Well, this has been quite a week.
After I posted my blog on Lamar Odom’ suagr addiction last Sunday I sent a copy of the blog to the Los Angeles Times Sports section. Mike Penner quoted my article in his column on Monday.  Then ESPN radio interviewed me on Monday morning, and the hosts of the radio show then played part of my interview to Lamar Odom that afternoon. Â
Of course, like most addicts, Odom was in denial, even though he eats more than the equivalent of 600 suagr cubes a week. He said “How could it be a problem since I played so well in game 5, 6, and 7.”Â
The problem with his answer was that there was no game 7. The Lakers won the series against Denver in 6 games.
This morning I was on Good Morning America talking about “The Candy Man” controversy. Basically, this was my message.
At the Amen Clinics, where we have performed more than 50,000 brain scans, we have seen that a healthy brain equals a much more effective life, including in sports performance.
Being addicted to anything can seriously ruin an athletes’ performance.
Sugar promotes inflammation in the body and puts people at risk for heart disease, diabetes, depression, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Lamar uses sugar now NOT just for the high he gets but more importantly to PREVENT the withdrawal symptoms he invariably feels. That is why he says that he wakes up in the middle of the night and eats candy.
Here are 4 tips to help Lamar break his sugar addiction — it may help the rest of you as well.
1. Break denial – wake up to the fact that your behavior is more trouble than it is worth.
2. Deal withdrawal – there may be some early discomfort, but in the long run you will feel better.
3. Substitute healthier behaviors – a great brain healthy diet, such as lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, plus a multiple vitamin and fish oil are just smart things to do. If you need help with the obsession 5HTP can give you a serotonin boost. If you are struggling with anxiety the supplement GABA may help. If you are dealing with cravings N-acetyl-cysteine or glutamine may help.
4. Support – the Lakers organization should have plenty of healthy food nearby to deal with Odon’s hunger. One of my favorite, brain healthy treats, is banana or apple slices with almond butter.
Rats will work for sugar water the same way they will work for cocaine. We need to take addictions seriously.
Again, I am a huge Lakers fan and even wore my Lakers’ shirt under my sports jacket for the interview. I want what is best for the Lakers’ star, and what is best for all of us starts with a healthy brain.
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2 Comments
Dr. Amen,
Thank you so much for beating the drum on this very serious addiction problem in the US today. The only major point I would add is that parents and teachers need to prevent this addiction before it can take hold. I work in a preschool where we see obvious behavior changes in children who have eaten a food with sugar added (as opposed to fresh fruit and other whole foods that are sweet but without sugar or worse high fructose corn syrup added). After eating sugar children are unable to focus or concentrate and thus they have a difficult time learning. Often they will also disturb other children in the classroom who are working. We point out to parents the foods they send in their child’s lunches that contain sugar and often return them in the lunch box. Most parents are eager to do the very best for their children and are just ignorant of all the sugar that is added particularly in processed and frozen food. Thanks again for your excellent article.
I have been on Prosac for years yet still crave sugar like crazy. I eat relatively healthily otherwise and am not obese. How come. I think I am just greedy and lazy!