IN YOUR DAILY DOSE: Sugar addiction is real, is difficult to overcome and may be as addictive to your brain as cocaine. Your brain functions better with ketone but actively pulls sugar out of your bloodstream. Learn strategies to improve the function of your brain and reduce your risk of diabetes.

MAKING CHANGES: Changes are simple but not always easy. The important thing is that you can make them slowly so you are more likely to keep them.

FACT OR FICTION: Laughter is the best medicine - and now researchers find it has another function.

In The News

Sugar addiction affects your brain and body. With the rising number of people suffering from type-2 diabetes and obesity, it’s important that you have an understanding of how this affects you and your family.

New research has found that your brain will actively uptake glucose from your bloodstream. While your brain functions better on ketones, your brain will use the glucose in your blood to function when necessary.

In the past scientists believed that only leptin, ghrelin and insulin controlled the use of glucose in the brain, but this new study demonstrates that astrocytes (specific types of cells in the brain) also can absorb glucose.

SOURCE: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160812103708.htm

Daily Health Tip

This new information demonstrates the importance of controlling your blood glucose levels. Increasing amounts of sugar can negatively impact the ability of your brain to function. Follow a sensible diet that reduces your blood glucose and may help prevent insulin resistance, also known as diabetes.

Making Changes

Follow the same recommendations from yesterday:

1. Reduce your carbohydrate intake to 50 grams per day or lower. You might think it isn’t possible, but it is. You are eating in order to live - not living in order to eat.

2. Use a nutritional tracker to count your calories, carbs, fats, sugars and proteins.

3. Eat foods high in healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, seeds and grass-fed, pastured meats and cheeses.

4. Replace the carbs you’re eating with healthy fats.

5. Drink enough water for your urine to be light yellow in color.

You may not think these simple strategies will work, but try them. You’ll feel full longer, be satisfied with the food you’re eating and will likely lose weight - as well as reduce your dependence on medication.

Daily Affirmation

There is much more time to do other things when I stick to a schedule. The hours in the day seem much longer when I focus and produce. It encourages me to avoid procrastination.

My stress level is also much lower when I act with purpose and efficiency. Challenging situations are easier to handle when I am stress-free.

Fact or Fiction?

Laughter

Laughter really is the best medicine. Researchers from California’s Loma Linda University measured the effects of laughter on stress and short-term memory in older adults. They found laughter improved recall by over 40 percent, and lower levels of cortisol (your stress hormone).  Other studies found that laughter can help prevent heart disease. And other studies have demonstrated that laughter improves your social interactions.  Find what makes you laugh and incorporate it into you day, every day!

Have a wonderful day!

Your Healthy Life America Team