Understanding the sugar

During PANDHY’S™ training courses the mechanism principle of sugar will be explained, which is also discussed in details in our textbooks (especially in the passage titled PANDHY’S™ Massages and Skin Rejuvenation with the Use of Sugar, within the chapter titled Medical Sugaring).  Following consultation with experts, I came to the conclusion that it’s worthwhile to deal with sugars more in details in order to clarify misunderstandings and overcome misconceptions with the help of understanding and knowledge.

Below I tried to make a professional information guide with the hope of providing sufficient information for both experts and laypersons on the topic of sugar. Furthermore, this material is aimed to clarify misapprehensions, reflect differences between several types of sugar and make a difference between oral and external administration.

General:

Sugar is a generic term which is used in chemistry to label several compounds belonging to the category of carbohydrates.

Sugars can be dissolved in water and crystallized, with a few exceptions they taste sweet. The most important sugars include sucrose (cane sugar or table sugar), glucose (grape sugar) and fructose (fruit sugar).

During the analysis of the issue, it is important to distinguish sucrose (table sugar) from the monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) utilized in PANDHY’S™ cosmetics.

I. First of all, let’s take a closer look at table sugar and its harmful effects

The sugar used during meals is sucrose, therefore this is the compound called sugar in everyday practice.  Obviously, you mean this when mentioning the harmful sugar.

In sugar industry it is either produced from sugarcane by the means of squeezing or from sugar beet with the help of diffusing it into water solution. The extracted raw sugar juice undergoes numerous cleaning and refining methods followed by evaporation and crystallization.

Grape sugar (glucose) is the most important source of energy in the human body. Refined sugar (called sucrose in chemistry) is a disaccharide consisting of two molecules: glucose (grape sugar) and fructose (fruit sugar). Being aware of this the question arises: what sorts of problems may cause the consumption of sucrose (refined granulated sugar) if it provides the essential glucose for the human body.

Blood glucose level should remain around 0.1%. During muscle work the cells use up sugar: the more sugar is needed, the more glucose in released in the bloodstream from the sugar storage of the liver (glycogen). White sugar does not require special digestion, thus it absorbs early into the blood flow. At this point, complex hormonal processes are about to begin. The pancreas produces insulin enabling access to glucose for cells, hence reducing blood sugar level. In the case of constant sugar consumption, the pancreas cells become exhausted after a while, firstly leading to impaired glucose tolerance that may, later on, turn into diabetes mellitus.

The main factor that makes refined sugar harmful is that the sugar content of plants found in nature is a great deal lower than that of the white sugar sold in shops. Whereas sugar beet contains 18% of sugar, this value is 95% in the case of refined sugar. Our body is not prepared for the processing of sugar with such concentration, therefore is unable to fully digest it.

Let’s have a brief look at the aforementioned harmful effects of refined sugar (I’d like to emphasize, that we discuss the orally consumed sugar advancing into the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. sucrose).

Alcohol production

The portion of sugar intake which cannot be fully digested by our organism will begin to ferment. (Fermentation: the decomposition of dissolved nitrogen-free organic matter mostly with the help of yeast and fission fungi.)  Best, who discovered insulin, drew the attention to the fact that sugar has the same effects on the human body as alcohol.

Alcohol affects liver and nerve cells the most, it is considered to be a cytotoxin. During detoxification liver cells are able to transform alcohol to a certain extent, however, the enzyme performing this process won’t be able to fulfill its task in other processes which are also required for normal body function.  Because of this, even if alcohol is neutralized, normal body function is inhibited. Unfortunately, all alcohol molecules cannot be neutralized. The additional work leads to the enlargement of the liver. That’s why liver enlargement is possible in the case of people who abstain from alcohol but eat a lot of sweets. Excessive sugar intake is followed by liver and kidney enlargement in experimental animals. This lesion of the liver can be observed even in children. Liver damage may also endanger the vision and the skin. Sugar plays a major role in the onset and progress of several skin diseases including acne and dermatitis.

