Did you know as the size of your waistline goes up, the size and functioning of your brain goes down?
In other words, the more overweight you are, the greater the stress on your physiology particularly the increased inflammation in your body—which affects the volume of the grey matter between your ears, in addition to putting you at risk for serious medical problems.
Obesity is an underlying cause of many preventable diseases that result in lowered quality of life and even death, such as:
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain cancers
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s disease
The Different Types of Overeaters: Type 2 Impulsive
People with this type struggle with impulsivity and have trouble controlling their behavior, even though they may begin each day with good intentions. They don’t think about food constantly, but whenever they see something they like, they can’t resist. They have a hard time saying “no” even if they aren’t really hungry. They have a hard time bypassing a second—or third or fourth—slice of pizza, piece of cake, or helping of mashed potatoes.
The most common brain SPECT finding in this type is decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex which is most commonly associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Impulsive overeating is common among people who have ADD, which has also been associated with low dopamine levels in the brain. People with ADD struggle with:
• A short attention span
• Distractibility
• Disorganization
What Research Says
Research suggests that having untreated ADD nearly doubles the risk for being overweight. Without proper treatment, it is nearly impossible for these people to be consistent with any nutrition plan.
Impulsive overeating may also be the result of some form of toxic exposure, a near-drowning accident, a brain injury to the front part of the brain, or a brain infection, such as chronic fatigue syndrome. Overweight smokers and heavy coffee drinkers also tend to fit this type.
Impulsive overeating may worsen with food or treatment that boosts serotonin because this neurotransmitter calms the brain and although it can decrease worries it also decreases impulse control.
Things that deplete dopamine levels are also a problem, so we help impulsive overeaters by boosting dopamine levels and strengthening the prefrontal cortex.
Why We Are Different
By discovering your particular brain type, we get very important information that helps us create the best nutrition and lifestyle plan to help you:
• Lose weight
• Optimize brain function
• Become healthier
• Increase energy
Let’s Break the Weight Loss Cycle for Good
The Amen Clinics Method—developed through 26 years of clinical practice—uses a detailed clinical history, SPECT imaging to understand brain function, neuropsychological testing and laboratory studies to target treatment specifically to your brain using the least toxic, most effective means. If you, or someone you love, could benefit from an evaluation at Amen Clinics, call our brain health advisors today at 888-288-9834 or tell us more online.
If you are on a diet right now, you are not alone. Unfortunately, losing weight and gaining it back (yo-yo dieting) is a vicious cycle that leaves millions of people frustrated and unhappy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
• An astonishing 69% of adults are overweight or obese.
• Nearly 79 million Americans classified as obese—that’s more than 1/3 of adults.
• Even more startling is that 1/3 of all American children are overweight.
• 17% of American children are classified as obese.
Most diets fail because they take a one-size-fits-all approach. A diet that works well for one person may be completely wrong for another person. Why? Different brain systems drive different tendencies and behaviors.
Our work with SPECT imaging has shown us that there are multiple types of overeaters:
1. Some are compulsive
2. Some are impulsive
3. Some are compulsive AND impulsive
4. Some eat to improve their mood
5. And, some eat to calm their worries
What Classifies a Compulsive Overeater?
In this blog, we are going to discuss Type 1, also classified as the ‘Compulsive Overeater.’
People with this type tend to get stuck on thoughts of food. They hear the ice cream in the freezer calling their name. They often feel compulsively driven to eat and might say they have no control over food. They also tend to be night time eaters because they worry and have trouble sleeping.
Compulsive overeaters tend to get stuck on thoughts or locked into one course of action. They often:
• Get stuck on thoughts about food
• Get stuck on their worries
• Are rigid and inflexible
• Have trouble seeing options
• Hold grudges
• Are oppositional or argumentative
• Feel like they MUST have things their way, or they get upset
What SPECT Tells Us about Type 1 Overeaters
SPECT scans show that compulsive overeaters generally have too much activity in the front part of their brains, especially in the anterior cingulate gyrus. When there is too much activity in this area, people tend to become stuck on negative thoughts or actions.
