Age is just a number, but our outlook on life and how we feel and take care of our mind and body is what truly matters. We all know (or even own) the arsenal of anti-aging or anti-wrinkle creams and serums people stack in their medicine cabinets. We are aware of Botox, of quitting cigarettes, and stocking the shelves with expensive vitamins that rejuvenate our skin, but a lot of people don’t realize that diet and natural beauty routines have powerful anti-aging effects.

Eat Your Antioxidants

Although having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you maintain a youthful appearance, antioxidants in particular seem to help reignite the skin’s vitality, vibrancy and overall look. That is because they provide protection against the damaging effects of free radicals on the cells in your body, including those in your skin. Almonds, green tea, avocado and sweet potatoes are all foods rich in antioxidants. Click here to learn more about antioxidant-rich foods.

Cut Back On Sugar

A secret to aging gracefully is feeding your body with foods that will fuel you, not weigh you down. While sugar is regarded as collagen’s natural enemy, turning the skin less elastic and more prone to wrinkles, sugar’s effect on aging goes deeper than that. Mounting evidence shows that sugar molecules may also be involved in the development of chronic degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, you can substitute sugar with healthier, natural options such as raw honey, agave and stevia.

Get On Board With Coconut Oil

This superfood is beneficial for skin and hair care, but it has also been known to improve antioxidant levels and reduce the signs of premature aging. In addition to nourishing the skin, it can decrease stress on the liver, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, improve brain function, and help those with type II diabetes.

Dried Prunes For Strong Bones

Dried prunes are commonly used to regulate bowel movements; however, Osteoporosis International conducted a study on people with low bone density, and the results showed that those who consumed 3.5 ounces of dried prunes daily indicated a reduced rate of bone breakdown, as well as bone-protective effects. Prunes are rich in vitamin K, magnesium and potassium, all of which are vital for bone health.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating can assist the body with healthy cell production, but it also gets rid of dead skin cells and toxins that accumulate on the skin. It helps give the skin a smoother complexion. There are many natural ingredients that can be used as exfoliators, depending on the person’s taste, and the ingredient’s benefits. Great natural exfoliators include sea salt, baking soda, citrus fruits, oats, raw honey, and papaya.

Start Swimming

If you needed a reason to hit the pool at the gym, here it is: swimming may slow down aging by decades. This full body workout is gentle on the joints, regulates blood pressure, increases respiratory function, and cardiovascular strength; all of which are traditional age markers. Swimming also improves cognitive function, and is a powerful tool for fighting stress and depression, according to an international study commissioned by Speedo.

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Restaurants offer enormous plates of food and fast food places allow you to super-size your meals. With all these oversized snacks, drinks, and king-sized food options, it can be difficult to eat the right amount. A recent study actually found that modern portion sizes of popular foods have added an extra 100 calories to every meal. Consuming an extra 100 calories a day can pack on an extra ten pounds a year.

Portion distortion is more of a problem when it comes to sugary drinks with zero nutritional value. These account for a ton of empty calories and artificial sweeteners or refined sugars. Even if you consume 500 calories worth of soda, you’ll still feel hungry because you didn’t give you body protein, fiber, or healthy fats.

Let’s say that go to a restaurant and order a burger with a side of French fries. We are going to assume that you order a soda or sugary beverage, which you will most likely refill, with your meal. This meal can exceed 2,000 calories, which is about how many calories the average person should consume in one day. A 2012 study found that about 96% of American restaurant meals exceeded the USDA recommendations for salt, overall calories, and fat.

Using your hand as a guide for portion control is probably the handiest (pun intended), most effective way to count the calories you’re consuming. Most of us know that counting, and limiting, calories is essential to lose weight, so let’s show you how to use your hands to make things easier.

A Teaspoon

The size of the fingertip roughly amounts to the size of a teaspoon. This can be used to measure portions such as that of oils, spreads, or butter.

A Tablespoon

Your thumb, from knuckle to tip, is about the size of a tablespoon. This measurement is often used for things like salad dressings or cheeses. You can also double this for a single serving of peanut butter.

1-2 Ounces

A handful amounts to approximately a one or two ounces, and this is often used to measure snack foods. Remember that one handful equals one ounce of nuts and small candies, whereas two handfuls equal one ounce for chips and pretzels.

