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Excess Sugar Consumption
  Sugar Consumption Excess
 Signs, symptoms, indicators
 Conditions that suggest it
 Contributing risk factors
 Treatment recommendations
 


Sugar consumption is on the rise. According to diet surveys conducted by the USDA, the average American consumes 20 teaspoons of added sugar each day. Added sugar does not include sugar naturally found in milk and fruit. This is double the USDA's recommendation that the average person eat no more than 10 teaspoons of added sugar per day. Sugar is a general term describing a large number of organic compounds with varying degrees of sweetness. Common white table sugar is sucrose. These white crystals are refined from the cane or beet plant. Biochemically, sucrose is a disaccharide (two sugars) that is broken down into two simple sugars, glucose and fructose. Glucose is the sugar carried in the blood stream to provide energy for the body- fructose is the primary sugar found in fruits and refined corn syrup. Other sugars found commonly in food are maltose (malt sugar) and lactose (milk sugar).

Although the body does require sugar (glucose), as this is the only fuel the brain can use, it is important to remember the physiology of digestion. The properly functioning human organism can produce all the glucose the brain needs through the digestion of whole, natural, unprocessed foods. Dr. John Yudkin of Queens College, London, states "all human nutritional needs can be met in full without having to take a single spoonful of white or brown or raw sugar."

Sugars, in moderation, are part of a healthful diet. Whether naturally occurring or added, sugars can make many nutritious foods even more appealing by adding taste, aroma, texture and color. Aside from their role in tooth decay, sugars in moderate amounts have not been directly linked to chronic health problems.

One may wonder what the problem is with indulging in something sweet occasionally. The answer is that, for most people, there is no problem. However, many people eat large quantities of sugar regularly, rather than occasionally.

Twenty teaspoons may sound like a lot of sugar to get through in one day. But consider the following:

  • A 12 ounce Pepsi contains 10 teaspoons of sugar
  • A 2 ounce package of candy contains 11 teaspoons of sugar
  • 8 ounces of lemonade has nearly 7 teaspoons of sugar
  • A cup of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal provides more than 4 teaspoons of sugar.
It is surprising how fast it adds up. While there is certainly nothing wrong with having moderate amounts of sugar in your diet, there's a problem when high-sugar, low-nutrient food, such as soft drinks or candies, replaces more nutritious food such as fruit.

Sugar by any name is still sugar. It is important to read labels and identify items that should be avoided. Remember, ingredients are listed on the label in order of descending predominance, so if any sugar appears near the beginning of the list you know there is a lot of sugar present. Just as important, often many forms of sugar are listed on the label and that the total of the combined forms of sugar could add up to even more than the first ingredient listed.

Below is a "glossary" of sugar nomenclature which answers common questions about sugar, such as "what's the difference between raw sugar and sucrose?":
  • Brown sugar is nutritionally equivalent to white sugar. Adding a little molasses to white sugar makes brown sugar.
     
  • Cane crystals are made from evaporated cane juice and therefore contains all the nutrients in the original juice. This sugar is still 99.99% glucose.
     
  • Corn syrup is nutritionally equivalent to white sugar; corn syrup is made when corn starch is broken down by acids, resulting in a clear, sweet liquid.
     
  • Dextrose or Glucose is a component of table sugar. Linked end-to-end, hundreds of dextrose molecules make up the starch molecules, or complex carbohydrates, found in vegetables, beans and grains.
     
  • Fructose or fruit sugar is the other component of table sugar. Because of its different chemical structure, fructose does not raise blood sugar levels as much as glucose and sucrose.
     
  • High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contain 42-90% fructose; the remainder is dextrose. Because it is inexpensive to make, HFCS is now used in virtually all soft drinks in place of sucrose.
     
  • Honey is nutritionally equivalent to table sugar. Honey is sweeter and more expensive. It raises blood sugar levels more than sucrose.
     
