How to Stop the Post Holiday Sugar Cravings Now!
By Diane Kusunose P.T., B.T., Galvanic Skin Response, Cold Laser Therapy, Homeopathy, HealthWalk™
It is a new year and many of us are recovering from the indulgences and temptations of holiday foods and drink. But how do we stop wanting these foods now that we picked up some extra pounds? Why do we crave these foods more intensely? Why do we feel more sluggish and bloated?
Blood sugar regulation and a healthy adrenal response to stress are the foundations of good health. The amount of sugar in the blood regulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Normal cortisol release from the adrenals throughout the day and night help regulate the body’s energy level for waking and sleeping properly. If these two systems are imbalanced, the whole endocrine/hormone system will be out of balance. This imbalance, if chronic, can set up the domino effect of imbalances throughout all body systems and set the stage for dis-ease.
When sugar and carbohydrate intake are increased, as they are over the holidays, they may be increased beyond your individual tolerance. Determine your individual tolerance. Do you have fatigue after meals or cravings for sugar after meals? If either of these symptoms is exhibited then you are exceeding your ability to metabolize carbohydrates. Adjustments must be made to the diet until these symptoms are completely gone. Sugar/insulin dys-regulation causes cravings and can lead to a pre-diabetic condition and eventually Diabetes Type II. It can be avoided by dietary control of carbohydrates and supplements determined by Galvanic Skin Response biofeedback GSR testing.
It is important to determine if cortisol levels (secreted by the adrenal glands) through a saliva test called an ASI (adrenal stress index) are normal or not which would cause you to be adrenal exhausted during the day or unable to calm down at night to rest. High or low cortisol is harmful, so our responses to stress and emotions which affect the adrenals play an important role in the balance of your body.
Inflammation is one of the primary causes of malfunction of the entire body system including the intestinal tract, the brain, the immune system, adrenals, pancreas, liver, and the nerves, joints, and muscles. Pain is an indicator of inflammation and we are made aware of its presence when it is in our muscles and joints. But in the intestinal tract there are few pain receptors so gas and bloating are our best indication of inflammation. Food sensitivities are the most common cause of inflammation of the gut lining. Most holiday foods are made from white flour and sugar which are highly processed and have no nutritional value. The most common inflammatory foods are gluten (in flour and grain products), dairy, egg, and soy. GSR testing will help determine these sensitivities.
Here at HealthWalk™ we analyze all of these signs and symptoms and understand their connection to the dysfunction they indicate in the body. We assess how you take in nutrition, eliminate toxicity, produce energy, clear inflammation, and how you manage stress. We look at how their organs respond to stress and what is deficient and what is over-reactive. Then we want to know how you respond and resonate with supplements, herbal, homeopathic remedies and flower essences so balancers are prioritized. All this is assessed through GSR testing.
We look at your brain waves and your short and long term memory capabilities. Are you processing your foods well enough to bring glucose (brain food) to the brain? How has holiday stress affected your sleep? Assessment and assistance to restore brain wave function are provided with HealthWalk™’s MindSoul Brain Technology sessions.
Vital Hematology (live blood analysis) gives us and you the information regarding potential infections, microbial, viral and microplasma, presence of heavy metal, vitamin deficiencies, internal inflammation and other health challenges. With this information we can suggest the appropriate supplements, solutions and life style adjustments to restore strength to the immune system and endocrine system.
Functional Nutritional consultation gives you the nourishment and food solutions to enhance your health. You are guided to healthy and tasty choices away from the sweets and carbohydrates so you can stop the cravings. Healthy food choices as well as weight loss concepts, PH balance, gluten-free alternatives, fast easy foods on the go and meal planning based on the results of your GSR assessment of food sensitivities, are provided.
Emotional support and clearing can be determined through GSR testing and are provided by flower essence assessment, Cold Laser light Therapy to stimulate gentle movement of stuck emotions, Psych K Belief Change Affirmations and Bach flower affirmations.
Another powerful tool for emotional restoration is HealthWalk™’s MindSoul Emotional Imprint Resolution (EIR) CD’s. Three CD’s especially pertinent for this time of year are the Weight Loss, Transforming Addiction, and Eliminating Anxiety CD’s. These will help you retrain the mental and emotional influences of why you crave and tend to overeat as well as the above physical influences.
A client came into HealthWalk™ describing regular energy crashes at 4:00 p.m. and sugar cravings which were “out of control”. Her ASI saliva test indicated her cortisol levels were low during the day and high when she wanted to sleep. She was given Adrenastim topical cream to assist the adrenal balance, Proglyco to restore metabolic balance and stop the sugar cravings and an essential fatty acid. Nux Vomica homeopathic was needed to assist the overwhelm of emotions and holiday overeating. Cherry Plum Bach flower essence was also given to calm the stressed nerves. She was also given the MindSoul CD “Eliminating Anxiety” to listen to at home to provide a strong base of support. She decreased her refined carbohydrate intake and started to eat smaller meals more frequently.
When she returned for her monthly follow-up she reported that she had the energy to get her through each day now and also she was getting a full night’s rest every night. The sugar cravings had completely subsided and she was ready to progress to the next step in clearing internal inflammation and to improving her intestinal function. She took two very important steps in her transition to her own personal healthy balance.
At HealthWalk™, we are here to support you to live vibrantly, full of energy, ready to deal with and enjoy life, rested and well nourished – make an appointment to see us soon.