Unchaining Yourself from an Unhealthy Food Addiction
Protica Research

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 dont eat it if you dont 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: Thats 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

About the Author

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. You can learn more about Protica at www.protica.com — Information on Profect is available at www.profect.com

Copyright 2004 – Protica Research

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When you are trying to lose weight, you are the first to realize how hard it really is. You might be one of many, which are opting to choose a medically supervised weight loss program, because it seems much safer for you in the long run. It may even be suggested by your physician that you lose weight, while being supervised by a physician. Either way you decide, you are making a wise decision.

Your physician will tell you that, if you lose unrivaled to two pounds a bout, that will be the healthiest way for you to reach your final weight loss goal. However, you may be trying to lose weight for a special occasion. And you are becoming anxious to the point where you begin to starve yourself in an effort to get to your goal quickly. This can be a very dangerous way for you to go, because it can lead to a very serious eating disorder. It is very important that you follow your doctors orders.

There are other programs out there, if you are obese, that will require hospitalization from about a week up to a month or more. This will depend on how much weight that your doctor would like to see you lose. This may only be necessary if you are morbidly obese and if severe medical issues can develop from the weight loss that you will experience. If something should go wrong while you are in the hospital you are already under the uneasiness of nurses and doctors, then you will get the medical care you need right these days.

When you are obese it is more than unpleasing to the eye; your body is not meant to carry all that excess weight around. Both weight gain and weight loss will cause changes to your incredibly important bodily functions. Some of these that can be affected include your heart, liver, kidneys and lungs among others. This damage is caused by the toxicity flowing throughout your body from being obese. When you begin to lose the fat, it also has the chance of overworking these systems.

Another reason you should be monitored closely by a doctor, is if you do not practice proper hustle, you may also end up burning muscle, instead of fat, which can cause more health problems for you since the long run.

Therefore when you are under the care of your doctor, when you are placed on a weight loss program, it will help eliminate any problems that may arise for you. Your doctor will closely monitor close things as your infrared pressure, kidney output, and affection among others, to be sure that your body is flushing the toxins out of your body while you are losing the weight. This is another reason why if you have chronic medical conditions you should not lose weight, without your doctors direct superintendence.

These are virtuous a very few reasons why you should be closely monitored by your doctor when you are unyielding to lose weight. There are various other reasons but they will be pointed extraneous by your doctor. It is importunate that when you are under a doctors care for weight loss that you follow all of his instructions and advice. This can prohibit go threatening medical complications later.

24 Hour Fitness
http://www.www.24-hr-fitness.com

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