Food Addiction – “I can’t stop myself”

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#HealthyAging, #Obesity, Addiction, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Food Addiction, obesity

Food Addiction-“I can’t stop myself!”

So many of my patients and people I know who are obese say the following, “If I know there is ice cream in the fridge and it’s 8 o’clock at night and I’m watching television, I can’t stop myself from going to the fridge and eating the ice cream.”  Recent studies show there is scientific justification behind this behavior.  This is recently being called “food addiction.”  This road to obesity is generated by neurological pathways. I will attempt to simplify as much as possible.

There are a number of areas in the brain responsible for reward and feeling good.  They are, for the most part, affected by a neurotransmitter called Dopamine.  Dopamine has many effects, but the one we are most interested in, for this specific discussion, is pleasure.  Drug abuse, alcohol addiction, and certain types of obesity can be understood as resulting from habits that strengthen with repetition of the behavior. They become harder for the individual to control despite their potential catastrophic consequences. “Consumption of food, other than for hunger, and some drug use are initially driven by their rewarding properties. In both instances this involves activation of Dopamine (DA) pathways.  There are at least 4 systems at work with these addictions:

• “Reward/saliency circuit.” This circuit is controlled through a number of brain areas.  This circuit affects our response to both positive and negative reinforcers.  This normally encourages behavior likely to result in good outcomes while avoiding outcomes that could result in punishment.  In obesity, as a result of this neuro-circuit, the person would be less likely to be motivated to abstain from eating, because  positive reinforces (physical activity and social interaction) are less exciting and negative consequences (ex. gaining weight, diabetes)  seem less significant.
• Disruption of the “inhibitory control/emotional regulation circuit.” This is the impairment of the individual to exert control and emotional regulation. There are positive and negative Dopamine Receptors. Positive receptors and send signal to continue the behavior. Negative receptors send inhibitors signals, which should slow down or stop the behavior.  Less negative Dopamine receptors make it very difficult for addicts to not engage in harmful behavior when presented with the temptation.

• Involvement of “memory/condition/habits circuits.” This essentially means that circuits are formed with repeated behavior.  For example, an alcoholic walking into a bar or an obese individual watching TV at night associated with eating a bag of potato chips.  These stimuli trigger automatic responses that frequently drive harmful behavior, even in people who are motivated to lose weight!
• “Motivation/drive and action circuits.” This circuit is involved both in executing the act and inhibiting it.  The actions of this circuit are dependent on the information provided by the other three neuro-circuits already described.  When these circuits are all functioning in a harmful way the subject could act in a reflexive fashion. (No conscious control) This could explain why drug addicts report taking drugs even when they were not aware of doing so and why obese individuals have such a difficult time controlling their food intake. They may eat food compulsively even when it is not perceived as pleasurable.

The pathways are in control!

“Clinical significance. Treatment of obesity.”

This model has therapeutic implications, for it suggests a multi-prong approach that targets strategies to: decrease the rewarding properties of the problem reinforce (drug or food); enhance the rewarding properties of alternative reinforcers (i.e. social interactions, physical activity); interfere with conditioned learned associations (i.e. promoting new habits to substitute for old ones); and strengthen inhibitory control (i.e. biofeedback), in the treatment of drug abuse/addiction and obesity Volkow et al. (2003b).”

You’re attitude shows more than your weight!

This is continued from our previous blog! We link each one of these to how EHI integrates YOUR personalized weight-loss program.

1. Depression In Obesity 
2. Addiction as a Contributor
3. Resistance to Fullness
4. Positive Reinforcement

Be sure to continue to follow us as we bring you the next two topics!

