The reason it is so difficult to alter bad eating habits is that depleted, low levels of a chemical communicator in the brain called Serotonin , create overpowering cravings for junk-food carbohydrates ( chips, bagels, sodas, sweets, white breads, pastries, chocolate, etc .). These ferocious cravings are referred to as hormone depleted cravings and they can be more savage than the cravings experienced by drug users for illicit street drugs.
In fact, the over-consumption of junk-food carbohydrate is the primary reason America has become the worlds fattest nation. The body instinctively knows that eating junk food will cause the brain to produce a burst of this feel good hormone, Serotonin. That is the reason it is often referred to as mood-food, comfort-food, or emotional eating. The problem is the price you pay for this short term fix is the overproduction of the fat storing hormone insulin.
Junk-Food Carbohydrates destabilize blood sugar and force your body to over-produce the fat storing hormone insulin. The primary function of insulin is to store body-fat. Remember, it is impossible to store body-fat without the presence of insulin. Insulin acts like a garage door opener to your fat cells.
According to noted researcher Ronald F. Bore, Ph.D., in his article: Serotonin: The Neurotransmitter for the 90's "Serotonin is perhaps the most implicated in the etiology or treatment of various disorders, particularly those of the central nervous system, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, stroke, obesity, pain, hypertension, vascular disorders, migraine , and nausea."
Note: Serotonin affects your mood and food cravings for junk-food. Stress, poor nutrition (junk food), and the lack of deep, restorative sleep are the three modern lifestyle factors that contribute to this low Serotonin state that is prevalent in this Country.
It is not a coincidence that a record number of prescriptions were written last year in the U.S. for the mood drugs like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft , etc. that attempt to alleviate this unhealthy, low Serotonin condition.
A key flavoring agent used in over 98% of all processed food ( high-fructose-corn-syrup ) also contributes to depleting Serotonin and promotes craving for junk-food. In 1906, the first head of the Bureau of Chemist ( now called the FDA ) Dr. Harvey Wiley, banned fructose corn-syrup as a food additive because it was causing diabetes in all the test animals. He accurately predicted that if we ever allowed fructose corn-syrup to be used as a food additive , we would become a nation of diabetics.
In order to achieve long-term, healthy fat-loss, it is important to understand why and how you store excess body-fat .
For years, Americans have been led to believe that the consumption of fat-laden foods ( especially saturated fat ) was responsible for the epidemic rise in excess weight-gain and obesity. However, we now know this is wrong.
The most recent, reliable and extensive scientific studies (1990's) conducted by researcher and chemist Dr. Mary Enig ( Ph.D ) from Baltimore, Md., reveal that the consumption of partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils and the trans fatty acids they contain are responsible for arterial wall occlusion (blockage) and not saturated fat as we have been led to believe. (Dr. Enig is considered a seminal thinker in this field of TFA = s). In fact we now know and our Government knows that we should eat healthy fats (not fried) with every meal. Healthy fat helps to keep blood sugar (glucose) stable. Stable blood sugar is key to long term, healthy fat-loss.
If you are carrying excess weight around your mid-section, you are suffering from chronically high levels of insulin. This condition is called hyperinsulinimia and it is pervasive in this country. In order to correct this problem, you must transition from eating junk-food carbohydrate to eating whole, nutritious food. Green, leafy vegetables and certain fruits (avoid certain tropical fruits) should replace the chips, bagels, sodas, etc. as your carbohydrate source. For most people, this is easier said than done. However, once you embrace this lifestyle change, two dramatic things will happen.
1. Your health will improve
2. Your body- fat will be reduced
For years weight-loss products have attempted to speed up the system with caffeine or ephedrine like stimulants in order to suppress the appetite and accelerate fat-loss (fat burning). This does not work long-term . Weight-loss products that use this strategy will set you up for fat-loss failure. Don = t waste your time and money . All stimulants deplete Serotonin and cause your body to overproduce adrenaline. Adrenaline is a protein utilizing hormone that depletes lean muscle mass. Muscle is one of your best allies in the battle against excess body fat so don = t lose muscle.....lose fat!
You must remember that there is no such thing as fast fat-loss . It is impossible to lose more than two pounds of fat per week. Anything you lose over two pounds per week will be muscle, bone mass or water weight. Be patient, your health is the most precious asset you have. Protect it at all cost. If you ever lose it, you will miss it dearly.
If you do not address the Serotonin issue, you will never be able to maintain long-term, healthy fat-loss. Again, long-term, healthy fat-loss should be your objective.
In response to this critical need for Serotonin support, NUTRICO , the health thru nutrition company , has spent six years formulating and testing an amazing product called Serofil?.
Serofil? has been scientifically formulated to provide your body with the key amino acid nutrients ( 5-htp,l-tyrosine and l-phenylalanine ) needed by the body to manufacture Serotonin , dopamine and norepinephrine , the three most crucial compounds involved in controlling mood levels(mood and junk-food are linked).
Serofil? ingredients
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is the raw material needed by the body to manufacture Serotonin. Scientific studies from around the world have shown 5-HTP to be effective in:
Suppressing Appetite
Enhancing Sleep
Relieving Anxiety and depression
Enhancing Libido
Relief From Migraine Headaches and carporal tunnel syndrome
In the book 5-HTP: The Natural Serotonin Solution by Richard A. Passwater (Ph.D. and noted biochemist) and James South (M.A. and director of research for an international anti-aging clinic in Europe) it states that "5-HTP is a little-known, but well-tested, dietary supplement that offers many people more benefits and less risks than most conventional therapies for depression, sleep disorders including insomnia , obesity , anxiety disorders including panic attacks, PMS , eating disorders including bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorders, alcoholism, and uncontrollable violent impulses."
DL-phenylalanine is an amino acid that alleviates emotional pain and improves your sense of well being.
Tyrosine eases the adverse effects of environmental, psychosocial, and physical stress. Tyrosine also produces thyroid hormones (thyroxine) which stimulates the thyroid to be effective in increasing fat mobilization.
Serofil? also contains Acetyl-L-Carnitine which helps your body metabolize fat more efficiently without the negative side effects of anxiety or jitters caused by the stimulant based products. ALC improves mood and helps combat stress (see google for more info regarding this nutrient and its additional benefits).
L-Glutamine (Amino acid) is rapidly assimilated by the body and reaches the brain within minutes in order to end even the most savage sweet and starch cravings. Glutamine also increases your ability to secrete Human Growth Hormone which helps to metabolize body fat and maintain lean muscle mass. It also stabilizes mental functioning, keeping you calm yet alert, and it promotes good digestion.
Vanadium is included in our Serofil? formula in order to increase energy levels and endurance. It also assist in the cells ability to be receptive to insulin which helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. This is key to shedding excess body-fat.
Serofil? is the helping hand you need to make the transition to good eating habits. Again, once you start eating properly your health will improve and your body-fat will be reduced.
Serotonin is like the conductor of an orchestra. When the conductor is in rhythm, everyone else falls into sync. When Serotonin is at healthy levels, you will not experience the ferocious cravings for the junk food that forces your body to store fat. One of the most successful drug, alcohol, and eating disorder clinics in the country (10 year, 90% success rate, clinical application for drug, alcohol and eating disorders) employs this amino acid protocol for its patients. (Recovery Systems, Mill Valley , CA., headed by the brilliant Julia Ross, author of The Diet Cure )