Food Addiction
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I never really put much credence into the "food addiction" stuff, but from some of the things I have been reading recently - I am almost certain the topic is way more complex than I could ever imagine, and certainly far less clear cut than certain people on MFP think.
There is a pretty great article by David A Wiss, in this months AARR, that focuses on the link between Addiction (in general) and hormones. Pretty interesting from not only the standpoint of potential food addiction, but how our food/diet can influence other types of addiction.
...According to Heber and Carpenter, obesity-associated inflammation modulated by leptin in the brain may promote addictive behaviors leading to a self-perpetuating cycle of addiction to food, as well as drugs/alcohol and process addictions such as gambling.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21499988
If you subscribe to AARR - the full article is worth a view. Warning - It's about 7 pages long and includes 94 different references so it isn't exactly a breezy read.0 -
Wow people really get triggered when food addiction is brought up - I'm curious as to why some people find it SO threatening? Have yet to see any intelligent debate from people who claim it's impossible.
Can one of these people please provide some scientific studies or other evidence to show conclusively that hyper-palatable foods cannot trigger addiction mechanisms, rather than just shouting about it/being rude/saying it's boll*cks?As for your other links, I'm sorry, are we talking about rodents or humans, confused
There are plenty of studies using neuro imaging and other monitoring techniques on humans. Look them up on google scholar. And if you are so dismissive about rodent studies you really shouldn't use any kind of medical product, or even toiletries for that matter.Of alcohol and other such addictions, which ones made it into the DSM V? Just wondering
There is no such thing - the term is 'dependence' in psychiatry.No alcoholic blackout. Have you ever suffered from alcoholism? Have you ever been addicted to drugs? People love to compare them without ever having first hand knowledge.
I have been addicted to drugs and have also abused alcohol in the past. Because I have first hand knowledge can I make the comparison? What difference does it make? The co-morbidity of food-related disorders and other addictions is actually incredibly high, if you look into it.0 -
In......for reading about people making excuses to absolve themselves of personal responsibility.
It's not an excuse. I find it helpful in dealing with my overeating. Treating it as an addiction has helped me begin to lose weight.0 -
Short definition of addiction. (from the American Society of Addiction Medicine and not my mate Dave down the gym).
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction
I quoted the above for the definition to then add my statement below and is not directed at you tennisdude200 but this being a general question to anyone that wants to answer it...
So would you say someone that would move money around from accounts to free up funds to pay for their addiction, or sell stuff or pawn things to get money to fuel their addiction, or buy their items that feed their addiction and make elaborate hiding places in the house and garage so their family would not find them, or belligerently abuse family members for over a decade when they attempted to intervene in your life to try to help you from an addiction you would swear you did not have, or become so depressed from the constant struggles you would go through that life just didn't seem like it was worth living so you sat in a chair with a loaded hand gun with the trigger cocked and the barrel in your mouth, crying and pleading to an emptying room that you needed help and no one was listening?? Does any of those constitute that someone may be dealing with an addiction??? or is this just a Disorder for the person suffering these symptoms???0 -
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Short definition of addiction. (from the American Society of Addiction Medicine and not my mate Dave down the gym).
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction
I quoted the above for the definition to then add my statement below and is not directed at you tennisdude200 but this being a general question to anyone that wants to answer it...
So would you say someone that would move money around from accounts to free up funds to pay for their addiction, or sell stuff or pawn things to get money to fuel their addiction, or buy their items that feed their addiction and make elaborate hiding places in the house and garage so their family would not find them, or belligerently abuse family members for over a decade when they attempted to intervene in your life to try to help you from an addiction you would swear you did not have, or become so depressed from the constant struggles you would go through that life just didn't seem like it was worth living so you sat in a chair with a loaded hand gun with the trigger cocked and the barrel in your mouth, crying and pleading to an emptying room that you needed help and no one was listening?? Does any of those constitute that someone may be dealing with an addiction??? or is this just a Disorder for the person suffering these symptoms???
THIS ^^^^0 -
If you want to have a serious conversation perhaps you should supply some serious evidence.For kicks and giggles I began reading the first link.
I'm still giggling....
