Food Choices & Your Health Today...

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor
(B.Appl.Sci: Comp Med, Clin Chiro: Masters, B.Nursing)

Today, lifestyle illnesses such as; Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and various cancers have become rampant. Finding the cause or cure of disease is a complex task as everyone leads a different lifestyle, however logic  tell us that the if we make healthier choices (especially with our diet), we might just avoid becoming a statistic.

Cane sugar is hidden in almost everything and has become a big addiction for many people, however totally eliminating sugar from your diet isn't necessarily the point, but reducing consumption and trying alternatives (xylitol, stevia, raw honey, manuka honey or agave, maple syrup or coconut sugar) may make a big difference to overall vitality.

Xylitol, also known as 'wood sugar' or 'birch sugar', is a five-carbon sugar alcohol (and cane sugar substitute). It can be extracted from the starch of the birch tree, raspberries, plums, and corn. Xylitol, gram for gram, is roughly as sweet as sucrose, but contains 40% less food energy and thus may play a role in improved health. When we look at Diabetes, blood glucose level control, lipid reduction and weight control are the major goals of management. Xylitol is a low glycaemic sweetener, it is slowly absorbed and is metabolized independently of insulin. It does not cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels nor does it create an insulin response (which commonly occurs following the consumption of other carbohydrates). As a result, Xylitol may be recommended as a 'sugar-free' sweetener, suitable for Diabetics as well as for the general population seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Despite the improvement in dental health achieved through the use of fluoride (although, dangerous to health in others ways), the incidence of poor dental health continues to be poor worldwide. Decreasing daily sugar intake is a good place to start in reducing the incidence of dental cavities and gum disease (gingivitis). Xylitol has been found to be particularly effective in reducing the development of cavities, reducing plaque formation and increasing saliva. All of the above mentioned sugar alternatives may be purchased from health food and organic stores and many Coles and Safeway supermarkets today.

If our health is in our hands, we must start by looking at our own pantry for answers. First assess your diet when seeking an explanation for particular symptoms you may suffer from. For instance, consumption of 'diet' or 'zero' products contain artificial sugar that has been found to cause the following side effects (natural sugar will soon not look so bad!)... 

Excess intake of Aspartame specifically has been shown to mimic or worsen symptoms in the following diseases:

• Fibromyalgia Syndrome
• Arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson's disease
• Lupus
• Multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)
• Diabetes and diabetic Complications
• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer's disease
• Birth defects
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Lymphoma
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD and ADHD)
• Panic disorder
• Depression and other psychological disorders

... And may also cause the following side effects:

• Seizures and convulsions
• Dizziness
• Tremors
• Migraines and headaches
• Memory loss (a common toxicity effect)
• Slurring of speech
• Numbness or tingling of extremities
• Chronic fatigue
• Depression & Irritability
• Insomnia
• Panic attacks (a common aspartame toxicity reaction)
• Personality changes & confusion
• Wheezing and breathing difficulty
• Chest pains (Angina), high blood pressure (Hypertension), increased heart beat (Tachycardia)
• Nausea or Vomiting, Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Swallowing pain (Dysphagia)
• Itching & Hives
• Blood sugar irregularities (Hypoglycaemia or Hyperglycaemia)
• Menstrual cramps and menstrual irregularities
• Impotency
• Food cravings
• Weight gain
• Hair loss (Alopecia)
• Burning with urination (Dysuria) 
• Excessive thirst (Polydipsia) or excessive hunger (Polyphagia)
• Bloating, fluid retention (Oedema)
• Infection susceptibility/ poor immunity
• Joint pain (Arthralgia)

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)/ Gut Dysbiosis have all become very common amongst the community. The following table of foods and products are recommended to avoid for general good health, and especially in situations of inflammatory disease:

Foods	Reason
Night Shade Vegetables (Eggplant, Capsicum, Potato, Cooked Tomato)	These may lead to increased levels of acidity in the body which is pro-inflammatory.
Alcohol	May lead to increased levels of acidity in the body which is pro-inflammatory.
Red Meat	The more animal fats (omega-6 fatty acid) a human eats, the more arachidonic acid (pro-inflammatory hormone) they will produce, increasing the likelihood of inflammatory disorders. Alternatively, cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, are all excellent sources of the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
MSG/ flavour enhancers (620, 621, 622, 633, 635)	Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is an awful additive that has been found to cause symptoms such as headaches, migraines, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, heart palpitations, partial paralysis, heart attack-like symptoms, balance difficulties, mental confusion, mood swings, neurological disorders (Parkinson's, MS, ALS, Alzheimer's), behavioural disorders (especially in children and teens), skin rashes, mouth dryness, premature labour, runny nose, facial flushing, mouth lesions, depression, and more… Look out for label numbers such as: 620, 621, 622, 633 and 635.
Refined Sugar (including high fructose corn syrup)	Refined sugar depresses the immune system by decreasing the ability of the white blood cells to fight infection. High consumption of sugar leads to acidity in the body à increasing inflammation. Alternatives are; stevia, xylitol, agave, rice syrup, organic honey, fruit juice concentrate which are all available in Healthfood stores and some Coles & Safeway stores.
Wheat	May cause increased levels of acidity in the body which is à pro-inflammatory.
Artificial sweeteners	European studies have shown that ingestion of artificial sweeteners such aspartame can result in an accumulation of formaldehyde in the brain, which can damage the central nervous system and immune system and cause trauma to DNA. Aspartame breaks down into methanol (wood alcohol)... Methanol quickly converts to formaldehyde in the body... And formaldehyde is heavily toxic to the body. In fact, Aspartame is considered worse than refined sugar and has been found responsible for symptoms of MS, lupus, fibromyalgia and other disorders of the central nervous as listed below. In stepping forward, educate yourself about artificial sweeteners exist and read your food labels… Artificial sweeteners on the market include: Splenda (sucralose), ‘Sweet n Low’ (Saccharin), Equal, Nutrasweet (Aspartame). These are found in products such as; diet fizzy drinks, chewing gum, mints, sugar-free items, yoghurts, snack bars, lollies and products such as yakult.
Processed Foods	Processed foods are usually manufactured with heavily refined, processed ingredients and many numbers. Virtually all conventionally processed foods are laden with salt, sugar, unhealthy fats and nasty additives. These may include: preservatives (such as sodium nitrate), corn syrup, hydrogenated vegetable fats and flavour enhancers.
Dairy	If you are not lactose intolerant, choosing organic dairy products, trying Bonsoy or making your own Oat milk is a healthy choice.