Heart attack

In cardiovascular diseases, high blood sugar and disorders of glucose metabolism are quite common. It’s not only attributed to high blood fat and calcification, it’s also facilitated by excessive sugar consumption. Members of two tribes situated in East Africa (Masais and Samburus) eat a lot of fat, though they hardly heard of heart attacks. They do not consume sugar at all. On the island of Saint Helena the incidence of coronary diseases is reasonably high, however, they don’t eat large amounts of fatty food.  The yearly sugar consumption per capita accounts for 60-70 kilograms. Surveys indicate that those suffering from heart diseases tend to consume more sugar than the average. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that sugar binds cholesterol retaining it in the blood. The latter statement has been proven by animal experiments. As the sugar portion given the animals was increased, a raise in blood cholesterol could be detected accordingly – with no change in cholesterol intake.

Thrombus formation

In the case of high blood sugar, the platelets agglutinate more easily which increases the risk of thrombus formation a great deal. This may even lead to death.

Diabetes mellitus

The consumption of refined sugar overburdens the pancreas resulting in the exhaustion of insulin producing beta-cells. The human body has many stand-by storages, one of these is the ability to produce insulin. Our pancreas is approximately adjusted for 500 years. With excessive sugar consumption, this ability can be used up within 40-50 years.

Obesity

The consumption of refined sugar plays a major role in the onset of obesity. It is partly attributed to fat retention.

Gastrointestinal diseases

As the first destination of the digestive tract, the teeth are exposed to the negative effects of sugar. One of the characteristic features of sugar is that with no air and with the presence of bacterial fungi it begins to ferment. This phenomenon occurs during tooth decay because the bacteria stuck between the tooth and the sugar layer begin fermentation resulting in the production of acids harmful to the enamel.

Sugar stimulates the upper section of the digestive tract, such as the gullet or the pharynx. It also enhances the secretion of gastric acid making these patients more susceptible to gastric ulcers.  A diet rich in sugar may increase the volume of gastric acid by 20-30%. It is quite commonly the cause of gall bladder diseases, gastritis and duodenitis. Due to sugar intake, the number of harmful bowel bacteria may see a significant increase. This effect can be detected mainly in the case of coli bacteria. Studies indicate that babies consuming tea rich in sugar are more prone to gastritis and enteritis. Furthermore, their feces contain more putrefactive bacteria than that of babies held on a sugar-free diet.

The small and large intestine are also affected by toxic substances produced by fermentation causing inflammation. Refined sugar contains no fibers which have been lost during the process of its production. The consumption of fiber-free meals is deemed to be the primary cause of constipation.

Gout and osteoporosis

Sugar consumption increases the uric acid level of the blood because it is bound to sugar in the blood. An elevated amount of uric acid causes acidification forcing the organism to neutralize. Calcium streams into the blood released from bones in order to cease acidity. On the other hand, high uric acid level facilitates the formation of gout.

Experiments proved that following the consumption of 100 g of sugar, the amount of calcium excreted from the body showed a measurable increase.  The escalating rate of calcium loss – due to inadequate diet – cannot keep up with the pace of calcium integration, thus the acceleration of osteoporosis is expected to occur.  Sugar intake may cause more severe pain if a medical history with kidney stones of calcium oxalate is presented.  According to observations the effect of sugar on calcium metabolism is in part genetically determined, hence it is possible that osteoporotic patients are more sensitive to refined sugar than the average.

It should be emphasized that the source of complex carbohydrates rich in fibers (whole wheat bread, brown rice, muesli) do not cause symptoms resembling those of glucose, however, grains are also rich in glucose. The latter molecule is, however, attached to a chain in the form of starch. During the absorption of starch glucose (grape sugar) units are formed, their enteric absorption is slow and well-controlled in the presence of fibers. Besides the abundant amount of vitamins and minerals provides the components required for integration, thus leading to the appropriate composition of the skeleton.

Lack of vitamins and trace elements

Refined sugar deprives vitamin B1 of the body. As a result of this increased nervousness, aggressivity, constipation and difficulty breathing may occur.
Refined sugar contains neither vitamins nor trace elements. It’s interesting because for its digestion the presence of several trace elements and vitamins is needed. Therefore these substances are gained from the body.

Disorders of the endocrine system

Refined sugar impairs metabolism, interferes with the hormone system. As an effect of sugar intake, the enlargement of suprarenal glands may occur. Sugar accelerates the onset of sexual maturity and stimulates the sex glands.

