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
scheduled cleaning services Lake Forest ..For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the... Read More
Come on, guys and gals. Those Trix are for kids.And... Read More
What if you could actually slow your rate of aging,... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing... Read More
Olive oil is a healthy choice over other fats such... Read More
Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More
How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More
Your healthOrganically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in... Read More
You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
one time home cleaning Morton Grove ..1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin like A and E.... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
Do you want more energy? How about more of the... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
It is a question we must ask ourselves continually if... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Most of us equate the word diet with calorie reduction.... Read More
Some fats are good for you. Your body can't function... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Nutrition |