Scientists suggest that our sugar addiction can contribute to our bodies changing much faster than they should. It has been suggested that “cross-linking” takes place when sugar molecules attach to protein molecules, causing the linked molecules to alter their function. It seems that some of those molecules have a tendency to accumulate in certain soft tissues, which then – over time, stiffen and become far less functional. This can occur in arteries, tendons, cartilage and can result in failure or deterioration.
It has been determined that a high concentration of sugar in the blood is likely responsible for cross-linking and any foods that have such a high concentration, such as sodas, should be generally avoided.
When foods which are high in sugars – commonly known as high glycemic level foods, are consumed, inflammation can occur. This process also invariably releases a very high proportion of free radicals throughout the body.
Comprehensive holistic health solutions direct us towards a balanced, even perhaps defensive approach to nutrition as we get older. Naturally of course, foods which are well known to cause problems should be avoided, but unfortunately, most of us tend to have a narrow view of holistic nutrition, often taking shortcuts because of our hectic lifestyles. Many of us regularly place good health at the bottom our list of daily priorities – until we suffer from a shocking wake-up call of some sort. We can deduce from this that we do not prioritize our lives correctly and should put good health and longevity right at the top of the list.
When it comes to medical and scientific studies, there are far more than enough of them around to clearly show us that consuming saturated fats and high levels of cholesterol are quite bad for our health, and cause significant symptoms of premature aging too. Sugar may be one of the silent killers, as it is not regarded with such anticipation as those foods which are high in fat. The truth is that sugar has zero nutritional value and has been shown to cause a spike in appetites as well.
Further studies by dermatologists suggest that eating sugary foods can significantly contribute to the development of wrinkles. Once again it is found that when glucose enters the bloodstream it attaches to the proteins used by the body to keep our skin supple and affects their ability to perform. In such situations collagen and elastin are no longer able to help us in our battle against a weathered look.
Aging should be a natural process and we should not contribute to its acceleration. If we were to treat our bodies as a temple and take a much more educated look at what we eat or drink on a daily basis, then we would feel more productive and more able to take on the trials and tribulations that life presents to us each day. Many people preach that caloric restriction extends life expectancy by keeping the flow of insulin in check. Sugar addiction can cause insulin levels to become highly elevated and it follows that we will age far before our time, unless we’re careful.
