The main responsible for weight gain, sugar, can also cause inflammation and candidiasis. As most of us know, sugar is also the nutrient of cancer cells. Getting rid of sugar cravings is therefore key to stay in good health. It’s also so damn good to feel free, and to no longer being controlled by an irrepressible sugar attraction.
There are several approches to work on an uncontrollable desire of binging on sugar. For sure the most successful strategy consists into getting to the root cause of the cravings. Chances it will last longer.
Here’s a short overview of dysfunctions possibly involved in sugar cravings.
Neurotransmitter Deficiency
Serotonin -> Neurotransmitter of serenity, letting go, well -being, serotonin is synthesized mainly at the end of the day. The desires of sugar linked to a lack of serotonin generally manifest themselves between 5 p.m. and bedtime. It is typically a desire to eat cakes, ice or chocolate after the evening meal. Sugar will provide a feeling of comfort, compensation to a feeling of emptiness.
Dopamine -> A person lacking dopamine will have a very compulsive relationship with sugar, cravings will be difficult to control, behaviour will be similar to an addict in search for his crack dose. And as dopamine is involved in the control of our addictive behaviors, withdrawal is even more difficult. Lack of dopamine can therefore be the source of sugar cravings, and withdrawal will drop dopamine, which will cause search for some reward. Sugar is a great source of reward, rooted in our culture (the candy that we were given as children, for good behavior …). So a drop in dopamine => Need for sugar – Withdrawal => Dopamine drop down => Sugar craving => Areal vicious circle.
Adrenal Fatigue
Cortisol is the stress hormone, but also what allows us to manage stress. Its action allows the body to very monopolize energy reserves super fast, by an excessive elevation of glucose levels in the blood. This increases muscle strength (because formerly stress meant to meet a lion and run, or meet an enemy and fight! ). Where there is chronic stress, strong probabilities are that with it comes adrenal glands weakness. The hormones produced by the adrenal glands no longer play their roles of inner balance. Thus cortisol no longer correctly fulfills its mission of balancing blood sugar levels. From this comes hypoglycemia, and with a list of troubles such as irritability, palpitations, fatigue, hunger … as well as sugar craving for its booster effect.
Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a yeast infection generally caused by a fungus named candida albicans, normally present in limited quantities in the body. Under certain situations, candida can however proliferate, causing an infection that affects various parts of the body, including the intestine. Symptoms of candidiasis may vary from fatigue and bloating to skin problems, vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot. But one of the signs marked with candidiasis cis often an irrepressible desire for sugar in all its forms (dairy products, carbohydrates …). Sugar cravings will be irrepressible and will generally manifest throughout the day. Sugar then nourishes candidiasis, which maintains a strong desire of eating sugar. Another vicious circle takes shape.
Reactive hypoglycemia
When sugar cravings appear fairly quickly after meals, it may come from an hypoglycemic reaction. This comes from a strong synthesis of insulin by the pancreas, due to the ingestion of a high glycemic load food and/or insulin resistance. After an insuline peak, there is a sudden drop in blood sugar levels. This will encourage the consumption of rapid sugars that will create a new peak, and here again a vicious circle takes shape.
Here are different scenarios involved in sugar cravings. In some cases, ont a single one but several causes can be involved.
A detailed questionnaire will help a naturopath to target the major cause (s), and to establish a suitable plan.
For example in the event of a lack of serotonin, I would recommend a low glycemic diet as well as the consumption of good vegetable fat (for example a pear with almonds) and a supplement of magnesium + Vit B complex. In the event of lack of dopamine, I would strongly advise to consume salty breakfast rich in proteins, and carbohydrate, no sugar. Nutritional tips with adequate supplementation and small lifestyle adjustments I can really help with the matter.
When it comes to candidiasis, let’s face it: double efforts will be required. The person will have to be very motivated and disciplined. Anti-fungal plants will sustain the progressive or radical sugar withdrawal.
In conclusion, sugar cravings involve complex mechanisms and it pays off to identify them in order to gain lasting results. But whatever the reason, the vicious circles of sugars are difficult to avoid alone. Regular consumption of sugar affects our taste buds, which makes us more sensitive to sweet flavor and increases our desire for sweets.
If you want to put get out of the vicious circle of sugar cravings, do not hesitate to contact me. I have a few options to offer, one of them being a detox plan over 10 or 12 days. The feedback from people who followed it show how much joy returns when one frees himself from its sweet pulsions.
