Page 54 - Winter2010

low blood sugar. Because glucose (blood sugar) is the primary fuel for the decay. Sugar was found to be the driving force
brain, when blood levels are too low, the brain is affected first. The chain behind calcium-phosphorous imbalance; the
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of events goes something like this: a soda drink or other sugary food is elimination of this refined food allowed the
consumed and blood sugar rapidly goes up, the body releases insulin in ratio to recover and glucose levels in the blood
response, and the sudden increase in insulin causes a drop in blood glucose. to normalize. It was then that factors leading to
This yo-yo scenario stresses the body, causing a fight-or-flight response, bone loss and tooth decay (along with a number
which involves a rapid increase in adrenaline. Both the low blood sugar of other symptoms) vanished.
and surge of adrenaline exacerbate aggressive behavior and contribute to Sugar causes the body to excrete calcium
hyperactivity, anxiety and attention difficulties. 19 and magnesium, which results in an improper
I frequently hear testimonials from other moms who see improve- calcium-phosphorous ratio. To help restore this
ments in their children’s behavior after reducing sugar in their family’s balance, stored calcium is pulled from storage
diet. Envision the impact the reduction of sugar consumption could have sources throughout the body—namely teeth and
on an entire school! One such success story is set in a Georgia elementary bones. 21,22 Unfortunately, much of this previously
school, where the principal, Dr. Yvonne Sanders-Butler, recognized the stored calcium isn’t utilized well because it is not
need for dietary changes with her students suffering many modern ill- perfectly paired with phosphorus or magnesium.
nesses—obesity, diabetes and hypertension. In 2005, Browns Mill School The calcium is either removed in the urine or
became the first sugar-free school in the country, and the results speak finds a new, unnatural home, as in kidney stones
for themselves with a 30 percent decrease in nurse visits, a 28 percent or gallstones.
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drop in teacher referrals for bad behavior, and improved test scores. Dr. In his seminal work Sugar Blues, William
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Sanders-Butler continues to see the difference in the children’s health Dufty explains the body’s strain with sugar
through weight loss and fewer absences, as well as more frequent everyday intake this way: “So essential is balance to our
positive interactions with happier children. bodies that we have many ways to provide against
At Browns Mill, every parent and child is asked to sign an “Achieving the sudden shock of a heavy intake of sugar. Min-
Academic Excellence through Nutrition” commitment contract, outlining erals, such as sodium (from salt), potassium and
the parameters and expectations of the program. Sugary foods are pro- magnesium (from vegetables) and calcium (from
hibited (even for birthdays) and confiscated if brought to school. School the bones) are mobilized and used in chemical
lunch menus were revamped and exercise, breakfast, and good sleep are transmutation; neutral acids are produced, which
expected. It goes to show, bold action can lead to sweet rewards! attempt to return the acid-alkaline balance factor
of the blood to a more normal state. Sugar taken
MINERAL IMBALANCES every day produces a continuously over-acid con-
Minerals work synergistically with one another and have a vast number dition, and more and more minerals are required
of functions within the body, including maintaining pH balance, aiding from deep in the body in the attempt to rectify the
in digestion, and transmitting nerve impulses. Suffice it to say that the imbalance. Finally, in order to protect the blood,
consequences of mineral imbalance can lead to many problems, including so much calcium is taken from the bones and
anxiety, asthma, tooth decay, brittle bones, and poor sleep quality. Here teeth that decay and general weakening begin.” 24
is the kicker: if one mineral is out of balance, so go the others. This is A simple way to get a general idea of your
particularly true of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. body’s acidity is to use pH test strips or litmus
Years ago the dentist Melvin E. Page uncovered the significance of paper. Sugar and grain excess, stress, and other
calcium’s ratio to phosphorous in regards to bone absorption and tooth unhealthy habits lower the body’s pH levels. For

ALTERNATIVES TO CANDy AS REWARDS FOR CHILDREN

When it comes to food, I am quite the negotiator. Brainstorm on what your child enjoys most. Maybe you limit your
child’s time with the TV. A piece of candy received at school can be traded for an extra half-hour show, staying up fifteen
minutes past normal bedtime, or an extra trip to the pool over the weekend. A ticket system could be devised to work up
to something bigger, such as a doll or a pair of in-line skates. Use your imagination to make active family fun more tempt-
ing than sugar.
Also, you can offer your child’s teacher or Girl Scout group leader ideas for rewards or gifts instead of candy. Depending
on the age, consider nickels or dimes, balloons, pencils, bookmarks, crayons, ribbons, glow bracelets, stickers, and other
little trinkets from the dollar store. It may even be worth purchasing these alternatives to make the switch happen.

54 Wise Traditions WINTER 2010

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