{"id":13837,"date":"2013-10-07T19:55:46","date_gmt":"2013-10-07T23:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/living-well\/2013\/10\/the-fake-taste-of-sweet-and-other-food-addictions.html"},"modified":"2019-03-24T19:47:38","modified_gmt":"2019-03-24T23:47:38","slug":"the-fake-taste-of-sweet-and-other-food-addictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/living-well\/2013\/10\/the-fake-taste-of-sweet-and-other-food-addictions\/","title":{"rendered":"The (Fake) Taste of Sweet and Other Food Addictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sarah A LoBisco, ND<\/p>\n

Note: Please see the updates on healthism here<\/a>. Flexibility, social connection, enjoyment of health, and not obsessing on perfection of diet is what makes health a means, not an end.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This week, on my BreakFree medicine blog (dr-lobisco.com), I discussed the issue of gluten sensitivity and its potentialto be addictive:<\/p>\n

Gluten can cause the release of high levels of the excitotoxic l-aspartic and l-glutamic amino acids, similar to the molecules aspartame and monosodium glutamate. This can create excessive excitation and create inflammation in the brain, making it more permeable to undigested proteins.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it can cause the undigested proteins, gliadomorphins, which make one addicted to the substance. This makes gluten hard for most to give up, even if they know it is harmful. As some clinicians say, “this makes the gut a lot
\nlike Reno, what happens in the gut, doesn’t stay in the gut.” Gut issues can cause changes in your brain.<\/p>\n

Dr. Amen, a psychiatrist, who is known for his functional approach to brain and mood disorders, reports on how inflammation in the brain can lead to addiction:<\/p>\n

We look at your brain scan, genetics, environment, and nutrition in addition to
\nneurotransmitter testing, which shows us your dopamine, serotonin, and
\nglutamate levels along with underlying inflammation that may be responsible for
\nthe “hot” areas on your brain scan. The combination allows for very targeted
\ntherapy with high rates of success.<\/i><\/p>\n

If there is inflammation and you don’t catch it, you can throw the kitchen sink at
\ntreating addiction without success. Without finding the root causes of
\ninflammation in the brain, patients will continue to self-medicate in order to
\nfeel calm. This type of inflammation could be caused by a bad diet, so if you
\nare gluten-sensitive you are going to get a surge in glutamate and a drop in
\nGABA. Inflammation can also be caused by mold toxicity, staph or strep
\ninfection, heavy metals, or even Lyme disease. Whatever the reason, we can help
\nyou target the inflammation and go about treating your addiction issues
\neffectively.<\/i><\/p>\n

Another big issue with addiction can be stress-related. Many people may seek out comfort in substances, including food, at these times. In fact, according to an article in Medscape:<\/p>\n

Researchers have found that rats exposed to heightened levels of stress during their first
\nfew days of life are more likely to be prone to anxiety and stress in later
\nlife, and prefer to consume sugary and high-fat foods.<\/i><\/p>\n

One may hope to offset this sugary craving with the use of artificial sweeteners, yet these are synthetic chemicals that can create havoc in our brains and bodies that are worse than sugar. Some research has linked these sweeteners to negatively affecting our weight, blood sugar, and immune function. After I inform my clients of the negative impacts of these sweeteners, many ask me what their best option is.<\/p>\n

Dr. Mercola recently summarized the four categorie of sweeteners and the best to use:<\/p>\n