Sugar: Not So Sweet

The damage caused to your body and mind by sugar and sugared products would fill a hundred Internet sites, and probably does. Many kids and parents know the usual downsides: hyperactivity, mood swings, insomnia, anxiety attacks, nervous system dysfunction, dental caries, heart complications, blood sugar issues/diabetes, adrenal exhaustion, interference with digestion, oxidative stress affecting virtually all living tissue, yeast infections, and more.

What most people don’t know is that for many serious diseases to advance in the body, most notably cancer and a variety of serious infections, the blood must be in something called an acidic PH state. Research shows that when the blood is kept in a balanced PH state, many disease processes are often arrested, either partially or entirely.

I don’t pretend to understand the reasons for this, but I do know that few things in the world acidify the blood more thoroughly, and for longer periods of time after consumption, than sugar. (Equally acidifying are alcohol, meat, dairy, cigarette smoke, and stress… the last of which I’ll discuss in a future piece.) 

And it gets worse. Companies often list sugar under other names, probably to disguise its presence. Most common examples:

• corn syrup

• high fructose corn syrup

• dextrose

• fructose

• glucose

• lactose

• maltose

• maltodextrin

• sucrose

• rice syrup.

Moral of the story? Take charge of your taste buds. "Teach" them that there are complexities and subtleties to the flavor of foods that, if you give yourself a chance, you'll find much more enjoyable and satisfying than routinely giving in to momentary, destructive cravings.

Do I eat sugar? Yes, as an occasional treat. Which is exactly what sugar should be- not something you eat for breakfast!

Until next time, take good care of yourself.

Thanks.

Peter Seidman

Four High School Graduates On the Path Less Traveled

Sofia, Micah, Caroline, and Patti are four young high school graduates who are overcoming fears of the unknown, objections from parents and friends, and sacrificing the security of home, as they set forth on a journey unthinkable by most of their peers.

Working for a year as interns for a New York lecturer, (yours truly), the four discuss how and why they're managing abrupt changes in lifestyle, separation from boyfriends, distance from their families, and the surprising results.

A Very Special Session with King George III of Broadway's Hamilton

Just heard from Rory O'Malley, currently reigning alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda as King George III in Broadway's hit musical phenomenon Hamilton. Rory has confirmed that he'll conduct a special intensive exclusively for Beginnings students this August, focusing on the entire process of auditioning for Broadway.

Our students will have an insider's firsthand description of performance realities that only performers with Rory's experience know well- casting, interviews, auditions, callbacks, agents, unions, and more, as well as a question and answer session. Students will be able to interact directly with Rory, ask him questions about his experience with Hamilton and Book of Mormon, as well as the industry in general, take lots of photos, and record the entire session for reviewing and consulting after the workshop.

Hamilton is Rory's second major role in a Broadway hit, having been nominated for a Tony Award for starring as Elder McKinley in Book of Mormon. He's appeared in the film Dreamgirls, and more recently starred alongside Kelsey Grammar and Martin Lawrence in FX's Partners. He's additionally appeared on TV episodes of Nurse Jackie, The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU, and 1600 Penn.

Visit www.roryomalley.com for more details.

Should be an exciting session!