Learn How Changing Your Brain Can Change Your Body
Break Your Addiction to Food
Another area many Christians struggle with is food cravings, binge eating, and overeating. There is an eating epidemic in our country. What I mean is that, most of us, even when we’re not hungry, continue to eat. Studies have been done that show that if food is available we will eat it even if we’re full. In fact, we will eat foods that we don’t even really like just because they are there!
What Kind of Overeater are You?
Dr. Amen, creator of the Change your Brain, Change your Body Program and clinics has done research and suggests there are 5 types of overeaters. He encourages supplementation to help correct unhealthy eating habits based upon your brain type. You can go to his website at http://www.amenclinics.com and take a free brain test. Below I give a brief description of each brain type and recommendations for getting your brain and eating habits under control. Dr. Amen has his own line of products that are somewhat expensive, so I looked for similar products at a lower cost and have links to them below. I began taking 5HTP with green tea extract for my brain type as well as SAMe which completely eliminated my food cravings, so it’s worth a try.
Type 1: Compulsive Overeater
This type often gets stuck on thinking about food. They also tend to be compulsive eaters. They may struggle with depression or anxiety and get stuck on one track thinking. They have trouble seeing options, may be inflexible, hold grudges, worry, and may have argumentative behavior. They have a pattern of night-time eating and then aren’t hungry earlier in the day. These behaviors are most commonly caused by low brain serotonin levels. Avoid high-protein diets, diet pills, and stimulants that usually make problem worse. What Helps: 5 HTP, B-6, exercise, distracting thoughts with various physical activity, and give yourself choices.
Type 2: Impulsive Overeater
This type of overeating results from too little activity in the brain’s PFC. People with this type tend to have good intentions but have trouble actually controlling their impulsive eating habits. They lack impulse control, have a short attention span, are inattentive, and may complain of being bored. This brain type may also be associated with ADD and may exhibit the following characteristics: short-attention span, disorganization, restlessness, and impulsivity. This type is often known to say, “I am going to start my diet tomorrow.” Low brain dopamine levels contribute to decreased brain activity. Avoid high-carbohydrate diets, anti-depressant drugs or 5HTP which will make it worse. What Helps: Tyrosine, exercise, creating a clear fitness plan, outside support, saying “no” to more food when you are full.
Type 3: Impulsive-Compulsive Overeater
This type is a combination of the impulsive and the compulsive overeater. Although these seem contradictory, one example would be a compulsive eater who has no control over their eating once they start. You buy a bag of chips and instead of eating a serving, you eat the whole bag. Too much activity in the brain causes them to get stuck on a negative thought, and because of too little activity they struggle with monitoring their own behavior. This is a common pattern in alcoholics or people with bulimia. What Helps: Taking a combination of 5HTP and Tyrosine, exercise, create clear fitness goals, say “no” when you are full, give yourself options, and distract yourself with physical activity when plagued with a repetitive thought.
Type 4: SAD or Emotional Overeater
People with this type of overeating pattern often eat to reduce feelings of boredom, loneliness, sadness, mild blues, or depression. Other symptoms associated with this brain type include loss of interest in pleasurable activities, low sex drive, guilt feelings, crying spellings, low energy and self-esteem and sometimes suicidal thoughts. Dr. Amen links one cause to low Vitamin D levels due to people wearing sunscreen and staying indoors. Studies show that nearly one-half U.S. population is deficient in Vitamin D. Low Vitamin D also causes memory problems, obesity, heart disease, and suppresses the immune system. Don’t ignore symptoms of depression. What Helps: Get Vitamin D levels checked and supplement if low; bright light therapy, SAMe and DHEA supplements; exercise, control negative thinking (meditation will help), get your mind off yourself and on others, lavender smells, gratitude journal, melatonin for trouble sleeping, and good relationships.
Type 5: Anxious Overeater
This type of overeater tends to possess feelings of anxiety, tension, nervousness, and fear. They may also struggle with feelings of panic, self-doubt which may result in nail-biting, muscle tension, headaches, stomach pain, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. These types are constantly overwhelmed by emotion and tend to be pessimistic and predict the worst. They may be withdrawn, easily startled, and panic in stressful situations. This type of brain activity is caused by low levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA. Never ignore symptoms of anxiety. What Helps: GABA Calming supplement, exercise, meditation, prayer, deep breathing, control negative thinking, kava kava and valerian root for sleeping.
Supplements Recommended by Brain Types: (Go to member page for links to lower cost versions.)
Type 1: 5HTP
Type 2: Tyrosine
Type 3: 5HTP and Tyrosine
Type 4: Vitamin D, SAMe, and DHEA
Type 5: GABA Calming
Find these quality supplements at Nature’s Sunshine .
Related posts:
Category: Weight Loss Success
