On Valentine's Day, Excess Sugar Could Cause Health Problems

READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Valentine's Day is all about showering your loved ones with sweets and sweet nothings! While the blissful consumption of chocolates and other decadent treats makes us giddy and euphoric inside, we need to ensure that our "love" for sweet and sugary things doesn't take a toll on our overall health and wellness.�

According to Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of the best-selling "Beat Sugar Addiction NOW," and �renowned health expert, "The average American consumes 140 to 150 pounds of added sugar each year so it's not surprising that we've become a nation of sugar addicts. Like many other addictive substances, sugar may leave you feeling better for a few hours but then wreaks havoc on your body."

In his book, Dr. Teitelbaum defines four main types of sugar addicts and offers a plan for each to curb sugar cravings. He says that for each type, there are different forces driving the addiction and in all four types the excess sugar leaves you feeling much worse overall. By treating the underlying causes of your addiction you'll find that not only do your sugar cravings go away but you'll feel dramatically better overall.�

Dr. Teitelbaum details the long-term consequences of sugar addiction: "In addition to the immediate fatigue and emotional problems, sugar also causes many long-term health problems."

Some of the chronic medical problems from excess sugar in our diet include:

  • Diabetes
  • Fatigue and pain
  • Weight gain
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colon
  • Cancer
  • Metabolic syndrome with high cholesterol and hypertension
  • Heart disease
  • Hormonal problems
  • Candida and yeast infections
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety and depression

    The good news is that once you've broken the sugar addiction your body will usually be able to handle sugar in moderation. This means saving sugar for dessert or snacks where it belongs -- instead of the main course -- and going for quality, not quantity. Dark chocolate is actually good for you. So you can "have your cake and eat it too" and enjoy Valentine's Day with the one you love!

    Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., is one of the most frequently quoted integrative medical authorities in the world. He is the author of the best-selling "From Fatigued to Fantastic!," "Pain Free, 1,2,3!," "Beat Sugar Addiction Now!," "Real Cause Real Cure," "The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution," "The Complete Guide to Beating Sugar Addiction," and the popular free smartphone app Cures A-Z. He is the lead author of four studies on effective treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and a study on effective treatment of autism using NAET.

    Dr. Teitelbaum appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including "Good Morning America," "The Dr. Oz Show," "Oprah & Friends," CNN, and "FoxNewsHealth." Learn more at Vitality101.com.


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