBLADDER
PROBLEMS AND CHRONIC INDIGESTION
One of the reasons people often can't lose
weight is some type of digestion problem. Good digestion is essential to proper absorption. If you're not digesting
well, you're not getting the most from the food you're eating. In one of my future newsletters I will address digestion
problems including a diet for gallbladder, a natural sweetener with no carbohydrates that is safe for diabetics
and the various types of soluble fiber and where to get them.
Changing your desires from junk food cravings to healthy, whole, all natural food is your first step to weight
loss, your first step to hormonal balance, your first step to better health. It is common knowledge that a poor
diet that is deficient in essential nutrients can contribute to:
-the cause of arthritis
-the cause of migraines
-the cause of allergies
-to osteoporosis in women, men and children
- menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes
Nutrient deficient foods can be a cause of
stress in general as well as emotional stress. Refined foods and sugar are some of the foods causing physical stress
and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Sugars can contribute to, diabetes, obesity, fatigue, and depression and especially
depression in the elderly. Bad diets can cause bloating and constipation, chronic indigestion, chronic stomach
pain and endless other conditions. See my upcoming newsletter on digestion. Click here to order.
Many people have heard this and make a few minor changes, like eating a salad once in awhile, along with the refined
and processed foods laden with bad fats and sugars. Did you know that sugar in the body acts like a vacuum for
B vitamins? Sugar depletes the body of B vitamins which are important to the health of the nerves and the brain.
They are involved in energy production and may help alleviate depression. (White flour and pasta are refined carbohydrates
which break down into simple sugars.) I repeat, "Sugar depletes the body of B vitamins". And taking supplements is not enough. A true dietary change is called for. But please make
it easy on yourself. Add the concentrated sugar craving formula (2
to 3 packets a day) to what you are already eating and watch your food cravings change!
Whether you need to gain weight or lose weight, build stamina or just combat fatigue, feel better or look better,
improving your eating habits can help. These products can help. My newsletter, educating you on these products
and their ingredients, as well as what other foods to eat and avoid, can be of great assistance to you. I am here
to support you on your journey to health and balance.
Say yes to good health. Say yes to more energy, to clearer thinking, to a feeling of well being. Say yes to good
eating habits. You'll be glad
you did.
Click
here to get my newsletters of recommendations of where to start.
(1)Torsoli A, Corazziari E, Habib
FI, Cicala M. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1990;175:52-7.
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DO YOU HAVE A BLOOD SUGAR
PROBLEM ? ARE YOU INSULIN
RESISTANT AND ON YOUR WAY
TO BECOMING A DIABETIC? THE
MORE OF THE SYMPTOMS YOU SAY
YES TO BELOW, THE MORE YOU
NEED HELP WITH YOUR BLOOD
SUGAR.
SUGAR QUESTIONNAIRE
- Eat when nervous
- Excessive appetite
- Hungry between meals
- Irritable before meals
- Get shaky if hungry
- Fatigue, eating relieved
- Lightheaded if meals delayed
- Heart palpitates if meals missed
or
delayed
- Afternoon headaches
- Overeating sweets upsets
- Awaken after few hours sleep,
hard
to get back to sleep
- Crave candy, carbohydrates
or
coffee in afternoons
- Moods of depression, blues
or
melancholy
- Abnormal craving for sweets
or
snacks |
