SUGAR - THE SILENT KILLER

In my previous post on Ph Balance & Muscular Dystrophy, I mentioned that a low Ph level, which is acidic, can have a very negative impact on muscles.   Ok, I admit that I have a sweet tooth….I am sure that many people do.  One of the worst foods that you can consume is sugar.  Excessive sugar intake has the effect of making the body acidic.  The muscles do not perform well in an acidic environment.

In fact, excessive sugar intake is bad for everyone.  Since it causes the body to become acidic, an acidic environment encourages the breeding of fungus, mold, bacteria and viruses.  This is in addition to the other well know concerns such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and tooth decay.

Obviously, most people know that there is sugar in cakes, deserts, jelly, sodas since those foods are sweetened with either sugar or high fructose corn syrup.   Sugar is in more food products that most people would realize.  There is sugar in cereals, juices, ketchup, many sauces like pasta and barbeque sauces, mustard, bread and many other products.

You have to read the labels to determine how much sugar is in the processed foods that we use every day.  When reading labels, these are the names of various sugars high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, molasses, honey, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose.  Usually they are grams, a teaspoon of sugar equals to 4 grams.

The American Heart Association recommends strict limits on added sugars….150 calories (about 9 teaspoons) a day for men, and 100 calories (about six teaspoons) a day for women.  This is a general guideline for added sugar.  For comparison purposes, a regular size 12 oz. soda contains eight teaspoons of sugar or about 130 calories.

So, it is important to limit the amount of sugar intake that you do daily.  I reduce my intake of sugar products by (1) reading labels when shopping and eliminating purchases with high sugar, (2) cutting portions of anything with sugar and (3) using Stevia as a sweetener for tea, coffee, and other liquids.  I do not recommend the other sweeteners due to the controversial safety claims.

PH BALANCE & MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

As I have mentioned in previous posts, one of the best things that you can do is tune up your body.  If you keep your body in optimum shape, this will slow or reduce muscle deterioration.  Ph balance is very important to people with muscular dystrophy.  When the body is acidic it takes out alkaline minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium from your bones, teeth, and organs to neutralize the acids.

These minerals are essential to proper muscle function.  Therefore, if these minerals are depleted in your body, you will experience faster muscle breakdown.

Magnesium is another mineral that is required for proper muscle function.  It also helps with over 300 other reactions in the body. It works along with potassium to support proper muscle function.   The lack of magnesium will result in symptoms of muscle weakness, muscle twitching and muscle contractions.   Magnesium is also important to muscle relaxation, which is important for healing after exercise.

Magnesium absorption is important so, magnesium glycinate, citrate and aspartate are highly absorbable forms of magnesium.   Patient studies have shown that magnesium aspartate helps relieve muscle pain.

Potassium is important as a nutrient since it helps to build proteins which are the building blocks of muscle.  The lack of potassium in the diet will result in similar symptoms to lack of magnesium.  Bananas are a good source of potassium as well as other minerals and vitamins.  Potassium is also important in controlling the acid – alkaline balance.

It is important that you keep your body in a positive ph range of 7.2 – 7.4.  This can be done ideally thru eating nutritious alkaline foods and proper vitamin and mineral supplementation.   It is relatively easy to accomplish with a diet of vegetables, leafy greens, sprouts, avocados and green juices.  If we flood our bodies with vitamins, minerals, oxygen and chlorophyll we will create healthy cells.  Conversely, an acidic diet high in animal products, processed carbs, and refined sugar will accelerate muscle deterioration.

Another alternative method of maintaining ph level is to drink alkaline water.  Alkaline water is available at some grocery stores or you can purchase water filter dispensers.

The alkaline levels can be measured by purchasing ph testing strips.  You can test your urine at home with litmus paper strips, which can be purchased in drug stores or online for under $15.  It is best to test your second urine of the day to get an idea of your ph. Your urine should fall in the 6.8 to 7.5 pH range.   Please keep in mind that the ph changes depending on what you eat and when.

References:

National Institute of Health – Calcium in diet         http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002412.htm

National Institute of Health – Magnesium in diet: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm

National Institute of Health – Potassium in diet:     http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002413.htm

PROTEIN

One of the best things that you can do to help with muscular dystrophy (MD) is make sure that you are eating a proper diet.  Your diet should include a high amount of protein.  The muscles use protein to build muscle, so therefore a lack of protein will make the breakdown of the muscles accelerate in someone with muscular dystrophy.

It is estimated that the average man should consume at least 56 grams of protein per day, and the average woman should consume at least 46 grams per day.   People with muscular dystrophy should consume additional protein above the daily suggested limits.

Since people with muscular dystrophy are typically less active it is best to have a high protein diet.  This high protein diet will help with the muscular dystrophy and reduce weight gain.  Here is a list of high protein foods.

1.    Chicken/turkey

2.    Fish

3.    Cheese

4.    Lean pork

5.    Lean beef

6.    Tofu

7.    Beans

8.    Eggs

9.    Yogurt, milk, coconut or soy milk,

10. Nuts

With our busy lifestyle, it is easy to not eat properly.  Another method of obtaining the proper amount of protein daily are protein shakes, drinks and bars which are available at many retail locations.