If you want to have a serious conversation, fine. If you're just going to be condescending, just leave and don't come back.0 -
Hey old man, who asked you? Shouldn't you be doing exercises to workout the new iron man hip?????Food addiction sounds more like disordered eating to me, IMO...
You better get your butt back into the gym soon, I have cookies waiting for you.
I'm there 5 days a week from 1 - 2 pm... you can leave the cookies at the front desk
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Food addiction IS real and is something that needs to be spoken about and not swept under the rug!0
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Food addiction sounds more like disordered eating to me, IMO...
Perhaps you're correct. It's not uncommon when studying new diseases/mental disorders to misclassify them. That's why scientific studies always need to continue. There is always more to be learned.0 -
"I know this is a very controversial topic, so please look at these links, and let's incite another debate on this topic that nobody wins".
:yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:0 -
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Do I think food addiction is real? No.
Do I think Eating Disorders are real? Yes.
What are these articles talking about? The answer would be an eating disorder.
Binge eating is a disorder. Not an addiction.
And it is a disorder that stems from chronic extreme restriction. Your body is only looking for homeostasis. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Again, IMO...0 -
This thread AGAIN???0
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Follow the trail of crumbs......that's where I'll be.
Hey old man, who asked you? Shouldn't you be doing exercises to workout the new iron man hip?????Food addiction sounds more like disordered eating to me, IMO...
You better get your butt back into the gym soon, I have cookies waiting for you.
I'm there 5 days a week from 1 - 2 pm... you can leave the cookies at the front desk
Nice...0 -
"I know this is a very controversial topic, so please look at these links, and let's incite another debate on this topic that nobody wins".
:yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:
Or lets break the mould and actually have some intelligent debate on both sides. You have the choice to perpetuate old patterns or enact some change here.0 -
In......for reading about people making excuses to absolve themselves of personal responsibility.
I agreed with MRM27, I can't stand anyone with a so-called addiction - Drink, drugs, gambling, food, sex - it's all about will power: Just pull yourself together and get over it!
Someone who's dealt with addiction knows this is easier said than done. Is willpower needed? Absolutely, but it's much more than that. I read somewhere that some in the medical field believe addicts have more willpower than those who are not addicts. The willpower to continually try and retry in the face of repeated failure requires a huge amount of willpower. So don't accuse these people of not having willpower.0 -
"I know this is a very controversial topic, so please look at these links, and let's incite another debate on this topic that nobody wins".
:yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:
Or lets break the mould and actually have some intelligent debate on both sides. You have the choice to perpetuate old patterns or enact some change here.
be my guest. there are a few threads per day on this topic. I'm sure we need quite a few more. Why don't you go start a some?0 -
This thread AGAIN???
exactly.0 -
Do I think food addiction is real? No.
Do I think Eating Disorders are real? Yes.
What are these articles talking about? The answer would be an eating disorder.
Binge eating is a disorder. Not an addiction.
And it is a disorder that stems from chronic extreme restriction. Your body is only looking for homeostasis. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Again, IMO...
And regardless, no matter how it is classified, whatever name is given, the person suffering requires help. Psychological and physical. It is up to the individual suffering though (personal accountability anyone??) to realize this and acquire the necessary help.
Anyone who says they are helpless is fooling themselves.0 -
Food addiction sounds more like disordered eating to me, IMO...
Perhaps you're correct. It's not uncommon when studying new diseases/mental disorders to misclassify them. That's why scientific studies always need to continue. There is always more to be learned.
I think most people here would agree that actual food addiction does exist. I think of it as being like sex addiction; when the urge hits, the person needs a fix, and while they may have their preferences, pretty much anyone will do. Sex addicts often report engaging in acts with people they would not consider desirable or attracted to under normal circumstances. I believe actual food addiction presents in the same way, in which the person may have certain foods they like but in the midst of an urge they will pretty much go for anything they can get their hands on.
