Anti-Aging
Is Sugar Evil?
By Denise DeMaras
Apr 18, 2008

“Sugar is evil”, Dr. Dave Woynarowski responded when I questioned him about the dangers of Aspartame. Not the answer I expected, however, his tone convinced me to take a different avenue in the sugar vs. aspartame controversy and focus on sugar. As I searched for the devil in sugar, I found some reasons to believe he is right. Sugar’s destructive ability goes well beyond calories and cavities it attacks your sex life and prematurely ages your skin. In short sugar can make you fat, sick, old looking and kill off your sex life.

It is widely accepted that sugar contributes heavily to obesity and that obesity increases the risk for most diseases. But not so commonly known are the results of a study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, where sugar is found to shut off the SHBG (the sex hormone binding gene). This is the gene that regulates the amounts of testosterone and estrogen in your blood system. When SHBG is disarmed, complications in your sexual health range from low libido to uterine cancer. Look for evil lurking in labels as fructose, HFCS or corn syrup, and avoid all of the obvious processed sugars found in packaged goods, baked items and desserts if you value a healthy sex life.

Looking a little deeper, I found that studies show sugar causes skin to age prematurely. It does this through a process called glycation whereby sugar attacks the proteins collagen and elastin to form damaging molecules called AGEs (advanced glycation end products). As these AGEs accumulate with continued sugar consumption the skin begins to lose its luster; becomes dry, sags, and wrinkles. Sugar also converts strong collagen (Type III) into the weakest collagen (Type I). Further, once eaten, sugar disarms your natural antioxidants leaving you defenseless against sun damage. Fortunately, there are some excellent products and treatments available to build new collagen.

The solution is obvious, don’t eat sugar. Dr. Dave chooses to use aspartame because he affirms that “we cannot answer unequivocally as to the safety or dangers of aspartame“. His basis for this is that all of the studies being quoted as to the dangers or safety of artificial sugar are biased.

I agree, we don’t know enough about aspartame to know if it is good, bad or just taste funny but there is no reason to risk your health because there are alternatives that are safe and delicious. Here are three tips you can use now to help you stay healthy, young and beautiful.
1. Use the natural 0 calorie herb stevia or use limited amounts of unprocessed sweeteners such as unfiltered raw honey, agave nectar, and maple or rice syrup.
2. Include more sweet vegetables and fruit in your diet as they will help curb your sweet tooth cravings.
3. Keep a journal to record your cravings for sweets before you give in. As you work your way through craving crisis’ you will find that the pause will give you added strength and resolve to keeping evil out of your diet and on the road to a more healthy, beautiful and sexy you.

For more information contact Denise DeMaras at denise@wholehealthrealbeauty.com.