  • Lactose is less sweet than sucrose, lactose is the sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products. It is also one of the main factors responsible for milk intolerance.
     
  • Malt sweetener is a thick syrup made from roasted, sprouted barley. It is not as sweet as most sweeteners and is one of the least objectionable, healthwise.
     
  • Maple syrup One gallon of maple syrup is made by boiling down 40 gallons of sap from the sugar maple tree. It does contain a small amount of minerals that are found in the sap.
     
  • Molasses is a thick, dark syrup made as a by-product of table sugar production. Blackstrap molasses is the only form of sugar that contains substantial amounts of nutrients: 1-tbs. has 14% of the RDA for calcium and 28% for iron. Lighter molasses have about one-third as much of the same nutrients.
     
  • Raw or Turbinado sugar is nutritionally equivalent to table sugar, raw sugar is less refined, but of no greater value.
     
  • Sucrose or white sugar is made from sugar cane or sugar beets. Sucrose is composed of one fructose and one glucose molecule.
     
  • Grape or other fruit juice concentrates appear to be healthier sweeteners, but are also highly processed and nutritionally empty.
     
  • Sorbitol is an alcoholic sugar. Although less refined it causes gas in many people.
The bottom line is that while the names change, the nutritional value of most sugars used in processed foods is nearly identical. Sugar by any name is still devoid of nutrients, can be detrimental to your health and should be avoided. The sugar habit can be broken, but like alcohol or heroin, cold turkey is often the best method. Malt barley, fruit juice or dried fruit can substitute for sugar in any baking recipe. Remember, honey is just another form of sugar. Once you begin to avoid the refined sugars, you will begin to appreciate the natural sweetness of fresh fruits and the subtle flavors of whole grains.

Causes & Development
The average American eats over 120 pounds of refined sweeteners per year. In fact, almost 25% of the total calories consumed are sugar. This means that roughly one-quarter of the caloric intake of most people in our society is empty calories that not only fail to provide food value, but actually rob the body of essential nutrients. Furthermore, this sugar is easily absorbed and pours into the bloodstream in amounts that the body is not geared to handle, causing wear and tear on the system as the body rushes to adjust its metabolic balance.

Of the 120 pounds of refined sweeteners ingested each year, 70% can be found in manufactured foods. For example, there is more sugar in some breakfast cereals than in candy. Today, sugar can be found not only in desserts and snack foods but also in such unlikely foods as canned vegetables and fish, most baby formulas and some baby foods. In many cases, sugar is hidden in foods labeled as corn sweeteners, dextrose, glucose, honey, or high fructose corn syrup. Whatever the source of the sweetener, it is no longer associated with the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals found in the original sugar cane or beet plant from which the sugars were derived.

Fruits and whole grains (complex carbohydrates) contain natural sugars and starches with vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fiber. These wholesome foods break down slowly into small units of glucose that enter the bloodstream through the small intestine, where they are burned smoothly and gradually as the body requires the energy. Refined sugar, on the other hand, has been stripped of the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fiber that nature provided for proper digestion. These valuable substances, therefore, must come from somewhere else in the body to metabolize sugar properly. Co-enzymes, vitamins and minerals are supplied by the liver that stores some of these substances. The depletion of the stored nutrients stresses the body and accelerates the degenerative processes. For this reason, sugar is described as "empty calories" and is, in reality, worse than eating nothing.

When the hypothalamus in the brain registers excess glucose, the biochemical mechanisms respond as if the glucose is the end product of the digestion of wholesome carbohydrates and fats. Therefore, the hypothalamus prepares for an increase of glucose. However, whatever glucose was going to arrive has already been digested. Nevertheless, the pancreas secretes insulin to metabolize the glucose it is "expecting." The glucose that was ingested was already utilized or bound in tissues unavailable to the body. The net result of this process is an immediate energy boost, only to be followed by a sudden drop of energy and fatigue -- usually worse than that experienced before consuming refined sugar.

