Whelehans Pharmacys Aisling Whelan: Sugar part 2

Healthy Eating with Aisling Murray from Whelehans Pharmacy

Sugar part 2

This is a continuation of last week’s article where is discussed how we end up consuming too much sugars (mainly due to hidden sugars in food).

Effects of Consuming Too Much Sugar:A diet high in sugar over a number of years can damage the body in ways we didn’t know.

Liver damage: This is rare but damage to the liver is very real if sugar is eaten in abundance. Our liver metabolises sugar in the same way. Fructose for example from fruit is converted to glycogen and stored in our muscles and liver until we need it. However, if the liver is full of glycogen (if you are consuming too much sugar) then the sugar needs to be converted to fat and stored. Over consumption of sugar can then lead to fatty liver. It’s almost impossible to over eat fructose by eating fruit, but sucrose can be over consumed easily.

Insulin resistance: Insulin is a vital hormone in the body as it allows glucose to enter the cells from the bloodstream and tell the cells to start burning glucose for energy instead of fat. Too much glucose in the body is toxic and can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the first step to a number of diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart-disease. Elevated blood sugars levels can cause severe damage to the body as the pancreas cannot keep up with the demand for insulin. Eventually insulin resistance becomes worse and blood sugar levels soar leading to type II diabetes with its resulting effects of heart disease, eye damage, kidney damage, more infections and more.

Fat prompting effects: Different foods have different effects on our bodies. It’s been proven that fructose does not have the same result on satiety (fullness and satisfaction from food) as glucose. This is due to the effect glucose has on the protein leptin, fructose does not have this same effect. Leptins tell the brain that you have enough energy stored in your fat cells and to start the metabolic process. Leptin threshold is genetically set and once the threshold is met we start to burn energy. Fructose does not have this effect on individuals and thus you never feel full and you continue to eat.

Obesity: As sugar affects our hormones it leads to decreased satiety and people then become addicted losing control of their consumption. Not surprising people who consume too much sugar are more likely to become overweight or obese. The link between sugar consumption and obesity is very strong in children so limiting sugar consumption for our children is vital.

Sugar Information Event

Whelehans pharmacy are teaming up with a number of health professionals to hold a Sugar Information Event on Thursday March 3rd at 7pm in the Greville Arms Hotel. We will have interesting speakers and inactive demonstrations to illustrate both the dangers of sugar and show how much sugars we are actually eating. There will be lots of tips to help you reduce your sugar intake without reducing your enjoyment of food. It will be of great interest to parents and kids to help learn fun facts and ways to reduce sugar. Parents are especially welcome to bring kids along. You will have the chance for free advice from diet and health experts on the night. It is a free to attend; call Whelehans at 04493 34591 to book your free place.

Whelehans Nutrition Service

Whelehans nutritional service is a private one to one advice service with our nutritionist Aisling Murray. Aisling’s areas of interest include weight loss management, nutrition education and food intolerance. Our nutrition service offers you the chance to change your life in a positive way by focusing on your overall wellbeing as well as the chance to follow up on your progress.

Aisling Murray has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and offers a one to one specialist nutrition service at Whelehans Pharmacy. Call Whelehans at 04493 34591 for an appointment. Aisling’s weekly Nutrition Clinic only costs €10 per week