SICK SEASON OR SUGAR SEASON?
We have entered “Flu Season,” the season where we should be getting our flu shots, COVID vaccines, watching for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), winter colds, blah blah blah — right? Is it actually the weather and the gatherings of people causing the germs? You didn’t ask me — but I am going to give you my opinion … NO. It is NOT the weather. NO. It is not the season. Germs don’t instinctively grow when the weather is colder. The problem: Yes, let’s dive into the problem. But first — don’t get me wrong. I love the “Ber” months … September– December, all of the months that end in “Ber.” I love them — fall decorations, the excitement that the kids have, football season, pumpkin everything. What is there not to love? Okay, let’s get back to the point, the problem with the “Ber” months that actually leads us to this “Flu Season.” The Three S’s — Sugar, Stress, and (lack of) Sleep. This is the problem. October is a candy-eating holiday (Halloween), followed by November, which is a pie-eating holiday (Thanksgiving), followed by December, which is a candy, cocktails, and chocolate holiday (the entire month), followed by a booze holiday (New Year’s Eve). So, we have three months of an increase in sugar, carbohydrates, and alcohol. In addition to this, most of us have an increase in stress starting with the holiday months. Then, as we progress through these holiday months, our sleep starts to go. Does sleep change because of our schedules — more events out, then we still have to wake up early for work, so we just compromise sleep, or is the sleep actually affected by our blood sugar instability and inflammation from the increase of carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol? Honestly, probably both. Stress: It is inflammatory. Stress, whether it is internal or external, increases cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone released from the adrenal glands. It is a steroid. This steroid is inflammatory in our system — it breaks down the gut lining, increases our blood sugar levels, and changes the hormones of our brain. Cortisol is systemic — not only do we feel the mental load of stress, but it also impacts us inside and out. We will crave more carbohydrates and sugar due to the impacts they have on our blood sugar, we will hold onto fat (to try to reserve energy), and it reduces our ability to get into deep sleep. It increases anxiety and depression,
reduces our energy level, and makes us want to take naps at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. It keeps us awake from 2–4 a.m. Cortisol response can affect our skin, headaches, and our immune system. Chronic elevation of cortisol is a problem. Sleep: This is a vital recovery time. If we are getting 7–8 hours of restful sleep, we will regenerate 330 billion healthy cells a night. If we are not getting adequate and restful sleep, we are NOT regenerating healthy cells and likely will regenerate UNHEALTHY cells. Sleep is important to regulate blood sugar, vitamin and nutrient levels, cortisol levels, blood pressure, and more. Sleep is more than just giving your body energy. It is feeding your cells and your brain. Sugar: Sugar is inflammatory. Sugar spikes cortisol levels — we already know what high cortisol levels can do to us. Sugar is a laxative. Sugar inflames the gut lining. Sugar reduces our important vitamin levels like vitamin D, magnesium, melatonin, B12, and more. Sugar is just as bad as nicotine. We all know nicotine is bad — so, why do we not see sugar the same way? So, now we are in these months of sugar, stress, and (poor) sleep, and we want to blame it on the “season” and the “weather” causing us all to be sick. Not so fast … How are you going to regulate your immune system this season? It does not mean you have to avoid all of your favorite foods, drinks, or events. It means we need to know how to balance a proper lifestyle. What do I need to focus on so I CAN have the drink? Am I getting enough protein? Am I giving and taking in areas that make me feel good and balanced? Come work with our team to find out how we can help you LOSE weight during the holidays instead of gaining the average 8–13 pounds that Americans gain. Come work with our team to find out how we can help you NOT feel the impacts of bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, headaches, viruses, and all of those negative things during the holidays. Come ask how you can ENJOY your holidays and not suffer the repercussions of it. –Jenni Berman PA-C, CPT, CNS, CICI
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