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Obesity Is An Addiction Not A Lifestyle

February 19, 2016

Why Obesity Is An Addiction Not A Lifestyle

Obesity is rapidly becoming the single biggest health risk in the world. There are over one billion obese adults worldwide, and this number is growing daily. The United States has the highest obesity rates out of all the developed countries surveyed. Estimates claim that nearly a third of all adults over the age of twenty in the U.S. are obese.

food addictionObesity can lead to many metabolic disorders, including diabetes, high blood pressure or hypertension, cholesterol-related diseases, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. The risk of cancer arising in organs such as the kidneys, gallbladder, prostrate, and breasts also increases exponentially with increased body weight.

A person is judged to be obese if their BMI (Body Mass Index) exceeds 30. The calculation for BMI is kg/m2, or weight in kilograms divided the square of the height in meters.

To many observers, obesity is an indication of laziness or lack of personal care. A Recent study into this subject has shown that many factors are responsible for the meteoric rise in obesity rates over recent years. Possible causes include sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence and convenience of fast food, and highly processed meals containing high levels of fats and sugars. Also, overweight people tend to marry other overweight people and pass the genes that predispose them to gain weight on to the next generation. The poor eating habits of the parents are also passed on to the children through imitation and observation.

There are also heightened stress levels experienced by many people in today’s society, and the response to this stress is often over indulgence in “comfort foods”.

There is now also evidence that supports the theory that obesity is an addiction. Studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show that obese people experience the same chemical response to eating as drug addicts do to narcotics. There is also evidence that dopamine levels are increased by eating, inducing a feeling of euphoria and well-being that can only be replicated by eating more.

In The Canadian Medical Association Journal, researcher Dr. Valerie Taylor writes: “The concept of addiction is complex, and the delineation of its defining characteristics has fostered considerable debate. Despite a lack of consensus, researchers nevertheless agree that the process involves a compulsive pattern of use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences.”

It used to be believed that behavioral addictions such eating, sex, and gambling were not true addictions, because the need for these behaviors was psychological rather than physiological, as in the case of narcotics and alcohol which perceptibly alter and affect the brain chemistry. However, it has come to be proven that these behaviors cause the same chemical changes in the brain as substances such as drugs.

As with other addictions, the user becomes accustomed to the addicting substance, in this case, food, with the result that ever-increasing quantities are required to elicit the same response. And as with other addictions, food addicts can suffer withdrawal symptoms when the food is restricted, as when dieting.

There are other parallels in patterns of behavior between overeaters and substance abusers. They will attempt, unsuccessfully, to “quit” the addiction, and their eating habits can affect their social interactions and other activities. As with drug and alcohol addicts, overeaters continue the pattern of socially and self-destructive behavior despite knowing the effects of such behavior on their bodies and the lives of those around them. Substance abusers and overeaters also share some psychological traits, and some studies have shown that food addicts also have other dependencies.

One obstacle in the treatment of food addiction is that food is necessary to sustain life. It is impossible to go “cold turkey”, for simple reasons of survival.

Addiction therapies such as twelve step programs and pharmacological treatments can be applied to overeating in the same way that they are to alcohol and drug abuse, and have shown to yield good results.

Preventing food addiction in children is easier than curing it in adults. Educating children in healthy eating habits and the benefits of a healthy meal plan can help to prevent the occurrence of overeating in later life.

Check out our Integrative Addiction Conference 2016 being held in Austin, Texas

 

Viewing obesity as an addiction and applying similar treatment methods can improve results in those individuals where previous weight-loss efforts yielded no result. It has been found that the traditional weight loss methods of improved diet and exercise will not solve the problem if the underlying issue is a psychological one. While they may show initial improvements, most obese people will not maintain weight loss unless a holistic treatment is implemented to address the addictive behavior.

At the Integrated Addiction Conference to be held later this year, the relationship of obesity to addiction will be explored in greater detail by expert speakers. Register now at http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/ for access to the conference and to learn more about the program and other topics that will come under discussion.

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Obesity an addiction

Obesity addiction or Lifestyle is it a fact

February 17, 2016

Obesity an addiction or Lifestyle what is true medically: Why obesity is not what people think it is?

Obesity addiction

Obesity addiction or Lifestyle what is true medically? And why obesity is not what people think it is?

The gospel being spread across the globe about obesity and how it comes is misleading and intimidating to the victims. Many have insinuated that obesity is a lifestyle and not a health condition. This is not true and must be addressed professionally in good time because sincerely obesity addiction is a fact and not a lifestyle as many have been made to believe. If you want to understand clearly why obesity is an addiction, we want to encourage you to keep on the link and be enlightened by the regular postings on this and many other health related matters of concern. We understand the health complications that come with this condition and because of that and many other addictions related complications we are holding our second Annual Integrative Addiction Conference Workshops and this time our Conference Venue will be at Austin Texas: Doubletree by Hilton Austin. This is a very good forum for you and all health professionals across the globe. For further enquiries you can reach us on telephone number: 512-454-3737 Fax: 512-419-0102 at 6505 Interstate Highway-35 North Austin, TX 78752.

