Sugar and Sex Hormones

There is a gene in our body, named SHBG, that regulates estrogen and testosterone.  This gene is closely linked to the condition of the liver.  Why does this matter?  Sugar is metabolized in the liver and when the liver is overloaded with sugar it converts the sugars into fat.  Too much fat in the system shuts of the gene SHBG, which gives direction to the sex hormones in the body.  The troubles that can follow are cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, PCOS and INFERTILITY and more!  The gene is especially affected by High Fructose Corn Syrup and refined table sugar.

“This gene produces a protein that binds to the sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen and carries them into the bloodstream. Only the hormones that are free and unattached to the protein can enter cells and be active. Hence, if the SHBG gene is shut down and is not releasing any SHBG protein, then greater amounts of estrogen and testosterone are released throughout the body.”  Tamara Hardison, Too Much Sugar Affects Sex Hormones.  Full article HERE.

An increase in these hormones is particularly hard on the body.  Acne, infertility, polycystic ovaries, uterine cancer and more.

Another great article: Hormone Disorder Could Be Caused By Sugar.

But are the sex hormones all that is affected by high sugar and fat intake?  You tell me - below is a list of what hormones do.  (source: wikipedia Hormone)

• stimulation or inhibition of growth
• mood swings
• induction or suppression of apoptosis (programmed cell death)
• activation or inhibition of the immune system
• regulation of metabolism
• preparation of the body for mating, fighting, fleeing, and other activity
• preparation of the body for a new phase of life, such as puberty, parenting, and menopause
• control of the reproductive cycle
• hunger cravings

I think it's safe to say that too much sugar has a full scale effect on our health - mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Why Sugar Addiction?

ad-dict-ed /e'diktid/ adj. 1. dependent on; unable to do without. (dk illustrated oxford dictionary)

Why do we get addicted? Especially to something like sugar. There isn't a simple, one sentence answer. I believe that addiction is much more than a physical need. I believe that every facet of our lives affects our behavior toward a substance or activity that we have a weakness for. Addiction isn't just physical. It's chemical and hormonal. It's mental and subconscious. It's emotional. It's habitual and neurally driven. It's genetic. And probably more.

My personal experience seems to be mostly geared around 6 main elements (not in order of influence):

1. Stress
2. Hormonal
3. Habit
4. Emotions
5. Physical Dependence
6. Spiritual Health
   

This is why I believe addiction is so difficult to help. One element, when out of balance, stressed or affected, influences the other elements. For example, hormones can absolutely lay waste to emotional health and logic. Too much negative emotion effects us physically. Habit creates neural synapses that lead to physically perceived need for substances and activities. Ineffective coping with stress leads to too much output of chemicals from glands in our bodies and can create hormonal imbalance. And on and on they cycle goes. If we are going to fight an addiction to something there must be a holistic approach.

In the next few posts I will expand on each element and how it affects and is effected by addiction from my personal experience and perspective.