3-4 Ounces

The size of your palm equates to about three to four ounces of protein, such as red meat or fish. Keep in mind that a three to four ounce portion is the daily recommendation for protein, and that the size of each person’s palm is different.

A Cup

Besides using your fist to measure portions for fresh fruit and raw vegetables, it can also help you measure one serving of cooked pasta, rice, or granola. The fist can also be proportionate to the size of your cupped hand.

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The reason why many people try cleansing is so that they can flush toxins and residual waste from their bodies. When left in the system, these toxins can wreak havoc on the body in the long run. One of the worst toxins you can put in your body is sugar. Cleansing forces you to cut all of the bad sugary foods, like soda, alcohol, candies, and pastries, from your diet. All of these are detrimental to the body, and as such, are best avoided before, during, and especially after cleansing.

While reducing the consumption of sugar can help you drop pounds, improve your overall health, and even aid with healthier skin, not all sugars harm the body. There are some natural sugars that help provide not only a sweet taste, but also nutritional benefits for your body.

Organic, Raw, Unfiltered Honey

If you are fresh off the Full Body Cleanse, you may want to consider organic, raw, unfiltered honey, due to its high amount of antioxidants, and its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Don’t get regular honey in a plastic bear. You want the good stuff, so opt for the organic, raw unfiltered kind.

Stevia

This plant-based sweetener doesn’t trigger an insulin response, making it safe for diabetics. It is also non-caloric and doesn’t cause cavities.

Coconut Sugar

This can be a good alternative for those who consumed a lot of table sugar before cleansing. Organic coconut offers vitamins and minerals, but it has a very low impact on your blood sugar levels.

100% Pure Maple Syrup

When it comes to the aftermath of cleansing, choosing the natural stuff makes all the difference. This natural sweetener that comes from a maple tree has 10 times more calcium than honey, and it contains significant levels of manganese and zinc. Just make sure that you buy organic 100% pure maple syrup and avoid the heavily processed maple syrup varieties out there.

Monk Fruit

Like stevia, monk fruit is an all-natural, calorie-free sweetener. It is safe for diabetics, it contains anti-inflammatory properties, and it is rich in antioxidants. Beware, though, because monk fruit tends to be blended with added sugars that decrease its nutritional value.

Like any form of sugar, you don’t want to consume these natural sugars in excess. Remember, there are always natural sugars in fruits!

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We know that people who take part in the Full Body Cleanse drink more water and tea than they have ever consumed in their entire lives, but there are other options out there. While you can make detox waters or freshly made juices, sometimes it is nice to kick back and sip on a refreshing glass of homemade lemonade. How do you make homemade lemonade without it being bad for you, though?

Most people are familiar with the classic lemonade recipe: water, sugar (or simple syrup), and lemon juice, which may be processed, from concentrate, or filled with added sugars. Making a healthy lemonade just means that you use a cleanse approved sugar alternative, e.g. raw agave syrup, stevia, or pure grade A maple syrup. You can also use seasonal ingredients to add a little pizazz to your standard lemonade.

Vitamin C, probably the most important nutrient in lemons, helps nourish the skin and fight free radicals in the body. Lemons also contain electrolytes, which help to keep you hydrated. Additionally, adding lemons to your diet is beneficial for achieving balanced pH levels in the body.

As we’ve said before, you can consume a wide variety of foods/beverages if you are willing to think outside the box. We want to help you discover the possibilities of the raw diet because you may enjoy them so much so that you bring them back into your life after cleansing.

We know that each person is going to change the recipes we provide in this article because some prefer sour to sweet or vice versa. That is perfectly acceptable, but here are three lemonades you should make while you are cleansing.

Recipe #1: Simple Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon filtered water
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¾ cup raw agave syrup
• ½ pound fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine everything in a large pitcher and stir for several minutes. You don’t want the agave to settle at the bottom.
• Refrigerate for a couple hours to let the flavors intensify.
• Serve chilled or over ice. 

Recipe #2: Classic Lemonade with Stevia

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 quart filtered water
• ½ teaspoon stevia extract

Instructions:

• Mix all of the ingredients together in a large pitcher.
• Refrigerate for a couple hours before serving.
• It will stay fresh for several days. 

