Visions of Sugar Plums Dance in Our Heads!

A little public service reminder!

Sugar is not your friend.

In case you had not noticed, there are a lot of sweets coming at us right now. All made with love and kindness and…sugar!

Although, sugar can give a quick energy boost, most of us know that it also rots your teeth, raises your blood glucose levels, and causes your insulin to spike; which consequently turns excess sugar turn to fat, storing it around your belly, and putting a strain on your liver!

A bit less well known, however, is that excess sugar suppresses your immune system. And because 80% of your immune system is located in your intestines, (yes read that again, 80% of your immune system is located in your intestines) just as quickly as we overdo sugar, we are headed in the wrong direction. How? By disrupting our normal gut bacteria and creating an unhealthy level of inflammation, which depresses our immune function. This whole cascade of events allows us to succumb to illness.

Not a pretty picture.

Here is a line from a brief article I read, “Acute sugar intake creates a short-term window of vulnerability by directly inhibiting the function of multiple lines of immune defense.” (For more info click)

Ever wonder why so many people get colds and flus around the holidays and early part of the new year?

You can quit wondering. And quit blaming the people around you for “getting you sick”!

The part that is difficult for many reading this to grasp, is the simple fact that a weakened immune system is responsible for you getting sick, not the snot nosed kids you might encounter. We as adults have more sophisticated immune responses that have taken a lifetime to build. We should cultivate habits that allow us to be around anybody, sick or not, without fear.

Habits that include regular sleep, sunshine, exercise, hydration, and…minimizing sugar!

Kids are actively working on building their own immune systems and coming into contact with other sick kids, as heretical as it sounds, is ultimately good for them and their future defenses. Stop blaming them.

Can you enjoy the season and all the love that went into those baked goodies? Of course. But… choose wisely. And offset the indulgence with an extra walk, or more sleep, or more sunshine or more hydration.

You get the idea.

Cheers,
Ks

PS-In the name of transparency, I struggle with this too! But I have quit blaming anyone else for my immune system's status! So that’s progress.

PSS-We have some great immune support at the office. Standard Process has thought of everything. Get some for your stocking.