RE: Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

[Guest guest]

In my case I believe carbohydrates or sugar is definitely an adiction. I

believe it is definitely the cause of my diabetic complications, since I could

always keep my A1C under 6.0, but at the same time it was not unusual for me to

eat three to four candy bars per day and eat a gallon of ice cream per week.

When the doctor saw my A1C reading of 5.9 or 5.8, He always just said you are

doing fine, so what ever you are doing just keep it up, so I did.

Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

This article originally posted December 16, 2008 and appeared in

Issue 447

Type 2 Diabetes An Addiction?

Sugar as addictive as cocaine, heroin, studies suggest. Start your day with

protein.

It's one addiction that won't land you in court or an inpatient rehab. But

sugar - as anyone who mainlines sweets can attest - can be just as

habit-forming

as cocaine.

Researchers at

Princeton University

studying bingeing and dependency in rats have found that when the animals

ingest large amounts of sugar, their brains undergo changes similar to the

changes

in the brains of people who abuse illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin.

" Our evidence from an animal model suggests that bingeing on sugar can act

in the brain in ways very similar to drugs of abuse, " says lead researcher

and

Princeton psychology professor Bart Hoebel.

In the studies, he explains, animals that drank large amounts of sugar water

when hungry experienced behavioral changes, too, along with signs of

withdrawal

and even long-lasting effects that resemble cravings.

Some people experience powerful cravings for sweets - internal messages

telling them to eat sugar even though they know it's bad for them - says Dr.

Louis

Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at N.Y.

Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. " These people get strong

urges

to consume sweets, and these cravings border on addiction, " he says. " When

they eat sugar, just like when someone ingests cocaine, some people get that

feeling of well-being, a rush that makes them feel good for a period of

time. When the sweets are taken away, the people just don't feel right. "

In the animals studied at Princeton, bingeing released a surge of the

neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. " It's been known that drugs of abuse

release

or increase the levels of dopamine in that part of the brain, " Hoebel said.

After the rats' sugar supply was withdrawn, they became anxious. Their teeth

chattered and they grew unwilling to venture into the open arm of their

maze.

Instead, they stayed in the tunnel of the maze.

Deprived of their sugar, the rats displayed signs of withdrawal similar to

the symptoms seen in people when they stop smoking, drinking alcohol, or

using

drugs.

Just as not everyone has the tendency to become an alcoholic or a drug

addict, so not everyone is hard wired to be a sugar-holic, Aronne says. And

there

is certainly effective treatment for a sweet addiction, though it's not

likely to go down easily among those who like their candy and cookies.

" If people eat starch and sugar in the morning, it's very difficult to get

their behavior in control and they'll be craving sweets all day, " Aronne

says.

" So we have people start out their day by eating protein and vegetables in

the morning, like a broccoli omelet for breakfast.

[Guest guest]

I agree with this article - that carbohydrates and sugars can become an

addiction for many of us. After all, look at all the posts focusing on food, not

only in this group, but in any diabetic group I've ever been part of.

Personally I have struggled for a long time with this very issue. For many

years, when I was in denial, a.k.a. poor control, I approached these foods much

like an alcoholic might approach a bottle of liquor - and just as with an

alcoholic, of course this behaviour is not a good thing. Ever since my BG

numbers have stabilized, so have my compulsive eating binges. If I can keep my

numbers on an even keel, so do my bad eating behaviours.

It is well known that ineffective handling of the carbs and sugars affects every

part of our bodies - especially when in poor control - our eyes, circulation,

hearts, and I know that when my sugars are high, I get darned cranky - and as

such our brains are just as affected. Why not the centre that controls our

addictions as well.

When I was struggling with this several years ago, any doctor I mentioned it to

seemed to just shrug - perhaps another type of specialist's concern? It never

went beyond the shrug. To me, doctors should help their patients deal with these

types of compulsive eating problems, just as they concern themselves when they

have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

[Guest guest]

Well stated . And I would add concerning the apathetic stance many doctors

seem to take, that we can help by engaging them when we go in for routine

visits. As I did last week, when going over my latest lab work for my 4-month

routine check-up, I challenged my doctor when she said my a1c was too low. She

practically had a panic attack, for fear that I was in danger of being

hypoglycemic. Now, for those of you who are type 1 (insulin dependent) like me,

being hypoglycemic is usually a daily occurrence. I simply told her that

doctors need to be telling diabetic patients that getting their a1c results

lower was an acceptable thing,and and that being hypoglycemic is not some fatal

disease. It can be dangerous if not dealt with, agreed, but it is just one of

the many bodily reactions diabetics face, and one that can be handled through

proper diabetes management.

