In the last blog titled “fighting back the colds and flu” I pointed out some simple ways to help your immune system win for you. The immune system is key in winning the battle against those colds and flu this season. Those white blood cells are primed and eager to fight the viral invaders. As much as they want to defend us from viruses, bacteria, fungus and even cancer cells they can’t do a whole lot if they are been poisoned. The most common poison these guys have to battle on a continual basis is one that seems so innocent and sweet. Sweet with a capital S. Processed sugar is a potent and effective way to cripple our white blood cell fighting power. Studies have demonstrated that when white blood cells are exposed to elevated levels of sugar they become sluggish and move slowly. “By drinking 1 Liter bottle of soda or by eating 100 gram sugar (about two cans of soda), the reactivity of WBCs reduces 40%. This can make our immune system disable for 4 or 5 hours.” (1)
Processed and refined sugar innocently disguises itself in our foods and if we aren’t keen to look for it we won’t even know its there. What helps me identify hidden refined sugars is keeping in mind that if it is not in its natural state something was likely added to, are taken away from it. Reading labels also helps. Places refined sugars lurk are in commercial sauces, dressings and gravies. Something as basic to our every day diet as ketchup is loaded with sugar and we have to be careful to limit these significantly. Also keep in mind that sugar goes by many different names. Some names you’ll find for added sugar are high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, barely malt, white sugar, evaporated cane sugar and more.
Sweet is a treat and so instead of totally avoiding yummy sweets I try to pick less refined forms to sweeten my foods. Dried fruit are a great option and liquid sweeteners like local honey and maple syrup are still sugars but a better alternative to the more refined crystallized forms. Those sugars found naturally in food don’t cause as much havoc as the added refined sugars (2).
Give those fighter cells a chance to win for you.
Here’s to a stronger immune system and less sniffles this season
Dr Kathy
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