Category: sugar cravings

What are some natural substitutes for sugar? 

What we put into our bodies is the most important
factor in finding relief from the symptoms
of Parkinsons. It is no secret that sugar is not good for
our bodies, right?

Sugar is a neurotoxin. You know this. I know this.
Everyone knows this.

Do you ever eat sugar? You can not see me now, but
I am raising my hand at the moment. I eat sugar
sometimes. OK. Sometimes I eat too much sugar.

Why? I am filling a hole deep inside. I can’t get enough.
You know the list. Whatever.

No matter how much work I do “on myself” I still
eat sugar. So, if I come to the realization that my
preference for sweets will not abate anytime soon,
what can I do about it?

There are alternatives to sugar. Why not investigate
the alternatives that can be used in place of using raw cane
sugar. Then start using an alternative to pure sugar
that is right for you?

Know in advance that you may not be able to
tolerate one or more of the alternatives. That is,
the alternative may be worse for you than raw sugar
itself. But why not celebrate in advance
how much your body will thank you if you can find
a natural and safe substitute for sugar that your
body can tolerate?

Four natural substitutes for sugar are
agave, stevia, xylitol and monk fruit. What follows is a sketch of
information about each of the four alternatives.

Agave

Agave syrup is a sweetener commercially produced
in Mexico. Agave syrup is sweeter than honey,
though less viscous. It consists primarily of fructose
and glucose.

Agave has a fructose content that is higher than is found
in high-fructose corn syrup. Agave is notable in that its
glycemic index and glycemic load are seemingly lower than
most other natural sweetener alternatives.

Stevia

Stevia is native to subtropical and tropical South America
and Central America. Known as Sweetleaf, stevia is
used as a sugar substitute. The taste has a
longer duration than that of pure sugar. Stevia however
can be associated with a bitter after taste at high
concentrations.

Xylitol

Xylitol sounds like an expensive prescription
medication, but it is not. It is a five-carbon sugar
alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that can
be found in the fibers of fruits and vegetables such as
berries, corn husks, oats, and even mushrooms.
It is extracted from corn fibers, birch trees, raspberries,
plums, and even corn. Xylitol is by all accounts as sweet
as regular sugar.

Xylitol has been around a long time. It is used as
a sweetener for diabetics in some countries and it
is used in various products like gums and toothpaste
to reduce tooth decay.

Monk Fruit

Monk fruit is a small, green fruit native to southern China
and northern Thailand. It is a natural sweetener because it
contains mogrosides, compounds that are intensely sweet
but contain little to no calories or sugar.

Monk fruit is about 150 to 250 times sweeter than sugar,
meaning only a small amount is needed to achieve the
desired sweetness. Its sweetness comes from the mogrosides,
which are heat-stable and not metabolized by the body, s
o they don’t contribute calories or spike blood sugar levels.

Summary

Check out the possibilities. Do an extended search on
the internet for more information. Talk with your doctor.
Experiment.

You can buy xylitol, stevia, agave and monk fruit from most
health food stores, food co-ops and even some grocery
stores.

I think a safe and natural food sweetener is a delightful
choice for people like myself who love to eat a yummy
dessert every now and then. If you are like me, consider
a switch from sugar to a natural substitute.

There is no direct research evidence to indicate that using
alternatives to sugar will help relieve the symptoms of
Parkinson’s. Base on pure logic, it makes sense to me that
using any of the four natural substitutes for sugar has the potential to
help unclog neural pathways.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

© Parkinsons Recovery

Hello again Robert. My question is whether the sugar all by itself is just too stimulating to the nervous system, or is there a negative compliment sugar has with toxins, or is there possibly a sugar connection with the nourishment of already existing candida? I can see how the first two examples could play out within a short span of time. Can the candida scenario play out as quick as in a few days? Please comment, if you would, on all three scenarios adding any additional knowledge I may not be aware of about sugar addictions and tremor overload.

I recently visited a friend for a few days for a change of scenery. Part of the enjoyment we had together was my consumption of a majority of a large bag of blue corn chips, two glasses of red wine, and some chocolate. The common denominator of the three foods is they are derived from, or have sugar as an ingredient. The symptoms I exhibit most are tremors which seem to be exacerbated by sugar consumption. The tremors peak after sugar has been in my digestive tract for around two days calming down some days after. The experience is quite disturbing. All of the other symptoms I show (brain fog, slow movement/range of motion, balance) are not heightened much if at all by a sugar binge.

Thanks Robert,

Kevin

I received your question several weeks ago Kevin and have to confess that I put it aside. Most questions I attempt to answer within a day or two. I must confess that a sugar addictions have been a challenge for me my entire life. I seem unconsciously to prefer avoiding the topic.

Now since I am sick and tired of thinking I really should respond to your question – here – finally – is my response.

There is no doubt that sugar in itself is toxic. It ranks right up there with all of the horrendous toxins that have invaded every ones body over the past few decades. I do not think you have to pontificate over interactions with other toxins. Sugar has a potent toxic punch all by itself.

After years of struggling with my own sugar addictions, I began to carefully notice what happens when I ingest sugar, to become more mindful so to speak. Before I started tracking what happens after I ate sugar (as you have done yourself now) I simply said to myself – oh wow. I am really tired right now. Caffeine should fix this little energy slump.

When I became more conscious of the connection between eating sugar and how I felt, I realized that I always had a horrible sugar crash one hour after eating anything with sugar. I wanted to fall asleep. I had zero energy. I felt lethargic. These feelings would last for about two hours when I would suddenly rebound.

It has helped me tremendously to connect with the horrible depression I feel after eating sugar. I now am getting quite good at avoiding sugar – not perfect believe me – but much better than in years past. I simply acknowledge the feeling that I know will be moving in and remember how horrible it is.

In my case and I suspect your case (and for many other people), the addiction to sugar is caused by the overload of candida in the tissues and organs of our body. Candida critters are fierce warriors. They have a Napoleon type consciousness and will stop at nothing to get their way (which is the sugar they need to survive).

I suppose many people might be thinking – Right. Sure. That sounds pretty weird to me.
Well – you may well be correct, but there is some insatiable drive inside my body that
urges me to indulge in eating sugar when I know that it makes me feel horrible. What is that anyway?

The candida critters are alive beings. Small yes, but alive. They do have a consciousness. All living beings have a consciousness! If you were about to die because you were not being fed – my guess is that you would do anything to survive as would I.

When there is a candida overload in the body the critters do not just hang around out gut (in the intestines). Nope. They leak out into all the tissues, organs and I might add neurons of our body. And yes, candida can cause certain symptoms that are associated with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Lidia Epps made this discovery, reversed her own Parkinson’s symptoms and tells her own story of recovery as one of the 11 contributors to Pioneers of Recovery 2012.

So I say to you as one who is addicted – it is a horrible affliction. I have at long last declared that I want to have high energy and feel good throughout each and every day. There is too much important work to be done which will be wasted by the bouts of depression caused my 5 minute indulgence in pleasure which serves only the best interest of the candida that are hiding out in every nook and cranny of my organs.

The hot news of the past several months is now that I have conquered my sugar addictions. Those nasty candida critters have been dying off like flies in the summer time. Candida do not eat healthy food!

Good luck. It has been a challenge for me throughout my entire life. I am not going to let those little candida devils out smart me.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Pioneers of Recovery