Opinion: Sugarholics Could Help Others Kick the Habit

(March 2) -- In their quest to gain energy, lose weight and be more productive, comedians Jeff Garlin and Ellen DeGeneres are turning their backs on sugar. By shunning the sweet stuff, they're setting an example for millions of Americans who regularly over-consume the substance, often without realizing it.

The first to take humorous swipes at sugar was DeGeneres, who gave a hilarious "No More Sugar Monologue" on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last month. Noting that sugar gives "a false high," she announced plans to nix the empty-calorie sweetener for the rest of the season so she can have "pure energy" for her hectic schedule, which now includes a second TV gig as an "American Idol" judge.

Ellen, who is chronicling her sugar-stopping adventure via video updates, invited fans to join her: "Why should I suffer alone? Let's do it together. Ultimately we'll all feel better."

Last week, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" co-star and executive producer Jeff Garlin also began discussing his no-sugar food rules when publicizing his new memoir, "My Footprint: Carrying the Weight of the World," which offers an amusing look at his efforts to reduce his physical and carbon footprint.

The fast-shrinking Garlin, who has type 2 diabetes, cut out sugar more than a year ago on the advice of medical staff at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. But before he could break free, Garlin had to face up to the fact that he was an addict. In fact, "getting off sugar was like getting off heroin or alcohol," he said, citing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety attacks, heart palpitations and nausea.

Garlin's addiction confession may wake up legions of Americans to the reality that they, too, could be sugarholics. The theory of sugar addiction or dependency -- which has been suggested recently by such esteemed scientists as Dr. Bartley Hoebel of Princeton University -- is a compelling, albeit controversial one.

But in any case, the average American will likely be shocked to learn that each year he or she consumes as much as 170 pounds of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates and other sweeteners -- which, for health purposes, can be lumped together under one label: sugar.

Often, they don't even know it. For instance, high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners are often "hidden" or added to most processed crackers, yogurt, sauces and other prepared foods found in cans, jars, boxes, fast-food outlets and restaurants. Which means you'll need to make a concerted, informed effort to reduce your sugar intake, a recommendation recently seconded by the American Heart Association.

Why steer clear of the sweet stuff? Because, as many researchers from Harvard and other institutions have discovered, our sweet tooth can be downright deadly, triggering obesity, heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and many other ailments.

In fact, overdoing it on sweets can lead to more than 150 health problems, including infertility, birth defects, sexual dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, fatigue, migraines, anxiety, depression, severe PMS, forgetfulness, temper outbursts, wrinkles and even early aging.

Thanks to comedians Jeff Garlin and Ellen DeGeneres, millions of people may now be prompted to discover the benefits of a sugar-free diet featuring healthy carbohydrates such as vegetables, low-sugar fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds.

If you kick -- or at least reduce your intake of -- sugar and other sweeteners you can shed weight, boost your energy and become healthier. Who knows, maybe you'll even become funnier, too.

Connie Bennett, author of "Sugar Shock!" (Berkley Books), is a journalist, certified life coach, certified health counselor, speaker, host of the Gab With the Gurus Radio Show and former sugar addict. In 1998, after quitting sweets on doctor's orders, all 44 of her baffling ailments vanished and she felt "reborn." Learn more at her Web site.


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