Beautiful Skin This Summer Season

I was recently asked to discuss the topic about sugars impact on our body. But with summer in full swing and we are back in the swing of eating fruits and frozen treats, I think it’s important for us to talk about how sugar can affect our skin. This way, we can try to make sure that at the beginning of fall, our skin is glowing just as much as it was when we started summer.

First, let’s discuss the fact that not all sugars are created equal. When we talk about the sugar load found in foods like vegetables and fruits, we cannot forget all the nutritious vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients found in these foods that are good for our skin. These nutrients help to battle the negative effects of the sun rays. So, you should not refrain altogether from these, but rather consume them with moderation…especially if you have sugar regulation issues. If you do, you should keep fruit intake to about 1-2 small cups per day or every other day depending on severity of your sugar issues.

Now, let’s move onto those pesky sweets that plaque us in the form of apple pies, cakes, and ice cream during the summer months. With children out of school and everyone’s mentality is to relax and enjoy ourselves while basking in the glorious sunshine of summer months, you should still remember that all that processed sugar in these sweets and in processed starches like breads can have a negative impact on your skin’s ability to heal.

Excess sugar in our blood stream can glycate to cells which lead to hampered healing and higher propensity towards sun spots, inflammation, acne, and wrinkles. Your skin would appear duller and if you were to have sun damage to the skin, healing would not be as efficient as if you had been consuming plenty of anti-inflammatory nuts, legumes, healthy omega-3’s, vegetables, and water.

So, do your skin a favor this summer, enjoy frozen berries in moderation or fresh vegetables with plenty of water and slather on the sunscreen…this way, your skin will be glowing all the way until next summer.

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Sugar: Why It’s Our Enemy In Our Cupboard

Many people seem to crave sugar when they are celebrating or when they are feeling low and sad. What is it about sugar that makes people want to run to it in droves and supports the multi-billion dollar industries that make sugar-loaded products?

Some of my patients think that it is from their childhood experiences that sugar provides a form of comfort and is a comfort food for them. Others think that it’s the brief jump in energy they get from eating sugar that makes them want to keep going back for more.

In actuality, all of these thoughts likely play into someone’s desire for sugar…but it is also true that once our body gets into the habit of eating a lot of processed sugar and sweets, we crave more and we become “addicted” to sugar.

So, is it so bad to want sugary foods if someone is not overweight or have chronic diseases?

In moderation and rarity, it is something that most people enjoy once in a while. But let’s not ‘sugar-coat’ the reality of sugary foods’ impact on our health…it is not beneficial.

Glycation of sugar to cells can lead to disruption of normal cellular functioning which may increase wrinkles, skin spots, inflammation of the skin, and acne. Beyond the effects on skin, glycation of excess sugar in the blood stream is disruptive to cellular metabolism and to organ functioning including that of nerves and increases inflammation even at the cellular level of our body.

When my patients talk about sweets, they only focus on things like cakes, candies, and chocolate…but processed sugar as it negatively affects our body comes in the form of excess breads, noodles, rice, and even fruits. Many of my patients to elevated fasting sugar levels in their blood work and/or elevated triglycerides are surprised to find that the source of their abnormal labs are from excess fruit in their diet.

Granted, fruit is much more nutritious than a piece of cake or processed cookies, but just keep in mind that you want to keep everything in moderation…and if you already have problems with processing sugar, it probably isn’t a good idea to eat a lot of fruit everyday either. Instead, you should focus on eating more vegetables to get your phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals and keep your fruit intake to 1-2 small servings per day.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to be the scrooge who takes away all sweet things in your life, but just remember that excess sugar in your blood stream means more inflammation and cellular damage…it would definitely not be the best thing to have in your diet if your goal is for anti-inflammation and healthy aging.

So, the next time you want to reach for something sweet, remember that there are healthier options like >70% dark chocolate and agave nectar in small dosages if you can handle moderation. If you can’t control your eating once you start, you may need to abstain from processed sugars altogether. In the long run, your body, health, and skin will all thank you for it!

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