05/08/2011 16:32
Carts and Horses, Chickens and Eggs
In my journalistic research about metabolism, weight loss, exercise physiology and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) I have learned a lot over the years. Our bodies and our minds are endlessly intriguing to me.
Of particular interest to me were my discoveries regarding serotonin, one of the feel-good hormones our bodies produce. I had begun wondering what was driving what I had called my "food addiction." Like an alcoholic to the bottle, I was constantly going to the pantry for carbs in response to my emotions.
One area of controversy is in the debate over serotonin. Which came first—the habit of turning to carbs in times of stress or depression, or the craving for carbs driving us to the cookie jar? We already know that obese people tend to have naturally low serotonin levels. We also know that many people plagued with obesity are chronically, clinically depressed (another symptom of low serotonin).
My readings from Dr. Oz's YOU On A Diet had let me know that hormones were definitely involved in my own compulsions to eat in times of stress. Eating high carbohydrate foods briefly elevates serotonin levels, causing us to feel a little better for a short period of time.
Somehow in the midst of all this information a controversy arose. Some say it's simply habit people acquired of turning to carbs, while others say that turning to carbs is only natural, since it stimulates the serotonin production that makes us feel better. This is one place where I believe it really doesn't matter so much why or how the habit was acquired. To me, it is what it is. I tend to think the whole debate between the "experts" is a bit silly. No matter the cause, behavior modification is required to break the cycle.
One wonderful factor than can help with breaking this habit is that exercise also stimulates serotonin. And unlike with eating, the effect lasts for hours, which is much more effective than the mere minutes of serotonin boost we get from eating.