Sweet Poisons Can Affect Memory

By David R. Larsen, MFHD

Recently, I learned an important lesson from a couple who are clients of mine. In an effort to prevent further memory decline, the husband had been giving his wife nearly every “memory” pill and potion on the market, but her gradual memory losses continued.

In my evaluation, I noted the wife did not eat vegetables, or very few, and she seldom got much exercise. I knew from previous research that vegetables are essential to memory and emotional health, and I referred them to a specialist in this area. He put my client on several supplements to try and overcome this deficiency and boost her brain cells. She also resumed her daily swim. But after several months, there was still no progress. This was very frustrating to me, as nearly everyone I work with improves. 

Finally, one evening last month, I was talking with her husband, and he said, “Well, I’ve got to go give [my wife] her treat for the night.” 

A bit surprised, I asked, “Oh, so what kind of treats do you give her?” 

“Usually it’s a slice of chocolate cake, a candy bar, or a bowl of ice cream,” he replied. 

I was stunned! I’m sure my jaw must have dropped. Of course, he thought he was just being kind and didn’t realize he was actually poisoning her mind! We now have her on healthier desserts and a powerful new formula designed to re-grow brain cells. I’ll let you know how she does.

This experience helped me realize that although the research on brain health is replete with warnings about the effects of refined sugar on the brain, especially as we get older, many seniors are not aware of this. For example, we have long known diabetics were more prone to develop dementia, but last year, a study of 250 “non-diabetic” men and women conducted at the Australian National University’s Centre for Research on Aging found those with high blood sugar levels tended to have “shrinking in brain areas linked to memory and emotional processing.”

In preparing this article, I emailed Dr. Thomas Shea at the University of Massachusetts, one of the top Alzheimer’s researchers in the world, and asked his opinion on sugar. He replied that while some sugar as found in fruit and vegetables is essential, refined or processed “sugar is brain poison, plain and simple!” It robs the brain of essential B-vitamins, and in excess causes damage (glycation) to tissues and proteins that contribute to amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. 

Some people laugh when it’s suggested that Ronald Reagan’s Alzheimer’s came from his over-consumption of jelly beans. But those familiar with this research do not. Though a small thing, dozens of jelly beans (or any other sugary treat) on a daily basis can, as sure as arsenic, poison the brain over time. And it’s not just sucrose; fructose sugar can be a problem as well. Fructose in fruit is fine, but when it’s refined and used as an additive, as in high fructose corn syrup, it does not satisfy cravings for sweets, and it’s cheap, so people consume too much. Between 1970 and 1990, Americans’ consumption of high fructose corn syrup rose by more than 1,000%, an increase that paralleled the rapid rise of the obesity epidemic, with serious consequences. Consider this recent review. 

“Are you a victim of fructose poisoning? If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, belly fat, or insulin resistance, the answer is likely yes. Fructose might taste sweet to your taste buds, but there’s nothing sweet about what it [in excess] does to your body. Mounting evidence shows that high fructose is responsible for multiple factors involved in metabolic syndrome [metabolic syndrome can quadruple the risk for Alzheimer’s]. 

The reason for these disastrous health problems is that high intake of fructose acts more like a toxin than a nutrient…And, like a toxin, fructose has direct harmful effects (glycation) on tissues throughout the body, while performing no necessary nutritional function. Study after study has demonstrated that excessive fructose consumption directly causes all five components of metabolic syndrome: abdominal fat, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles, insulin resistance, and inflammation.”

Of course, we see these sugars added everywhere—in our cereal, our ketchup, our bread, yogurt—but sodas may be the biggest offenders. And “sugar free” sodas may be even worse, as they usually contain aspartame (NutraSweet), a well known neurotoxin, which over time can cause headaches, depression, cognitive decline, and even dementia. Of course, some people are more vulnerable to these effects than others. Water, milk, thick juices, decaf coffee, and herbal teas with a touch of Stevia (a healthier natural, not artificial sugar) would be much better choices. 

Be forewarned: the consumption of too much sugar, or aspartame, over time or even over the upcoming holidays can have serious consequences for anyone’s mind. Helpful hints: the protein tryptophan found in turkey and the spice saffron may help reduce sugar cravings, while cinnamon, turmeric, and the amino acid carnosine may help reduce the damage sugars can cause. 

For more information on sugars and the spices and proteins that may help overcome sugar cravings and damage, I invite you to visit my website, http://4abettermemory.com/memory, or email me at David RJL@aol.com.