It may sound far-fetched to propose that someone has an addiction to candy or soft drinks. But brain scans show that some of the reward pathways associated with a sweet taste are very similar to those linked to addictive substances. Might you be addicted to sugar?

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum says there are several different underlying health problems that can put people at risk for sugar addiction. Some folks burn the candle at both ends and make up for a lack of sleep with a quick-energy fix of caffeine and sugar. Others are so stressed that they have adrenal fatigue; these are the individuals who become “hangry” and irritable when their blood sugar drops.

Find out about all four types of sugar addicts and what can be done to help them overcome this health challenge. Learn about healthy ways to feed your sweet tooth that don’t put you at risk for weight gain or the perils of sugar addiction, which just might include a higher risk of type 2 diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine. He is senior author of two studies: “Effective Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia – a Placebo-controlled Study” and “Effective Treatment of CFS & Fibromyalgia with D-Ribose.”

Dr. Teitelbaum’s books include: From Fatigued to Fantastic!; The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution; Pain Free 1-2-3: A Proven Program for Eliminating Chronic Pain Now; Real Cause Real Cure; and his most recent, The Complete Guide to Beating Sugar Addiction. He is director of the Practitioners Alliance Network and author of the smartphone app Cures A-Z. His websites are www.vitality101.com and www.endfatigue.com

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