Long Term Weight Loss

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Achieve Your Goals, Always Room for Improvement, Depression, Get Healthy, Healthy Living, Improvement, Initial Recognition, Maintenance, obesity, Stay Focused, Weight Control, Weight Loss

Long Term Weight Loss- Don’t Focus On Weight Loss

Over 50 billion dollars a year is spent on weight loss products and services.  Since long term weight loss to optimize your health is the goal, the program needs to focus on strategies for success.  This means focusing on behavioral changes (improve eating habits and physical activity) not just weight loss.  The program needs to promote behavior change strategies to initiate and maintain behaviors that fit their lifestyle.  We must address the three stages of behavioral change:

• Initial Recognition
• Improvement
• Maintenance

The initial stage is for the individual to clearly understand the importance of the issue.  They need, with help, to put together a plan with achievable goals, implementation strategies, motivators and rewards.  This phase may be planned for self-motivation and or group activities and positive acknowledgment.  Concrete plans are important. Ex: I will walk an extra mile (2,000 steps) 3-4 times per week.

Barriers must be overcome.  We all have barriers we can use as an excuse not to change.  A concrete plan to overcome these barriers must be developed.  Setting and achieving goals during the improvement stage should be rewarded. Ex: A new outfit.

 

For long term weight control, an individual’s intrinsic motivation for regular physical activity and overall health improvement should play a more important role than focusing on changes in body weight and diet related changes.  The activities should be fun and not feel like a punishment. 

The first focused on the connection of weight gain and depression.  The second discussed current science on the concept of the relationship of addiction pathways and obesity.  The third topic was the complex influence and relationship of hormones and obesity, focusing on Leptin.  This last discussion involves behavioral changes, the stages involved and ways to overcome barriers to change.

Weight issues are sensitive subjects.  As you have read, it is a very complex field.  The goal is to achieve optimal or improved long term health and wellness.  A number of medications have been approved by the FDA to fight obesity.  More are being developed.

Each individual has their unique set of challenges, from genetics, environment, past history to current challenges.  A successful weight reduction program must take all of these unique factors into account and design a personalized program based on their specific needs.  This includes lab testing, personal interviewing and discussion, diet planning and advice, perhaps medication and monitoring and input.

With a willing patient and a comprehensive personalized program, the results are wonderful and satisfying!

Let’s get healthy!

 

1. Depression In Obesity 
2. Addiction as a Contributor
3. Resistance to Fullness
4. Positive Reinforcement

 

Weight Gain? – Which Hormone is the Culprit?

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#HealthyAging, #Obesity, EHI, Engelman Health Institute, Get Healthy, Science, Weight Management

Obesity and Hormone

Because 60% of Americans are overweight or obese, the study of obesity and its effects are the focus of much scientific research and investment.  Humans have evolved to avoid two main events: One is starvation and the other is obesity.  The winner in that contest is prevention of starvation.

Too Overweight to do anything!

As I have discussed with many of my patients, humans evolved in a time of scarce or unpredictable food resources but had large energy needs.  Modern society involves just the opposite.  Now we have an abundance of food (calories) and not much energy utilization (lack of exercise).  Like all of our other systems, we have many pathways to make sure we don’t starve to death.  Science recently has discovered numerous hormones and other signaling substances to prevent starvation, while attempting to prevent obesity.  When we were hunter gatherers, we had to make certain we ate enough and stored away extra available calories for the time when there might be limited or no food (calories) available.  Therefore, when food was scarce, we increased our hunger stimulus and decreased our energy burning to conserve the fat we had stored away, by utilizing chemical signalers.  This hasn’t changed in the last 100,000 years.  Many of these signalers are manufactured by intestine and pancreatic cells.

The hormone I will focus on today is a substance called Leptin.  Leptin is primarily manufactured by fat cells.  A very important physiologic principle is the body’s need to keep its systems operation within narrow ranges.  This is referred to as homeostasis.  In practical terms what this means is when things get out of whack, the body tries its hardest to re-balance.  Three well known examples of this are:

1. Insulin Resistance, causing Type 2 Diabetes.
2. Elevated Cortisol levels, from various stressors, causing Adrenal fatigue.
3. Leptin Resistance

We will address the third, recently discovered, condition referred to as “Leptin  Resistance”.  Leptin is manufactured in fat cells, so it makes sense that the more fat cells, the more Leptin.  This is true for the vast majority of people.  Primarily Leptin signals us to eat less and for our body to burn more calories (weight loss).  As with insulin, the problem arises when there is an overabundance of Leptin.  The normal signal loses its impact, so even though we are obese we continue to eat because we don’t register the “I feel full” message sent by Leptin.  This Leptin Resistance results in us slowing down energy burning instead of increasing it.  This also results in weight gain.

