Is Diet Sugar Driving You Crazy?

Highly respected researcher Malcolm Peet has found an extraordinary link between dietary sugar consumption and mental illness. This British psychiatric researcher has done extensive analysis showing a strong link between foods that contain sugar or are converted to sugar in the body and the risk of developing schizophrenia and depression.

According to his research, there are two ways that sugar in the body can influence mental health in a toxic way. As he reported in Psychology Today, first, sugar can suppress the activity and function of an important growth hormone in the brain called BDNF. This hormone regulates the health, function, and maintenance of neurons within the brain. It also promotes new neural connections in the brain that support optimal memory function. BDNF levels in the brain are very low in schizophrenia and depression. If sugar and sugar-forming foods are added to the diet, these conditions may occur or become worse. These two conditions very often result in shrinkage of the brain in areas affected by depression or schizophrenia. In other words, it can result in brain damage.

Second, Peet discusses how sugar and sugar-forming foods trigger glycation in the body, contributing to a litany of chemical reactions that promote chronic inflammation. This is a different type of inflammation that results when the body needs to heal a minor scratch or insect bite. It takes some short-term inflammation to trigger an adequate immune response to heal a wound.

In the long run, a continually irritating inflammation response is not a good thing, it actually disrupts the normal functioning of the immune system by making the various types of white blood cells sluggish and unresponsive, as well as causing problems in the brain.

There is increasing scientific evidence that inflammation is responsible for a whole host of serious and chronic diseases and illnesses, including arthritis, IBS, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, not to mention gout and acid reflux. . A number of mental health challenges also arise. Even if these diseases are not yet present, scientists say the risk and potential for them are there.

The definition of sugar and sugar-forming foods includes sugar itself, plus high fructose corn syrup, flours, refined grains, cereals, cakes, cookies, candy, gum, doughnuts, baked goods, puddings, cakes, ice cream , and any other product that contains sugar.

Cavemen did not eat sugar, because there was none for many centuries. We had an innate sweet tooth that guided us to eat whatever fruit we could find, when it was available. Because the fruit was relatively scarce or unavailable because it was too high on the trees, we didn’t have a problem with our sweet taste buds. When we discovered sugarcane a few centuries ago, our sweet tooth became a curse. We developed cravings for sweet foods or foods that turned sweet in the body and caused problems with foods we weren’t designed to consistently eat in large amounts. If you start reading labels at the grocery store, you’ll see how many products contain sugar or corn syrup. Some researchers say that corn syrup is even more dangerous than toxic sugars in our bodies.

Peet suggests that as this research has come to light, he is encouraging his mentally challenged patients to cut out simple sugars and starches for a couple of weeks to see if they notice any improvement in their depressive symptoms. For the few who have had the courage and determination to reduce their intake of sugars, breads, crackers, and other refined foods, they have reported encouraging improvements in their mood, memory, mental clarity, concentration, and overall energy. Maybe it’s time to look at how your mental state is influenced by your diet.