Knock Out Your Immune System!

I don't drink coffee. I don't think I've ever drank a full cup of coffee in my life.

Nonetheless, while at the all-you-can-eat resort in Mexico last month, an item on the dessert menu pulled me in like a tractor beam from Star Trek: Cappuccino with Kahlúa.

"Oh yeah!" I thought. "Sounds yummy."

So for three or four dinners, of our seven-day escape, I had a Kahlúa Cappuccino.

My wife, Natalia, sees me and says, "What are you drinking?"

"Cappuccino," I replied, matter-of-factly.

"Have you ever had one in your life?"

"No. This is the first."

It was nice… eat whatever, drink whatever, and not worry. That's what vacations are for.

That's what makes a vacation a vacation.

The problem comes when people try to aim for a"vacation-experience" all year round. Not only is it impossible, damaging to your health and emptying of your wallet, but it sort of ruins the fun. I mean, if you're always on vacation, then there is no vacation...

Besides, discipline has its own attraction, its own rewards. Self-control can make you feel like a king or queen, gives you superior health and allows you to accomplish all those things you think you can't.

Now, last week I promised I'd share with you one ingredient that if you consume in excess quantities will greatly impair your immune system. I was probably close to consuming that one ingredient in excess quantities with my Kahlúa Cappuccino. Can you guess which ingredient? No it's not caffeine. It's not alcohol.

It's sugar.

100 grams of sugar will suppress the function of your white blood cells known as the neutrophils. Neutrophils are your first line of defence against bacterial infections. Drinking about two cans of pop or juice will knock them out by about 50%. This starts about 30 minutes after ingestion and lasts up to five hours.

Doesn't matter whether it's white sugar or 100% organic fruit juice or unpasteurized orange blossom honey.

Five hours and your white blood cells are in sugar-hangover state.

Keep in mind, 100 grams of sugar at one meal is a lot. That's three ounces of pure sugar. Many people however, pull it off, some several times a day...

* A 32 oz. Dairy Queen Mr. Misty Slush has 112 grams of sugar.

* A McDonald's Vanilla Shake has over 48 grams. Of course, who just slurps one shake? Throw in a McFlurry with Butterfingers and you've added another 55 grams of sugar.

Now, I'm not into counting calories. But 100 grams of sugar a day is 400 calories. For most women that's 25% of their calorie intake right there, for men, 20%.

So, as you can see, I'm not asking you to be sugar-phobic. A little bit is not going to kill you. Almost all natural foods contain sugar, it's necessary for life.

In fact, it's hard to "overdose" with fruit sugar. A typical piece of fruit only has 15-20 grams of sugar. It also has more fibre than juice or other sweets, which slows down the absorption of sugar and cuts future cravings.

What I'm saying is don't make a meal of sweets. Avoid eating foods that are laden with white sugar (e.g. fast food or packaged foods). Live without a bottle of pop or juice always at your side.

Not only will you keep your immune system up, but you'll avoid all the other nasty side-effects that come with too much sugar.

Now, keep in mind, I want you to keep the sugar down, but that doesn't mean you have to keep the sweet things out. What do I mean? I'll fill you in next week, with the answer from the chief of a reservation explaining why natives experience so many cases of diabetes.

Yours in health,
Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402

P.S. If you are battling sugar-cravings, consuming too many sweets, pop and candy, you should book a "Maximum Energy Without the M&M Fix" appointment. I can show you many foods you can start adding to your diet that will naturally get rid of sugar cravings. Plus, there's one culprit in most people's diets that increases the impulse to reach for another chocolate bar. Call(519) 739-2402 and Suzanne can set you up with an appointment ASAP.

P.P.S. Inside the March print newsletter (arriving any day now) I'll share with you an immune building "prescription" that most MDs use themselves, but only recommend to 17% of their patients. At least that's the case in North America. Over in Europe cardiologists are sending their patients home with the stuff. It's all natural, inexpensive and a favourite with my kids.

Here's what else you can expect in the March newsletter...

* Why Dr. Mauro And Airplanes Don't Get Along... pg. 1
* What Al Gore Didn't Know He Knew About Our Fatty Membranes …pg. 2
* What's the Deal With Omega Six and Nine?... pg. 3
* Flax Seed Oil Versus Fish Oil... pg. 4
* Newsletter Contest: Top Ten Finalists... pg. 4

If you've been an active patient within the last 12 months, you're in. Expect the newsletter sometime soon. If you're new, give Suzanne a call at (519) 739-2402 to set up an initial consultation. If you'd like more info first, let us know your postal address and we'll send a welcome package. It'll include a DVD that will show you how I combine 3,000 year old Chinese medicine with 21st century technology to evaluate any symptom you may be experiencing.