o sweet!

Some interesting information on the relationship between sugar and its effects were covered in USA Today.  They report that a big dose of sugar can immediately suppress your immune system and make you more vulnerable to colds, flu and other infections.

So, at a time when people are especially keen to protect themselves from H1N1, or swine flu, it’s worth asking: Is it true? Can a few spoonfuls of sugar really help make you sick?

Denver nutrition therapist Kate Pfeiffer has no doubt. "Limiting sugar should be the first line of defense against infectious disease," she says. She wrote a column that is worth reading titled: "Worried about the Swine Flu? Avoid Sugar!" In it she cites a 1973 study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and other references.

In the study, researchers at Loma Linda University gave volunteers 100 grams of sugar (20 teaspoons, roughly the amount in a liter of soda). The researchers then drew blood from the volunteers and mixed in some bacteria. They found that infection-fighting white blood cells from people who had just gorged on sugar gobbled up many fewer bacteria than those who had just fasted or eaten an unsweetened starch.

But that’s not evidence that would convince most doctors, says Aaron Glatt, an infectious-disease specialist who is president and chief executive officer of New Island Hospital in Bethpage, N.Y. Glatt says he has heard of the sugar theory, but as far as he knows, there are no studies showing people who eat a lot of sugar actually get more cases of colds and flu.  However this is contradicts the references outlined in Ms. Pfeiffer’s article.

He says: "There are numerous other reasons people should be concerned about sugar intake," including the prevention and control of obesity and diabetes. But, he says, "there’s no reason not to drink a glass of soda just because someone next to you is sniffling."  This puts more emphasis on a balanced diet.

While it’s unlikely any one food is the key to a strong or weak immune system, we can optimize the building blocks for immune system by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Experts agree wholeheartedly that overall nutrition is more important than any one substance. But there’s something about a sugar overdose that makes people vulnerable.  All these statements being true, it is interesting that American Dietetic Association and other health groups suggest lower intake of sugars.  We’ll expect to see some evidence soon — when doctor’s offices fill up with sick kids after Halloween.

Issue of note:

The above leads us to caution you on another issue.  CAOH® has a competitor that is marketing an Acai juice product that has the same name as our juice, "Acai Max".  Acai Max® is the name of our very popular organic acai juice blend.  We have been producing our acai juice product since 2004 and the product name "Acai Max" is our registered trademark!  This other party not only produces a juice that is more expensive and less potent in the primary ingredient Acai, but they add cane juice to it.  Now many of you will ask, what is cane juice?  Cane juice is juice squeezed from sugar cane, which is then dried (dehydrated) and used to make cane sugar – yes SUGAR!  Cane juice is nothing more than sugar!  Now there is a new movement to push cane juice as a healthy choice to refined sugar, but the fact remains that it is still sugar.  Other than it being sweet there is no nutrition in cane juice or sugar.  So they are basically overtly adding sugar to their acai juice.  So please remember if you do not see "California Academy of Health" on the bottle – it is not our product and may have unwanted additives.

Thanks,

CAOH!

Question: I am wondering about the sugar content and is your product safe for diabetics.  Also, how much do you recommend a day and what is the price, how long does a bottle last?  How does it compare to Monavie product.  I am not taking any of these products at this time and am in the process of doing research. 

Loved your pictures of Brazil.  Having lived there for many years and well acquainted with the country it brought back good memories.

I would like any information you could give me.  Thank you.

Marilyn

Answer: Marilyn,

Great questions!

I am wondering about the sugar content and is your product safe for diabetics?  If that is a concern, the best option and one of my favorite products is the Absolute Acai, 100% organic, freeze dried acai powder.

How much do you recommend a day? Take 2 scoops per day.

What is the price?

1 – Bottle $69.99
2 – Bottles $119.98 (You save $20.00 – Only $59.99 per bottle)
4 – Bottles $219.96 (You save $60.00 – Only $54.99 per bottle)

How long does a bottle last? 40 days

How does it compare to Monavie product? It doesn’t! Absolute Acai is the closest you will get to picking and eating fresh açai berries right from the tree, in the Amazon Rainforest!