In order to function the body properly, the glucose and oxygen levels of blood should be balanced. If we eat sucrose (refined sugar), it dissolves immediately and passes directly into the bowels, from where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Responding to this, the suprarenal glands produce hormones and the pancreas secretes insulin so that the danger could be repelled – but as the body needs to react quickly it tends to overshoot resulting in the sinking of blood sugar below normal levels. Afterwards, the body desires sugar again, because oxygen became predominant in the blood.  Furthermore, if the blood sugar level of the body is low, all cells are starving. Since brain cells are particularly dependent on the constant blood sugar levels, it is assumed that brain cells may become damaged most easily if the blood sugar changes constantly and drastically.

On the other hand, if we consume whole grains (e.g. brown rice) instead of sucrose, the so-called glucose shock can be avoided: due to the fact that glucose is transported via blood directly to the pancreas where insulin production is induced. Insulin is transported to the liver by blood, where unnecessary glucose is transformed to glycogen (complex sugar) and becomes part of the liver storage. However, if the blood sugar level is low, hormones of the suprarenal cortex will be released, which convert part of the glycogen stored in the liver into glucose.

Excessive sugar consumption compels the pancreas to produce excessive insulin, which overreacts and secretes more insulin as necessary to neutralize glucose. As a consequence, the blood sugar level decreases which is called hypoglycemia.

Fatigue

Due to sugar consumption pyruvic acid accumulates in the blood. Huge amounts of pyruvic acid lead to fatigue. Reduced blood sugar level has a negative effect on physical and mental performance. Natural carbohydrates normalize and stabilize the concentration of blood sugar.

II. Sugar in the beauty industry

As you are aware, our sugar products contain monosaccharides, namely glucose and fructose.

I’ve already discussed their chemistry, physiological effects and their role played in the function of the human body.

If we examine the question “Is sugar harmful?”, we should keep in mind the fact that  PANDHY’S™ sugars are applied topically, that is on the external surface of the body. They do not enter the gastrointestinal sytem, nor they go through a transformation.

During sugar depilation, only several features of the substance are utilized, so this technique is irrelevant from the aspect of the examined question.

When the sugar products are used as contact materials (e.g. massages) or carrier materials (for the infiltration of active agents), physical effects (adhesion, vacuum effect and lubrication) and chemical interactions appear between the sugar and the treated skin, so these sorts of administration should be examined from the scope of problems you’ve raised.

During these applications, glucose interacts with interstitial fluid by the principle of osmosis. The cells gain access to oxygen, glucose and other nutrients from here.

Most cells of the human body need glucose to produce energy, cells of the brain and the nervous system not only rely on glucose to fulfill their needs of energy but also their function is provided only if blood sugar reaches a certain level. The glucose usage of the organism depends on the presence of insulin. Insulin operates as a transport manager: it orders delivery of glucose to the cells of the body or gives instructions to store unnecessary glucose in the form of glycogen or triglyceride.

If the balance is upset and the blood level of glucose increases, the organism tries to restore the balance either by the means of enhancing insulin production or by the excretion of glucose in the form of urine.

In the case of healthy functions, the topically administered glucose should not upset the delicately regulated balance.

Not even a long-lasting massage with PANDHY’S™ sugar with an extreme duration (even for 24 hours) – which in fact never occurs in everyday practice – should lead to a significant raise of blood sugar level.  Without these, the above-mentioned processes are not likely to begin.

Given an example: no one gets drunk just because applying alcohol embrocation for a couple of hours.   Never believe that someone gets intoxicated due to this.

III. Finally, let’s check why is so remarkably beneficial to use topical glucose in cosmetics

Glucose hydrates the skin deeply by the rebalancement of the film layer, while nourishing and resting it. 

 Glucose opens hair follicles and pores, i.e. creates channels on the skin membrane through which various agents can penetrate.

It is well-known, that skin aging can be traced back to the fact that with the progress of age concentration of glucose  becomes lower and lower in skin cells. Since glucose plays a major role in the synthesis of collagen, elastane and hyaluronic acid, we can directly aid rejuvenation with the use of PANDHY’S™ massage sugar made of glucose, not to mention the direct rejuvenating effects of PANDHY’S™ medical-sugaring technique based on physical procedures. 

In the end, let me mention honey, which is willingly used since ancient times both in professional and home cosmetics. We are aware, that honey contains nothing else, just glucose and fructose, and of course a lot of enzymes and organic acids. No one raises concerns about honey, however, it would be wise to eat it in moderation, and to keep in mind its ingredients which we don’t really know such as pesticides, antibiotics, etc. Therefore, some caution is recommended whilst applying it externally.