Eating a lot of sugar and carbohydrates can produce massive spikes in blood sugar levels, causing high levels of insulin to be released, which if prolonged, can increase the risk of insulin resistance, type- 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, premature ageing, infertility, age-related macular degeneration, colon cancer etc.
Individuals suffering from sugar addiction can achieve good results by completely removing the sugar from their diet, but that is usually not sustainable. The moment they start having even a small amount of sugar, the addiction kicks in and the vicious cycle repeats itself.
Sugar addiction often points to an undiagnosed underlying problem and, if it is not resolved, the habit will return after implementation of a sugar-restricted diet. Therefore, identifying underlying issues leading to sugar addiction is the fundamental step in overcoming sugar cravings permanently.
Unbalanced neurotransmitters and endorphins in the brain could result in cravings as sugar almost instantaneously elevates serotonin and uplifts your mood. A 2007 study in the journal Eating Behaviour stated that when tryptophan (a serotonin precursor) levels were depleted, a tremendously higher sugar intake could be observed in overweight people. Low serotonin levels without apparent depression can be one of the reasons why some people opt for sugar. Furthermore, eating sugar artificially stimulates the region of the brain that produces dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in the pleasure pathway. Dopamine levels drop soon after the initial surge and we start to feel “down”, which makes us crave the high that we get from sugar. Some people may also have genetic SNPs that result in various neutotransmitter imbalances resulting in increased cravings.
Individuals with an under-active thyroid who present with morning tiredness, adrenal fatigue or mitochondrial dysfunction tend to have a higher sugar intake to compensate for this lack of energy. Insulin-resistant patients who aren’t able to adequately utilise glucose and are fatigued eat more sugar to give them energy, which leads to a vicious cycle.
Imbalances in the normal flora of the gut can lead to overgrowth of “bad” bacteria, yeast and fungi – which feed on sugar – and can cause increased sugar cravings. Food allergies and sensitivities can lead to immune-system-mediated cravings. Both issues are present concomitantly with overwhelming amounts of stress and altered cortisol production, which suppress immunity.
Sugary foods deplete minerals in your body that are important for balancing blood sugar levels and preventing insulin resistance. High sugar intake has been shown to increase the urinary excretion by the kidneys of magnesium and chromium. Chromium increases the number of insulin receptors and promotes insulin binding. Magnesium increases glucose uptake and utilisation of the skeletal muscle.
The perimenopausal period, menopause, PMS, patients with a SNP in their COMT (short for catechole-methyl-O-transferase – a gene if not working correctly has a higher demand for Magnesium)gene, oestrogen dominance, PCOS (short for poly cystic ovarian syndrome), insulin resistance, high cortisol and low growth hormone can oftentimes present with overwhelming sugar cravings, due to various mechanisms. Sugar addictions can be cured sustainably only after the underlying cause has been identified; they are treated effectively using integrative medicine with a personalised approach.
