I would say most, if not all, processed food has some added sugar. I’m good about reading labels, and I always find those hidden “ose” sweeteners that great food adds to food to make food taste better. From jarred applesauce to catsup and jarred spices, you’ll find the dreaded “ose’s” in our food. A few “ose'” examples are Dextrose, Fructose, Galactose, Glucose, Glucose Solids, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Lactose, Maltose, and Sucrose.
I test my blood glucose often (although I’m not diabetic) to see how different foods affect my blood sugar. My normal range is around the mid-80s after eating a low-carbohydrate meal. I tested my blood glucose about 40 mins after the carb/sugar load, and my reading was 112. I can’t remember the last my reading was over 95. This was shocking but not surprising.
We have never had an emergency need to lower blood sugar in the history of humankind. However, chronic high levels of blood sugar are creating an epidemic of diabetes and obesity, which lead to other health problems like high blood pressure, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, and insomnia.
Diabetes is not only a human issue but is also on the rise in dogs. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, one out of every 300 dogs is diagnosed with diabetes. Especially in senior and middle-aged dogs, diabetes in dogs is becoming frighteningly common. If your dog gets diabetes, he will most likely need insulin for the rest of his life. I guess that commercial dog food is one reason for the rise.
Elevated blood sugar is also related to brain health. There’s a process called glycation whereby glucose reacting with proteins results in “sticky proteins.” These proteins covered with this sticky sugar begin to harden. Glycation injures the brain’s neuron cell membranes and creates neuroinflammation. As a result, people with diabetes have four times the rate of Alzheimer’s, pre-diabetics three times, and compromised blood sugar two times risk. The inability of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to utilize glucose is a critical factor in the disease and is newly coined as Type 3 Diabetes. In Dr. David Perlmutter’s book Brain Maker, Dr. Perlmutter shares studies that there’s a direct correlation between elevated blood sugar levels and Alzheimer’s and dementia.
I know many people try to avoid sugar. However, you must be diligent and vigilant, read every label, and know the hidden names where sugar lurks.
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