Over-activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus is most commonly caused by low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin; therefore, compulsive overeaters do best when we find natural ways to increase serotonin, which is calming to the brain.
In addition, learning how to get “unstuck” from their thoughts about food and worries is very helpful.
We Can Help
You CAN create a brain healthy life by learning how to love and care for your brain, and by focusing on what you love about your life. Take what you have learned here to develop your brain healthy life and teach it to others.
If you, or someone you love, could benefit from an evaluation or a nutritional consultation at Amen Clinics, call our brain health advisors today at 888-288-9834 or tell us more online.
For the remaining articles on the types of overeaters, click the type below:
Type 2: Impulsive OvereatersType 3: Impulsive-Compulsive OvereatersType 4: Sad or Emotional OvereatersType 5: Anxious Overeaters
Need more motivation to shed a few pounds? New research suggests that when you lose weight, your memory can actually get stronger.
In another study, researcher Andreas Stomby, MD shows that losing weight actually alters how your brain works, leading to better memory performance. Being overweight is linked to memory and concentration problems.
Take for example, one of our patients, who was 30 lbs. overweight, which put him in the obese category. His name was Bud. He was 52. He came to Amen Clinics because he was concerned about his memory, focus and energy.
His wife was 20 years his junior and together they had two young children together, ages five and seven. So, he was motivated to rescue his memory to have a healthy mind and memory for his family.
His brain scan showed decreased activity in the frontal and temporal lobes. During his evaluation, he showed significant memory, attention and executive decision making problems.
From his medical history, we learned he had untreated ADHD and bouts of depression that were becoming more frequent as stress piled up at work.
Also, memory loss was in his genes. His mother died of Alzheimer’s disease. He had one copy of the APOE e4 gene variant. Having at least one APOE e4 gene increases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Bud was clearly headed for serious trouble.
After seeing his scans, Bud was determined to become an active participant in his health. He radically changed his diet and established a regular exercise routine. He started weight lifting twice a week and replaced his typical 30-minute slow walk twice a week with burst training three times a week. Also, Bud became faithful to his supplement regimen.
Over the next year, Bud lost 30 pounds, and his blood sugar and blood pressure dropped to normal levels without any medications. He reported that his memory, focus and energy were better than they had been in 30 years.
Using SPECT imaging, in conjunction with Amen Clinics BRIGHT MINDS Memory Rescue Program, helped our doctors to better understand Bud’s risk factors. This allowed us to recommend more accurate and targeted interventions. Here are three key areas that were addressed in Bud’s treatment plan:
Genetics
In the BRIGHT MINDS mnemonic, G is for genetic risk factors. People who have family members with severe memory challenges, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have a higher risk for developing memory problems. Those who have a parent or sibling with memory issues are 3.5 times more likely to develop similar symptoms. However, the good news is that your genes don’t have to determine your destiny.
Knowing he had the genetics for memory issues motivated Bud to get tested and be serious about taking care of his brain. Do you know if you have the APOE e4 gene? If you don’t know, you may want to consider getting tested for it.
Diabesity
Both diabetes and obesity are independent risk factors for memory problems and dementia. Occurring together, they are the double-barreled threat called, diabesity. Those who have been exposed to toxins, consume excessive amounts of sugar and high-glycemic foods, abuse alcohol and live a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk for diabesity. Always know your health numbers and watch for these warning signs: increased urination, excessive thirst, increased appetite and delayed wound healing.
Bud addressed his diabesity issues by following the Memory Rescue Diet. To name a few simple dietary changes that he implemented: he cut out his six daily sodas, drastically limited his sugar intake, increased the amount of healthy fat and protein in his diet, and reduced grains and processed carbohydrates.
Sleep
A number of studies link sleep problems, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, to a higher risk of memory problems and dementia. Effectively treating these disorders can have a positive impact on memory and brain function. Researchers suggest we aim for seven to eight hours of sleep a night. It seems to be the sweet spot for most people. Getting less than seven hours is associated with lower overall blood flow to the brain and a higher risk of dementia.
Bud had untreated apnea, which can damage brain tissue. This can cause concentration problems and memory loss. Bud started wearing his CPAP machine to treat his sleep apnea, and it improved his ability to think, concentrate and make decisions.
