KICK Sugar Cravings and SLASH Disease Risk
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 17, 2023
People always ask me, “What’s the ONE thing I can do to improve my health?”
I can make a good argument for exercising, getting better sleep, and even eating an (organic) apple a day.
But by far, the BEST thing you can do to improve your health is to cut sugar out of your life.
It’s so important I wrote an entire BOOK on the subject. And now a new study confirms I’ve been right all along.
In fact, the researchers pinpointed PRECISELY how much sugar a day sends your disease risk soaring. And you’ll be shocked by how little it is.
Researchers crunched the data from 73 separate studies to conclude what I’ve been telling you all along. And that is, SUGAR IS BAD FOR YOU.
The study published in the British Medical Journal linked sugar to 45 distinct health issues.
The researchers found that eating over six teaspoons of sugar a day sends your risk of developing many of the diseases that plague us today soaring, including:
- diabetes
- heart disease (including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke)
- depression
- gout
- obesity
- cancer (including breast, prostate, and pancreatic)
- asthma
- tooth decay
- depression
And it should come as no surprise after reading THAT list that your risk of DEATH shoots up too.
The thing is, six teaspoons of sugar ISN’T much when you look at the average American diet. And trust me, when you start REALLY reading nutrition labels, you’ll be stunned by how much sugar you scarf down daily.
Six teaspoons of sugar convert to about 24 grams. A typical 12-ounce can of soda ALONE contains 30-35 grams.
Dumping the sugar from your diet makes such a big difference because it shows up in SO MANY processed foods. That means when you kick sugar out of your life you’re ALSO giving the boot to hydrogenated oils, artificial preservatives, and colorings.
So, HOW do you quit? Well, I’ll be honest, it isn’t easy. Sugar is highly addictive. Giving it up can be as hard as quitting cigarettes, alcohol, and even drugs.
Some folks do well “going cold turkey,” while others do better when they slowly decrease the amount of sugar they consume. Either way, be patient with yourself. You’re bound to struggle a bit while giving sugar the old heave-ho.
These quitting hacks can help get you over the hump when those cravings kick in:
- Brush your teeth. Toothpaste is mildly sweet and can head off a sugar craving. Plus, many people don’t feel like eating anything once they’ve brushed and their mouths are clean.
- Drink water. Sometimes your brain mixes up cravings, and your body needs water, not sugar. Try drinking a glass of water when a craving surfaces to see if it scratches that itch.
- Remember, it’s just a craving. There’s no need to be a slave to your cravings. When one pops up, remind yourself that even though your brain is trying to convince you that you’re starving, you’re NOT. You can usually out-wait a craving.
- Amino acids: Supplementing with the amino acids tyrosine, phenylalanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), tryptophan, and glutamine can help suppress sugar cravings. Glutamine is sweet-tasting and can be placed under the tongue after a meal or between meals to calm cravings.
- B-complex: A good B complex is essential for reducing sugar cravings.
- Minerals: Some research suggests sugar cravings are triggered by low mineral levels. This is especially true of chromium, which has also been shown to help balance blood sugar levels.
- Gymnema: Research shows that the herb gymnema can help with blood sugar control and cravings.
- A good multi-vitamin: Multi-vitamins can often help quell cravings. Many include B vitamins and minerals, which can reduce the desire for sugar.
Quitting sugar will be challenging. But it WILL be worth it. And remember, every failure is just an opportunity to start over again.
P.S. When quitting sugar, you might be tempted to reach for artificial sweeteners to fill the gap. Don’t. Those fake sugars wreak havoc in your body, harming your health. I have all the disturbing details RIGHT HERE.
Source:
“Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review,” BMJ 2023;381:e071609, doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-071609
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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