Sugar belly

It is widely known and accepted that sugar contributes significantly to weight gain. There are quite a few other reasons why we get that belly that is so despised by over-weight individuals. Understanding some of the mechanisms behind sugar causing weight gain can help us in our control over it.

First and foremost is how the pancreas and adrenals respond to sugar when consumed. When we eat a high carb meal, glucose levels go up. Because glucose in large amounts is toxic, it causes the pancreas to raise insulin levels to try to get the glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells where it can be used. The adrenals also release cortisol in response to insulin. Both insulin and cortisol tell the body to increase fat deposition. The more this happens, and the greater the amount of glucose in the blood, the more the cells become resistant to insulin. The pancreas then has to work even harder to get the glucose (which is needed by the energy mechanisms) into the cells.

Fructose in the diet also causes the body to become resistant to a hormone called leptin. Leptin is responsible for helping the brain determine how much fat is stored (for use in emergency or famine situations). The fatter the cells get the worse the mechanism responds, and the brain, instead of seeing that you have ample fat and reducing the appetite, sends the message that you are starving and sets off cravings. Of course, then you eat more, and the fat cells get even fatter and worsens the situation.

Sugar doesn’t satisfy. You have receptors on your tongue that are called kokumi. Kokumi is a Japanese word for “mouthfulness” — meaning how satisfied your mouth or tongue feels with food. It enhances the flavors of sweet, salty and savory (a.k.a. “umami”), but it is the fat in food that makes you truly satisfied. When we dropped fat from our diet we were no longer getting satisfied, or feeling kokumi, so we turned to sweets to satisfy instead. Well by far, the sugar puts on more weight than fat ever did. Besides, we now know that eating fats (good fats), don’t make you fat. Sugar does.

There are three vital components to slow down sugar response in the body (reducing insulin and cortisol): fat, protein and fiber. The more those three things are in a meal, the slower that sugar will enter the bloodstream, and the less negative hormonal response. To help with weight — eat less sugar and more protein, fiber and fat!

I want to take this opportunity to introduce my new associate, Jonathan Sasser to you. He is a licensed acupuncturist, with a master’s degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine and a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. He will be alternating writing articles with me, beginning next week. I hope you enjoy his articles too. I think you will find them informative and helpful in achieving your health goals.

Attend my upcoming health class, 5 Key Obstacles to Eliminating Excess Weight, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at Vital Health in Coeur d’Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: 208-765-1994 or register here: http://bit.ly/WeightClass

- • •

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Carling is a “Health Detective.” She looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic. Visit Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.