I have included below, a diagram of many of the other negative health consequences of “Leptin Resistance”.  This dangerous and difficult condition can be treated with a comprehensive medically supervised program.  Leptin and many other hormonal signaling substances are currently being studied as targets for obesity control.

As you can see from our previous blogs, obesity is a complex condition.  Quick fixes do not work and many can actually be dangerous. Optimal Weight Management for the long run, as part of an optimal health program is the way to go.

To discuss this life saving subject, please contact us.

Also if you would like to read more on this topic click here.

Weight Control and Depression
Food Addiction

The Chicken or The Egg: Weight Control and Depression

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Depression, EHI, Engelman Health Institute, Healthy Aging, Weight Control, Weight Loss, Weight Management

Weight Control and Depression
—The Chicken or The Egg

Chicken Vs. Egg!

There is exciting scientific information about weight control and obesity!  EHI has incorporated this info into our weight loss and weight control program.The Pound Club!  The latest science relates to these four areas: 1) Resistance to normal fullness signaling; 2) Depression in obesity; 3) Addiction as a contributing factor for obesity; 4) Positive reinforcement and accountability in weight loss programs.

You’re attitude shows more than your weight!

There is overwhelming scientific information confirming the relationship of being overweight to negative health outcomes.  These include, but are not limited to, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke, Dementia, Cancer and others.  Weight control is the single most important measure one can take to obtain optimum health and wellness throughout their life!

For this blog, we will discuss the relationship of depression and weight control.  Depression and weight problems often go hand in hand.  Some people gain weight when they’re depressed and others lose weight to an unhealthy degree.  Which comes first, depression leading to weight gain or weight gain leading to depression?

A published March 2010 review of 15 studies linked obesity to a greater risk of depression and vice versa.  It’s the “chicken or the egg” conundrum.

Depression can worsen obesity with appetite disturbance, lack of energy and lack of motivation.  Depressed people gain weight faster than the non-depressed, usually around the waist, which is dangerous.  Often depression and obesity are self-reinforcing.

Some foods, especially high sugar or high fat content, make you feel better, if only briefly. That “good feeling” makes you want to eat more which in turn makes you feel worse about yourself; it’s a vicious cycle!!

When you’re depressed it’s harder to get out of bed, let alone pay attention to what you eat. The depression must be addressed, if severe, that should be dealt with first.

Extreme weight loss can also be a sign of depression.  Treating depression is usually multi pronged and may include talk therapy and medication as well as exercise, a healthy diet and other life style changes.

EXERCISE! MOVE TO LOSE!

One prescription for everyone is exercise.  If You Move You Lose—Pounds and Depression. You monitor your progress and celebrate even small victories.  Exercise allows patients to play an active role in caring for themselves.  Exercise is great for mild to moderate depression.

Take a break from fast food and other unhealthy eating habits and cook a meal for yourself.  Try to develop mindfulness, and be aware of what and how you eat. Learn and practice relaxation techniques.

Things take time and don’t be discouraged if you don’t achieve results right away.  You need a comprehensive program which is more than just a pill or one size fits all plan. You are going to do most of the work.

We Have Faith In You And We Know You Can Do It! Now, Let’s Get Going!!

Cited from WebMD

Together as One – Inflammation, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diet!

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Cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Disease, CVD, Dr.E, EHI, Engelman Health Institute, health, Healthyheart, Save the Heart, Stroke Prevention

Inflammation, Cardiovascular Disease, and Diet

About one in every three deaths in the U.S. is attributed to cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and stroke.  It remains the number one cause of death in our country.  The truth is a quarter of these deaths – roughly 200,000 – could be prevented through simple lifestyle changes.

Cardiovascular Health

What Role Does Inflammation Play in Cardiovascular Disease? 

 Many of today’s health problems, including heart disease, chronic pain, obesity, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, stroke, migraines, thyroid problems, and cancer begin with inflammation.  Most inflammatory diseases are rooted in the gut with an autoimmune reaction which progresses into systemic inflammation. Healing can only occur when the inflammation is properly addressed.

