Sugar: the good, the bad, and the ugly Q: I always thought sugar was bad for you, but I've heard some interesting things about sugar cane extract lately that seem to imply that it might actually be good for you. Could this possibly be true? JVW: Sugar is indeed bad for you when it is processed and refined. Basically, anything ending in "ose" on an ingredient label -- including sucrose, fructose, and glucose (as well as their cousin, corn syrup) -- has had its natural goodness removed, leaving a product that severely inhibits the immune system and compromises the body in many ways. That being said, it is true that not all sugars are bad for you. In fact, some can be extremely helpful. For example, a sugar cane extract called policosanol is an excellent alternative to cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. It also appears to be effective at lowering triglyceride levels. Another sugar cane extract that does the body good is D-mannose, which is naturally found in cranberry juice and is often used to treat E.coli, the common cause of most bladder infections. The E.coli bacteria stick to the D-mannose instead of sticking to your bladder walls, which allows your body to eliminate them during urination. This process appears to be a common job that simple sugars perform, making them beneficial for eliminating all sorts of bacteria from your system. Xylitol is also on the list of helpful simple sugars. One of my colleagues reports a 93 percent reduction in ear and sinus infections in his patients who use an intranasal spray made from xylitol. In another form, xylitol can actually prevent tooth decay, and some manufacturers have even added it to breath mints and chewing gum. Then there are polysaccharides, which are simple sugars that combine in metabolic "chains" and cause immune cells to be more active and vigilant against bacteria and other germs. Echinacea, a well-known immune-boosting herb, is a rich source of polysaccharides. There is actually an entire field of study, called "glycobiology," based on examining these and other simple sugars in order to better understand their bacteria-fighting and other health-preserving potential. Many of the sugars I've mentioned here are readily available at natural food stores, or through a compounding pharmacist. If you're a Nutrition & Healing subscriber and want to learn more about what simple sugars can do for you, visit www.wrightnewsletter.com and download the December 2001 issue. Just click the "sign on" option at the top of the page and, when prompted, enter the username and password listed on page 8 of your most recent Nutrition & Healing issue. If you're not already a subscriber, the website also offers details on becoming one. | 