If you want to lose weight and improve your memory like Bud or you want to learn more about how the BRIGHT MINDS Program can help you or a loved one, call Amen Clinics at 888-288-9834 or check out the program HERE.
Have you ever heard someone regrettably say, “My eyes were bigger than my stomach?” When fatty foods are spread out in front of you, it’s easy to fall victim to temptation and eat too much and eat too many of the wrong things. But before you reach for the cookie tray or grab another glass of bubbly, make a nutritional game plan to help safeguard your health.
Having fun with family and friends is an enjoyable and necessary part of life. However, it’s easy to get swept up in the moment and lose control over your well-established healthy habits at family functions. So how do you “party hearty” while maintaining the discipline of a brain-healthy lifestyle? I recommend avoiding these three B.A.D. eating decisions at every party you attend.
‘B’ is for Bread
Bread is bad for you. Unfortunately, it’s also ingrained in the American diet and is present at every meal in many households. But just because the package says the bread is whole grain doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Bread, which contains high amounts of carbs and gluten, can also increase blood sugar and cardiovascular risk. In addition to gluten filled sandwich bread, rolls, biscuits, and breadsticks, also beware of pretzels, crackers, and even croutons on otherwise healthy salads.
‘A’ is for Alcohol
Alcohol is NOT a health food. While it’s well known that alcohol is bad for the immune system, heart, and liver, it also can cause bacteria to grow in your gut. In addition to its many harmful effects on the entire body, alcohol has significant negative impacts on brain functioning. However, since alcohol is customary at some social functions, like weddings, it is recommended that if you must drink to do so responsibly.
‘D’ is for Desserts
Desserts are the downfall for many people. After all, who doesn’t enjoy something sweet from time to time? The trouble with most desserts is that they’re loaded with sugar and fat. The danger inherent in a dessert bar is that the abundance and variety of options can tempt you into trying more than one selection or going back for seconds when a particular treat tempts your taste buds. Try to skip the dessert bar altogether and seek out healthy alternatives like whole nuts, or a healthy chocolate bar.
So what are some good decisions you can make the next time you’re presented with a host of unhealthy food options? Here are three practical tips for maintaining a healthy diet at any social function where food is served:
Eat Before You Greet
Before going to a gathering or party where unhealthy foods will be served, eat a brain healthy meal before you go. That way, you won’t feel hungry and will be less likely to eat foods that are high in fat and sugar. Strategically, also try to leave some room for any healthy food that might be at the party.
Pack a Snack
People sneak their own food into movie theaters and concert venues all the time, so why not to a party? To avoid a “snack attack,” bring along healthy snacks when food options are limited. If you had a million-dollar race horse, would you feed it junk food? Of course not! So why not treat your body the same.
Emergency rations can also be a lifesaver in the case of cravings brought on by low blood sugar. Examples of healthy snacks are sugar-free dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, and cherries), vegetables (baby carrots, celery, and snap peas), and nuts (almonds and walnuts).
Know Your Limitations
Before heading off to any party, determine how much food (being mindful of caloric intake) you will eat and how much alcohol (if any) you will consume. Know when to walk away from the table once you’ve reached your limit. Parties tend to lower resistance, circumvent common sense and encourage excess. To increase your chances of success, it’s best to set guidelines before arriving.
Avoid the three B.A.D. party habits and follow these three tips for healthy eating to safeguard against setbacks in your diet and to ensure that you won’t be tempted to engage in “binge eating” at the next party you attend.
And if you’re hosting a party, there are a wealth of brain healthy recipes to choose from in The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook.
At Amen Clinics, we want to help you learn more about your brain and how you can make it better, not only for yourself but for the generations that follow. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
If you want to keep your brain and body healthy for as long as possible you must answer this question. It’s actually the most important question I ask my patients:
Why?
Furthermore, why do you want to be healthy? Why do you want a stronger mind and a more powerful brain?
If you don’t know the answer to this question, no amount of great information will keep you on the right track, especially with constant exposure to unhealthy choices.
Determine Your Brain Health Now
The single most important factor in determining your health is the quality of the decisions that you make every day. You can take the time to start the necessary steps to improve your health today by beginning with the following:
• Know about the health of your brain – get a base line brain health assessment.