Recipe #3: Lavender Lemonade

Ingredients:

• The juice of 4 medium lemons
• 9 cups filtered water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
• ¾ cup raw agave

Instructions:

• Boil one cup of the water and steep the lavender in this cup for 3-4 minutes. Strain the mixture and let it cool.
• Add the lemon juice, water, lavender water, and raw agave to a large pitcher and stir well.
• Serve chilled or with ice. You can also top it with fresh lemon slices.

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There are too many artificial sweeteners and refined sugars on the market! This has led to a rise in sugar consumption and increased calorie from sugar intake. Americans consume roughly 400 calories a day from added sugars. Most of these sugars are considered to be safe for consumption, according to the FDA, but there are many side effects that people endure by ingesting these products.

Consumption of sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin can lead to headaches, shrunken thymus glands, poor liver and kidney function, and even mood disorders. If a person stops consuming diet soda, which typically contains aspartame, they can go through withdrawal symptoms, experience fatigue, or develop temporary insomnia. Additional side effects of refined sugar consumption include:

• Tooth Decay
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Heart Disease
• Poor Cognitive Function
• Certain Types of Cancer

Where there is bad, there is also good. Many natural, healthy sweeteners exist and they are much better for you than things like high fructose corn syrup or other artificial sweeteners. Replacing 130 grams of refined sugars a day (average American intake) with natural sweeteners can boost your antioxidant consumption! Try replacing your typical sweeteners or refined sugars with some of the following options.

Stevia

Stevia is one of the only sweeteners allowed while performing our cleanses. It has been used in South America, where it originated, for hundreds of years to support healthy blood sugar levels. Stevia is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and is available in liquid form, powder, or dissolvable tablets. Stevia is ideal for sweetening drinks or dressings.

Dates

If you like to bake or make ice cream, you are going to find yourself using a lot of dates. They are rich in potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, and vitamin B6. Your body easily digests them and they help to metabolize proteins, fats, and carbs, while also helping to reduce cholesterol levels. When buying dates, make sure to buy the ones that have no added preservatives or sugars. They are sweet enough.

Blackstrap Molasses

Organic blackstrap molasses is incredibly nutritious and a great sweetener for things like tea, coffee, desserts, or even marinades. Rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B6, selenium, potassium, and copper, organic blackstrap molasses is a much healthier alternative to refined sugar or brown sugar.

Agave

Agave nectar is a great natural sweetening agent for those looking to avoid commercial sweeteners or refined sugars. It is best to get raw agave nectar because it is unrefined and free of additives. This is another sweetener that we allow people to use while cleansing. It is also about 1.5 times sweeter than regular sugar, so go easy at first.

Raw Honey

Raw honey has some pretty amazing health properties, and has been used as an herbal remedy for many different conditions. Raw honey helps to fight free radicals in the body while also helping to promote healthy gut bacteria. One tablespoon of organic raw honey has a lower glycemic index than one banana. Look for organic raw honey from local beekeepers in your city.

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Back when our ancestors discovered the benefits that sugar—more specifically glucose—had on our brains and bodies, they had not considered just how “hooked” their predecessors would become on it.

Nowadays, sugar can be found in many compositions, such as corn syrup, honey, fructose, or glucose. It is produced both naturally and artificially, and is sold by the millions all around the globe. But why is it consumed over and over, and why can’t we get enough of it? The answer is in our brains.

The key relationship between glucose, a kind of simple sugar, and the brain, goes back to the most basic of our biological functions. It is the primary source of energy, and one that our most energy-demanding organ essentially needs. According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, “brain functions such as thinking, memory and learning are closely linked to glucose levels.” Basically, we cannot function properly if our sugar intake isn’t balanced.

Look at it this way; every time we consume certain carbohydrates, our intestines break them down into glucose. This is the same glucose, or sugar, that is absorbed into the bloodstream, so that it may be used for other tissues and become the main fuel for brain cells. Thanks to our neurons, we are able to process information, recall memories, and simply experience life; it is through each microscopically electrical transmission that they communicate. But if glucose is lacking and neurons are not well fed, this communication simply breaks down. The body is almost like a machine, which is why it is integral to understand the effects of the chemicals that are put in it.

However, as there is good on one side, there is also bad on the other side of the scale. Too much sugar can have a negative effect on the brain.