Now back to our discussion, the society has judged people very unfairly on this subject. Obese people have suffered stigma in the hands of those who needed to help them live a health and more comfortable life. They have been branded people who only care about over indulgent with food and who have total disregard for their health and appearance. This is a very cruel way of handling obese people. To correct this, experts across the globe including those from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where doctor Dalal Akoury is the MD, President and founder of the same are working on people’s psychology and with the application of modern medication to help change the deeply rooted wrong mind set about being obese and what causes it. From the various research conducted, it has been established that obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic health problem in most states across the globe and the sooner this is addressed the better for our future generations.

Obesity addiction or Lifestyle what is true medically: The deadly variables

Interestingly, this problem is with us and many at times we are doing very little to bring it to manageable levels. Doctor Dalal Akoury having been in this profession for well over two decades now is pointing out certain variables that are so notorious in the facilitation of overweight and obesity. She says that due to the kind of life we live today the variables may include genetics, too much viewership of television, decreased exercise, print and electronic media advertisement focusing on junk food thereby encouraging consumption of food stuff rich in high fat and calories besides many other factors perceived to be contributing to the problem of obesity.

Besides the aforementioned variables above, the another factor of consideration is as a major cause of obesity is that it is possible that obesity may be an addiction just in the same way as heroin, alcohol, cigarette smoking, cocaine and other drugs. The only difference is that where as with other substances of abuse, you may learn progressively on how to stop using them (substances), it is not so with obesity because you actually need food to live and to be productive. And this is further complicated by the abundance of food literally every ware. It then becomes difficult for many to help themselves with this problem of obesity because while on the other hand food is needed for life, on the opposite side this same basic need is causing people to become obese.

In a recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association, it was established that in most cases overweight or heavy people are fond of marrying their equals in relation to weight further increasing the likelihood that any genes for weight will be passed on the next generation. We are still explaining why obesity addiction is a fact and not a lifestyle as it’s popularly believed. And because of this our children from their culture will be seeing us their parents as their role models. What that communicates is that the cycle of rising obese generation after generation is not likely to be broken if something is not done soon. Children learn majorly from observation, they will be keen in observing the behaviors and lifestyle of their parents and if they see poor eating habits, that is what they take in as the right thing to do.

Obesity addiction or Lifestyle what is true medically: Stress

Stress is another explanation as to why there is such an increase of overweight and obesity in the United States and most states across the globe. Research has established that when people are stressed up in whichever way, they are likely to seek solace on food. This practice increases the quantity of food consumed by individuals and going by the stressful life situations we constantly find ourselves in, we will be eating from time to time and the consequence of that is more weight leading to being obese. Lack of exercise is another factor of consideration when it comes to increase of stress alongside inadequate amounts of sleep and emotional eating. All these explain why there is such an increase in obesity throughout the United States and across the globe.

Finally as you consider attending this coming conference, you may want to consult with doctor Dalal Akoury about all your weight related problems for a more detailed professional solution. If this description suits you, then make that appointment today to have your life back.

Obesity addiction or Lifestyle what is true medically: Why obesity is not what people think it is?

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Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation

September 25, 2015

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation: Don’t bring back extra pounds as your token

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation

Healthy living will go along way in keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation and after. We must all embrace changes in our lifestyle if this is to be achieved.

The time to leave behind alarm buzzers, nagging bosses and household chores is here with us and all the plans have been concluded to set off. Unfortunately, one thing just won’t go away that is your worry of packing on some weight in your let lose moments. Doctor Akoury gives a very sincerely comment that “traveling can be very synonymous with ditching your diet willpower and the motivation to exercise, causing you to bring back some unwanted weight gain along with that tan.” This is everyone’s concern during such times and it is what we want to focus on even as we take some time to discuss the essential of keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation. Professionally doctor Dalal Akoury makes emphasis that it is not always a must that when you leave on vacations, then you will be careless to drop all your previous efforts of losing weight progressively. That is not the case because you can actually make this your vacation to be the best and perfect time to keep lean and healthy. Take a moment and reason with yourself comparing this time and other busy times while at work. You will realize that during vacations you are more relaxed, you sleep well and because of being free, you have adequate time to move around exploring your new environment. If you have not noticed then we want to let you know that the additional walk time, comfort sleep and relaxation are very good tools of keeping fit and healthy. In other words you can keep the fire of losing weight burning even during vacation. All you need to do according to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is to balance your usual healthy habits with a bit of extra indulgence. Therefore to keep you on the move, our team of top nutrition and fitness experts shares with you some of the best and most realistic ways to enjoy your getaway without totally wrecking your diet.

