It seems as if everywhere we turn, sweet temptations abound. Whether it’s a new cupcake store opening up in your neighborhood or another gathering filled with cake and ice cream treats, there’s no shortage of roadblocks on the way to curbing the craving for sugar. However, as most of us know, cutting down on sugar intake is one of the building blocks of sustainable weight loss.

The persistent struggle to curb sugar cravings is a familiar challenge for many of us. As we navigate a landscape saturated with sugar, the outcry for a solution becomes more pronounced. The availability (and, let’s face it, tastiness) of these foods that are chock full of refined carbohydrates have contributed not only to an obesity epidemic but to many doctors and experts theorizing that sugar is an addictive substance. 

Sergio Padron, Founder and CEO of MDExam, is on the frontlines of helping people break their sugar addiction and lose weight. He had witnessed firsthand the struggle many face with staying away from sugary foods and sticking to a healthier diet. “Although maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the enjoyment of delicious meals, many people could be considered addicted to sugar,” Padron says.  

When sugar is a problem

Sugar addiction transcends the simple act of enjoying a sweet treat here or there. A recent study shows that 75% of Americans eat sugar in excess, which contributes to sugar cravings —- and sugar crashes. “People are seeking the dopamine rush that comes with eating sugar,” says Padron, “but eventually they are going to come back down.” Often, the only thing that will make people feel better amid a sugar crash is more sugar; thus, the cycle of addiction begins.

Persistent cravings are the first sign that one may have a sugar issue. Just like any other substance addiction, the body will begin to crave the substance if they have too much of it and the substance is taken away for a time. Sugar addicts also have a hard time controlling their sugar intake and can easily ingest hundreds to thousands of calories worth of sugar in one sitting without realizing it.

Sugar addicts can also get into the habit of turning to sugar to feed an emotional need. Eating sugary treats makes people feel better, and people will eat more of it to maintain that feeling.

Managing cravings for sustainable weight control

The silver lining is that sugar addictions and cravings can be managed. Padron and his team at MDExam take a multilayered approach to controlling cravings and showing people how to lose weight and keep it off by combining popular weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy with a personalized coaching plan. “The biggest issues include a lack of knowledge about proper eating, exercise, and self-care habits,” explains Padron. 

The coaching on exercise and correct eating habits work in conjunction with the semaglutide medication, which helps curb cravings. “Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to decrease a person’s appetite by imitating one of our body’s natural hormones,” explains Padron. “It sends a message telling our brain that we are full and slows down our digestion, so we feel full longer. In a nutshell, semaglutide allows people to consume less calories, slim down, and keep blood sugar levels in check.” 
People can also take the approach of gradually weaning themselves off from sugar, reducing their intake until the cravings cease. While going completely “cold turkey” from sugar is also an option, it can also result in significant crashes and other withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches. This will cause many to jump back on the sugary food train just to get the withdrawal symptoms to stop.

One of the key components of stopping any harmful habit is support. Padron has built MDExam around this truth. “We provide not only dedicated coaching support but also an online support group for participants,” says Padron. While trying to lose weight and live healthier, support can lead to better results.

The exploration of medication to help curb sugar addiction may still be in its relative infancy, but early results are promising. A recent study showed that the use of a semaglutide medication could lead to an average 14.9% weight loss and a noted reduction in cravings for sugary or high-fat foods.

The new approach to curbing sugar cravings and losing weight sustainably represents a promising frontier in the quest for healthier living. Sugar addiction can be complicated and is fed by societal pressures and the human brain’s reward system. A nuanced approach is required, along with diverse strategies that acknowledge the multitude of factors that contribute to weight gain and sugar addiction specifically. Programs like the one offered through MDExam are empowering people to break harmful sugar addictions and pave the way for a healthier future.