NAUGHTY OR NICE?

I am always amused when clients define themselves, food or an entire day by the terms "good" or "bad". This judgement is usually determined by their actions, or an event that has occurred. I typically remark that both adjectives seem a bit extreme. People, food and a twenty four hour period are neither good nor bad. They just are.

We are the ones judging it. There is certainly value in observing something. If I determine that a certain behavior or food item may be harmful to me, I may consider eliminating it. 

Rather than waste time replaying and criticizing, it may be more helpful to decide what to do about it.

HOW SUGAR CAN AGE YOUR SKIN

I found this paragraph at http://www.smoothie-handbook.com/index.html. I knew sugar was bad but her is another reason you might think twice before you make statements like "one time won't hurt you" or "you have to enjoy life." Really? 


"There is a natural process in your body called glycation. It happens when the glucose in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products or AGEs for short. It’s a pretty simple process. The more sugar you eat the greater the number of AGEs you develop.

According to Dr. Fredric Brandt, dermatologist and author of 10 Minutes 10 Years: “As AGEs accumulate, they damage adjacent proteins in a domino-like fashion.”

Most vulnerable to this type of damage are the collagen and elastin protein fibers that keep your skin firm and elastic. Collagen is the most prevalent protein in your body. Once damaged, the normally springy and resilient collagen and elastin fibers become dry and brittle. This leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. According to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, this aging effect starts to show itself in the mid 30s and then increases rapidly after that.

In addition to damaging your collagen, the sugar side effects affect the type of collagen your body produces. The most abundant types of collagen in your skin are types I, II, and III. Collagen type III is the most stable and long lasting. The process of glycation will transform collagen type III into type I which has less volume and is more easily damaged. According to Dr. Brandt, “When that happens the skin looks and feels less supple!”

High-fructose corn syrup has the most of all sugar side effects. High-fructose corn syrup is used heavily in processed foods because it is sweeter, extends the shelf life, and is cheaper to produce. You will find it in most sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and packaged foods. Unfortunately, it produces the greatest number of AGEs.

To compound the problem, AGEs also deactivate your body’s natural antioxidant enzymes to reduce your antioxidant levels. This leaves you even more vulnerable to sun damage from free radicals which are the leading cause of aging for your skin."

WOULD YOU APPROVE?

What if the FDA were reviewing an  additive known to have possible side effects that could depress your immune system?. And was known to ruin your health by feeding cancer cells , possibly cause arthritis, increase the size of your liver, increase risk of Alzheimer's disease, cause hormonal imbalances and promoted chronic degenerative diseases. Would you want the FDA to approve it?

Think about your answer. Know that the additive is sugar. What if sugar was just discovered. Would you want the FDA to approve sugar?

TREAT YOURSELF BY TRICKING YOURSELF

First time clients always try to earn my sympathy with tales of how the refuse to "deprave" themselves. They are referring to no longer eating sweets,chips etc. I always ask them to consider what they really have been depraving themselves of? The active lifestyle and comfort in wearing certain clothes. Isn't not being able to wear what you want to wear or do what you want to do the real deprivation?
And yes, I've heard the same cry "You have to live." Which makes me wonder why anyone would assume that my passing on a slice of pizza has made my life less than. And if eating a piece of cake is what you may consider the greatest thing in your life, perhaps you need to exam your life. I think improving the quality of my life is the best way to treat myself.

STOP TRICKING YOURSELF AND START TREATING YOURSELF

If you are staring at a bag of Halloween candy and feeling sorry for yourself. Stop it. Consider what eating sugar or corn syrup will really cost you. The active lifestyle and comfort in wearing certain clothes. Isn't not being able to wear what you want to wear or do what you want to do worth a piece of candy?

And yes, I've heard the same cry "You have to live." Which makes me wonder why anyone would assume that my passing on a chocolate has made my life less than. And if eating a piece of taffy is what you may consider the greatest thing in your life, perhaps you need to exam your life. I think improving the quality of my life is the best way to treat myself.