The problem I have with food addiction as most people use the term on MFP, and in the articles you posted, is that they use the term to describe a compulsive behavior in which they eat specific foods. Those foods generally have sugar, fat, and are hyper-palatable, which leads to the "I'm addicted to sugar" claims. I do not think that is food addiction. A habit or learned behavior from watching a parent eat for comfort or being given snacks for comfort or reward as a child? Yes. A compulsive behavior related to anxiety, stress, or OCD tendencies? Sure. But a person with a true food addiction wouldn't be able to just not be around the specific food and be ok. They would be engaging in the behaviors Ed described above. They would not be on here saying "oh, I'm addicted to cookies, once I open a package I can't stop, so I just don't buy them anymore." That's not food addiction. I'm not saying that someone who is having trouble with compulsive behaviors doesn't deserve compassion, support, and help to rectify the issue, but it's not the same as being addicted.0 -
Short definition of addiction.
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction
The bolded part is where my husband is at. After the cycles of relapse and remission, then comes guilt to not be able to control the cravings.
It is severely affecting his health and well being. He keeps trying but fails.
My husband has had sugar poisoning on a couple of occasions from having to have sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar........he used to eat it straight from the sugar bowl from a spoon.
Fruit triggers.............certain vegetables triggers.
What treatments has he sought? Why keep sugars (table sugar, honey, syrup, etc.) or candy or sweets, etc. in your house? Will he really binge eat vegetables to get the sugar? Would it be harmful if he did?
This seems like a pretty rare condition, does he see a medical and psychiatric specialist?0 -
People don't get addicted to whole natural food, they get addicted to food that stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain beyond what was found in our natural environment.
Here is a simple chart from "The Pleasure Trap" by Dr. Alan Goldhamer and psychologist Dr. Doug Lisle that helps to show the relationship of un-naturally concentrated foods to a pleasure response. The same curve works for drug addicts, gambling addicts, etc.
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Anyone who denies that food can be an addiction is very misinformed and obviously knows nothing about addictions (which would not be shocking, considering most people are addicted to something and have no clue) You can also check the DSM-5 and notice that the 7 categories that would need to be answered "yes" can be applied to food. (Including withdrawals, preoccupation, failed attempts to control, guilt, etc.)
Woah! You better slow down there. On this board we don't use DSM-5's definition of addiction. We prefer to define addiction based off of what we learned from watching bad after school specials about drugs.0 -
People don't get addicted to whole natural food, they get addicted to food that stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain beyond what was found in our natural environment.
Here is a simple chart from "The Pleasure Trap" by Dr. Alan Goldhamer and psychologist Dr. Doug Lisle that helps to show the relationship of un-naturally concentrated foods to a pleasure response. The same curve works for drug addicts, gambling addicts, etc.
What would happen if someone ate a bunch of evil glutamate heavy whole natural foods?0 -
Oh brother. Typical response from you.
^^^^For kicks and giggles I began reading the first link.
I'm still giggling....
If you want to have a serious conversation, fine. If you're just going to be condescending, just leave and don't come back.
+1. There are peer-reviewed articles with excellent research showing the effects of eating/overeating on the brain. Those with food addiction have the same change in dopamine receptors as those addicted to alcohol, cocaine, gambling and sex.
Now I'm giggling - at you rushbabe!
http://foodaddictioninstitute.org/scientific-research/physical-craving-and-food-addiction-a-scientific-review/
Peer-reviewed articles (you DO know what a peer-reviewed article is, right RushBabe? :huh: )
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0074832
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11280926
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12055324
Food addiction is very real. Those who tell you otherwise are:
1) Ignorant
2) In denial
3) Selling something
If people want to start comparing eating to drug addiction and start ranting about dopamine release, you know what else increases dopamine?
Thrill seeking activities
Setting goals and achieving them
Thyrosin
Sleep
Exercise
Why is it people don't take one of those routes but instead choose cake, cookies, McDonalds etc.....
No alcoholic blackout. Have you ever suffered from alcoholism? Have you ever been addicted to drugs? People love to compare them without ever having first hand knowledge.
No, but I'm a nurse and I work with alcoholics and drug addicts literally every working day.No [food] blackout. Have you ever suffered from [food]holism? Have you ever been addicted to [food]? People love to compare them without ever having first hand knowledge.
