By Dean L. Jones, C.P.M.<\/p>\n
Is it possible to be processed sugar sensitive?\u00a0 Well, the medical community is slow in admitting it, but it is true that some people are born with low beta-endorphin, which produces low self-esteem.\u00a0 When this occurs, it causes a person with the condition to naturally seek things that raise their lower than normal beta-endorphin in order to feel better about them self.\u00a0 Unfortunately, there are many substances and experiences that do this the quickest and tend to be physically and emotionally addictive. Most common are drugs like alcohol, heroin, morphine, codeine and behaviors like gambling that takes you into deep debt.<\/p>\n
There has got to be something to this low beta-endorphin and low self-esteem thing because recently I heard how teens are taking hand sanitizer and separating the alcohol content for consumption.\u00a0 How low do you think of yourself drinking hand sanitizer?\u00a0 Essentially, people are sometimes predisposed to consuming and\/or participating in things that create a rush.\u00a0 The largest problem with obtaining a rush is that it wears off and is usually followed by a crash or feeling of withdrawal.<\/p>\n
Not surprisingly, whenever you eat items containing processed sugar it affects the body\u2019s beta-endorphin levels and impacts the same neuro-chemical system as heroin, though not as intensely. Heroin, morphine, codeine, Percodan, and Oxy-Contin are all opioid drugs. \u00a0Eating processed sugar has like affects on the body like an opioid drug, particularly on developing brains.<\/p>\n
Be honest with yourself and ask if you really like sweet foods?\u00a0 Do you eat a lot of sweets?\u00a0 Are you very fond of bread, cereal, popcorn or pasta?\u00a0 Do you have a problem with alcohol or drugs?\u00a0 Are you in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction?\u00a0 Are (were) one or both of your parents alcoholic?\u00a0 Are (were) one or both of your parents especially fond of sugar?\u00a0 Are you overweight and do not seem to be able to easily lose the extra pounds?\u00a0 Do you continue to be depressed no matter what you do?\u00a0 Do you often find yourself overreacting to stress?\u00a0 Do you have a temper or short fuse?<\/p>\n
If you answered yes to 3 or more, it is very likely that you are sugar sensitive.\u00a0 If you feel closer to yes on 5 or more of these questions, it is time for making a positive change.\u00a0 This is important because a person can literally get addicted to eating processed sugar, sweet foods, and white-flour products.\u00a0 This addiction is physiological and affects the same biochemical systems in your body that are affected by the aforementioned addictive drugs like morphine and heroin.\u00a0 Think about the times when you do not have your regular intake of processed sugar, i.e. your fix; you can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and headaches.<\/p>\n