Connecting Diabetes, Irritability, ADD, Fatigue and Hypoglycemia

Connecting Diabetes, Irritability, ADD, Fatigue and Hypoglycemia
The Sugar Blues

Recently, CBS stated that one in three U.S. children born in 2000 will become diabetic. Also, ADD and behaviour disorders are on the rise, drastically increasing with each new generation affecting children of all ages. Many adults complain of fatigue, the “2 o’clock brick wall,” general irritability or depression. What we don’t realize, is that all of these are greatly affected by sugar, white flours, refined and artificial sweeteners.

Whole Grains Versus White Flour
Whole grains contain many vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals are required in the metabolism of the grain, so that the food nourishes the body and allows the body to have control of the food, deciding where and how to use the nourishment in the body. White or refined grains are lacking the natural vitamins and minerals. When the body metabolizes white flour, it is required to give up our own stores of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorus from our cells and bones. This means that white flour is actually an anti-nutrient, as it depletes our body of vital nutrients. White sugar also has a similar effect, as sugar cane contains many minerals and vitamins to help metabolize and nourish the body.

How Sugar Causes Deterioration of the Body
As these minerals are depleted, the body becomes acidic - oxidizing and aging our body. The body realizes this and begins craving grains and sweet foods that are naturally abundant in B vitamins and minerals because the body is deficient. However, when we respond to these cravings by consuming more refined sugar, or refined flours (grains) we enter a destructive cycle as the body goes further into nutrient deficit - and further depleting our bone’s mineral stores, possibly leading to osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis (heart disease), and high blood pressure.

How Sugar and Flour Causes Hormonal and Mental Disorders (Diabetes, ADD, etc)
Because refined grains and sugar contain little nutrients to help control their metabolism, we absorb them very quickly giving the body a high calorie, intense surge of energy. This energy must be countered with our body’s hormonal system to protect itself from damage (as increased blood sugar is damaging to the body). The greater the rush of blood sugar created from refined foods, the greater the hormones required to counter. We quickly switch from high blood sugar to low blood sugar, which often gives us a feeling of exhaustion, poor mental focus, depression and irritability. Children often eat refined grains and sugar at every meal (including “whole grain” breakfast cereals, “whole grain” breads and other packaged foods which are very over processed and refined and metabolize similar to white flour products) creating this cycle three times each day. If a refined food is eaten at breakfast and lunch for instance, then poor concentration and behaviour issues may be likely in mid-morning and mid-afternoon, between meals.

If hormones are over-stimulated for a long period of time, they begin to function poorly, which can cause greater problems like ADD, diabetes, chronic fatigue and also contribute to other hormonal difficulties such as PMS, menopause, thyroid disorders, erratic testosterone levels and can make puberty an emotionally difficult time for children.

Summary
The more refined our food is, the more our body has to compensate by drawing the missing nutrients from other sources, such as our bones. Choosing grains and sweeteners that are whole and relatively unadulterated are high in vitamins (especially B vitamins) and minerals that our body naturally desires, and will help replenish the body of these essential nutrients. Choosing whole foods may help regulate our hormones and energy, aiding those with focus, behaviour, irritability or depression issues, as well as diabetes. So as always, eat whole and fresh foods!

The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified health care practitioner.