When repeated damage occurs to the gut lining, the damaged cells (micro-villi) can no longer perform their job properly.  These cells no longer have the ability to process and utilize nutrients and enzymes important to proper digestion.  Digestion becomes impaired over time and mal-absorption of nutrients occurs. The more times your gut lining is damaged, the body mounts an attack on these foreign invaders.  The body then responds with inflammation, allergic reactions, and other symptoms we commonly relate to various disease states.  Our immune systems become overwhelmed and inflammatory triggers are cycled continuously through the blood where they affect nerves, organs, connective tissues, joints, and muscles.  It may take years before these symptoms really get our attention or become clinically significant.

The bottom line is that preventing cardiovascular disease means we must reduce the chronic inflammation in our bodies. An anti-inflammatory lifestyle includes proper diet, exercise, and stress management.  Our diets are the best way to prevent inflammation that can lead not only to cardiovascular disease, but to many other chronic degenerative diseases, as well.

What is a Heart Healthy Diet?

A heart healthy diet minimizes inflammation, reduces insulin resistance, and helps reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.  Here are steps to take:

• The elimination of all processed foods, gluten-containing foods, pasteurized and homogenized dairy products, and other highly allergenic foods
• Consume organic foods whenever possible to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals
• Avoid genetically modified ingredients (GMO’s)
• Eat at least one-third of your food uncooked; avoid cooking foods at high temperatures
• Increase the amount of fresh vegetables in your diet – locally grown and organic, if possible.
• Avoid all artificial sweeteners
• Eat naturally fermented foods (like sauerkraut, kimchi, cultured vegetables, kefir, etc.)
• Limit fructose to less than 25 grams per day from all sources, including whole fruits
• Avoid all trans fats (vegetable oils, margarine, etc.).  Choose healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, and raw nuts and seeds.
• Take a high-quality animal-based omega-3 supplement, such as fish or krill oil and reduce your consumption of processed omega-6 fats from vegetable oils
• Drink plenty of pure water daily

Healthy Heart 

The Skinny On Gluten

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Eat Up, Engelman Health Institute, Gluten Free, Glutenis for Wussies, Healthy Aging, Pasta

Do you know the truth behind Gluten?

So often people are being put on or putting themselves on gluten-free diets. There is wide misunderstanding about gluten, Celiac Disease and the difference between food allergies and sensitivities. Dr. Engelman is an expert and will be discussing this information and other gluten related matters.

What better place to host a Talk with the Doc! about gluten than a gluten free bakery and cafe. Jewel’s Bakery and Cafe has joined in our  efforts to bring you the

Gluten is for Wussies

latest scientific information on Gluten  by hosting this Talk!

Preceding the Skinny on Gluten Talk, will be an Eat, Meet and Greet. The sandwich and salad buffet  which include your refreshment and a healthy dessert is only $15.00. Following the Talk will be a time for questions you may have for Dr. Engelman,

Because we have received a great deal of interest already on this topic, be sure to reserve your spot soon! RSVP with the number of people attending and the number of people eating!
RSVP to Amanda at 602-466-3226 or Julie at 602-714-5243

Is Natural and Green Always Good For You?

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#HealthyAging, Anemia, Cancer, Engelman Health Institute, Green Thumb, Metastatic Cancer, Natural Remedies, naturopathic, Spirulina, SuperFood

Nature’s SuperFood

​

The answer – Not always!

  I recently had a patient who has metastatic cancer and anemia. He asked me if he should take S​pirulina because he read on the internet that it will help his anemia. ​Spirulina is a form of algae and supposedly helps improve anemia.  It may or may not help improve anemia, depending on the cause, but it should not be taken by people with cancer.

  He had become a patient months ago because he wanted an advocate to help him with his health decisions. He was dead set against chemotherapy and only wanted natural treatments. Long story short, we found him one of the top cancer specialists in the United States, who I called to discuss the case with on numerous occasions.

  The original diagnosis had been wrong and my patient, after discussions with the oncologists and me, decided to take a modified regimen of chemotherapy. Months later, he is doing great with shrinkage of his tumors.

