5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
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5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

Have you been dealing with sugar cravings for a while now? Maybe it’s time to figure out the reason why it has been a persistent issue for you- most likely, it’s not just because you have a “sweet tooth”. There are many reasons why your body is telling you to eat sugar. In our previous blog posts, we have touched on a few reasons, but here is a more comprehensive list to help you reevaluate!

Candida

If in addition to your persistent sugar cravings, you are experiencing excess fatigue, bloating, GI irregularities, moodiness, and brain fog, you could be experiencing candida overgrowth(1). We all have some level of candida in our bodies, but under certain conditions, this yeast can thrive and grow out of control, causing these symptoms, especially GI issues. Since yeast thrives off of sugar, it will be telling your body to eat more to help it thrive and stay alive. If you suspect, or want to rule out candida overgrowth, make sure to find a trusted healthcare practitioner to do testing and help with treatment.

High Stress

as mentioned in our “Why Stress Could Be the Source of Your Sugar Cravingsblog, we explored how prolonged stress increases your cortisol levels, releasing higher levels of glucose into the bloodstream, and causing insulin sensitivity. This blocks your body’s ability to properly use glucose for energy, causing you to crave energy spikes by eating a quick source of fuel- sugar. 

Poor Gut Health

Similar to candida, the bacteria in your gut could be dictating your cravings for sweetness. When we get less variety in the diet, or eat a diet high in processed oils, carbs, and sugars, we are feeding certain types of bacteria, and killing off others. This then leads to less diversity in the microbiome, causing something called dysbiosis (or an imbalance of the bacteria in the gut). Now that a lot of the good bacteria are killed off, there is more room for harmful strains that can wreak havoc on digestion, and cause you to continue feeding only them- hence, the sugary, carby, fatty foods cravings.

Not Enough Fuel

If your body is not getting as many nutrients as it needs throughout the day, it will likely be craving an energy source to keep everything up and running! That’s why it is important to make sure your meals are nutrient-dense and balanced, to ensure proper breakdown and utilization of nutrients to keep your energy levels up as you go about your day. A good start is to look at your meals and assess if you are getting all the proper food groups to sustain you for the next few hours. Ask yourself- do I have a protein, carbohydrate, non-starchy vegetables, and fat source? If so, you’re good to go! If not, make sure to add whatever is missing from your plate to fill you and fuel you to be productive during your day.  

Poor Sleep

One place you may not have assessed in a while is your sleep  hygiene. Do you notice on the days where you get less sleep, you crave fast food, or more processed carbs throughout the day? Similar to how stress affects the hormone cortisol, studies show that sleep deprivation is directly correlated with hormone regulation- specifically with leptin, our hunger and satiety hormone (3). Therefore, when we get lower quality sleep, it can be harder for our bodies to recognize hunger cues, leading to overeating of high caloric foods throughout the day. Overtime, this can lead to insulin sensitivity, weight gain, and development of chronic illnesses.

 

After completing our 7 Day Sugar Detox, if those stubborn sugar cravings still aren’t going away, start working on finding the root cause to help you get rid of them for good! Not sure where to start? The best way to find a root cause is through biochemical testing, and working alongside a functional healthcare practitioner. You are most certainly not the only one experiencing these symptoms, and more than likely, they have worked with similar cases to yours, multiple times over! Check out our full list of providers and testing, and give us a call to see how we can help you dig deeper into your wellness journey to totally vitality! 

Not quite ready to work with a provider? Check out our 4 week Eat Your Way to Health program as a great starting point for finding out root causes, and getting more in-tune with your body and how it is responding to your current diet and lifestyle.

 

Sources:

  1. Anita Wang MD 
  2. NCBI
  3. Wiley Online Library
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5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test looks for the inappropriate presence of bacteria in the small intestine known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or “SIBO”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Breath

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

COST

$85-$225 depending on insurance coverage. 

5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At Home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$699

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. Repeat test prices $249

5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

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This test evaluates the genetic profile for multiple health indicators. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

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Blood Spot

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5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This company can test for lyme, babesia, bartonella and additional tick-borne illnesses. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

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around $1600 (depends on panel selected)

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. May be reimbursed with PPO plans.
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$299

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates a wide range of environmental toxins that may be leading to harmful health effects.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

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$199

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins.
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Blood work for blood count, urinalysis and vitamin levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

NOTES

You often have to fast for these tests-please check your providers notes.

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Depending on the test, deductible or copay may apply.

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Depends on insurance coverage, deductible or copay may apply.
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

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Glyphosate (“Round Up”) is a pesticide that is widely used and this test indicates the body’s levels.

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At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$99 ($69 if performed with mycotoxins or environmental toxins).

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins or GPL Tox.
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates many measures including micronutrients, antioxidants, minerals, detox, overview of gut function, omegas and toxic exposure. Click here for more information.

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Urine

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$179 – $400

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Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

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5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the gut function and indicates microbiome balance, overgrowth, infection, inflammation, parasites and digestive efficacy. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$179-$425 depending on insurance coverage.

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

No probiotics for one week.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

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This test evaluates the full menstrual cycle, female hormones, and adrenal profile.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

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$160-$329

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Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

NOTES

Must be off hormones in order to do the testing.
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is specifically for a tick-borne illness called “Bartonella”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

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$260

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

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This test evaluates the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals stored in the body.  Click here for more information.

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Urine

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Testing: $79 x2 paid to Doctor’s Data
DMSA: $38 paid to Johnson’s Compounding Pharmacy

INSURANCE

Not covered by Insurance
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test measures saliva cortisol testing throughout the course of one day and informs us where there might be an adrenal imbalance.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Saliva

COST

$80

INSURANCE

No insurance coverage

5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!
5 Root Causes of Sugar Cravings, and How to Get Rid of Them for Good!

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is designed to look at food sensitivities (IgG immune responses). It is available in both a 99 or 184 panel. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$129-238

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No insurance accepted