• Know your health numbers – you need to optimize your important health numbers, not just normalize them.
• Avoid anything that hurts your brain and may cause brain injuries – engage in regular brain healthy habits.
It is important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease starts decades before you have any symptoms and untreated Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addictions all increase your risk for it.
One of the most important ways to decrease your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is to decrease all of the risk factors for it.
The Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s disease
The risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Heart Disease
• Smoking
• Alcohol Abuse
• Low Thyroid and Testosterone Levels
• Sleep Apnea
• Insomnia
• Chronic Stress
• Untreated ADD or Depression
• Lack of Exercise
• No New Learning
• Intestinal Inflammation
You can do something about it, but you literally have no time to waste if you want to keep your brain healthy for the rest of your life. The older you get, the harder you have to work at staying healthy. As we age we have less room for error. We have to be constantly vigilant in our health.
When you take the steps to learn about the condition of your brain, then you can begin to maximize its potential and avoid the cognitive decline that comes in our later years.
If you or a loved one could benefit from a brain health assessment, please contact Amen Clinics to schedule a visit, or call our Call Center today at (888) 288-9834.
Big name food and beverage companies spend millions of dollars on advertisements to make you believe that their low-calorie, synthetic sweeteners and flavors will solve all of your weight-loss woes.
The truth is:
The Obesity Epidemic Gets Worse Every Year
• 2/3 of Americans are now overweight.
• Childhood obesity has increased 800% since 1982.
Diet Soda Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be
A 14-year study of 66,118 women published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that, drinking artificially-sweetened beverages did not lower the risk for developing type 2 diabetes when compared to regular sugar-sweetened beverages.
Additionally, a behavioral neuroscientist at Purdue recently reviewed a number of previously performed studies to determine whether drinking diet sodas over the long-term will increase the likelihood that a person will overeat, gain weight and then develop other health problems.
She found that:
• People who drank artificially sweetened soda were more likely to experience weight gain than those who drank regular soda.
• Those who drank diet soda had twice the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (related to diabetes)
4 Reasons Why “Diet” Beverages Won’t Help You Lose Weight
1. Extreme Sweeteners Trigger Food Addiction
• Sweets are mood foods, plain and simple.
• Synthetic sweeteners are 200 to 600 times sweeter than sugar.
• Extreme sweeteners activate intense cravings and make it VERY HARD to stay away from the foods that are bad for you (sugar and refined carbohydrates).
2. Calorie Swapping
Drinking diet beverages may lead to calorie swapping:
• This is the idea that you have “saved on liquid calories”, so why not go ahead and order that dessert, eat the french fries, the cookie, potato chips, etc.
3. Increased Insulin – the Fat Storage Hormone
Insulin is produced by the body to push glucose (sugar) into the cells to be used as energy.
• This causes your body to (unnecessarily) pump out insulin, which increases fat storage.
4. Food Coloring
Diet soda and “flavored water enhancers” are loaded full of synthetic colors in addition to sweeteners.
• A 1994 study linked synthetic colors to an increase in restlessness, irritability and sleep disturbances in children.
• Getting fewer than 7 hours of sleep at night is associated with lower blood flow to the brain, more cravings and more fat on your body.
We Can Help
At Amen Clinics, we know that food addiction issues are not a function of not trying hard enough, being lazy, or not having enough willpower. We will work with you to address your specific brain type so that you can eliminate food addiction, reach your weight loss goals and feel amazing every day. Click here to learn more about how the Amen Clinics can help, or call today at 888-288-9834.
Do you find yourself putting on weight regardless of how healthy you eat and how much you exercise? Extra calories may not be the only cause of weight gain.
It’s no surprise that having a diet consisting of sugar, fast food, super-sized meals, alcohol and junk food will lead to weight gain, but how does one explain weight gain when you’re doing all the right things- like watching what you eat, exercising and counting calories? There is much more to weight gain than meets the eye. You may not realize it, but there are many lifestyle factors that could be making you fat.