The white and brown sucrose, which we mainly recognize as table sugar, comes from sugarcane or sugar beets. It is refined, processed, and turned into cakes, bottled juices, and candies. It is the sweet stuff most of us love, and much different from the natural sugars (glucose and fructose), which are found in natural plant-based foods like fruit. Added sugars (or disaccharides) are found in 74 percent of the packaged foods in American supermarkets, which is why Americans consume roughly five times the amount of sugar they should. This high consumption rate has been linked to vascular dementia and poor immune function.

Sugar has a side effect on the brain. From the moment sugar touches the tongue’s receptors, the brain receives signals to activate a rewarding reaction of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, a neurotransmitter also artificially found in cocaine. The more we consume it, the higher our tolerance becomes, turning our consumption into a vicious cycle of more and more sugar. But what happens when we just can’t get enough? The body doesn’t necessarily overdose on sugar, but the nervous system has proven that it eventually breaks down from it.

A 2012 study on rats conducted at UCLA showed that the ones that had over-consumed fructose had damaged the communication among brain cells. Due to the heavy sugar intake, the rats developed a resistance to insulin, a hormone that strengthens the synapsis between cells, slowing down their ability to form memories and learn. When sugar takes over certain functions in the brain, the brain tries to avoid working for itself, which is why it is beneficial for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to avoid sugary foods or beverages.

Learning about the real effects, both the good and bad, that sugar has on us is the key to maintaining the balance that will make a difference in our lives. Try to obtain sugar from natural sources, as opposed to processed food products and baked goods we tend to go for when sugar cravings strike.

10 Sources of Good Sugar

• Bananas
• Apples
• Raw Organic Honey
• Raw Agave Nectar
• Carrots
• Pineapples
• Prunes
• Beets
• Whole Grains
• Grapes

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Whether it is a strained muscle, slipped or bulged disc, or a simple muscle spasm, numerous reasons can cause lower back pain. People often look to one of these causes to blame the pain on, but a common cause is typically overlooked. Tight hip muscles and joints commonly cause lower back pain.

If a muscle is tight or constricted in any way, there will be tension in the surrounding muscles. Too much tension can cause that specific muscle to pull on everything around it to help relieve its tension. When your hips are tight, the body naturally shifts forward and this puts pressure on your lower back. In order to help remedy this specific cause, here are a few things you can do.

#1: Spinal Twist

This stretch works to relieve pressure by opening up your hips and relaxing the back muscles. To do this, lay on your right side and bring your left knee up to a 90-degree angle. Using your right arm, hold your left knee down and slowly rotate towards the left as you exhale. Rotate as far as you can comfortably and you should feel a stretch in your lower back. Make sure that your left knee remains on the ground. Hold for about one minute. Return to the starting position and then repeat on the other side.

#2: Thoracic Bridge

Start on all fours with your hands beneath your shoulders and your knees directly beneath your hips. Slowly extend your right arm and left leg simultaneously and lift your chest towards the ceiling. You should also squeeze your buttocks and curve your hips towards the ceiling. Hold this for five deep breaths and then return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.

#3: Pigeon Pose

Start on all fours just like you did in the previous pose. Slide your right knee forward and angle it out slightly; the outside of your right thigh should be on the ground. Extend your left leg back until it is straight, making sure to keep your hips square. Hold yourself up straight and remain in this pose for about 30 seconds. If you feel flexible enough, lay down on your right leg. Repeat this on the other side.

#4: Foam Roll The IT Band

You are going to need a firm foam roller in order for this to be effective. Foam rolling can be painful, but it works to relieve muscle tension. Place the foam roller on the ground and get down on all fours over the roller. Slowly lower yourself while twisting to the right side. You should let the outside of your bottom leg rest on the roller and you should support yourself with your hands. Slowly roll up and down the outside of your bottom leg to relieve tension in the IT band. After rolling for about two minutes, do the same thing on the other side. You can repeat this several times on each side.

#5: Glute Foam Roll

Sit on the foam roller and support yourself with your hands planted on the ground behind the roller. Place your left ankle on top of your right thigh as though you were stretching your buttocks. Lean to the left and roll the left buttocks (gluteus muscle). Don’t fall off the roller. You don’t have to move very far or fast. Resting on a sore spot can do wonders. Do this for a few minutes and then repeat on the other side.