Dr. Yudkin also discovered that the increase of sugar in the bloodstream causes a sharp rise in adrenaline, the "fight or flight" hormone, which increases the body's level of stress and therefore, reduces one's ability to function efficiently as well as to get the most enjoyment from life.

Signs & Symptoms
When the body undergoes a sugar overload, a number of symptoms can manifest themselves, including:

Anxiety; Congestion; Frequent colds; Migraines; Asthma; Constipation; Headaches; Sinus congestion; Backaches; Depression; Hypoglycemia; Skin itch; Bladder/bowel dysfunction; Diarrhea; Hypothyroidism; Sleepiness; Bloating; Dizziness; Immune system dysfunction; Tension; Blurred vision; Earaches; Indigestion; Visual impairment; Bronchitis; Eczema; Joint/muscle pains; Watery eyes; Candida; Fainting; Lacking mind control; Weight retention; Cold intolerance; Forgetfulness; Loss of short term memory; Yeast infections.

The brain continues to correlate adverse sugar reactions with these symptoms and a memory is implanted. In other words, the affected person will always experience an adverse reaction when exposed to sugar - no matter how tiny the amount of exposure.

Treatment & Prevention
There are more healthy sweeteners to choose from as listed above - malt barley or rice syrup, Sucanat or Florida cane crystal. But these all tend to affect the blood sugar levels similar to table sugar. Fructose is a better choice, as it does not affect the sugar-insulin mechanism.

There is one natural sweetener that is better still and it comes from a plant leaf in the chrysanthemum family. That substance is called Stevia. It is totally safe and has been used for centuries by the Indians of South America where it grows wild.

Stevia is an extraordinarily sweet herb -- 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It has a slight licorice-like flavor that most of us with a sweet tooth, and all the children love. For some people who only like the taste of real sugar it may take a little getting used to, but it has such important medicinal value that it is well worth learning to love.

Stevia is almost calorie-free, so weight watchers love it. It is ideal for children since it prevents cavities. Unlike sugar, it does not trigger a rise in blood sugar. You won't get a sudden burst of energy followed by fatigue and a need for another "fix." Most importantly, it does not feed yeast or other microorganisms, and it increases energy and aids digestion by stimulating the pancreas.

Stevia is available in a number of forms, including a crude green powder, a white powder and a brownish liquid extract. It can be found in health food stores as a "Nutritional Supplement": The FDA prevents any claims as to its sweetness.

Complications
Researchers also suggest that sugar consumption is largely responsible for many cases of diabetes, heart and degenerative diseases.





Signs, symptoms & indicators of Excess Sugar Consumption:
Symptoms - Skin - Conditions  History of adult acne

Conditions that suggest Excess Sugar Consumption:
Circulation  Atherosclerosis
 Excessive sugar consumption has been linked to elevated triglycerides and may contribute to atherosclerosis, especially in individuals with elevated insulin levels.

Mental

  Panic Attacks
 Eating a lot of foods high in refined sugar increases blood lactate levels and may induce panic in susceptible persons.

Metabolic

  Problems Caused By Being Overweight

Organ Health

  Diabetes Type II
 A high-fat, high-sugar diet that contains refined flour products is probably the most important risk factor for diabetes. Such a diet tends to be low in chromium content and also causes more insulin to be produced, which requires even more chromium.

Skin-Hair-Nails

  Adult Acne

Risk factors for Excess Sugar Consumption:
Symptoms - Food - Beverages  (High) sugared soda consumption
 Soft drinks generally represent the single largest source of added sweeteners to our diet. They account for one-third of all calories we consume from added sweeteners, which for the average American adds up to more than 23 pounds of sugar from 47.4 gallons of soft drinks annually. An average 12 ounce can has 9-12 teaspoons of sugar, and the average teenage boy consumes 868 cans per year. This is how teens get 15 of their 34 teaspoons of sugar each day.

