THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF SUGAR DETERMINES ITS PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT
Natural sugars are organic molecules, i.e. they are comprised of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. The carbon atoms are arranged in a 6-membered ring (“backbone”). Each carbon atom is bound to hydroxyl (-OH) groups arranged differently in space. The hydroxyl groups are highly energetic (reactive), hence they attract water molecules. As a result, sugars are osmotically active i.e. they attract water to themselves and “hold” it closely as they pass through your gut, blood, and kidneys, thereby dehydrating those tissues along the way. Excess dietary sugar desiccates the entire body from the inside out, resulting in dry skin that is slow to heal.
SUGARS IN FRUITS VERSUS THOSE IN PROCESSED FOODS
All carbohydrates are broken down (catabolized) to simple sugars.
Fruits contain fruit sugars (fructose), but they are bound to pectin (a water-soluble fiber that forms a gel when combined with water). Since water is plentiful in most fruits, many fruit sugars molecules are bound on or within hydrated gelatinous pectin molecules. So, when they are NOT eaten to excess, much of those fruit sugars do not get absorbed in the gut, and pass into the kidneys where they are excreted in urine.
Sugars can be in the form of simple sugars (single, paired groups of sugar molecules, such as those in processed fruit juices, alcohol, sugary deserts i.e. cakes, cookies, candies, ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, yogurt) or starches (i.e. large complexes of several sugar molecules bound together such as in breads, pasta, rice, corn, and processed cereals).
Excess dietary sugar in non-diabetics people and chronically high blood sugar in diabetes can cause and worsens dehydration in 3 ways, resulting in dry, dull, flaky skin that is easily injured and slow to heal.
IN THE GUT
Enzymes in the saliva (since the mouth is the beginning of the gut) and throughout the gut break down starches into simple sugars so the gut can absorb them. Since processed sugars and starches contain a low concentration of water and/or pectin relative to natural food sources, they are not strongly bound to pectin as they pass through the gut. So, several of their molecules get absorbed by the gut and into the bloodstream rapidly, thereby spiking blood sugar rapidly. To aid absorption of excess dietary sugar, the gut dilutes it by drawing water away from tissues into the lumen of the gut, then subsequently absorbing the "sugar-water" solution. However, some of this solution remains in the gut lumen, creating watery loose stools and/or worsen diarrhea, which is a form of excessive loss of total body water.
IN THE BLOOD & TISSUES
In the blood stream, excess sugar draws water toward itself and away from tissues, thereby dehydrating them, too.
IN THE KIDNEYS
Since kidneys are the primary organs for eliminating sugar from the body, the more sugar you eat or drink, the more water is drawn away from tissue to the sugar in your blood, the more water is transported out of the body along with the sugar in your urine, and the more you will urinate. Ironically, the kidneys cotransport sugar and salt (i.e. they are transported in the SAME direction). So, the more sugar you lose, the more salt you lose along with water (since both sugar AND salt attract water and drag it in the same direction in which they are transported). As a result, eating sugary foods:
Collectively, these events culminate in increased urination (polyuria) due to increased sugar and salt excretion “dragging” water along with them as they are transported out of the body as urine. This not only taxes the bladder (due to increased frequency of urination), but it distresses all organs, including your skin, through dehydration.
2 SIMPLE WAYS TO REHYDRATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Drink a Gallon of Water Throughout the Day
You don'thave to drink it all at once.Drink a 12 fl. oz. (360mL) glass of water upon awakening from sleep.A little more than ten12 fl. oz. glasses of water throughout the day is equivalent to 1 gallon (3.7L = 3700 mL) of water .
Eat 1/3 to 1/2 of Your Daily Water Intake as Fruits & Vegetables
Eat non-GMO seeded heavily water-laden non-acidic low glycemic index fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, cucumbers, pitaya (dragonfruit), honeydew, cantalope, apples, strawberries, sour sop, star apple, etc. Also, water-soluble fiber in these heavily water-laden fruits and vegetables bind natural fruit sugars and slows digestion and absorption of natural fruit sugars, so you do not get spikes in your blood sugar.
In Kidney Failure, Water Restriction Is the Current Standard of Care
People who are in kidney failure have kidneys with impaired ability to excrete water, salts, and sugar.So, their free water intake is restricted (greatly reduced), as per doctor's orders. Ask your doctor how much water you may consume daily on a renal diet, and inquire if eating non-GMO seeded water-laden non-acidic low glycemic index fruits and vegetables (cucumbers, watermelon, pitaya (dragonfruit) ) is an alternative for you. The water-soluble fiber in them may slow the water load on your kidneys and clean them at the same time.
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Our Value to You
Remember, Good Hair Good Body® designs and manufactures products from plant- and mineral-based raw materials grown in or mined from the Earth. We know the science behind what makes our products work, and we teach people ways to heal their skin and regrow their hair through nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Our products support growth and healing.
Product Recommendations for Winter Care of Your Skin, Beard, and Hair
If you don't know what to get to heal your skin and shield both your hair and skin from rough winter weather, here are a few product recommendations:
That's all for now. More valuable tips coming soon.
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Good Hair Good Body® LLC