Actually, thrill-seeking personalities do have a kind of addiction to the adrenaline rush of thrill-seeking activities. People with depression tend to sleep - a lot - and chronic depression is known to be an imbalance of brain chemistry. I've known people who will exercise to the point of exhaustion or injury . . . hmmmmmmmmmm
As an addiction counselor - food can absolutely be an addiction. ANYTHING that causes a dopamine release and feelings of pleasure can become addictive. This can include
Any drug
Alcohol
Food
Sex
Internet Use
Gaming
Shopping
Pornography
Exercise
Gambling
Bodybuilding
Shoplifting
Coffee
TV
ETA - Tanning!
And the list grows on...
Anyone who denies that food can be an addiction is very misinformed and obviously knows nothing about addictions (which would not be shocking, considering most people are addicted to something and have no clue) You can also check the DSM-5 and notice that the 7 categories that would need to be answered "yes" can be applied to food. (Including withdrawals, preoccupation, failed attempts to control, guilt, etc.)
The DSM-5 labels them as disorders, which is not a medical condition, but a psychological one.
http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Substance Use Disorder Fact Sheet.pdf
Since when are addictions only physical? There are psychological addictions as well.
addiction ad·dic·tion (ə-dĭk'shən) noun.
Habitual psychological and physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one's voluntary control." (The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary)
Maybe it's a better idea to call it a disorder, because really, it is a form of disordered eating when someone cannot control their compulsions to overeat foods that they find pleasurable. Still though, according to the DSM-5 these can still be classified as addictions technically.
Just my two cents.0 -
Dude you put a bucket of peaches and plums in front of me and I will eat the whole damn bucketPeople don't get addicted to whole natural food, they get addicted to food that stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain beyond what was found in our natural environment.
This problems is this. The foods people get "addicted" to are low volume and of high caloric density combined with those foods being "easy" to eat. For example, a glazed donut can be eaten very quickly and not satisfy hunger, therefore eat more because not satisfied. An equal sized steak takes a while to chew and will satisfy most peoples hunger. If brocolli tasted like birthday cake, you could "binge" on it and not do much damage calorically, but it would still be hard to eat a large quantity of it since it takes time and lots of chewing to eat. Two heads of raw broccoli actually take me about 15-25 minutes to eat. I can devour birthday cake in mere seconds.........long before the signal is sent that I am full.0 -
I think my favorite posts are the ones where people claim they were addicted to sugar but then when they decided to quit eating sugars, they suddenly no longer had cravings."I know this is a very controversial topic, so please look at these links, and let's incite another debate on this topic that nobody wins".
:yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn: :yawn:
Or lets break the mould and actually have some intelligent debate on both sides. You have the choice to perpetuate old patterns or enact some change here.
be my guest. there are a few threads per day on this topic. I'm sure we need quite a few more. Why don't you go start a some?0 -
Peaches are the best. And i actually agree with the second paragraph, too.
Dude you put a bucket of peaches and plums in front of me and I will eat the whole damn bucketPeople don't get addicted to whole natural food, they get addicted to food that stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain beyond what was found in our natural environment.
This problems is this. The foods people get "addicted" to are low volume and of high caloric density combined with those foods being "easy" to eat. For example, a glazed donut can be eaten very quickly and not satisfy hunger, therefore eat more because not satisfied. An equal sized steak takes a while to chew and will satisfy most peoples hunger. If brocolli tasted like birthday cake, you could "binge" on it and not do much damage calorically, but it would still be hard to eat a large quantity of it since it takes time and lots of chewing to eat. Two heads of raw broccoli actually take me about 15-25 minutes to eat. I can devour birthday cake in mere seconds.........long before the signal is sent that I am full.0 -
Short definition of addiction.
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction
The bolded part is where my husband is at. After the cycles of relapse and remission, then comes guilt to not be able to control the cravings.
It is severely affecting his health and well being. He keeps trying but fails.
My husband has had sugar poisoning on a couple of occasions from having to have sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar........he used to eat it straight from the sugar bowl from a spoon.
Fruit triggers.............certain vegetables triggers.
According to Doc ACG eggs should trigger it too - do they?
No eggs do not trigger the uncontrollable cravings.0
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