Symptoms - Food - Intake

  (High) refined sugar consumption

Recommendations and treatments for Excess Sugar Consumption:
Botanical  Stevia
 While Equal™ and Saccharine continue to dominate the non-caloric sweetener market, a remarkable herb called Stevia remains relatively unknown. Anyone who suffers from blood sugar disorders or who need to limit their caloric intake needs to know about the remarkable properties of Stevia. Stevia offers an ideal alternative to other sugars or sugar substitutes. This herb also has numerous therapeutic properties and has proven to be safe and effective for hundreds of years.

Diet

  Sugars Avoidance / Reduction
  Increased Fruit/Vegetable Consumption
 Fruit can often be used as a natural replacement for sugar, for example raisins or dates to sweeten baked goods, bananas on cereal, or pure fruit juice to replace soft drinks and thus avoid the refined sugars within.

  Increased Water Consumption
 Whenever you feel thirsty, consider substituting water for sweet drinks. Water is far better at satisfying thirst, and by washing sugar from the teeth can neutralize its effects.

Mineral

  Multiple Mineral Supplementation

Nutrient

  Meyer's Cocktail

Oriental Medicine

  Acupuncture
 One common use of acupuncture is to control various addictions. In the case of people who feel their sugar cravings or other food cravings are out of control and want to cut down on these foods, acupuncture can be very useful. Professionals who deal with addictive behavior do not expect will power alone to be effective. The first thing you can try with a sugar craving is to substitute naturally sweet foods for sugar-added foods. Try eating dates, apples, sweet potatoes, squash or dried fruits when your sweet tooth acts up. If this doesn't work, then consider acupuncture treatments.

Vitamins

  Vitamin B-Complex


KEY
Weak or unproven link
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
May do some good
Likely to help
Highly recommended


GLOSSARY

Adrenaline (Epinephrin, Epinephrine)
A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that is released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress, as from fear or injury. It initiates many bodily responses, including the stimulation of heart action and an increase in blood pressure, metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration.

AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. An immune system deficiency disorder that suddenly alters the body's ability to defend itself. The AIDS virus invades the T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes and multiplies, causing a breakdown in the body's immune system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/or cancer, with ultimate death.

Anxiety
Apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus.

Asthma (Asthmatic)
A lung disorder marked by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing, and thick mucus coming from the lungs. The episodes may be triggered by breathing foreign substances (allergens) or pollutants, infection, vigorous exercise, or emotional stress. Extrinsic Asthma is triggered by pollen, chemicals or some other external agent; Intrinsic Asthma is triggered by boggy membranes, congested tissues, or other native causes… even adrenalin stress or exertion.

Atherosclerosis
Common form of arteriosclerosis associated with the formation of atheromas which are deposits of yellow plaques containing cholesterol, lipids, and lipophages within the intima and inner media of arteries. This results in a narrowing of the arteries, which reduces the blood and oxygen flow to the heart and brain as well as to other parts of the body and can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or loss of function or gangrene of other tissues.

Bronchitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, frequently accompanied by cough, hypersecretion of mucus, and expectoration of sputum. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by an infectious agent and of short duration. Chronic bronchitis, generally the result of smoking, may also be known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Emphysema.

Calcium
The body's most abundant mineral. Its primary function is to help build and maintain bones and teeth. The body also needs calcium to carry nerve signals, keep the heart functioning, contract muscles, clot blood and maintain healthy skin. Calcium helps control blood acid-alkaline balance, plays a role in cell division, muscle growth and iron utilization, activates certain enzymes, and helps transport nutrients through cell membranes. Calcium also forms a cellular cement called ground substance that helps hold cells and tissues together.