Dave

God doesn't hate sinners, just sin!

Re: Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

I agree with this article - that carbohydrates and sugars can become an

addiction for many of us. After all, look at all the posts focusing on food, not

only in this group, but in any diabetic group I've ever been part of.

Personally I have struggled for a long time with this very issue. For many

years, when I was in denial, a.k.a. poor control, I approached these foods much

like an alcoholic might approach a bottle of liquor - and just as with an

alcoholic, of course this behaviour is not a good thing. Ever since my BG

numbers have stabilized, so have my compulsive eating binges. If I can keep my

numbers on an even keel, so do my bad eating behaviours.

It is well known that ineffective handling of the carbs and sugars affects

every part of our bodies - especially when in poor control - our eyes,

circulation, hearts, and I know that when my sugars are high, I get darned

cranky - and as such our brains are just as affected. Why not the centre that

controls our addictions as well.

When I was struggling with this several years ago, any doctor I mentioned it

to seemed to just shrug - perhaps another type of specialist's concern? It never

went beyond the shrug. To me, doctors should help their patients deal with these

types of compulsive eating problems, just as they concern themselves when they

have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

[Guest guest]

Dave, what you and said, is very valid. Sugar is addictive and it's

very hard to fight around this time of year. It's also hard for me to fight

it around Easter time when I like to have some " peeps. " I find I have to be

very careful in restricting myself during these times to keep from the " I'll

have just one more, then one more " routine. It's so hard to break the cycle,

but always looking to my BG reading to tell me how I'm doing, brings me back

to reality so I don't have those huge spikes that I'd be afraid of. We type

2's, just as type 1's, have to stay in control of what we take in,

especially those things that are easy addictions. And I agree, docs need to

do more to help patients to keep their A 1 c's down and not say something

stupid like " oh, it's 7.0, that's good. " Heck, I have been lucky that for 6

years mine has stayed at 5.1 to 5.2 and that's where I'd like it to stay,

though I wonder if even lower would be better. It sure is quite the battle

we have with so many things that can get us hooked out there, and we need

all the support from our docs and from our peers that we can get.

Bill Powers

[Guest guest]

Good for you. Until recently when I was diagnosed as suffering from congestive

heart failure CHF, I always ran tight bs levels, keeping me around an A1C of5.1

or 5.2, but the medications the heart specizalist put me on completely messed up

my bs readings, and it has taken more than two months to get back to tight bs

readings, which is what I am still striving toward. I have always ran tight bs

levels, and being a type 2 diabetic, now insulin dependent since 2003, I usually

got low sugar warnings, which was cured by a single piece of chocolate czandy or

a single piece of peppermint candy. I do not believe the tight bs control had

any thing to do with my developing CHF, but I do believe my sugar adiction had

every thing to do with my three previous heart attacks, which my cardiologist

told me was the probable cause of my dead heart tissue, which was the cause of

my present congestive heart failure. Now I no longer have to just count grams

of carbs consumed. I now have to count miligrams of salt consumed along with

the amount of fluid consumed. I am now restricted to no more than 2000

miligrams of salt per day and no more than 1500 mililiters of fluid per day. I

miss my salt, no more country ham or salted nuts.

Re: Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

I agree with this article - that carbohydrates and sugars can become an

addiction for many of us. After all, look at all the posts focusing on food, not

only in this group, but in any diabetic group I've ever been part of.

Personally I have struggled for a long time with this very issue. For many

years, when I was in denial, a.k.a. poor control, I approached these foods much

like an alcoholic might approach a bottle of liquor - and just as with an

alcoholic, of course this behaviour is not a good thing. Ever since my BG

numbers have stabilized, so have my compulsive eating binges. If I can keep my

numbers on an even keel, so do my bad eating behaviours.

It is well known that ineffective handling of the carbs and sugars affects

every part of our bodies - especially when in poor control - our eyes,

circulation, hearts, and I know that when my sugars are high, I get darned

cranky - and as such our brains are just as affected. Why not the centre that

controls our addictions as well.

When I was struggling with this several years ago, any doctor I mentioned it

to seemed to just shrug - perhaps another type of specialist's concern? It never

went beyond the shrug. To me, doctors should help their patients deal with these

types of compulsive eating problems, just as they concern themselves when they

have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

[Guest guest]

interesting. Well I have to say i'm in the sugar club. Not all the time but

when I start I get on a roll, and I try to keep reading my sugar even when I

don't want to so I don't get in denial, and will try to bring it down quickly.

I'm thinking by now I should have it all down. In my head I do, but walk into

trouble rather quickly. I would guess there are several of us out there.

