Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health

by Richard P. Jacoby, Raquel Baldelomar

What Grain Brain did for wheat, a leading peripheral nerve surgeon now does for sugar, revealing how it causes crippling nerve damage throughout the body—in our feet, organs, and brain—why sugar and carbohydrates are harmful to the body's nerves, and how eliminating them can mitigate and even reverse the damage

Sugar Crush exposes the shocking truth about how a diet high in sugar, processed carbohydrates, and wheat compresses and damages the peripheral nerves of the body, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet, along with a host of related conditions, including migraines, gall bladder disease, and diabetes. If you suffer from ailments your doctors can’t seem to diagnose or help—mysterious rashes, unpredictable digestive problems, debilitating headaches, mood and energy swings, constant tiredness—nerve compression is the likely cause.

Over the years, Dr. Richard Jacoby has treated thousands of patients with peripheral neuropathy. Now, he shares his insights as well as the story of how he connected the dots to determine how sugar is the common denominator of many chronic diseases. In Sugar Crush, he offers a unique holistic approach to understanding the exacting toll sugar and carbs take on the body. Based on his clinical work, he breaks down his highly effective methods, showing how dietary changes reducing sugar and wheat, coinciding with an increase of good fats, can dramatically help regenerate nerves and rehabilitate their normal function.

Sugar Crush includes a quiz to assess your nerve damage, practical dietary advice, and the latest thinking on ways to prevent and reverse neuropathy. If you have diabetes, this essential guide will help you understand the dangers and give you the tools you need to make a difference beyond your doctor’s prescriptions. If you have the metabolic syndrome or prediabetes, or are just concerned about your health, it will help you reverse and prevent nerve damage.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Food, Nutrition, Science, Medical, Medicine

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2015

About the author

Dr. Richard P. Jacoby, DPM, is a celebrated board-certified podiatrist and the esteemed director of Valley Foot Surgeons. With a career spanning over five decades, Dr. Jacoby has established himself as a leading authority in foot and ankle care, specializing in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy and the potential of stem cell therapy.

Renowned for his dedication to patient care, Dr. Jacoby’s mission is to provide effective, nonsurgical solutions for various foot and ankle conditions, including neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, sprains, and fractures. He believes neuropathy is a systemic issue that can manifest in conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, MS, autism, and Alzheimer’s. His expertise in regenerative medicine and nerve decompression surgery has brought relief to countless patients suffering from nerve-related issues. Dr. Jacoby also emphasizes the role of sugar in various diseases and advocates for lifestyle changes rather than just dietary adjustments.

Dr. Jacoby’s impressive educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Rowan University, postgraduate studies at Villanova University, and a medical degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, where he graduated in 1969. His accolades include the prestigious Phoenix magazine Top Docs Award, which he has won four times (2003, 2005, 2008, and 2010). He has served as president of both the Arizona Podiatry Association and the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.

Currently residing in Scottsdale, Dr. Jacoby enjoys playing pickleball and tennis in his free time. He continues to contribute to the medical community and remains dedicated to improving the lives of his patients. Discover more about Dr. Richard Jacoby’s innovative approaches to foot and ankle care and find valuable resources at www.RickJacoby.com.

Reviews

[Colleen Oakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't stress enough how disappointing this book was. Not only was it very dry - filled with credible science, yes, absolutely - but the entire concept was explained in such a formulaic, academic, and unrelatable way that made reading the book painful.

Normally, as an author on Goodreads, I don't review books that I don't enjoy. There is no reason to. However, for this book I'll make an exception: I felt that the author was condescending, cruel and often flippant when talking about people's struggles. When I got through the first section, the message: sugar is BAD FOR YOU, I was really looking forward to the second half of the book, which said it would be helpful to those wanting to come off sugar.

Would you like to know how the author went off sugar? Well, he just DID it. No struggle, no explanation, no understandable stories for those of us who are currently on the sugar train. He just quit. And it was easy, cold turkey, you should be able to as well, duh, you fat idiots. The struggle of actually giving up sugar is treated with little more than a sentence.

And for those who struggle, for those who strive, hearing a shrug is the worst thing possible.
It made me so angry. If someone is picking up this book, not only do they deserve an engaging read, but they also deserve more than "I just did it. It was easy if you really want to change your life." This is another weapon in the shame cannon, already locked and loaded at anyone struggling with weight. This doctor, it seems is very fond of the stern lecture for people who just don't get it.

