Dr. B.'s Blogs!

ANOTHER SCARY THING ABOUT HALLOWEEN!

Posted: February 19, 2013
By: Dr Susan Burger

Every Halloween season I see an increase of people complaining of runny noses, fatigue, stuffy sinuses, and more. There is talk of having “caught” a cold or the flu, more aches and pains, or feeling lousy because of the colder weather.

I believe there is another factor involved during this last quarter of the year. The scary effects of way too much sugar! It begins on Halloween. I see children and adults getting sick the week after. Then the holiday season continues with cookies, cakes, candy all kinds of goodies through Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, and New Years. 

Could it be because of the increase in sugar intake?  Well let’s see.

We know that sugar promotes inflammation in the body

*     It can contribute to fatty liver disease

*     Can cause insulin resistance

*     Contributes to weight gain

*     Feeds cancer cells

*     Decreases HDL or “good” cholesterol

*     Significantly interferes with the immune system by causing a decrease in the responsiveness of the white blood cells, particularly the neutrophils. So your body is less able to fight off the “invaders”. The neutrophils also play a part in decreasing inflammation. So as the sugar causes increased inflammation in the body, the neutrophils are also less able to counter that effect.

So, BOO!  Didn’t mean to scare you. But it may be wise to keep the sugar intake to a minimum.  You just might find that you get through the holidays feeling better and stronger than usual!