Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
search menu
The news from Broad Ripple
Brought to you by The Broad Ripple Gazette
(Delivering the news since 2004, every two weeks)
Subscribe to Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
Brought to you by:
VirtualBroadRipple.com Broad Ripple collector pins EverythingBroadRipple.com

Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2011 01 07arrowColumn

back button return to index button next button
Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v08n01)
Gettin' Ripped in Ripple - Pour Some Sugar on Me - by Laura Minor
posted: Jan. 07, 2011

Gettin' Ripped in Ripple header

Pour Some Sugar on Me

Unfortunately, reading is not one of my favorite hobbies. However, lately I have found myself picking up books relating to my interest in fitness and health. Including Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels, This Is Why You Are Fat by Jackie Warner, and Change Your Brain Change Your Body by Daniel Amen M.D. While this may not sound like exciting reading to some, I am always trying to gather information on maintaining a healthy body. I have noticed these books contain a recurring theme and that is to avoid consuming refined sugar or "sugar is the devil" as one author proclaimed.
Here is what I have learned about this "white poison".

Sugar Makes You Fat
It increases the calories per serving but is not filling and has zero nutritional value. Plus, sugar affects your metabolism. When your blood sugar increases, your body releases insulin to clean the sugars out of your blood and into the liver. They are then converted into glycogen for use of your muscles. If the livers storage capacity gets maxed out, glycogen is expelled in the form of fatty acids that travel to the fatty areas of our bodies.

Sugar Makes You Sick
It affects your immune system by reducing the capacity of certain white blood cells which makes you more likely to develop colds, flu, infections and even chronic fatigue syndrome. This reduces your energy and ability to exercise (which is not at all appealing to me).

Sugar Makes You Stupid
It spikes your blood sugar level which releases more insulin in your body and in your brain. The result can impair short-term memory and it is believed that over time can cause cognitive decline, vascular dementia and Alzheimer's.

Sugar Gives You Wrinkles
It promotes a process called glycation which damages collagen and elastin. Damage to these proteins cause fine lines, wrinkles and inflammation to the skin.

There's more, but those were my favorite.
If you want to reduce your sugar intake, start by cutting out the obvious; sodas, candy, cookies, etc. Sugar is also a common ingredient in thousands of packaged and processed foods, even foods that don't taste sweet. Start checking the food labels on items such as spaghetti sauce, salad dressing, ketchup, peanut butter, crackers and on and on. It is recommended that you choose food with five grams of sugar per serving or less. Good luck with that! But, at least making an effort will send you in the right direction to improving you health.
Life is sweet, So.Be.Fit!!



Laura Minor owner and operator of So.Be.Fit. Personal Training and Fitness studio located at 54th and the Monon. She is passionate about teaching others how to "FIT" exercise and physical activity into their daily lives, and have fun while doing so! Visit her website at www.sobefitindy.com or e-mail laura@BroadRippleGazette.com




laura@broadripplegazette.com
back button return to index button next button
Brought to you by:
BroadRippleHistory.com Broad Ripple collector pins EverythingBroadRipple.com
Brought to you by:
EverythingBroadRipple.com RandomRipplings.com Broad Ripple collector pins