4
Shun the Sugar Getting my patients to lay off sweets
is probably the most dificult task I have as a doctor. Today, the average American
consumes nearly 152 pounds of sugar annually. Refined sugar is the worst offender because it’s made from sugarcane or sugar beets that are stripped of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. To properly digest excess sugar, the body
must use its own store of nutrients, particularly B vitamins. Sugar also wreaks havoc in your gut by feeding bad gut bacteria that cause leaky gut syndrome. Reducing refined sugar intake can
significantly improve gut health. A study published in the journal Circulation showed that sugar-sweetened beverages directly cause cardiovascular disease and diabetes, leading to approximately 184,000 deaths worldwide each year. Refined sugars such as brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, powdered sugar, turbinado sugar, and white sugar are particularly harmful. Sugar addiction can lead to chronic health problems, as studies show sugar affects the brain similarly to drugs and alcohol. Cutting out refined sugar results in increased energy, reduced cravings, and overall improvement in gut health and well-being. Watch for symptoms of high blood sugar, including blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, and increased thirst.
5
Leave Lectins Alone Lectins are found mainly in legumes
and grains. Some lectins are harmless; others, such as those in kidney beans, can
cause digestive symptoms if not cooked properly. Lectins can also negatively affect people who have digestive sensitivities or gastrointestinal distress. The reason for this is that lectins may interfere with both the gut microbiota and the absorption of nutrients. They are present in most plant foods but are
especially high in: Grains such as barley, quinoa, and rice Legumes such as beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, and peanuts Nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers For many foods containing harmful lectins, such as kidney beans, cooking greatly reduces their lectin content, making them safe to eat. It’s a good idea to boil beans for 30 minutes to eliminate their lectins. Soaking beans also reduces their lectin content, though perhaps not enough to ensure safety. Foods that contain lectins are often full of
antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are good for you. If you are not lectin-sensitive, these benefits will likely outweigh the negative effects of lectins to the body. If you are allergic or have food sensitivities, however, I recommend reducing the lectins in your diet or eliminating them entirely.
6
Stop the Soy
Soy is often touted as the ultimate health food, and is used as a substitute for milk and meat. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Studies showing soy’s adverse effects on the thyroid
date back 75 years. Soy consumption inhibits the uptake of iodine, which is used by the thyroid gland in the production of thyroid hormones. That can cause goiter, which is swelling of the thyroid gland. Another problem with soy is that it contains
phytoestrogens, chemicals that mimic estrogen hormones.
I also have good reason to believe soy can contribute to hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, uterine, ovarian, prostate, and testicular cancers. The phosphates in soy hinder the body’s ability to
assimilate important minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Soy also interferes with the production of vitamin D and can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency. Additionally, soy is an extremely allergenic food source.
I have found that many patients who have a milk allergy are also allergic to soy.
MAY 2025 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 83
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