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Yes, beware of toothpaste! Commercial brand toothpastes, that is!

Toothpaste

Commercial brand toothpastes contain caustic and toxic ingredients known to affect physical health. There’s a reason why if it’s ingested in large quantities that the consumer is directed to call a poison control center.

Many commercial brand toothpastes contain ingredients such as sodium fluoride, propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate, sodium saccharin, polyethylene, Blue Lake #1, D & C Red #30 Lake, and FD & C Blue #1 Lake.

Sodium fluoride (aka Flouride) is a toxic chemical used in rat poison. Teeth do not require fluoride, but fluorine. Fluoride is not a mineral or element, but fluorine is. Fluorine helps prevent tooth decay. Organic fluorine is found in Black Walnut Hulls and Miswak (Peelu), although in very low concentrations.

Propylene glycol is an industrial agent. It is commonly used to keep products moist and is also used in car antifreeze solutions and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant and detergent commonly used in engine degreaser, garage floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. It’s also used clinical testing as a primary skin irritant.

Sodium saccharin is another ingredient in rat poison. In toothpaste, it’s a sweetener.

Polyethylene is PLASTIC.

Blue Lake, FD & C Lake, and all the Lakes are petroleum-derived dyes and known carcinogens. They are used in your toothpastes to give them color.

Sugar alternatives are commonly found in oral hygiene and toothpaste products. They don’t outright use sugar because toothpaste is supposed to fight against the damage of sugar so they use artificial sweeteners instead.

Natural Toothpaste or Tooth Powder Products

There are good alternative brands of toothpaste on the shelves of good health food stores such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, Wild Oats, Natural Grocer Stores (Northern California), VP Discount Health Stores, Nature Mart (Los Angeles, CA), Erewhon (Los Angeles, CA), New Frontiers (Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona), Sevenanda (Atlanta, GA), and Simply Wholesome (Los Angeles, CA) just to name a few.

Good alternative brands of toothpaste include:

• Ayurveda
• Nature’s Gate
• Peelu
• Tom’s of Maine

Even with these alternative brands, it’s important to read the labels because many natural brands also add fluoride.

Herbs are great for tooth powder purposes. Peelu brand makes a great tooth powder, if you can tolerate the taste. Other herbs that make excellent tooth powders include White Oak Bark, Clove, Black Walnut Hull, Neem, Bayberry, Goldenseal, Witch Hazel bark, and Cranesbill.

Toothbrushes

Toothbrushes can be harmful if you use the wrong type or size for your teeth or gum condition. Use a toothbrush with very soft bristles. You can also use a towel to clean your teeth. Simply wet the towel and add a little herbal tooth powder to the towel and start brushing and polishing.

Healing Tooth Problems Naturally

For strong and healthy teeth, make sure you get optimal amounts of calcium phosphate, especially if you are pregnant. A developing baby can cause a pregnant woman to lose calcium, which is why many females experience problems with their teeth after pregnancy.

Essential oil of Clove is known to provide relief from tooth pain. Apply a few drops on to a Q-tip and apply to the toothache. This is just a temporary remedy until you can get yourself to a dentist, preferably a holistic dentist (if you can find one).

Many dental problems can be resolved through diet changes including plaque build up, sensitive teeth, gingivitis (bad breath), and stained teeth.

Tooth whiteners are toxic and potentially harmful to your health. Nothing whitens teeth better than Carbon, a/k/a Activated Charcoal. Though a tasteless black substance, this stuff whitens teeth and removes plaque at the same time. The substance is very powerful and also helps to maintain a healthy mouth pH balance.

Dietary Intervention

Eliminate meat, dairy products, refined grains and starches from your diet. Eliminate processed foods or greatly cut back on them. Processed vegan products are better than actual meat-based ones.

Consider going all raw (at least for purposes of healing). As raw foodism may be too strict for many, consider becoming a vegan. Eating fruits and vegetables are great for the teeth and gums. Strawberries are especially good to eat as they clean the teeth. Biting into a strawberry is one of the best things you can do for your teeth and gums.

Drinking vegetable juice and swooshing the juice around in your mouth is also healing for your teeth, gums and mouth.

Cilantro is good stuff if you have or had mercury filings in your mouth via teeth. Mercury leeches and eventually makes it way to the brain, which causes a host of problems, but cilantro can help detoxify the body of mercury.

