The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from the consumers who jokingly surrender to their lack of will when it comes to eating something clearly unhealthy. However, scientific nutritional research has identified that something much more serious ? much more dangerous ? is often at work here. For many people, what they perceive as a harmless lack of willpower is actually an addiction an addiction to chemicals that the brain secretes in response to stimulation by certain foods, such as chocolate or cheese[i].
As dangerous as this addiction is, however, recent studies suggest that it is actually much more frightening than it first seems. According to one notable study, the human brain can release dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter linked with feelings enjoyment, when a person merely sees or smells certain foods[ii]. As such, people who may be sensibly avoiding foods that release serotonin and other chemicals (such as chocolate) may still be susceptible to a sight and smell-based addiction to unhealthy food.
Understanding this complex problem begins with understanding the word addiction. Defining a clear-cut definition of addiction is in itself a challenge and a rather hotly debated pursuit at the moment. Still, there is enough unity among credible social and biological scientists to say that a person who is powerless to stop an action is addicted[iii]. When applying this rather grave concept to eating, it becomes starkly clear that choosing an extra slice of pizza or bar of chocolate may be the expression of a very serious addiction to unhealthy food.
Remarkably, unlike how addictions to things like alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity viewed biological and psychological illnesses, addiction to eating is often ignored or, at the very least, diminished to be something that is based on willpower. The insulting advice of "just don't eat it if you don't want to get fat!" that some obese people actually hear from their doctors, relatives, or colleagues is one of the most common manifestations of this often well-meaning, but potentially harmful, ignorance.
The bottom line fact ? and one that more medical professionals are accepting based on scientific evidence ? is that obesity and related eating disorders are often the results of an addiction they are a serious health condition that must be approached methodologically like other diseases[iv].
Understanding that food addiction is indeed a problem ? a severe disease, in fact ? is a fundamental key in addressing this unique health challenge. At the same time, the notion of "willpower" should be removed, in most cases, from the eating disorder vocabulary, and replaced with the word "addiction". This will make that extra piece of pizza or that third slice of chocolate cake be seen for what they often are: the means to satisfy a bonafide addiction.
Once the "eating disorder as an addiction" paradigm is in place, then and only then can both unhealthy eaters and those supporting them take steps to solve the problem. While there are no overnight solutions, there are paths that eaters can take that head in the right direction: freedom from eating addiction. The first step on this path is to eat a complete and balanced source of nutrition.
Taking this first step, like so much else associated with the addiction to unhealthy food, is easier said than done. Eating sensibly is unusually difficult in a time-starved culture and even more difficult when there are arrays of self-described nutritious dietary sources to choose from. Whether it is energy bars or fad diets, finding a simple, convenient, and practical source of balanced nutrition is hard to find.
However, some exceptional products are garnering serious positive attention from scientific community. These products deliver complete protein in a vitamin enriched formula. Furthermore ? and of critical value ? is that these products contain no carbohydrates, no unsaturated fat, and few calories none of which are from fat. These products are helping people unchain themselves from food addictions, and reflect a trend towards nutritious and ethical nutritional supplement manufacturing.
Of ultimate importance, however, is that these products return eating choice control back to where it must always remain: with conscious and empowered consumers, and not to some hidden and potentially destructive addiction.
About Protica
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.
References
[i] Source: "That's Why We Call it Junk Food". MSNBC. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3606198/
[ii] Source: "Food on the Brain". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/free_forbes/2005/0110/063.html
[iii] Source: "Addiction". eHealth Connection. http://www.ehealthconnection.com/regions/ehealth/health_information/ 00036220.asp
[iv] Source: "Obesity as a Disease". MPR News. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/03/29_bensonl_desease/
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
car service from Midway Anna ..I first learned of Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI) in... Read More
I want to tell you about the most healthful and... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
Today, more than ever, consumers over the age of 50... Read More
Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
New studies bring to our attention that high levels of... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes... Read More
Some fats are good for you. Your body can't function... Read More
What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Coq10 is also known as Coenzyme Q10.This co q10 is... Read More
The question most people think they need an answer to... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
bmw rental chicago Verona ..Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More
Because of consumer demand, the food industry focus is on... Read More
New studies bring to our attention that high levels of... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
Carbohydrates have gotten a lot of bad press in the... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Ambrotose? - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis,... Read More
In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
Nutrition |