sugar addiction

Springfield_Rocks

just wondering if anyone, who has kicked the sugar habit, wants another friend? i really need to learn from someone who has 'been there done that'... kwim?

Springfield_Rocks

i realyl struggle from physical withdrawl symptoms from sugar. headaches, tight muscles, neck spasms, clenched jaw at night. awful. any advice?

also, I am prone to depression and my depression seems to take a severe downward turn when going off sugar, usually hits a few weeks into a sugar free diet. i have read that sugar effects serotonin levels, any thoughts on this?

SanteMulberry

i realyl struggle from physical withdrawl symptoms from sugar. headaches, tight muscles, neck spasms, clenched jaw at night. awful. any advice?

also, I am prone to depression and my depression seems to take a severe downward turn when going off sugar, usually hits a few weeks into a sugar free diet. i have read that sugar effects serotonin levels, any thoughts on this?

Not sure the symptoms you are describing comes from lack of sugar. Could be lack of magnesium if you have been getting a dose of magnesium with your sugar (chocolate has a lot of magnesium). People who are low in magnesium usually have an extreme craving for chocolate. Epsom salts BATHS (Epsom salts are pure magnesium sulphate) will raise your magnesium levels AND your serotonin levels, if you are deficient in magnesium. It has been estimated that at least 80% of us are magnesium deficient. Serotonin levels, energy production and smoothly working muscles are all dependent on adequate magnesium levels. Often, because exercise "uses up" our blood magnesium supplies, the more we exercise, the lower our magnesium goes. The thing that's great about Epsom salts baths is that you absorb the magnesium directly through your skin instead of suffering the gastric distress that often comes with taking oral supplements--and you will only absorb as much as you need through your skin. In any case, it is very soothing and your muscles will feel great after a soak! Aim for two 15-minute soaks per week (make the water as hot as you can stand it without burning yourself and follow the package directions for how much to put in your bath. The typical bath uses about 25-35 gallons of water (depending on how full you like your tub and the size of the tub. A large tub can require up to 75 gallons of water).

P.S. Your doc can run a check for your mineral levels--mine does. They will check for your levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Also, if your magnesium levels are low, your potassium levels will likely be low as well. My doc does a check for mineral levels before he ever picks up a prescription pad (but he's pretty unusual--but he's a marathon runner and understands the importance of keeping the right balance of minerals). That's how I discovered that my magnesium levels were quite low and thus my muscle discomfort and blue mood along with absolutely NO energy. Since I have corrected the mineral imbalance my muscles and mood have been great and since I started my fast from fructose, my energy levels are incredible.

P.P.S. If you decide to do a fast from fructose, you will likely need to eat a lot of celery (I get organic celery because regular celery has a lot of pesticides on it) in order to get your potassium that you won't be getting from fruit. Fruit is one of the richest sources of potassium but certain vegetables are almost as good--celery is one of them. Spinach is another (it is also rich in magnesium).

Springfield_Rocks

i realyl struggle from physical withdrawl symptoms from sugar. headaches, tight muscles, neck spasms, clenched jaw at night. awful. any advice?

also, I am prone to depression and my depression seems to take a severe downward turn when going off sugar, usually hits a few weeks into a sugar free diet. i have read that sugar effects serotonin levels, any thoughts on this?

Not sure the symptoms you are describing comes from lack of sugar. Could be lack of magnesium if you have been getting a dose of magnesium with your sugar (chocolate has a lot of magnesium). People who are low in magnesium usually have an extreme craving for chocolate. Epsom salts BATHS (Epsom salts are pure magnesium sulphate) will raise your magnesium levels AND your serotonin levels, if you are deficient in magnesium. It has been estimated that at least 80% of us are magnesium deficient. Serotonin levels, energy production and smoothly working muscles are all dependent on adequate magnesium levels. Often, because exercise "uses up" our blood magnesium supplies, the more we exercise, the lower our magnesium goes. The thing that's great about Epsom salts baths is that you absorb the magnesium directly through your skin instead of suffering the gastric distress that often comes with taking oral supplements--and you will only absorb as much as you need through your skin. In any case, it is very soothing and your muscles will feel great after a soak! Aim for two 15-minute soaks per week (make the water as hot as you can stand it without burning yourself and follow the package directions for how much to put in your bath. The typical bath uses about 25-35 gallons of water (depending on how full you like your tub and the size of the tub. A large tub can require up to 75 gallons of water).

P.S. Your doc can run a check for your mineral levels--mine does. They will check for your levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Also, if your magnesium levels are low, your potassium levels will likely be low as well. My doc does a check for mineral levels before he ever picks up a prescription pad (but he's pretty unusual--but he's a marathon runner and understands the importance of keeping the right balance of minerals). That's how I discovered that my magnesium levels were quite low and thus my muscle discomfort and blue mood along with absolutely NO energy. Since I have corrected the mineral imbalance my muscles and mood have been great and since I started my fast from fructose, my energy levels are incredible.

P.P.S. If you decide to do a fast from fructose, you will likely need to eat a lot of celery (I get organic celery because regular celery has a lot of pesticides on it) in order to get your potassium that you won't be getting from fruit. Fruit is one of the richest sources of potassium but certain vegetables are almost as good--celery is one of them. Spinach is another (it is also rich in magnesium).

thanks again, this is all very helpful. i do tend to cramp up a lot when i go on diets as i always drink a lot of water and i know my electrolytes go haywire. the epsom salts sound like a terrific idea. i like that they can help mood as well. i have heard about magnesium helping with mood, but it's good to hear that from a person and not a commercial! ;-)