Sugar is both a delightful treat and the bane of our existence because, while it is delicious, it also seems to be addictive. Scientific evidence is mounting to suggest that too much added sugar in our diets could lead to true addiction. Sugar is linked to addiction because when we eat it, dopamine and opioids are released into the bloodstream. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that creates a reward associated with addictive behavior. Once dopamine is released into the system, it gives us a pleasurable “high.” Why do we crave sugar? The main natural source of sugar is fruit. Thousands of years... Read More

Many Boulderites know to avoid white sugar. Many know to avoid white flower. Many of us know that white flower, when eaten in bread for example, is metabolized, converted into simple sugar. But how much sugar do we get from a dinner roll? And how much can we eat? You won’t like the answer. Let’s delve into a more detailed breakdown. If we take a standard white dinner roll as our example, which on average contains about 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates, we can estimate how much sugar (glucose) it converts into upon digestion. Here’s an illustration of a glucose molecule, showing... Read More

Smoothies are all the rage these days, but are they really all they’re cracked up to be? From the green vegetable variety to the more-like-milkshake fare, we’ve got the skinny on smoothies here.     Do you want to boost your health, energy, and mood with a simple and delicious drink? If so, you might want to try smoothies! Smoothies are not only tasty, but also packed with benefits for your body and mind. In this column, you will learn how smoothies can help you improve your nutrition, digestion, immunity, cognition, and more. You will also discover how to avoid... Read More

Balancing & Rebooting Your Metabolism  Metabolic disorders and obesity are directly linked to two powerful hormones known as insulin and leptin.  85 percent of the US population is insulin and leptin resistant.  Insulin is used by the body to escort glucose from the blood into the cells for energy.  Processed food is loaded with sugar which is quickly broken down and released into the blood stream causing a spike in blood sugar.   The pancreas is forced to supply more and more insulin to remove the sugar from the blood.  Unfortunately, the cells get saturated with glucose and can’t... Read More