Candidiasis (Candida)
Infection of the skin or mucous membrane with any species of candida, usually Candida albicans. The infection is usually localized to the skin, nails, mouth, vagina, bronchi, or lungs, but may invade the bloodstream. It is a common inhabitant of the GI tract, only becoming a problem when it multiplies excessively and invades local tissues. Growth is encouraged by a weakened immune system, as in AIDS, or with the prolonged administration of antibiotics. Vaginal symptoms include itching in the genital area, pain when urinating, and a thick odorless vaginal discharge. Candidiasis is also known as: Candida; Candida albicans; Candida Related Complex; Chronic Candida Syndrome; (Chronic) Systemic Candidiasis; Monilia; Candidiasis Hypersensitivity Syndrome; Candidosis; (Chronic) Mucocutaneous Candidosis; Thrush (oral or vaginal); Moniliasis; Polysystematic Candidiasis.

Carbohydrates (Carbohydrate)
The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.

Chromium
Chromium is a mineral that becomes a part of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF). Chromium aids in insulin utilization and blood sugar control. By controlling blood sugar, chromium helps prevent the damage caused by glucose, which is called glycation. Chromium helps maintain normal cholesterol levels and improves high-density lipoprotein levels. Chromium is also important in building muscle and reducing obesity.

Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.

Complex Carbohydrate (Complex Carbohydrates)
Includes indigestible molecules of fiber (e.g. starch and glycogen). Slowly releases sugar into the bloodstream and also adds the fiber.

Constipation (Constipated)
Difficult, incomplete, or infrequent evacuation of dry, hardened feces from the bowels.

Crave (Craving, Cravings)
To have a strong desire for; to feel the need for.

Cup (Cups)
A unit of volume measurement equal to 8 fluid oz, or roughly 250ml. It also equals 1/2 pint, 1/4 quart and 1/16 gallon.

Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetics)
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.

Diarrhea
Excessive discharge of contents of bowel.

Eczema
Swelling of the outer skin of unknown cause. In the early stage it may be itchy, red, have small blisters, and be swollen, and weeping. Later it becomes crusted, scaly, and thickened.

Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.

FDA
The (American) Food and Drug Administration. It is the official government agency that is responsible for ensuring that what we put into our bodies - particularly food and drugs - is safe and effective.

Fructose
A simple sugar which occurs naturally in fruit or honey.

Glucose
A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.

Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.

Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.

Hypoglycemia
A condition characterized by an abnormally low blood glucose level. Severe hypoglycemia is rare and dangerous. It can be caused by medications such as insulin (diabetics are prone to hypoglycemia), severe physical exhaustion, and some illnesses.

Hypothalamus (Hypothalmus)
Tucked deep inside the brain, this gland is an important supervisory center, regulating many body functions. It is important for longevity and coordinates the entire endocrine system, especially in connection with the pituitary. The hypothalamus is located immediately below the thalamus at the center of the brain, and controls many automatic functions of the body. This means it has the power to govern the autonomic (automatic or subconscious) nervous system. The hypothalamus also controls pituitary output by secreting specific chemicals to the pituitary's front lobe. Despite its importance in maintaining homeostasis, the hypothalamus in humans accounts for only 1/300 of total brain weight, and is about the size of an almond.

Hypothyroidism (Hypothyroid)
Diminished production of thyroid hormone, leading to low metabolic rate, tendency to gain weight, and sleepiness.

Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).

Insulin
A hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels. Insulin stimulates the liver, muscles, and fat cells to remove glucose from the blood for use or storage.

Iron
An essential mineral. Prevents anemia: as a constituent of hemoglobin, transports oxygen throughout the body. Virtually all of the oxygen used by cells in the life process are brought to the cells by the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Iron is a small but most vital, component of the hemoglobin in 20,000 billion red blood cells, of which 115 million are formed every minute. Heme iron (from meat) is absorbed 10 times more readily than the ferrous or ferric form.

Lactation (Lactate, Lactates, Lactating)
Production of milk; period after giving birth during which milk is secreted in the breasts.

Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.

Metabolism (Metabolic, Metabolize, Metabolizes, Metabolizing)
The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds. Also defined as the sum total of changes in an organism in order to achieve a balance (homeostasis): Catabolic burns up, anabolic stores and builds up; the sum of their work is metabolism.

