Is Sugar Toxic For Your Bones?
Did you know that until the 20th century, table sugar, also known as sucrose, was considered a condiment? It’s true! Most people consumed very little sugar back then. But that has drastically changed. According to the USDA’s recent data:
“Per capita sugar consumption in 2010 was 66.0 pounds, its highest level since 1999, while corn sweetener per capita consumption at 64.5 pounds was at its lowest level since 1986.”1
Besides all the known health problems caused by high sugar consumption, few mention its damaging effect on cartilage tissue. Cartilage is what gives bones their solid structure, so it is obvious that if you want healthy bones, you must maintain cartilage health.
I’ve already explained here one of the mechanisms by which sugar erodes cartilage, so if you haven’t yet, I urge you to read it. But unfortunately, there are…
More Bone Health Problems Linked to Sugar
Calcium Depletion: studies have shown that consuming excessive quantities of sugar caused a large urinary calcium excretion increase, both in healthy study subjects and in those who were prone to kidney stones.2 This is not surprising, since sugar is a highly acidifying food.
Increased Cortisol Levels: excess cortisol levels have a negative impact on bone health. And if you have the Save Our Bones Program, you already know the 13 best ways to lower your cortisol levels. While cortisol levels are typically increased by stress, a study by Dr. Yudkin, a British physician and sugar researcher, found that eating too much sugar also increases cortisol levels.3 His findings were later corroborated in a study on hamsters, where even with adequate calcium intake, they developed osteoporosis on a high sucrose diet.4
But Fruits and Some Vegetables Have Sugar!
When I refer to sugar, it’s about processed and refined sugar, such as sucrose and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Fruits contain sugars, including fructose, but they are also rich in fiber, which slows down the release of the sugar molecules. It’s about both quantity and quality.
The bottom line is that to have strong and healthy bones, your best bet is to keep your processed sugar consumption to a minimum.
Here are three easy ways to use less sugar:
#1 – Retrain your taste buds
Yes, you can do that, and it’s easy. You see, our taste buds renew themselves every 10 days to two weeks, so once you start reducing the amount of sweets you eat, your “new” taste buds won’t remember that you liked sweets! I’ve done it, and now shun anything that’s really sweet.
#2 – Try honey
It’s alkalizing, delicious, and has nutrients. Use in moderation.
#3 – Use Stevia
Sugar and most other sugar substitutes are acidifying. Stevia, the plant-derived sweetener, is one exception.
However, while stevia is alkalizing, you might have noticed that it can have a slight bitter aftertaste.
Slimtevia solves this problem with a tiny bit of fructose – enough to completely eliminate the bitter aftertaste. And the addition of three bone-healthy ingredients makes it especially attractive to support bone health:
- Inulin: an indigestible fiber derived from beets, inulin passes through much of the digestive system intact. However, once it reaches the colon, it’s broken down and feeds the beneficial bacteria there. Scientists refer to this beneficial activity as “prebiotic”.
- Fructooligosaccharides (FOS): a naturally sweet fiber extracted from fruits and vegetables. FOS have a probiotic effect because they feed our beneficial bacteria that produce natural vitamins and strengthen our immune system.
- Magnesium carbonate: Magnesium is a Foundation Supplement necessary for the optimal health of your bones, nerves, muscles, and heart. Slimtevia contains all-natural (sea-based) magnesium carbonate to prevent lumping and caking.
And thanks to the bulk packaging, the price is on the low side: at around $15 a pound. That’s the typical price for only a few ounces of some other stevia brands.
One pound can go a long way, because 1/3 of a teaspoon is equivalent to 1 full teaspoon of sugar. So I wouldn’t let this bargain slip away because of a lack of portability.
In fact, I carry a small amount in my handbag inside a snack size ziplock bag. Problem solved!
All in all, Slimtevia, the great-tasting sugar substitute, is a “sweet” bargain and that’s why I recommend it.
And here’s a delicious and bone-healthy treat recipe with Slimtevia:
4 ounces almonds (about 1 cup)
1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Slimtevia
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Preheat oven at 325º. In a small bowl, whisk an egg white until frothy. Add the remaining ingredients except for the almonds. Mix until well blended. Add the almonds and stir to coat them with the egg white mixture. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Spread the almonds on to the baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the coating has set and becomes crisp. Cool, then break apart before eating. Store in an airtight container.
1 Haley S. “Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook: May 2011.” ERS. Outlook No. (SSSM-273). 26 pp, May 2011.
2 Lawoyin, S., et al. “Bone mineral content in patients with calcium urolithiasis.” Metabolism 28:1250-1254.1979.
3 Yudkin, J., Dr. Sweet and dangerous. New York: Bantam Books, 112. 1973.
4 Saffar, J. L, et al. “Osteoporotic effect of a high-carbohydrate diet (Keyes 2000) in golden hamsters.” Arch Oral Biol 26:393-397.1981.