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by Rowan O’Malley
Like most prepper-types, I really like my stuff. I personal numerous devices and gadgets that could be helpful throughout an apocalypse. Considered one of my favorites is my Leatherman Wave Plus multitool, which affords a plethora of mini emergency instruments and but folds up so small it’s going to match within the palm of my hand. You betcha, ought to the apocalypse roll by way of in my lifetime, I’ll have a whole lot of stuff to throw in my BOB on the run.
Nevertheless, this slow-burning SHTF that we’re in at present (frogs in a pot of water, anybody?) has had me questioning my prepper priorities. What if I’ve to flee and depart all the things behind? My hero, Selco, whose writings I first encountered right here on The OP has usually recognized his prime SHTF priorities to not be issues.
My Most Invaluable Prep and Why
I now take into account my mind to be my most useful prep. It’s, in any case, the place I retailer my most essential stuff: my information about herbs and medicines and my Irish “rise up and go” that has bought me by way of my life to date. Now, you already know what we preppers say, “One is none!” All of us solely have one mind, my mates! A latest little bit of studying utterly modified my relationship with my mind and the way I deal with it.
I believed I used to be consuming a reasonably decently nutritious diet…Heck! I’m a homesteader, for goodness sake! I develop and eat a LOT of kale. What I realized was that consuming sugar doesn’t simply have an effect on my physique within the ways in which I used to be accustomed to….threat of diabetes, weight problems, and irritation, to call a couple of. I realized about new analysis concerning a possible connection between consuming an excessive amount of sugar and dementia.
Oh no, not my mind! As somebody who lives a deeply considering and reflective life as a author, this flipped a swap for me. Instantly, my weak point for chocolate and extreme sugar treats on runs into city regarded completely different. What was I doing to myself? What dangers was I exposing my valuable mind to?
Our Mind and Sugar and Insulin and Alzheimer’s Illness
This new analysis in regards to the relationship between dementia and sugar is in its early levels, and all the things isn’t clear. The time period “Kind 3 Diabetes” is controversial and never acknowledged at present as a proper analysis. Nevertheless, what we do know is that there’s one gene, the APOE4, which seems to be associated to round 50% of Alzheimer’s circumstances.
In line with the Mayo Clinic, “a variant of the so-called Alzheimer’s gene, APOE4, appears to intervene with mind cells’ potential to make use of insulin, which can finally trigger the cells to starve and die.” When somebody has this gene variation, their possibilities of having Alzheimer’s are 10 to fifteen occasions greater. As well as, it’s also broadly accepted that having kind II diabetes additionally will increase somebody’s threat of getting Alzheimer’s.
The Mayo Clinic article additionally particulars the outcomes of a analysis venture by which they confirmed {that a} new insulin nasal spray not solely slowed the decline of Alzheimer’s sufferers however typically even improved their signs. You’d suppose that this is able to be front-page information. I’m undecided why it’s not on the market an excessive amount of within the MSM.
My New Mind Upkeep Plan
In my family historical past, I’ve a grandmother who misplaced a leg to diabetes and died shortly thereafter. I even have a great-uncle who had dementia and needed to reside in a safe facility. It was heartbreaking to go to him. The O’Malley ladies are of big-boned farm inventory, and we are likely to placed on weight as we age. A number of members of my rapid and prolonged household are pre-diabetic or diabetic, and one in every of these cousins not too long ago had a stroke.
I don’t know if I carry the gene talked about within the analysis, however I made a decision that I’d take some severe steps to handle my threat and defend my most essential prep: my mind. I reasoned that, regardless of the relationship between dementia and diabetes and genes, it might assist if I didn’t expose my physique and my mind to giant spikes in sugar.
I made a decision to surrender all processed sugar fully. I already ate a reasonably nutritious diet each day, however I made a decision to surrender my usually stress-induced chocolate and candy binges for good. Now that I do know that sugar spikes in my mind could also be laying the groundwork for dementia, I’d not get pleasure from them fairly as a lot.
So, no white flour, no added sugar in something, no fruit juices, no honey, no maple syrup. Mainly, I solely eat sugar when it’s encased in fiber in fruit. I make Irish soda bread each week with entire wheat and spelt flour, and my crackers are multi-grain rye. Many individuals is likely to be studying this considering, what a pathetic doldrum my life should be with out candy treats. I disagree! In actual fact, I’ve tailored my favourite deal with, Mexican Sizzling Chocolate, by including two chopped-up dates to it as a substitute of maple syrup. I discover that now I style the cocoa taste extra and revel in the truth that it’s scrumptious AND good for me on the identical time. One other aspect profit has been elevated morning vitality and a considerable lack of stomach fats. Woo hoo!
The Historical past of Our Brains: Why is sugar laborious to give up?
I believed some background would offer context as to what we’re up in opposition to right here in America concerning sugar. We’re actually programmed to eat sweets to outlive. Again in our hunter-gatherer days, a uncommon style of honey was the sweetest factor a human would possibly get pleasure from. The remainder of our meals was not candy and was laborious to accumulate. After we discovered candy fruit, our brains instructed us to eat it and to not cease as a result of it helped us survive the lean occasions.
That labored till sugar grew to become too straightforward to get.
Again round 200 years in the past, within the 1820s, People ate round 9 grams of sugar per day (simply over two teaspoons). Quick ahead to the quick meals revolution of at present, and People are estimated to be consuming 151 grams of sugar per day. (A rise of 7500%!!!!) Are you sure that’s not you? One 25-ounce bottle of soda has over 80 grams of sugar, which is greater than 20 teaspoons, and that’s not a big serving by at present’s requirements. Or would you want a big chocolate shake (32 oz.) from a significant quick meals chain, which has 168 grams or 42 teaspoons of sugar? Think about sitting right down to eat these 42 teaspoons of sugar in a row. Yikes!
We all know that this unnatural enhance in our sugar consumption is tough to withstand resulting from our mind’s evolutionary programming. Nevertheless, the brand new analysis I’ve shared exhibits that the impact on the long-term well being of our mind may be devastating. I hope that by sharing my journey concerning sugar and my most essential prep, my mind, I’ve given you some precious meals for thought.
Hey Sugar, How About Takin’ a Hike?
To sugar or to not sugar? How’s your personal mind upkeep plan in relation to sugar? Do you could have any issues about its long-term results? What are you keen to surrender, and what’s non-negotiable? Please inform us within the feedback part.
About Rowan
Rowan O’Malley is a fourth-generation Irish American who loves all issues inexperienced: crops (particularly shamrocks), bushes, herbs, and weeds! She challenges herself each day to reside her greatest life and to be as match, wholesome, and ready as attainable!
