HOLIDAY NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES THAT CAN BE LINKED TO SUGAR INTAKE BLOG #55

BLOG #55 HOLIDAY NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES THAT CAN BE LINKED TO SUGAR INTAKE
Dr. Spiker Davis D.D.S.  713-781-2800    Dr. Matt Guerre D.D.S. 713-781-2800
In collaboration with Dr. John Seger M.D. Cardiologist 713-791-9444
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Seeing as how the holidays are upon us, I started thinking about Sugar intake for the holidays. Typically for me, I eat and drink too much and I gain 5-10 pounds and then have to suffer for it in January. So, I decided to do a little research about and why this happens and what can I do about it. Obviously, eat and drink less! DUH! But, then I found out there is a little more to it than that. There are at least 6 Nutrients that you need when you are consuming too much sugar (I.E. The Holidays). These 6 nutrients are important on a daily basis but become very important during the holidays when we all choose to eat too many of the wrong things.

1. Vitamin D-Our bodies make vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Much easier to do in the summer versus the winter holidays. There are certain foods that also provide vitamin D such as fish but only the wild-caught fatty fish such as salmon, herring, and sardines. I love fish but not for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. During those holiday meals, the excess sugar actually impairs your ability to make Vitamin D and also renders it useless much faster. Obviously, try to cut back on the sugar and increase the Sunlight and take a vitamin D supplement.
2. Calcium-When sugar intake depletes vitamin D this will affect calcium absorption. So, sugar consumption means you get less vitamin D and therefore less Calcium. Sugar also blocks calcium absorption. Make sure to take your calcium and vitamin D in the morning before the big dinners that lie ahead. And, don’t forget that daily exposure to sunlight if possible.
3. Magnesium-magnesium is an essential mineral for hundreds of biochemical reactions in your body. It is also necessary for maintaining a steady heartbeat and normal blood pressure. Sugar really messes with magnesium. It actually causes you to use up your magnesium reserves and then your body has a hard time regulating blood sugar and heart function. This is really not a good thing for diabetes or pre-diabetes anyone with a heart condition. Again, it is important to get this mineral in the system in the morning before your big binge. I have heard for years that most heart attacks happen during the holiday season. Do you think it might have anything to do with the high sugar intake? I do!
4. B Vitamins-the B vitamins are intricately involved in converting sugar into energy. If you have consumed more sugar than normal, then you need more B vitamins than normal. A vicious cycle.
5. Chromium-Chromium is a trace mineral that is involved in metabolism and in blood sugar regulation. We only need a small amount, but when we are on a sugar binge, we of course need more than usual. If we have a chromium deficiency from too much sugar intake, then we have poor glucose tolerance and higher blood sugar levels. This is a precursor to diabetes. This can be why we often have sugar highs and then we crash and burn. Have you ever done that after the big Christmas dinner???
6. Vitamin C-Did you know that Vitamin C uses insulin to enter your cells. If you consume a lot of sugar, then insulin has to take over to metabolize that and of course, Vitamin C gets left on the back burner. Vitamin C is important to your immune system and tissue repair not to mention the health of your gums. Without it, you are more likely to get sick and susceptible to the common cold and probably even to the Covid virus.

SUMMARY-As you have heard me say many times, Sugar is a very nasty compound and has the ability to do some serious damage to our bodies. Multiple health agencies such as the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Dental Association, the USDA, the CDC, etc. all suggest not consuming more than about 6 teaspoons of sugar per day! As your dentist, I would recommend around 3-4 teaspoons per day and better yet NONE! To prevent disease, decay, heart attacks, etc. it is important to drastically decrease sugar consumption and ensure you are receiving an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. And don’t forget that daily walk in the sun if possible.

RANT AND RAVE-It is very obvious that sugar can be extremely dangerous to your health. There is not one health benefit to eating sugar that I can see other than it really tastes good. Almost every health organization and physician of any kind recommends that you either remove sugar from your diet or at least limit your intake on a daily basis. So please do me a big favor and put on your big boy or big girl pants and be strong when it comes to eating sugar. I really hope that you have a very Merry Holiday season and stay safe.

“THE MOUTH IS THE WINDOW TO YOUR HEALTH”. BRUSH AND FLOSS TWICE DAILY, AVOID SUGAR FOR 2021 AND SEE YOUR DENTIST AND PHYSICIAN ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Davis D.D.S. spiker@thepaleodentist.com  John Seger M. D.  Malt Guerre D.D.S.

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