Reasons to Quit Sugar: It’s Not Just About Healthy Teeth? Are you a sugar junky and need some GOOD reasons to quit sugar for good – or at least take a holiday from it? Here are 7 reasons to quit sugar today. Reduce wrinkles A diet high in sugar can accelerate the aging process and lead to an increase in wrinkles, sagging skin and dark circles under your eyes. When sugar enters your blood stream it binds with proteins to form a complex known quite literally as AGEs. AGEs or advanced glycation end products are toxic compounds produced every time you eat sugar. They fast track aging and wrinkles by damaging collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your skin soft, supple and youthful. AGEs also make your skin more susceptible to sun damage. Quit sugar today and kiss AGEs goodbye. Healthier from the inside out Every organ in your body is happier and healthier when you quit sugar. Here’s a quick run down of how your body will be healthier from the inside out when you give up high sugar foods.   Liver – a diet high in refined sugars can increase your risk of developing the same type of liver damage caused by too much alcohol. Regular sugar is 50% fructose and high levels of fructose from simple, refined sugars found in cakes, biscuits, soft drinks and sweets (not fruit) are linked to non alcoholic fatty liver disease.   Pancreas – sugar forces your pancreas to work harder to produce more insulin. The more sugar you eat the harder your pancreas has to work. Flog your pancreas with a high sugar diet over many years and one day it will simply decide it’s had enough and quit. A worn out exhausted pancreas is a fast track to developing diabetes.   Kidneys – AGE’s, the toxic compound formed when sugar binds with proteins also slowly damage your kidneys. As your kidneys become progressively damaged by AGEs, their ability to remove and clear out these nasty age accelerators decreases so you age even faster.   Brain – whole books have been written comparing the addictiveness of sugar to cocaine. Thanks to modern neuroscience research we know that sugar literally hijacks and rewires your brains reward pathways making you crave more and more sugar. The effects on your brain don’t end there, it also slows brain function, hindering learning and memory and the inevitable blood sugar crash from that chocolate bar or can of fizzy drink also makes you cranky, irritable and tired. There is now good evidence that chronically elevated blood sugar levels leads to brain inflammation which can contribute to some forms of depression and increase your risk...

Is Sandgate Brisbane’s Home of Healthy Living? What makes Sandgate Brisbane’s healthiest suburb to live? Here are 5 reasons why Sandgate simply can’t be beaten as the healthiest place in Brisbane. Exercise Whether you’re into running, walking, riding or even scootering with the kids, you simply can’t find a better place to get active outdoors than Sandgate’s waterfront. Why would anyone want to pound the pavement breathing in car fumes along busy main roads when you can jog for around 8km along the waterfront one way from Sandgate to Brighton. If it’s raining or you want to incorporate gym equipment into your fitness regime, there are several gyms and a health club in Sandgate, including a 24 hour gym. There’s also a local CrossFit gym and community at CrossFit 4017. If swimming is your thing then Sandgate Aquatic Centre has a 50 metre pool so you can swim laps with an ocean front view. For the more adventurous how about stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing or kite surfing with Surf Connect? It’s hard not to get caught up in the fitness vibe with so many amazing places to exercise in Sandgate, Brisbane. Healthy food When you’ve finished your morning run, power walk, cycle, swim or Cross Fit class how about a cold pressed green juice at one of Sandgate’s organic wholefoods and juice bars such as Satori Organics? If you’re into fresh and healthy food Sandgate leaves you spoiled for choice with several local organic produce stores. There’s even a local farmers market held at Sartori Organics each Wednesday and Sunday so you can stock up on the freshest organic fruit and vegetables, handmade cheeses, artisan breads as well as fermented and gluten free goodies. Fresh unpolluted air Living in Sandgate lets you enjoy the best of both worlds; the clean living of a sea side suburb and the bright lights, bars, art galleries, museums and employment opportunities of a big city. You can be in the heart of Brisbane in about 30 minutes by train from Sandgate station. Whether you’re heading into the city for work or play there’s nothing like coming home to the clean salty tang of fresh ocean air in Sandgate. Abundant green spaces Green spaces such as parks and outdoor recreation areas make everyone healthier and happier. Research shows that more parks and trees not only give everyone space to exercise and play in nature but they also help to reduce stress, enhance mood and reduce feelings of fear, anger and aggression. They also create closer knit communities and safer neighbourhoods. Sandgate is one of Brisbane’s greener suburbs and is blessed with abundant parks and nature reserves, the most notable being the esplanade...

It’s the perfect place to enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle – we love living in 4017 and we think it’s Brisbane’s destination for healthy living.  We’ve teamed up with some of Sandgate’s other favourite health providers to help you get fit and healthy for Spring.  Stay tuned all September for healthy options and tips for the 4017 area!  Enter now to win some cool local prizes, including a full dental check up (including xrays) to get your teeth in shape too! a Rafflecopter...