Have you ever wondered if something as simple as sugar could be at the root of many of our health problems? According to Dr. Richard P. Jacoby in his book Un-Glued: The Secret Science of Stem Cells that Dissolve the Effects of Sugar, the answer is a resounding yes. He believes that sugar is like a sticky glue that clogs up our veins and arteries, leading to serious health issues.
Imagine this: the sugar you enjoy in your morning coffee or that sweet treat you can’t resist might be doing more harm than you think. Dr. Jacoby takes this idea even further by exploring the potential of stem cell therapy to reverse the damage sugar causes. Sounds promising, right? But here’s the catch—getting this treatment isn’t as easy as picking up a prescription at your local pharmacy. Dr. Jacoby explains how difficult it can be to access these therapies in the U.S. due to strict regulations and pushback from the pharmaceutical industry.
If you’ve read his previous book, Sugar Crush, you’ll notice that Unglued builds on some of the same themes. But I find some points maybe a bit controversial, specifically where Dr. Jacoby suggests that conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), often labeled as autoimmune diseases, are actually caused by sugar. He argues that by simply cutting sugar out of our diets, we could stop our bodies from attacking themselves.
Yes, sugar can worsen inflammation and symptoms in people with autoimmune diseases. But to say sugar alone is the root cause might be oversimplifying things. Autoimmune diseases are complicated, with many factors at play, including genetics and environmental triggers. So, while managing sugar intake is definitely a good move, it’s just one part of a larger strategy for managing these conditions.
Unglued challenges us to think about the impact of sugar on our health and the potential of stem-cell as a medical intervention. Dr. Jacoby’s ideas are bold and thought-provoking, but they also remind us to consider the bigger picture when it comes to our health. If you’re curious about the connection between diet and disease or interested in new treatment possibilities, this book offers plenty to chew on.
Summary
In the early 20th century, Otto Heinrich Warburg discovered that cancer cells thrive by using sugar, specifically glucose, as their primary energy source, a process known as the Warburg effect. Although this theory lost traction with the rise of DNA-focused cancer research, it has recently regained attention. Modern studies reveal that unlike healthy cells, cancer cells are dependent on sugar, lacking the mechanisms to cope with nutrient scarcity. This has led to new insights, such as the link between high insulin levels and mutations in cancers like breast and colorectal cancer.
Glucose, while essential, is also harmful. It acts like an adhesive, damaging tissues throughout the body. This “gluing” effect is part of the Maillard reaction, where glucose reacts with proteins, fats, or DNA, forming harmful compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These compounds contribute to various signs of aging, like wrinkles and yellowed fingernails, and cause internal damage as well.
Sugar’s negative impact extends to the gut, where it disrupts the microbiome, leading to inflammation, nerve damage, and diseases like Alzheimer’s. This connection is particularly evident in diabetes patients, who are twice as likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s. The breakdown of the nervous system, starting with the loss of smell, is tied to sugar’s interference with the olfactory nerve and the hippocampus.
The harmful effects of sugar continue with its role in nerve compression and damage. Excessive glucose leads to inflammation and injury in nerves, causing pain and dysfunction. The body’s metabolism, overwhelmed by sugar, struggles to regulate glucose levels, leading to chronic inflammation and a cascade of diseases.
Stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are seen as a potential remedy. These cells, found along blood vessels, play a crucial role in healing by regulating immune responses and promoting tissue repair. They release growth factors that help rebuild damaged tissues, acting like a natural repair system. However, the effectiveness of stem cell therapy is limited if the underlying issue—sugar consumption—is not addressed.
At the end of the day, the book emphasizes the most important, yet often challenging principle for many of us: taking personal responsibility for our food choices. By reducing sugar intake and adopting a high-protein, low-carb diet, we can prevent many of the health issues linked to sugar and live healthier lives.
My Favorite Bits
What you eat will either kill you or keep you well.
Dr Richard P. Jacoby, Un-Glued: The Secret Science of Stem Cells that Dissolve the Effects of Sugar.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book. I appreciate the chance to share my genuine opinions!
Author: Dr. Richard P Jacoby
Publication date: 22 August 2024
Number of pages: 207 pages