  The outcome of my discussions with his oncologist was that we would work together, because some natural remedies would counteract the beneficial actions of the specialist’s recommended treatment.

  Turns out, after a great deal of research, that S​pirulina may help some forms of anemia but actually decreases the bodies own immune response to kill the cancer cells. So Spi​rulina is not good for cancer patients and could actually be harmful.

  ​I am not picking on Spirulina. ​This is just an example of w​hat is accepted as fact, ​”if it’s green and natural it must be good for you,” may not be true. Please don’t get your medical information from the internet, advertisements or from friends​. FIND AN EXPERT!

​

Engelman Health Institute is an expert in Scientific Academic Medicine as well as Natural and Alternative​ Therapies​.  Let us be your health and wellness advocate. ​

Do you have High Cholesterol! A Must read about PCSK 9 Inhibitors

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#HealthyAging, Cholesterol, Engelman Health Institute, Healthy, Healthyheart, Lower Cholesterol, Save the Heart

Big news for those with or at risk for cardiovascular disease! 

High Cholesterol? Lower it Today!

On my radio show back in October of 2014, I spoke about a completely new drug class called PCSK9 Inhibitor that would change cardiovascular treatment in a huge way. Well, yesterday the FDA Advisory Committee approved the drug class, made by two large pharmaceutical companies. The big news is the drug works to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) in a completely different way than Statins or other cholesterol lowering drugs.  The other great news is it appears PCSK-9 inhibitors have few side effects and no muscle aches.

The full FDA should approve the block buster new drug during this summer.

This is Fantastic News!

If you would like more information on this exciting development you can contact us as well as visiting the following link.

The Full Article Here!  You can also read more info on our previous blog about this New Cholesterol Lowering Drug PCSK9 Inhibitor!

How is your Vitamin D Level?

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#Sunscreen #VitaminD #EngelmanHealth, Baby Butt, Engelman Health Institute, health, Healthy, Healthy Aging, Sunscreen, Vitamin D

What is Vitamin D? Where does it come from? Why is it so important? Should I be taking Vitamin D supplements?

There are many questions that people have regarding Vitamin D, as well as many other vitamins. Here is a little about Vitamin D.

Vitamin D can be found in a few different foods, however “80-90% of what the body gets – is obtained through exposure to sunlight.” Although many of us love to be outside in sunny Arizona, the risk of skin cancer increases as well as aging skin when we soak in those rays. I am sure I speak for most of us in that we don’t want to age quicker than necessary. Right?

A recent review from Loyola University suggests an association between Vitamin D deficiency and chronic disease associated with aging such as cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. This evidence review reaffirms the pivotal role of Vitamin D to prevent and treat aging

In our practice, located in The Valley of The Sun, virtually all of our patients are deficient or low in Vitamin D.

This vitamin really acts more like a hormone, with many diverse actions.

The best way to decide the dose to supplement is to measure the Vitamin D level. Don’t guess about your friend Vitamin D. The option of basking in the sun increases aging and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Be Smart, Use Sunscreen, Be Healthy and Get Checked!

Get out of the Toxic Darkness, Come to the Light!

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#sunshine, Darkness, Detox, Engelman Health Institute, Healthy Aging, Spring into Health

Why Should I do a Detox?

Over time, the buildup of toxins from the environment and lifestyle choices can compromise the way our bodies work, and even affect our health.  While many people are familiar with the idea of detoxification, there is a great deal of confusion about how to do it safely.  There always seems to be trendy ways suggested for detox, for example, a water or juice fast.  However, this method may cause muscle wasting and an increased feeling of fatigue.  In order to properly detoxify, the body needs macronutrients such as quality protein and carbohydrates, plus specific micronutrients like vitamins and minerals that provide target nutritional support.

At Engelman Health Institute, our detox program is medically supervised.  This sets us apart from most programs out there.  Our protocol enhances the body’s natural metabolic detoxification process while providing adequate fuel for both cleansing and other daily activities, supporting energy metabolism and overall well-being.  We invite you to schedule your appointment with us today for a happier, healthier you!!