Five Hidden Factors that Cause Weight Gain
1. Lack of Sleep:
When your body doesn’t get the 7-9 hours of sleep it needs, you feel tired and your body can’t function as it normally does and begins storing fat. A study at Harvard University found that women who sleep only five hours per night are 32% more likely to gain weight than those who slept seven hours or more. Our bodies function best when we’re well rested. Being tired can lead to stress, which can then lead to consuming extra calories, which then causes one to gain weight.
2. Artificial Sweeteners:
Think twice about that calorie-free soda you’re about to drink. You might think you’re not gaining weight from it because it has zero calories, but beware. There’s nothing good that will come out of drinking diet or regular soda.
3. Stress:
So many of us are guilty of turning to food to help relieve stress. Food is a temporary fix, but long-term it doesn’t work. Whether it’s at work or home life, you can easily be setting yourself up for weight gain. Starchy foods like potatoes, pasta and bread tend to be favorites that temporarily help relieve stress and make you feel better but can cause inflammation, as well as extra unwanted calories.
4. Medications:
Some medications might be necessary to treat certain conditions, but with that may also come side effects that cause you to gain weight. Anti-depressants have been shown to decrease your metabolic rate and cause hormonal shifts in the body, which can lead to increased hunger. Some migraine relievers, steroids, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies may also cause weight gain. If you’ve gained more than five pounds in one month without changing your diet and lifestyle, check your medicine cabinet.
5. Lifestyle & Environment:
The way we live our daily lives can play a huge part in weight gain. There are so many factors beyond our control that can contribute to it. For one, research has shown that adolescents who were breastfed as babies for three months or longer are less likely to be obese. Set aside some time and get some sleep, clean out your pantry, read prescription labels and know their side effects and clean up your environment. These simple and effective suggestions just might help you get to the ideal weight you want and deserve.
We Can Help
You have the power to change your brain! There are many ways to become sick, but there is a clear path to wellness and it’s more simple than you think. If you are ready to transform your life, we can help you. At Amen Clinics, we have spent decades helping people just like you improve their brain health. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit.
Targeting “breakfast-skipping teens” in a study by University of Missouri, researchers found that eating a healthy breakfast, especially one high in protein, increases satiety and reduces hunger throughout the day.
Breakfast-eaters tend to have lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, the American Heart Association reported, but the group says the science isn’t strong enough to suggest that people who don’t normally eat breakfast should start.
What The Scans Say
In addition, using fMRI brain scans, the researchers found that eating a protein-rich breakfast reduces the brain signals that cause hard-to-resist cravings later in the day. The study used fMRI to identify brain activation in specific regions related to food motivation and reward.
The researchers decided to target ‘breakfast-skipping’ teens. The reason? First, skipping breakfast has been strongly associated with unhealthy snacking, overeating (especially at night), weight gain and obesity. Second, approximately 60 percent of adolescents’ skip breakfast on a daily basis.
What Research Says
For three weeks, the teens either continued to skip breakfast or consumed 500-calorie breakfast meals (containing average quantities of protein) or higher protein meals. At the end of each week, the volunteers completed appetite and satiety questionnaires. Right before lunch, the volunteers completed a brain scan, using fMRI, to identify brain activation responses.
Compared to breakfast skipping, both breakfast meals led to increased fullness and reduced hunger throughout the morning. The brain scans showed less activity in the areas of the brain related to food cravings. However, the higher protein breakfast led to even greater changes in appetite, satiety and cravings compared to the normal protein breakfast.
Protein + Breakfast Ideas
• Enjoy a healthy omelet with eggs, turkey and avocado.
• Have a smoothie prepared with pea, rice, or whey protein.
• High protein “dinner leftovers” can work.
• Sugar free yogurt or cottage cheese mixed with fresh fruit and nuts is a nice way to start the day.
• High protein, low sugar cereals and breads can work if you are not gluten sensitive. Nut butter spread is better than jelly or honey.
• Spread peanut or almond butter on an apple or banana.
• Enjoy a small palm full of healthy nuts (walnuts and almonds are great choices).
We Can Help
For other great tips, hundreds of healthy recipes, and interactive journals to help you get thinner, happier and smarter, check out our online support community at BrainFitLife.
