Is Sugar Damaging Your Immune System?

If you've failed on every diet you've ever tried, it's not your fault.

Learn the truth about low-calorie and low-fat diets - and discover the only diet that works for natural, permanent weight loss.

The good food you eat on this healthy diet boosts your metabolism, controls your appetite, and improves your moods. And the healthy, nutrient-rich foods keep your kids from getting fat and protects them from diabetes.

This 5-page report is a must-read for anyone who struggles with their weight:

What Scientists Know about Low-Calorie Diets, but Your Doctor Never Told You

As if the war wasn't enough, many people now are also worried about the new viral epidemic coming out of China, called the bird flu. Hopefully, few of us will ever come near this nasty new bug - our world's governments are doing an admirable job in isolating this dangerous virus. However it's appearance did make me sit up and take notice when I read this statement on the Immune Central website:

"Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of one 12-ounce can of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by forty percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours. In contrast, the ingestion of complex carbohydrates, or starches, has no effect on the immune system."

It makes you look at that can of Coke® in a whole new light, doesn't it?

Our immune system is our first defense against any disease, and we can't afford to disable any of it's functions. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm in no way suggesting that you will be able to fight off every new disease that comes your way if you simply give up sugar. However, it just makes sense to take good care of your immune system, just in case a cold or flu germ, or worse, shares an elevator with you.

Eating sugar is the exact opposite of taking care of yourself - it actually weakens your ability to protect yourself from contagious disease and infections.

We do know that the people who haven't recovered from the new SARS virus almost always have a weakened immune system to start with. Diabetes is one of the chronic illnesses that has been associated with the victims of this illness, and some victims in China have been infected with the Chlamydia bacteria.

Recovering from any virus, bacteria, infection - or even injury - is more likely when the immune system is strong.

There are two known dietary factors that reduce the immune system, and American diets are full of both of them. Sugar, as we have seen, is one of the primary dietary causes of a lowered immune response. The other factor is fat in the diet.

Many experts believe that the fried potatoes you ate this morning will raise the fat level in your bloodstream, causing your blood to lose it's viscosity. This means your blood can't flow as fast as it should, and your white blood cells and other members of your immune response team can't get to the location of infection as quickly.

When we think of problems that arise from being overweight we tend to think of diabetes, heart disease, and some kinds of cancer. All these illnesses develop slowly, and the risk can be held in the back of our minds, where we don't have to think of them very often. However, it has been proven that people who are overweight miss more work, and spend more time and money at the doctor's office and pharmacy.

Fit people are less apt to catch the latest bug that is going around the office. When they do catch it, they don't get as sick, and they recover faster. Being "fit" affects every cell in our bodies, including the cells that protect us from disease.

So there you have it: One more excellent reason to get yourself on a healthy diet, and to stay committed to following it - every single day.

Jonni Good is the author of most of the original articles on this site. Jonni always looks for the easy way to solve common health problems, by working with human nature. Her books have helped hundreds of people lose weight, get fit, and regain their health - with less struggle. Please take a moment to visit her other sites:

Do You Gain Weight... Even when you eat less than your thinner friends? Learn why it happens, and how to use nutritious, satisfying food to break the metabolic pattern that causes some people to gain weight too easily.

Sugar Cravings and Addiction – Describes a simple program to help people break their addiction to sugar and fat. This book has been popular ever since it came out in 2003, and has helped hundreds of people lose their cravings for sugar and other simple carbs. Once the cravings are under control, it's easier to stick with your diet and regain your health.

Weight Lifting for Absolute Beginners – A guide to lifting weights for strong muscles and bones.

The Easy-Does-It Diet – A guide to creating your own delicious and healthy frozen diet meals. Eat healthy, low-fat meals without paying extra for store-bought frozen diet food.

Disclaimer: This site and the articles contained here are for information purposes only. The authors have made every effort to make sure the information is accurate, but no health decisions should ever be made based on this or any other website. Please contact your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

Is Sugar Damaging Your Immune System?

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