Vicki

You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and

committing yourself firmly to Him.

~ Deuteronomy 30:20, NLT

Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

This article originally posted December 16, 2008 and appeared in

Issue 447

Type 2 Diabetes An Addiction?

Sugar as addictive as cocaine, heroin, studies suggest. Start your day with

protein.

It's one addiction that won't land you in court or an inpatient rehab. But

sugar - as anyone who mainlines sweets can attest - can be just as

habit-forming

as cocaine.

Researchers at

Princeton University

studying bingeing and dependency in rats have found that when the animals

ingest large amounts of sugar, their brains undergo changes similar to the

changes

in the brains of people who abuse illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin.

" Our evidence from an animal model suggests that bingeing on sugar can act

in the brain in ways very similar to drugs of abuse, " says lead researcher

and

Princeton psychology professor Bart Hoebel.

In the studies, he explains, animals that drank large amounts of sugar water

when hungry experienced behavioral changes, too, along with signs of

withdrawal

and even long-lasting effects that resemble cravings.

Some people experience powerful cravings for sweets - internal messages

telling them to eat sugar even though they know it's bad for them - says Dr.

Louis

Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at N.Y.

Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. " These people get strong

urges

to consume sweets, and these cravings border on addiction, " he says. " When

they eat sugar, just like when someone ingests cocaine, some people get that

feeling of well-being, a rush that makes them feel good for a period of

time. When the sweets are taken away, the people just don't feel right. "

In the animals studied at Princeton, bingeing released a surge of the

neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. " It's been known that drugs of abuse

release

or increase the levels of dopamine in that part of the brain, " Hoebel said.

After the rats' sugar supply was withdrawn, they became anxious. Their teeth

chattered and they grew unwilling to venture into the open arm of their

maze.

Instead, they stayed in the tunnel of the maze.

Deprived of their sugar, the rats displayed signs of withdrawal similar to

the symptoms seen in people when they stop smoking, drinking alcohol, or

using

drugs.

Just as not everyone has the tendency to become an alcoholic or a drug

addict, so not everyone is hard wired to be a sugar-holic, Aronne says. And

there

is certainly effective treatment for a sweet addiction, though it's not

likely to go down easily among those who like their candy and cookies.

" If people eat starch and sugar in the morning, it's very difficult to get

their behavior in control and they'll be craving sweets all day, " Aronne

says.

" So we have people start out their day by eating protein and vegetables in

the morning, like a broccoli omelet for breakfast.

[Guest guest]

interesting. Well I have to say i'm in the sugar club. Not all the time but

when I start I get on a roll, and I try to keep reading my sugar even when I

don't want to so I don't get in denial, and will try to bring it down quickly.

I'm thinking by now I should have it all down. In my head I do, but walk into

trouble rather quickly. I would guess there are several of us out there.

Vicki

You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and

committing yourself firmly to Him.

~ Deuteronomy 30:20, NLT

Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

This article originally posted December 16, 2008 and appeared in

Issue 447

Type 2 Diabetes An Addiction?

Sugar as addictive as cocaine, heroin, studies suggest. Start your day with

protein.

It's one addiction that won't land you in court or an inpatient rehab. But

sugar - as anyone who mainlines sweets can attest - can be just as

habit-forming

as cocaine.

Researchers at

Princeton University

studying bingeing and dependency in rats have found that when the animals

ingest large amounts of sugar, their brains undergo changes similar to the

changes

in the brains of people who abuse illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin.

" Our evidence from an animal model suggests that bingeing on sugar can act

in the brain in ways very similar to drugs of abuse, " says lead researcher

and

Princeton psychology professor Bart Hoebel.

In the studies, he explains, animals that drank large amounts of sugar water

when hungry experienced behavioral changes, too, along with signs of

withdrawal

and even long-lasting effects that resemble cravings.

Some people experience powerful cravings for sweets - internal messages

telling them to eat sugar even though they know it's bad for them - says Dr.

Louis

Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at N.Y.

Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. " These people get strong

urges

to consume sweets, and these cravings border on addiction, " he says. " When

they eat sugar, just like when someone ingests cocaine, some people get that

feeling of well-being, a rush that makes them feel good for a period of

time. When the sweets are taken away, the people just don't feel right. "

In the animals studied at Princeton, bingeing released a surge of the

neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. " It's been known that drugs of abuse

release

or increase the levels of dopamine in that part of the brain, " Hoebel said.

After the rats' sugar supply was withdrawn, they became anxious. Their teeth

chattered and they grew unwilling to venture into the open arm of their

maze.