Alkaline water is the best water you can drink for healing and health purposes. Always drink at least half your body weight in water. For example, if your total body weight is 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces because half of 160 is 80.

Stop chewing gum. For breath freshener, try Miswak (Peelu) sticks, Neem sticks, and/or Licorice sticks – all Nature’s toothbrush sticks..

Switch from drinking coffee to drinking coffee alternatives such as brands like Teeccino, Pero, and Cafix. Coffee alternatives are made from dried herbs, seeds, and fruits. Teeccino brand tastes good!

If you’re drinking coffee for that caffeine high, switch to herbs containing bio-active caffeine such as Yerba Mate, Kola Nut, Green Tea, or Guarana. The caffeine in these herbs is bio-active (alive) and not harmful on the body nor are they addictive.

If you use baking soda to brush your teeth, make sure the baking soda is ‘aluminum free.’

Make Your Own Mouthwash

Avoid using commercial mouthwash and gargling agents that contain toxic ingredients such as ALCOHOL (which has been implicated in cancer of the throat), PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM SACCHARIN, D&C and FD&C color dyes (petroleum), and SODIUM LAUREL SULFATE.

You can also make your own mouthwash using these guidelines:

• Base 1: Blend warm water, sea salt, and a few drops of tea tree oil
• Base 2: Blend warm water, sea salt, and hydrogen peroxide (3% variation, not 35% food grade variation which should be avoided for this purpose).
• Add essential oils to either base such as Clove, Tea Tree, Wintergreen, Spearmint and Peppermint

Clove and Tea Tree give your mouthwash antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties and activities.

Gargling with a little hydrogen peroxide (top or cap full) is great for oral hygiene purposes, especially in cases of internal canker sores (oral herpes) and periodontal disease. If you suffer from or experience bleeding gums, gargle with hydrogen peroxide and a little sea salt which will help the bleeding to subside.

You can add a little vegetable glycerine to your mouthwash to make it a little sweet tasting. You can also add liquid chlorophyll to your mouthwash solution as well – gives it a nice green color.

Root Canals

And remember, there is no herbal alternative to a root canal. Herbs can’t replace surgery.

If you have a major dental issue, by all means seek the help you need and require. You can deal with the injection of drugs later on.

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Sugar addiction is a major problem in the U.S.

The term ‘sugar’ is a general one. Today, there are numerous umbrella terms to identify sugar. However, we must not forget that Nature produces sugar (true fructose). The sugars or sweeteners Nature provides are not harmful because they are balanced sugars – balanced with nutrients! Mother’s milk or breast milk is sweet, but it contains nutrients and thus is balanced. Same thing with maple syrup – it contains balanced nutrients.

Sugar is really not the problem. It is unstable and isolated sugars that are man-made, processed or refined that are problematic. During sugar’s processing, it turns from a sticky black substance to a clear juice that is heated to remove impurities and after this process it is then bleached ‘white’ with chemicals.

More than 70% of the sugars we consume are hidden in the foods we eat and beverages we drink. The types of sugar that is doing the serious harm our health are known as:

• Sucrose
• Glucose
• Dextrose
• Maltose
• Brown sugar
• Malitol
• Isomol
• Sorbitol
• Mannitol
• Xylitol
• Corn syrup
• High fructose corn syrup
• Fructose
• Cane sugar
• Turbinado sugar
• Sugar cane crystals (or cane crystals)
• Evaporated cane juice
• Succinate
• Demerara sugar
• Natural milled cane sugar
• Dried cane juice
• Granulated cane juice
• Milled cane sugar
• Plantation white sugar
• Raw cane juice
• Molasses
• Muscovado sugar
• Unrefined cane sugar
• Barley malt
• Rice syrup
• Fruit juice concentrate
• Granular fruit sugar
• Aspartame
• Saccharin
• NutraSweet
• Sweet N’ Low
• Equal
• Yellow-D sugar.

According to the Agricultural Marketing Research Center, most refined sugar comes from sugar beets and sugar cane. Roughly 75% of sugar comes from sugar cane, about 23.5% comes from sugar beet production, and the remaining come from sources like corn, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.

Sugar is EVERYWHERE!

