As a doctor working to improve longevity and health span outcomes for my patients, the importance of exercise cannot be ignored.

Sugar is used to make foods sweet and more desirable. Food manufacturers began adding sugar to various foods in the 1970’s. This was in response to the government recommendations to avoid fat, and adopt a low-fat lifestyle. Since fat conveys both flavor and texture, removing fat from food makes it relatively tasteless prompting food manufacturers to add sugar and other carbohydrates to replace the fat. As fat was engineered out of the diet, generations of Americans were weaned to the taste of extra-sweet sugary foods instead.

So how does the excess intake of sugar harm the body? As a simple carbohydrate glucose or sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream soon after ingestion. In response to the increasing glucose levels the pancreas responds by releasing insulin that is responsible for facilitating the transport of glucose into the cell.

Individuals that eat foods containing significant sugar content, frequently throughout the day, will have a persistent elevation of both glucose and insulin in their bloodstream which are associated with:

• Decreased ability of the body to utilize fat. This is in part due to the suppression of human growth hormone which not only inhibits the burning of fat, it also negatively affects muscle growth and maintenance.
• Decreased ability to perform important cellular repair.
• Suppression of gene expression of hormones is associated with longevity thus accelerating the aging process.

Interested in learning how you can improve your longevity? Book a Free Consultation.