Brain Chemistry and Weight

Sugar and other simple carbohydrates, when eaten on a daily basis, are able to cause addictions. The research conducted by Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD, a specialist in addiction and nutrition, revealed that sugar cravings are caused by an elevated need for the “feel good” brain chemicals: serotonin, dopamine, and beta endorphin, especially in overweight people. For as long as these cravings are not taken care of, sugar addicts have little hope to lose weight, due to the facts that sugar and other carbohydrates are converted into glucose and unclaimed glucose is stored in adipose tissue (a basic mechanism of gaining weight). In order to cope with carb addictions and learn how to balance brain chemistry, dieters should experiment with different foods and observe their psychological reactions to various dietary components.

It is well known that a sufficient amount of serotonin in the brain is a key factor of feeling good, calm, and focused. Another brain chemical, beta endorphin, has morphine like qualities and is able to decrease pain, cause euphoria, and suppress appetite. People with a healthy balance of these vital neurotransmitters in the nervous system do not experience food binges and usually are able to maintain optimal weight. However, those who lack brain serotonin and beta endorphin often suffer from mood swings, food cravings, psychological instability, and weight gain. This is why popular antidepressants that address serotonin receptors, such as Prozac, have a “side effect” of helping people lose fat by stabilizing their brain chemistry. Some serotonin-boosting weight loss drugs efficiently work chiefly due to their capacity to balance chemicals in the nervous system and, therefore, suppress appetite.

Serotonin and other neurotransmitters are manufactured in the brain from the amino acid called triptophan, which we ingest in the form of proteins, especially animal proteins like turkey meat. In the course of digestion, proteins are broken down into amino acids, enter the bloodstream, and travel to their target areas within the body, where the need for them is the highest. Therefore, if you are fond of a vegetarian diet or otherwise do not have enough protein in your menu, which is about 1 gram for every pound of your weight, you are putting yourself in a danger of developing depression and sugar cravings due to imbalanced brain chemistry - not enough serotonin, dopamine and other “feel-good” neurotransmitters. As meats and other protein-rich foods contain lots of water, in order to ingest the required amount of protein you have to consume daily about half-a-pound of cooked meat, which also will help you stabilize the blood sugar level. Many people who believe in anti-meat propaganda and eat mostly grains, fruit, vegetables and other carbohydrate foods, and do not consume enough protein, eventually fall victims of carb addictions, insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity.

In addition to consuming enough protein, another way to boost serotonin and other good brain chemicals is to be exposed to a full-spectrum light. One of the reasons people tend to lose weight in the summer is the increased light - a natural serotonin and dopamine enhancer that makes us feel better and eat less.

Therefore, if you want to break free from your sugar addictions and lose weight in a healthy way - find out and eliminate from your menu the products which provoke negative psychological reactions, be sure to eat sufficient protein, and get enough of sunlight.

Lada Brown

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