While I am sure Jacoby is an gifted doctor - and it sounds like he truly is - this book left me feeling even sadder than when I started, rather then motivated to change my life. It reminded me that most doctors who see patients struggling with these sort of things see them as objects they need to fix and degrade, rather than people.

[Angus McKeogh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my patients recommended this to me. He said another doctor had told him it was a must read. More than making my personal diet healthier and less infused with sugar, I found the historic development of the American Diet much more telling. Pretty much every American that eats food should read this.

[Jessica McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative book for those wanting to learn more about the connection between sugar and diabetes, specifically, how the effects of diabetes are related to sugar consumption.

I picked up SUGAR CRUSH wanting something a bit less narrow and less technical than it turned out to be. While the summary promises “practical dietary advice,” I found the recommendations to be impractical (even a bit radical) for the average person. The author champions a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet, which I believe would be extremely difficult for me to maintain long-term.

Still, if you have diabetes and are on medication for nerve pain, this book may provide another option worth exploring.

[Beth Lind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting info but maybe too medical-ly. After I finished reading it, I ate a bowl of ice cream. It would probably be good to cut out all sugar though. One day. It'll be my goal one day. It's just not my goal today.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. The more I learn about the sugar industry the more I realize the destruction it has caused our society. Sugar is a drug and we are all addicted. It is in everything from toothpaste to spaghetti sauce and it is killing us slowly, similar to cigarettes and alcohol. Just like the tobacco industry and the alcohol industry, the sugar industry pays big bucks to manipulate goverment standards and regulations... and keeps us addicted. After having at least 5 weeks of ill health I have finally received my wake up call. I'm done with sugar....it's going to suck but not as much as a lifetime of inflammation and nerve damge.

[Alaina · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is some good, factual info in this book: details about the destructive influence of both Big Agra and Big Pharma on the American lifestyle, and the idea that changing your diet can quite literally save your life. But the author also gives credence to some ideas that are less than factual: leaky gut syndrome, adrenal fatigue, and worst of all, Joseph Mercola and the ketogenic diet.

All written in a defensive style that seems to shame the very people it's purporting to want to help.

Skip this one and find the TED talks on the same topics that give you the information in a shorter, more pleasant format.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the link between sugar and type II diabetes the author describes seems to be pretty generally accepted, and the accompanying ill effects are real. Not being a medical researcher, I can’t tell how many of the other conditions he attributes to sugar are real, but he makes enough of a case for them that at least some of them are likely to be true as well. Everything is well-researched, with lots of footnotes to prove it.

So, OK, I’m convinced. I need to cut my sugar consumption further. I already gave up soft drinks almost completely a couple of years ago. But then, what can you eat? Here is where I feel the book is somewhat of a letdown. The author advocates a ketogenic diet – one that is at least 75% fat. But it has to be good fat – from grass-fed organic animals. Also ok are cream and organic butter (from grass-fed animals again). And a few vegetables with low glycemic indexes and/or low glycemic loads. He also subscribes to the no-wheat idea.

There are actually two eating plans, one the strict ketogenic and the other one slightly more normal non-carb diet. There is a chart. My single biggest complaint about the book, at least the Kindle version, is that this chart is so small that it is illegible. Even on the large screen of my computer when I bumped the font size up to the maximum I could only barely read the chart. This is not much help if you plan to use this as your diet plan. Also, it was hard to tell what goes with which diet plan. And, while there are some grass-fed beef products available now, and a few things that tout themselves as being wheat-free, these are still so few that I have trouble seeing how anyone would be able to follow this plan strictly for more than a few weeks. Additionally, I worry that if you are not able to follow up exactly, you could wind up hurting yourself more than helping.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sugar Crush" by Dr. Richard P. Jacoby bears a copyright of 2015, but it's too bad that some of the information it contains hasn't been more broadly considered before this date. Jacoby, a leading peripheral nerve surgeon and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Surgery, has seen it all when it comes to negative effects of diabetes. He's amputated (due to diabetic complications) more feet and digits than we'd care to consider. His assessment of the cause: The (largely) very poor American diet of the past 50 to 60 years, with its focus on sugar (whether that's in the form of traditional "sugar," i.e., sweet things, or in the form of menu items such as McDonald's buns, soft drinks, potato chips, French fries, etc.). Jacoby's recommendation is that we lose our collective, recent fear of fats (like butter, eggs, meat) and worry more about our overall sugar intake. I could certainly agree with much of what he writes, but as with any diet/nutrition/food book, I feel it needs to be taken with a grain of salt (definitely not sugar!!) and each reader should keep in mind his/her own nutritional needs, diet and physical condition. This book was helpful, most certainly--but I walk away holding this thought: All things in moderation.