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Related Products:

Absolute Acai
Acai Max

Dear Dr. Ettinger,

What is the Glycemic Index?

A: The Glycemic Index (GI) is a measuring system that ranks carbohydrates on the extent to which they raise blood sugars levels after eating. It makes a gram for gram comparison of carbohydrates in individual foods, and provides a measurable, evidence-based index of the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Dr. David J. Jenkins and colleagues at the University of Toronto originated the process in 1981.

After measurement, foods that score high on the Glycemic Index are rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a glucose response marked by clear fluctuations in blood sugar levels to occur very quickly. Food with slower rates of digestion score lower on the Glycemic Index scale, indicate a more stable and longer-term energy source that causes gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels and a reduction of fats circulating in the blood. Foods with lower Glycemic Index scores can improve glucose and lipid levels in diabetics, control the appetite, delay hunger, and control the hormonal levels of insulin.

A low-scoring GI food product releases energy slowly, making them good food sources for diabetics, dieters, and endurance athletes, while high GI scores indicate substances that will raise blood sugar levels quickly and are best for recovering from endurance exercise routines. The glycemic effect of foods depends on the type of starch, the structure of the starch molecules themselves, fiber and fat content, and acidity levels. Glycemic levels can vary greatly depending on food variations, temperatures, ripeness, preparation, and processing. Also, the GI score of a meal with mixed items is hard to predict.

The Glycemic Index is primarily used for disease prevention and weight control. Evidence shows that people who stick to a low GI diet over the course of many years likewise reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. It is thought that the glycemic spikes from eating high GI foods may cause damage to the vascular system by free radicals, as well as by increased insulin levels. Recent studies show that hyperglycemia can cause an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease in patients without diabetes. It is further believed that increased consumption of high GI carbohydrates increases the risk of obesity.

Dear Dr. E,

Thanks for your email. I started taking noni juice about 7 years ago when my boss came in to work with a bottle and asked me to try it. Of course at that time I couldn’t get past the taste of it and it was a few months before I eventually began consuming it on a daily basis. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Noni would change my life.

I have suffered with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) my whole life and in particular have battled severe brain fog. At times this brain fog has been so overwhelming that I have felt desperate. I was eating the proper way you should with this condition by eating a low sugar/carb content diet and small protein snack throughout the day, etc. and even started exercising faithfully to try and combat it, but nothing would take away the brain fog. Anyhow I noticed that my brain fog COMPLETELY went away after I started taking Noni juice. On a few different occasions I have either run out of noni juice for a week or so or have forgotten to take it with me on vacations and after a week or so of not taking noni I get the terrible brain fog back. That was when I realized how well Noni was working for me. My brother, also suffers from low blood sugar and has also noticed that noni somehow regulates his blood sugar. Noni juice has truly improved my quality of life.

I have compared other brands of noni juice to yours and even tried the Hawaiian version (which did not work) and always end up purchasing from CAOH. I hope you will be around forever.

Kris O.

Q: Ok, here is a specific question. Stated in the literature of Goji, it says that is can be beneficial for people with the onset of diabetes. Will it lower blood sugar in someone who has had diabetes for a while and is taking medication? And what are the long term benefits?

This information is not specific in the items I have read on the internet.

Thank you.

A: Teresa,

Diabetes is a self created condition, meaning it is caused by long term carbohydrate intake. Eventually the body can’t metabolize the sugar any more so the body putting it into the blood rather than the cell. As long as a person hasn’t developed insulin dependency the condition (in my opinion) can be reversed. A low glycemic diet needs to be followed religiously!

As far as goji juice goes: there is data I have read that suggests it will aid in reducing glucose levels. What it will do on an individual basis I can’t answer that.

I know that a person’s diet is the most important aspect to correcting non-insulin dependent diabetes. Next comes antioxidants of which goji possesses high levels.

Literature suggests that the long term benefits of consuming goji, is greater health and wellbeing.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.