Can too much sugar in diet cause fatigue ?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi there I'm a 42 year old male who has ME CFS diagnosed in 2007 and in 2013 I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and as side effect result of heavy steriod treatment for colitis I have developed anxiety disorder .
My latest flare of coltis has floored me fatigue wise I'm almost housebound bordering on bed bound I have no energy i haven't had a drink of alcohol in a year because of flare and medications . I am not overweight and I am within my BMI for height and weight but have put on about half a stone in the last month and have had blood tests done frequently my blood sugars are normal .
In the past few months I developed a craving for sugar sweets sugar mints to be exact I eat about a packet a day I know myself it's too much but I have a craving for them other than the sweets my diet is good . Can eating too much sugar make you feel more tired and fatigued and add to my ME CFS and possibly my colitis symptoms ? I know I'm probably asking the obvious here sugars more addictive than cocaine right ?
1 like, 10 replies
jackie00198 ross71781
Posted
Yep, sugar is more addictive than cocaine. Have you seen the documentary "Fed Up?" It makes a very good case against sugar. But I do understand the craving. I have an intense craving for See's candy California brittles. I'm sure you know that sugar is considered very bad for ME/CFS. However, I have to admit, I use it for bursts of energy needed to get to doctor's appointments and for other events. But it is playing with fire. The other night we hosted a big house concert with 60 guests, and I overdid the candy. I got extremely ill the next day, with stomach issues, nausea, and overall feeling bad. Typically, my stomach is ok. So now I'm backing off sugar.
ross71781 jackie00198
Posted
Hi Jackie no I've not seen that documentary I'll look it up on you tube . In the U.K where a lot of the focus is all on the fat content in food it's only the past few years the press and media have highlighted the sugar consumption and hidden sugars in food and drink as the reason behind the obesity and diabetes epidemic in the U.K . I agree anything for a bit of energy with ME/CFS. there is caffeine but too much of that does no help either . I did try to mention to my Gastro Dr about the possible link between ME/CFS and the gut but he wasn't interested which the NHS in general I have found are not much help with CFS its a psychological illness is the main consensus .
I've heard of a few reports of patients with ME/CFS going to specialists privately paying a load of money looking for answers or reasons behind illness and where it originated loads of tests done to be told it originates from the bowel but they can't be 100 per cent sure .There must be loads of theories out there though.
Beverley_01 ross71781
Posted
Yep loads of theories out there and possibly many correct! Mine is from a car crash, a friends is post viral and someone else I know, is from a bad break up with boyfriend! Seems some kind of trauma causes the initial and that could be neurological, physical, gatrogical, social, environmental etc. In relation to cfs and sugar, usual sugar rushes cause the dip in energy afterwards so, it can have an affect regardless of cfs/me. Genetic factors also come into play as well as amount and time amount of consumption. Add to this a whole host of other factors! Like natural sugars-even in cheese and it goes on... but, what I want to mention is a long time ago when I was struggling anxiety wise, a psychotherapist told me to suck on a sweet to help it? So, maybe your body needs that sugar right now? No harm in cutting back though. If you have a whole bag a day, over a week cut down one or two sweets a day. Put them to one side and see ow many you have cut down. On a daily bases Its nothing! But see after a week.
Best of luck
Beverley
ross71781 Beverley_01
Posted
Thanks Beverley I'll give that a go best of luck to you to cheers
Beverley_01 ross71781
Posted
No worries, let us know how It goes? It's hard with this condition to really Identify things that affect badly as we are all different.
Good luck
GeorgiaS ross71781
Posted
They're now coming to the concensus that good fats are essential because they feed the brain, and as you said refined sugars are bad. They put it in everything processed don't they so it's best to eat fresh home cooked foods.
ME is an auto-immune disorder and most of the immune system is located in the digestive system. I don't think I've ever come across someone with ME who hasn't had some sort of digestive problems to boot!
Jk1952 GeorgiaS
Posted
Hi Georgia, I have been thinking about starting new discussion on here about possible link between digestive system and M.E. I had ulcerative colitis for about 20 Years before I got M.E. after bad episode brought on by a distressing occurrence in family. I've just also learnt that most of serotonin is made in bowel! Fascinating isn't it? I have just recently had allergy/intolerance testing. Lots came up but I was advised to try gluten and dairy free to start with. My bowels are thanking me. Also reduced craving for food in the evenings and a little more energy. Unfortunately, I'm finding that gluten free food usually means increased fat and sugar! Can't win can we!?
GeorgiaS Jk1952
Posted
Yes that is fascinating aout Serotonin!
I've been on a gluten and wheat free diet for some time now and it's stopped me from getting bloated. It's true about the choice we have not being ideal. Home cooked is best but I don't have the energy to cook every day and bake my own bread.
I'd join in a discussion about the link between the digestive system and ME; I think it's really important. It might get more people improving their diets and taking relevant supplements. Go for it please!
Jk1952 GeorgiaS
Posted
I started the discussion but it's not come up, I must have done it wrong. Never mind!
GeorgiaS Jk1952
Posted
You could try again? It'd be a really useful discussion I think.