Weight Loss and Your Brain
New studies show that yer brain pattern changes when it comes to losin’ weight. This research suggests that the people who experience the most success when it comes to weight loss are more resistant to craving manifested in activation of multiple regions of the brain whereas unsuccessful weight loss had no consistent activation pattern.
Need that in a caveman friendly translation? Basically, successful weight loss is associated with a certain kind of brain activation that is resistant to certain food cravings. Unsuccessful weight loss patients experienced a totally different brain pattern when confronted with craving simulated by pictures of food.
Right now, this study is focused on people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. Though the brain scans are only conducted after surgery, if they were to do ’em beforehand, it might make it easier to predict who is gonna be more successful with the surgery.
Clinical experience with this kinda surgery shows that some patients lose less weight than expected or even regain the weight after surgery. As much as 20% of patients regain the weight within 18 to 24 months! Figurin’ out what triggers this kinda weight gain in a patient’s brain can help doctors know which patients will be most helped with gastric bypass and which patients may need a lil extra help along the way.
But what exactly does this mean for the average caveman lookin’ to shed a few summer pounds? Thanks to this study, docs are startin’ to think that obese individuals may experience heightened arousal to food cues. MRIs in the study have shown that the neural responses to food cues differ when you compare the results of obese people to the results of normal-weight individuals.
The key definitely seems to be in the cravings.
So how exactly can a simple caveman (or cavewoman) control those dreaded cravings, ‘specially during peak barbeque season? Fortunately, Scratch is here with some good ol’ tips and tricks to kickin’ your summertime cravings.
Who hasn’t binged on an entire box of Oreos and a half-gallon of whole milk without even realizin’ it ’til the damage is done? Oh… just me. Well, if you’re anything like this here caveman, there are certain cookie cravings that can be hard to ignore. The best way to avoid this kinda thing is to get rid of the temptation. Don’t just toss your half-eaten boxes of Nabisco goodness in the trash (even this caveman knows so long as it’s in the box, it’s fair game). Destroy that stuff. Run water over it, burn it, just ruin it. This’ll give ya a sense of accomplishment and make sure ya don’t go dumpster diving for any extra crumbs.
A simple, but effective, trick: brush yer teeth! Use floss, toothpaste, mouthwash, the whole nine yards! I can’t count how many times I’ve gone to lie down on my bedrock only to have a midnight snack craving. The thing is, if I’ve already brushed my teeth, nine times outta ten I’ll skip the snack!
If you can’t go past a Krispy Kreme without stoppin’ then just don’t go by one! Recognize your food triggers and avoid ’em at all cost!
Got any tips to controllin’ your own cravings? Leave ’em in the comment section!