A 2009 US News Health report revealed that sugar-bingeing plays a major role in metabolic changes in the American population and in the exploding obesity rates. In part, here’s what the report found:

“Added sugars, which are sprinkled on and processed into packaged foods and beverages, have become all too common in the American diet, says the American Heart Association. The group argues that sugar bingeing is helping drive the uptick in metabolic changes in the American population, including the exploding obesity rate, and has now recommended an upper limit on daily consumption. Women should consume no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars, and men should not top 150 calories per day. One 12-ounce can contains about 8 teaspoons or about 33 grams of added sugar, which equals approximately 130 calories. One gram of sugar serves up 4 calories, according to the American Dietetic Association. With math like that, it’s not surprising that the average American rings up an average of 22.2 teaspoons, or 355 calories per day, of added sugars, mostly from sugar-sweetened beverages. But those who shun sweet-tasting drinks are not off the hook. Part of the challenge of avoiding added sugars, argues the AHA, is that they have become far more prevalent over time; the amount of added sugars in Americans’ food options increased 19 percent between 1970 and 2005.”

Sugar and Disease

Sugar plays a role in a host of diseases. In fact, diabetes used to be called ‘sugar diabetes.’ Sugar is also implicated in heart disease, candida albicans, kidney failure, cancer, tooth decay, pancreas disorders, obesity, excess and unhealthy weight gain, neurological disorders, menstrual complaints, glaucoma, hypoglycemia, mood swings, depression, and headaches.

Healing Sugar Addiction Naturally

When we consume sugar, the body goes into overdrive because sugar contains little to no nutrition. It is a simple carbohydrate.

When we consume sugar (especially simple sugars), it greatly taxes the body. The body uses stored nutrition in our bodies to process the sugar. In effect, sugar (regardless of whether it’s natural or man-made) robs our body of nutrition.

To overcome or heal from sugar addiction, the body needs nutrition: minerals, trace elements, vitamins and B-vitamins, amino acids (protein), and essential fatty acids and the best sources of these vital nutrients are live foods, living foods (raw foods), especially fruits and vegetables.

Incorporate more live foods into your daily diet. Drink vegetable juice as much as you can. Vegetable juice is 100% liquid nutrition, especially if the veggies are organic.

Always opt for complex sugars over simple sugars.

There are also herbs that can assist with naturally kicking the sugar habit. These herbs include Gymnema sylvestre, Stevia, Licorice Root, Cinnamon, Jambul Seed, Bilberry leaf, and Guava Leaf. These herbs are useful for healing problems of obesity and pancreas complaints (i.e. diabetes and hypoglycemia).

Gymnema sylvestre (also known as ‘Gurmar’), which literally means “Destroyer of Sugar“is also known to be very helpful in breaking a sugar addiction. Licorice root is an effective herb to help regulate blood sugar levels. It has a mildly natural sweet taste. Jambul seed is effective in reducing the amount of sugar in the urine.

Healthy Sugar Alternatives

There are also natural sugar alternatives (natural sweeteners) available today, including:

• Maple syrup contains a moderate amount of nutrients that make maple syrup very beneficial for health purposes.
• Stevia (Stevia raubadiana), a plant, is 200 times naturally sweeter than sugar and without the adverse side effects of sugar (sucrose, white table sugar). Stevia works best in tea compounds and gives herbal teas a naturally sweet taste.
• Agave nectar is 1.4 to 1.6 times sweeter than traditional sugar. It’s extracted from several species of the agave plant (the same plant that produces tequila). It’s an excellent vegan alternative to honey when cooking.

Satisfy Cravings Naturally

If you have a craving for sugar or something sweet, consider something naturally given or provided for in Nature and that has not been refined or processed by man; or if it has been processed by man (into a product) make sure it still contains nutrients for purposes of nutrition.

Here is a list of naturally sweet foods that can suffice a sugar craving:

• Raisins
• Black currants
• Figs
• Dates
• Most raw fruit: i.e. banana, watermelon, orange, peach, mango, etc.
• Dried fruit (unsulfured)
• Carob

Dherbs Solutions

Dherbs products that are helpful to people trying to stop sugar addiction:

• Full Body Cleanse
• Sugar Formula
• Pancreas Aid
• Electric Greens Combo

This article is compliments of Dherbs.com.

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