Confessions of a sugar addict - and the health implications…

Hi, my name is John and I am a recovering sugar addict.

Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, my parents owned a corner store. To me it was like paradise; it was easy access to pop, penny candy, chocolate bars of all varieties, and ice cream cones. I was the envy of my classmates and a supplier to my close friends.

Over the years I have significantly reduced my consumption after becoming a Naturopathic Physician, after my blood sugar start edged up to pre-diabetes levels, and especially since I’ve noticed more “memory changes” as I’ve gotten older.

Recently while preparing for a talk titled, “Age Proof Your Brain”, my research added more fuel to my drive to manage my sugar addiction. So much of the information, I already knew but choose to ignore. The dopamine rush from my indulgences that stoked this addiction overrode the scary facts of what sugar was doing to my body and especially my brain.

Here are some of the sobering facts in relation to excess sugar and the brain: impairs learning and memory, leads to brain shrinkage and damage, damages small blood vessels which impairs blood flow and oxygen levels, increase inflammation, increases risk of anxiety and depression, affects glucose metabolism, and increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Glucose is an essential fuel of the cells of the body and gives quick energy to allows cells of the body to do their job. The challenge is that the dopamine release from consumption leads some of us to over consume this fuel. Apparently Canadians on average consume about 80 lbs of sugars a year or 110 grams a day. Health Canada recommends 50 grams/day.

We have become a nation of sugar addicts and we need to manage this addiction for the sake of our physical health and the health and function of our brains.