I often see patients struggle with sugar elimination. But when you realize it’s an addiction it makes more sense.
“According to Dr. Pam Peeke, senior science advisor at Elements Behavioral Health Centers and author of The Hunger Fix. Eight percent or more of women ages 45 to 64 may be categorized as “food addicts,” according to recent research, though the label is still controversial. Dr. Peeke adds that “the effect of sugar addiction on the brain has been seen now in both clinical trials, as well as in animal work that we have done in the laboratory… What we see (in the reward center of the brain) are identical, indistinguishable changes between sugar or food addiction and any other addiction, for instance, cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, alcohol.” She adds that “specific foods we call the hyperpalatables, sugary, fatty, salty — food combinations, [show a] very, very strong association with addiction.” The good news just like with drugs or nicotine, it’s possible break the addiction and retrain the brain to crave healthier alternatives.”
We carry some supplements that help decrease sugar cravings. Bring this up at your next visit if you think you might be hooked.
Source: “Sugar Rehab: New Treatment for Not-So-Sweet Addiction,” by Maria Shriver, NBC News, November 28, 2014.
from Footnotes 12/5/14