Sugar
As recently as a year ago I never dreamed I would write about this. Even when I practiced strict vegetarianism. Even when I was anxious and depressed. Even in the depths of anorexia I believed that sugar was somehow keeping me alive, rather than one of the sources of my disease. And when I began adding weight back on I did it with daily trips to McDonalds- ordering caramel frappés and large fries, rather than meals of protein and healthy fats.
It was only when I began learning about dementia. As I became stable enough and strong enough to focus on my own health. As I emerged from the pandemic with a will to see this life through to the end. And to push the end back as far as possible.
I’m a physician for goodness sake. I have been caring for people with diabetes and obesity and anxiety and dementia and mental health issues for all of my adult life. And yet I never thought about what sugar was doing to me. Ingredients on packages changed right under my nose. Colas switched from sugar to corn syrup in the 80’s. Sugar and sugar substitutes began appearing in products that never had them before. Even as low fat became synonymous with healthy- the fat was being replaced by sugar. And then new sugars appeared- like maltose, xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, aspartame, stevia, dextrose, and many others. Alarmingly sweet, they alter our satiety response, making us crave more. And most products contain more than one of these, even those advertised as no sugar. I ate chocolate and cookies and gummies and ice cream and jelly and frosting. Dressing and peanut butter and ketchup. I ate potatoes and bread and rice. Purchases based on cost and familiarity and calorie content.
It wasn’t until last fall that I began to learn about the link between dementia and sugar. Of course people with diabetes have accelerated aging of their organs and vessels, but it never crossed my mind that sugar could also affect me.
I’ve spoken and written about the podcasts that have recently influenced me. And how my sisters are much further along this path than me. But it’s never too late. And as I continue to trim sugar and complex carbohydrates from my diet, I feel better and better. I’ve maintained my weight, my resting pulse is lower, my energy level is higher, my anxiety has lifted and my thinking is clearer. I’ve done it mainly by modifying the amounts and times of what I eat. Fasting for 14-16 hours. Drinking alcohol infrequently. Changing what I eat for lunch. Consuming protein a few minutes before carbs. And cutting back significantly on late night sugary snacks.
There are fascinating studies about reversing mental illness and epilepsy by inducing ketosis. Mitochondrial density and function improve as sugar consumption drops. You can travel as deeply as you desire into this subject. But one thing is certain- we all can benefit by cutting back on sugar and carbohydrate consumption.