sugar & our immune system

This time of year, it is no surprise yet again to hear the relentless drum on the media of the overburdened health service as they cope with the waves of sick populous coming through. A few weeks earlier and we were being entertained with the anticipation of Christmas and regaled with the advertisements oozing with sugary delights to tempt us. Can I be the Grinch here and call out the obvious? Sugar prevents us from staying well. Managing the onslaught of sugary snacks is quite an achievement for our bodies at the best of times throughout the year and Christmas is somehow the last chance saloon to send us over the edge. Our immune system does not work as effectively to defend us from infection when dealing with the sweet invasion. Is there a point where being ill is not worth the temptation? It’s the eternal struggle. Is New Year going to be an opportunity to change and improve things? Maybe we can be motivated to keep ourselves well enough to prevent us being victims to the stressful health system as it currently is…
 
At The Urban Co-op we meet many people who are on their journey towards wellness and are literally sick of being sick. Encouraging people to make the change from products that actively deteriorate health to foods that nourish is a process of discovery. Learning that we are highly influenced by our own microbiome on what we consume and how we can change it for the better. There is much to learn but somehow it seems to take the personal or family health crisis to motivate change. Amazingly real food can heal and feed our microbiome and this microworld returns the favour by protecting our health. That’s a good deal in our books!
 
Anne Maher
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