Instead, they stayed in the tunnel of the maze.

Deprived of their sugar, the rats displayed signs of withdrawal similar to

the symptoms seen in people when they stop smoking, drinking alcohol, or

using

drugs.

Just as not everyone has the tendency to become an alcoholic or a drug

addict, so not everyone is hard wired to be a sugar-holic, Aronne says. And

there

is certainly effective treatment for a sweet addiction, though it's not

likely to go down easily among those who like their candy and cookies.

" If people eat starch and sugar in the morning, it's very difficult to get

their behavior in control and they'll be craving sweets all day, " Aronne

says.

" So we have people start out their day by eating protein and vegetables in

the morning, like a broccoli omelet for breakfast.

[Guest guest]

What was your A1C Dave that made your doc so upset? My doc is delighted at

my 5.6 and I have lows several times a week. Fortunately I can deal with

them and check the BG often enough that I often " catch " them before they get

too low. For instance, if my BG is in the low 70's, I may not feel low, but

know I need to eat something then.

Re: Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

Well stated . And I would add concerning the apathetic stance many

doctors seem to take, that we can help by engaging them when we go in for

routine visits. As I did last week, when going over my latest lab work for

my 4-month routine check-up, I challenged my doctor when she said my a1c was

too low. She practically had a panic attack, for fear that I was in danger

of being hypoglycemic. Now, for those of you who are type 1 (insulin

dependent) like me, being hypoglycemic is usually a daily occurrence. I

simply told her that doctors need to be telling diabetic patients that

getting their a1c results lower was an acceptable thing,and and that being

hypoglycemic is not some fatal disease. It can be dangerous if not dealt

with, agreed, but it is just one of the many bodily reactions diabetics

face, and one that can be handled through proper diabetes management.

Dave

God doesn't hate sinners, just sin!

Re: Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

I agree with this article - that carbohydrates and sugars can become an

addiction for many of us. After all, look at all the posts focusing on food,

not only in this group, but in any diabetic group I've ever been part of.

Personally I have struggled for a long time with this very issue. For many

years, when I was in denial, a.k.a. poor control, I approached these foods

much like an alcoholic might approach a bottle of liquor - and just as with

an alcoholic, of course this behaviour is not a good thing. Ever since my BG

numbers have stabilized, so have my compulsive eating binges. If I can keep

my numbers on an even keel, so do my bad eating behaviours.

It is well known that ineffective handling of the carbs and sugars affects

every part of our bodies - especially when in poor control - our eyes,

circulation, hearts, and I know that when my sugars are high, I get darned

cranky - and as such our brains are just as affected. Why not the centre

that controls our addictions as well.

When I was struggling with this several years ago, any doctor I mentioned it

to seemed to just shrug - perhaps another type of specialist's concern? It

never went beyond the shrug. To me, doctors should help their patients deal

with these types of compulsive eating problems, just as they concern

themselves when they have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

[Guest guest]

It was 5.4. I told her essentially what you mentioned, about checking it every

few hours (7-8 times per day), and always knowing where I am. If it gets to 70

or whatever, I'm on top of it. I don't actually consider 70 low, but perhaps in

the medical textbooks, it is. I am functional even lower than that, but

nonetheless, I don't take it lightly if it gets really low. The key is simply,

and perhaps this is more so with those of us who are type 1, check the bg all

the time. After all, that's what our body does. It is always monitoring our bg

level, and making the necessary adjustments.

Dave

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

(Proverbs 12:15)

Re: Is type 2 diabetes an addiction?

I agree with this article - that carbohydrates and sugars can become an

addiction for many of us. After all, look at all the posts focusing on food,

not only in this group, but in any diabetic group I've ever been part of.

Personally I have struggled for a long time with this very issue. For many

years, when I was in denial, a.k.a. poor control, I approached these foods

much like an alcoholic might approach a bottle of liquor - and just as with

an alcoholic, of course this behaviour is not a good thing. Ever since my BG

numbers have stabilized, so have my compulsive eating binges. If I can keep

my numbers on an even keel, so do my bad eating behaviours.

It is well known that ineffective handling of the carbs and sugars affects

every part of our bodies - especially when in poor control - our eyes,

circulation, hearts, and I know that when my sugars are high, I get darned

cranky - and as such our brains are just as affected. Why not the centre

that controls our addictions as well.

When I was struggling with this several years ago, any doctor I mentioned it

to seemed to just shrug - perhaps another type of specialist's concern? It

never went beyond the shrug. To me, doctors should help their patients deal

with these types of compulsive eating problems, just as they concern

themselves when they have high blood pressure or cholesterol.