Migraine (Migraine Headache, Migraine Headaches, Migraines)
Not just a headache, but a disorder affecting the whole body, characterized by clearly defined attacks lasting from about 4 to 72 hours, separated by headache-free periods; progresses through five distinct phases. Prodrome: experienced by about 50% of migraineurs and starting up to 24 hours before the headache - changes in mood, sensory perception, food craving, excessive yawning, or speech or memory problems. Aura: experienced by about 15% and starting within an hour before the headache - disruption of vision (flashing lights, shimmering zigzag lines, blind spot) or sensation (numbness or 'pins and needles' around the lips or hand), or difficulty speaking. Headache: usually pulsating and occurring on one side of the head, it may occur on both sides of the head and alternate from side to side. Muscles in the neck and scalp may be tender; there may be nausea and the desire not to eat, move, see or hear. Resolution: the headache disappears and the body returns to normal. Resolution may occur over several hours during sleep or rest; an intense emotional experience or vomiting may also end the headache. Postdrome: After the headache stops, the sufferer feels drained, fatigued and tired. Muscles ache, emotions are volatile and thinking is slow.

Mineral (Minerals)
Plays a vital role in regulating many body functions. They act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction and the metabolism of nutrients in foods. They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures.

Ounce (Ounces, oz)
Approximately 28 grams.

Pancreas (Pancreatic)
Opposite the liver and behind the stomach, the pancreas has two main functions - to manufacture various enzymes for digestion, and to release hormones to help control the body's use of carbohydrates. It releases insulin to help each cell absorb glucose to burn as energy. In this way, insulin controls the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Proper pancreatic function is very important: too much, too little, or no insulin production can be life-threatening. Some of the chemicals released by the pancreas are not hormones, but stimulate other glands to make hormones. Once again, balance is necessary. Nutritional requirements for the pancreas are many. Research indicates that chromium vitamins C, E, B-complex, calcium, magnesium and potassium are especially important.

RDA (RDAs, US RDA, USRDA)
Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins or other nutrients as determined by the FDA. U.S. RDAs are more widely used than RDAs, and focus on 3 age groups: Infants of 0-12 months; Children of 1-4 years; Adults and children of more than 4 years.

Refined Sugar (Refined Sugars)
The term 'refined sugar' includes not only the "sugar" listed in ingredient listings, but also brown sugar, glucose, fructose and dextrose. Obvious sources include jams and jellies; hidden sources are often mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressings and other condiments.

Short-Term Memory (Short Term Memory)
Also known as immediate memory or working memory, this is a phase of memory in which a limited amount of information may be held for several seconds to minutes. In general, up to 7 'chunks' of information are stored for about 20 seconds.

Sinuses (Sinus)
Four pairs of air pockets lined with membranes in the bones around the nose. The ethmoid sinuses are located on each side of the nose between the eyes; the maxillary sinuses are located in the cheek above the teeth and below the eyes; the sphenoid sinuses are located deeply behind the eyes; the frontal sinuses are located in the forehead.

Small Intestine (Small Bowel)
The small intestine lies between the stomach and the large intestine. It is about 6 meters (20 feet) long and its primary function is to digest (break down) food and absorb nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats). The small intestine makes up more than 70% of the length and 90% of the surface area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).

Triglyceride (Triglycerides)
The main form of fat found in foods and the human body. Containing three fatty acids and one unit of glycerol, triglycerides are stored in adipose cells in the body, which, when broken down, release fatty acids into the blood. Triglycerides are fat storage molecules and are the major lipid component of the diet.

USDA
United States Department of Agriculture

Yeast
A single-cell organism that may cause infection in the mouth, vagina, gastrointestinal tract, and any or all bodily parts. Common yeast infections include candidiasis and thrush.




Last updated: Sep 28, 2008


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