[Ana-shea Fann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is one of the best books I've ever read concerning physiological responses to nutrition. Dr. Richard Jacoby has made two of the most elusive medical sciences accessible to the average non-medical individual on a deeply personal level, and that in itself is a feat. He explains the neurological effects of sugar; nicotine and sugar- as well as heroin and opiates- follow the same neural pathways and create the same responses, and the inflammation that creates neuropathic, cardiovascular, and dermatological responses, just as examples. Even better, though, he explains how we got to where we are in the aggregate- why Americans have experienced such a rise in obesity, diabetes, and the complications that arise from them- and sheds a lot of light on the studies that were, at best, half-baked science used by the federal government and lobbying groups to direct nutritional guides and nutrition labels. He offers readers excellent practical advice on the simple maths to crack the label codes, understanding Glycemic loads and glycemic indexes, and the different phases of diseases to understand what to expect as far as improvements if you do cut sugar from your daily foods. He indexes all of the studies that he has drawn material from, by the way, so if you want to do extra research of your own accord and do your own version of "trust but verify", that is available to you. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone, but especially anyone who has a problem with diabetes, feet problems, thyroid issues, and any kind of chronic inflammatory disease.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the information regarding the damaging effects of sugar on the body is not new to me, but I had not read anything specifically about nerve damage and inflammation, and it was an interesting read - though for a layperson it was a little hard going in some parts.

The Doctor’s suggested diet seems straightforward but some meal plan suggestions would have been great. The book has prompted me to take another look at the foods I eat on a daily basis and make adjustments to healthier alternatives if need be.

[Miguel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excerto
«Quando come alimentos açucarados, está a consumir um pó branco que é tão viciante como cocaína.» (p. 153).

Opinião
http://silenciosquefalam.blogspot.pt/...

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sugar Crush by Dr. Richard P. Jacob & Raquel Baldelomar Sugar Crush exposes the shocking truth about how a diet high in sugar, processed carbohydrates, and wheat compresses and damages the peripheral nerves of the body, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet, along with a host of related conditions, including migraines, gall bladder disease, and diabetes. If you suffer from ailments your doctors can’t seem to diagnose or help—mysterious rashes, unpredictable digestive problems, debilitating headaches, mood and energy swings, constant tiredness—nerve compression is the likely cause.
 
Sugar Crush includes a quiz in the book to assess if sugar is harming your body. I answered Yes to almost every question but two. I've been to the doctor many times concerning the symptoms I have but nothing has ever been discussed about nutrition or how much sugar I consume on a daily basis through sweets or processed foods. I started making small changes while reading this book (I checked the book out from the library 3 weeks ago) and am happy to report that some of my symptoms are already reduced. 
 
The author goes into great deal on how sugar is harming your body and is the cause to many health conditions but only spent one chapter on the diet that will help you quit sugar.  I am hoping the author writes a second book to go into more detail for Plan A: The Ketogenic Diet or Plan B: The Blood Sugar Regulation Diet.  Plan B is the one that I chose so now I'm looking for books to help me regulate blood sugar and kick the sugar habit.
 
It's a great read to understand how sugar is harming your body

[Sharon Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has severe nerve damage and pain in her feet, I was very interesting in finding out what Dr. Jacoby and Ms. Baldelomar had to say about the effects of sugar intake on the condition, and what they had to say frankly scared me to death!

Through thorough research and documentation, this book covers all the if, ands, and buts of how the sweetener that we all love so well can do such horrific damage to our bodies, particularly to those who are prone to or have diabetes. As a rule, medical books are usually dry and boring, but "Sugar Crush" is presented in such a manner that it is easily understood by the lay person. Dr. Jacoby includes personal stories of his patients (the names have been changed ...), as well as his own experiences, and explains the goods and the bads of all the information in a lively and interesting manner.

I learned a lot about the effects of sugar on the body from reading this book, and plan to have some frank discussion with my own doctor regarding my medications and diet. I appreciated the dietary and nutrition information that was included in the information as well.

This book will be fascinating for anyone who is worried about their physical well-being. I highly recommend it!

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

** Books 214 - 2015 **

This books to accomplish New Author Reading Challenge and Yuk Baca Buku Non Fiksi 2015

3,2 of 5 stars!

