Month: April 2018

Are Artificial Sweeteners Any Better Than Sugar?

Are Artificial Sweeteners Any Better Than Sugar?

By: Dr. James Yoon

If you think that drinking zero-calorie diet sodas are a healthy alternative to sugar containing drinks, you may be misinformed. The results of a first-in-human study in healthy volunteers demonstrated that regular consumption of diet drinks alter the gut response to glucose, leading to altered blood sugar regulation, and can therefore predispose people to developing type 2 diabetes.

In a 2 week, double-blind, randomized parallel-group clinical study, healthy volunteers were assessed on the effects of diet supplementation with artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame-K, often found in diet sodas and beverages. Taken in the form of capsules, three times daily before meals, blinded participants received either the artificial sweeteners, equivalent to drinking 1.2 to 1.5 L of diet beverage per day or an inactive placebo. After the 2 week period, participants ingested glucose (a simple sugar) and were assessed on how their bodies absorbed glucose, the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as the levels of insulin and gut peptides.

Despite showing similar absorption patterns in response to glucose between the two groups at the start of the study, after 2 weeks of supplementation, the group supplemented with artificial sweeteners demonstrated the following when compared to placebo:

• 20% increase in glucose absorption
• 24% increase of plasma glucose
• 34% decreased production of the hormone, GLP-1. GLP-1 supports blood sugar control by stimulating the release of insulin, blocking the production of glucagon, and slowing down the absorption of blood sugar in the body.

These findings highlight, "the potential for these responses in habitual consumers of artificial sweeteners and support the concept that artificial sweeteners could reduce the body's control of blood sugar levels, exaggerating post-meal glucose levels, which could predispose them to developing type 2 diabetes.”

Integrative Medicine for the Prevention of Diabetes and Heart Disease

At Infinity Health Centre, our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. James Yoon, often works closely with our Medical Physicians to aid in the management of patients suffering from diabetes or heart disease.  With a combination of improved diet and lifestyle recommendations, combined with and nutritional supplementation and herbal medicines, blood sugar levels can be effectively stabilized.  Even those taking regular pharmaceutical medications can be effectively treated and make significant improvements, in some cases, even reduce or discontinue their medications (with proper medical supervision).

To book an appointment with Dr. James Yoon, please contact the clinic, or simply request an appointment on-line.

*FREE 10min consults also available to meet with Dr. Yoon to learn more about how Naturopathic Medicine can you help you.

Reference:

European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2016 Annual Meeting. September 14, 2017, Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract 193. https://www.easd.org/virtualmeeting/home.html#!resources/impact-of-artificial-sweeteners-on-glycaemic-control-in-healthy-humans

by mitch

Why Do I Always get That 'Afternoon Crash' ?

Why Do I Always Get That 'Afternoon Crash' ?

By: Dr. James Yoon ND

Do you find it difficult to concentrate in the afternoon? Feeling tired, anxious, nervous, or depressed? Chances are your lunch may have something to do with it! When you eat a large lunch that is high in carbohydrates like pasta, breads, or sugars like in juice and pop, your body quickly digests and absorbs these foods very quickly, leading to a sharp spike in your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. A sudden spike in blood sugar will give you instant energy and make you feel energetic and almost hyper. In response to this influx, your body will signal the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin's acts as a chemical messenger that tells the body's cells to take in the extra glucose from your bloodstream. The problem, however, is that your pancreas almost always overestimates how much insulin to release, and the result is that too much glucose is removed from your blood. This results in a blood sugar crash, or very low blood sugar levels.

When you eat whole grains rich in fibre, the digestion of the carbs will be slowed down. This means that your blood sugar will rise slowly as a result of eating these foods. Replacing all refined carbs with whole grains and incorporating protein and other fibre-rich food sources will make your blood sugar rise and fall slowly, which is the way nature intended, and leading to more consistent energy levels.

Using Naturopathic Medicine to Support Your Energy:

To learn more about supporting your energy levels and preventing that daily afternoon crash, you are encouraged to book an appointment with our Naturpathic Doctor, Dr. James Yoon.   Dr. Yoon specializes in providing diet and lifestyle recommendations combined with nutritional supplementation and herbal medicines to effectively manage your health and energy levels.

Please contact the clinic to book your appointment today, or simply request an appointment on-line.

FREE 10min consults also available with Dr. Yoon to learn more about how Naturopathic Medicine can you help you.

by mitch