"..You need only remember a few fundamental concepts:
1. Stop eating sugar
2. Start eating good animal fats (from grass-fed sources)
3. And don't steal honey from bees.It feeds new, baby bees and we need them to help pollinate the planet

Taking control of your diet will do more to keep you healthy than an endless array ofdrugs designed to fill the pockets of robber barons.

Remember it's a simple, causal formulation:

Sugar + refined Carbohydrates = Inflammation + Trauma = Nerve Damage"

Akkkk! This books is make me think what i have eaten before. Is it already less sugar? T.T
I have taken the test and from 13 questions i've got 5 YES answer that means i have moderate and potential to get diabetes.

Do exercise regularly is not enough if we doesn't care what food that we eat and healthy lifestyle is really needed >__<

[Peggy Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opening read

There is a lot of medical talk in this book, but his message is very alarming as to effects of sugar. This is a book everyone needs to read. I'm going to be making some changes in my life style. So plow through the stuff that may not apply to you now knowing that the information he is giving you can affect how you will spend your days as you get older. I for one want to be healthy and full of life until the Lord calls me home. The path way to that goal starts here.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. He actually gives some science behind his writing. His recommendations are rather severe, which, if you had diabetes or other health issues, would probably be worth the effort to follow to a t. I have no problem staying away from table sugar, but it's hard to entirely eliminate all the 'hidden' sugars in what we eat--such as milk, which I think has 1 or 2 tsp of natural sugar in it (lactose). Anyway, I do think sugar is the single biggest problem in the SAD! NOT fats! If you're seriously interested in your health, I would highly recommend this book.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the only thing that has enabled my mother to drop her A1C. My mother became a patient of Dr. Jacoby and he had her start following this eating plan before his book was ever published. This eating plan is truly a way to help people with diabetes control their symptoms and feel better. It isn't an easy fix, but the results in how you feel when you follow it are truly amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this book because being Type 2 Diabetic i thought that this would be an interesting read. But after halfway through, it was tiring how the author, a podiatrist and nerve specialist, tended to blame everything on being diabetic. I don't think my runny nose is from being diabetic but from allergies. I gave up. If it was more factual and less finger pointing I would have continued on.

[Cailey Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the detail about how sugar could affect your body and how it functions- I was not aware of the link between nerves and sugar. However, I thought his recommendations to avoid sugar were quite limiting. Basically, replace all sugar with high quality animal fat. I couldn't quite agree that (particularly as a vegetarian) and I wish there was more elaboration with a nutritionist for different diet options to replace sugar.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very very interesting book but I have to disclose -I didn't finish it. But what I did read changed or is changing the way I live. It is one more weapon in my arsenal against my personal diet high in sugar. Jacoby reveals some pretty astounding facts, like the cause in the rise in carpal tunnel problems. The book has caused me to stop and observe my own reactions to what I eat.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information

Most of the information wasn't new to me, but it was well presented. The tips about reading nutrition labels were helpful, and there were some good suggestions for getting started. I would have liked some more practical ideas for the on-going continuation of this way of eating.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sugar: The White Devil

This is a good book to read if you are concerned about diabetes, whether for yourself or for a loved one. Excellent scientific descriptions are given to explain exactly how sugar addiction causes pain, disease, and if left uncontrolled, eventually death. I now understand why I need to eliminate or drastically cut sugar out of my life!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rude awakening, and even though the author is quite extreme in his own lifestyle, everyone can take something from this book (and should!). Heavy on biology (in a really good way) and written to a general but intelligent audience.

[Pamela Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me quite

I knew sugar affects nerves. I wish I knew this before I was diagnosed with neuropathy. This book has given me guidelines on how and why not to eat sugar. Learned about nerve decompression in treating nerves. Guidelines for trips and eating out.

[Diedre J. Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

This book was a very interesting read. I learned a lot about the affects of sugar on my body and also how the food industry includes hidden sugars in the form of carbs. I intend to keep this book handy for reference as I work to implement changes.

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well written but feels incomplete without including any detailed diet plans. I would not buy this book.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you've previously read any of the numerous books or articles about the effects of sugar you don't need to read this as it very repetitive.

[Diane Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Couldn't put it down. Opened my eyes to a lot of new things ideas about food, sugar and things we were taught when we were younger.

[Kim Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book out there on why we should quit sugar.

[Krystal Stullken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

The book was very easy to read and understand. It was more like you were having a conversation with a friend. I really enjoyed this book. Kudos to the author.