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation: Packing with you healthy snacks

To avoid wasting calories on hotel vending machine food or unhealthy airport fare, bring your own nutritious snacks to keep on hand and only chose hotels where fitness expert and trainer are experienced enough to help you continue with your exercise even when away from your home town. Being smart in this area would mean keeping a stash of protein bars in your luggage so that you can resist the temptation of potato chips at the airport snack shops. By bringing food stuff that’s non-perishable like little baggies of nuts and dried fruit or fruit that can last a few days out of the fridge like the bananas and apples you will be ensuring that you are keeping distance with all temptations that may compel you into unhealthy feeding. It is important that you keep such food items within reach like for instance you could stuff them in your bag when you’re at the beach or sightseeing this way you can eat every few hours if not, you’ll wind up starving and may overdo it at your next meal. Another good tip is to stock up only healthy snacks for the day, like a box of whole-grain cereal or fresh fruit, from your hotel breakfast buffet.

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation: Work out at the Airport

Normally you realize that your airline will indicate about 90 minutes before departure time and I want to ask, if you were discipline and followed the directions and got to the airport 90 minutes before your flight what do you do with that free time at the airport? This is a very good opportunity for you to do some mini exercise. Like for instance instead of burying your head on a novel seated in those unhealthy seats, you could use the long hallways to your advantage to speed-walk back and forth around the terminal. While doing this remember the safety of your luggage which you could entrust in the care of your family, and take turns stretching your legs. This may look waste of time but the benefits far-outweigh the inconveniences you may be thinking of. As you continue engaging in the work take a look around the place and if you spot any set of stairs whose destination is not restricted, waste no second, climb those to add some intensity to your mini-workout. The power walk will also help you avoid pigging out on airport snacks and give you an energy boost to start your vacation on a healthy note.

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation: Bring your workout with you

You don’t need to spend hours a day working out, but squeezing in some form of daily exercise gives you a cushion to enjoy that extra appetizer or beachside cocktail. If your vacation spot lacks a good hotel gym or places to get in exercise outdoors, plan ahead and pack equipment you can use in the comfort of your hotel room before you head out for the day or during the downtime between your daily activities and dinner. A jump rope can fit into any suitcase and provides a great power workout for you wherever you will go. Incorporate it as part of the following circuit workout: Alternate a minute of jumping rope after a minute each of crunches, push-ups, and lunges. Repeat a few times for a travel-ready express workout. Exercises DVD’s that can be played on a laptop in your room are another great way to squeeze in a workout whiles you are away.

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation: Take advantage of the hotel’s facilities

When making you hotel bookings it is important that you make enquiries about their gym facilities. It will not be advisable to assume that the hotel gym is going to be inadequate because you may be pleasantly surprised to find state-of-the-art equipment and televisions to help pass the time. Remember that these days most gyms facilities have extended hours and some are even open 24 hours daily meaning that you can work out when it’s most convenient for you. Besides that, doctor Dalal Akoury further recommends calling the hotel before you arrive to see if they have partnerships with local gyms (a great way to experiment with new classes) or can recommend other nearby opportunities, like yoga or Pilate’s studios or hiking or biking paths. There’s also the hotel pool and it is always advisable to do this first thing in the morning before the pool is open for kids. With all these guidelines taken up you are likely to keep healthy, lean and well balanced weight during your vocations.

Keeping healthy and lean weight during vacation: Don’t bring back extra pounds as your token

 

 

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Childhood food addiction prevention techniques

September 24, 2015

Childhood food addiction prevention techniques : The best feeding habits for kids

Childhood food addiction

Techniques for preventing childhood food addiction involves incorporating the children in decision making on what they want to eat ant to what quantity.

We are all concern in seeing how our children are being brought up in all dimensions. In our quest of bringing them up, we sometime do certain things ignorantly that impacts quit negatively in the development of our children. We spoke with experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility that was established by a veteran addiction expert primarily to make a difference in people’s lives. In her over two decades of working experience doctor Akoury has really made immense contributions in transforming peoples’ lives from all walks of life across the globe. We are therefore privilege to have such brains to help us understand some of the childhood food addiction prevention techniques  even as we progress into this discussion. Doctor Akoury is very categorical that children can eat and enjoy a wide variety of foods and textures and will not complain much as we do. It is therefore very important that all parents and guardians to taking opportunity when the children are still young to encourage them to enjoy family meals and even go beyond the family means by trying a wide range of other foods, tastes, flavors and textures.

Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have established that toddlers and young children have a natural ability to sense when they are hungry and when they are full a function that most of us adult may not have. Ordinarily children will learn to eat what the family eats and that will only be possible if they are offered the same food and encouraged to try it. Low-fat or restricted diets are not always recommended for toddlers primarily because this may result in poor growth and development. Nonetheless we all ore our children the duty of care to ensure that as we feed them they do not engage in feeding habit that can have serious addiction impact in their lives in the future. In that regard, let us take some time to briefly highlight some of the concerns parents may have in bringing up their children to be free from the temptation of being addicted to food.

Childhood food addiction prevention techniques: Common parental concerns

In the process of feeding kids we must all appreciate that quit often selective way of eating will be a common occurrence in toddlers. This selectiveness is not just with the children but take a keen look at the kind of lifestyle we live today. For sure we can all attest that the world has become an exciting place and ironically food may be less important when there are many other things to do. In that breath the following are some of the reasons why children’s eating patterns may change:
Slower growth – ordinarily children’s growth often slows down in their second year. This means at this point of time they will often have smaller appetites and consequently need less food. That also means that the quantity of food eaten from day to day can change dramatically. It is however important to note that even though sometimes parents get worried of these changes, they actually normal and doesn’t mean that your child is being difficult or is unwell.
Eating and snacking – children rarely follow our triangular traditional meal pattern of breakfast lunch and dinner instead they tend to feed on smaller and regular snacks. This satisfies their small tummy sizes and provides them with adequate energy to keep moving all day. The amount eaten at mealtimes, and more so in the evening meal may be smaller than parents would like. However, children can balance the amount of food eaten with exactly how much they need if they are given the opportunity to enjoy good foods and are not forced to overeat or finish all the food on the plate. This means that healthy snacks are important to help provide the energy and nutrition your child needs during the day.
Fussy eating – showing independence is part of normal children development and this often includes refusing to eat foods that you offer. Remember that by rejecting any given food does not necessarily mean the child doesn’t like it therefore next time if you offer it on another day they are likely to enjoy it. Other common children eating behavior may include:
• Meal-time irritabilities and food refusal
• Delay in self-feeding
• Preference for pureed foods or difficulty with chewing
• Overeating
• Reduced intake of food or reliance on drinks.

Childhood food addiction prevention techniques: Empower the children to make decision

Your role as parent to your child is to decide what food and when to offer it, but the child decides whether or not to eat and to what quantity they’ll eat. Remember that children eat when they’re hungry. They have a natural ability to sense when they are hungry and when they are full. Therefore insisting that your child eats more than they choose to is not advisable because doing so is likely to encourage them to overeat in the future and probably become addicted to certain foods particularly those that you are forcing on them. Professionally doctor Akoury recommends that it is you let your children decide whether they will eat and how much they will eat. This may not sound reasonable for you but remember it is one of the best techniques for preventing childhood food addiction.

Childhood food addiction prevention techniques: Mealtime suggestions for parents
As a parent you need to be on top of everything and the following are some suggestions you could adopt:
• Be a positive role model by eating a healthy, balanced and varied diet together as a family.
• Serve the same foods as the family eats.
• Remember that children need smaller meals and regular snacks.
• Don’t worry too much, a child’s appetite and food intake can vary daily.
• Offer small serves and give more if needed.
• Let them tell you they’re full and don’t force a child to finish all food on their plate.

Finally it is always said that teach a child the way to go and when they grow up they will not depart from it. This is often taken for granted but if we want to bring up healthy children who will be lean and free from food addiction, we must chose to lay good foundation from the beginning. Therefore if you are not so sure on how to go about it, then you may want to schedule an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for more professional advice.
Childhood food addiction prevention techniques: The best feeding habits for kids

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Why some food stuff motivates food addiction

August 8, 2015

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction: When the food you feed on becomes the problem to your health

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction? Responding to the root cause of food addiction is very fundamental in containing all the triggers of food addiction.

Ordinarily we need food to supply our bodies with energy it needs to function well. Food is actually healthy for the body and we cannot do without it. And even though food is necessary for our lives, when we do not take some of these food stuff well they can be the cause of our health problems. In other words when we over eat we are likely to become overweight or obese and on the other side if we take inadequate food consistently we risk being malnourished and underweight conditions which can lead to serious health complications. It is on that back drop that we want to take time and consult with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury a renowned veteran addiction expert of several decades. It is regrettable that in many cases overweight people are often seen or believed to be either going through this because of their laziness or that they just don’t have the will power to actively operate normally. This analogy is actually misleading because the choice of food one feeds on, when they feed on it and the frequencies of exercise you do will affect your weight significantly. Doctor Akoury is explaining that some of the food stuffs that were previously ignored may actually the drivers of an addiction in our lives. It is because of this reason that we want to benefit from doctor Dalal Akoury in the discussion of the topic “why some food stuff motivates food addiction in our societies.” And some of such food stuff may include: chocolate, sugar, cheese, milk and meat. The question that will now follow is that, how are they causing addiction? Let us now respond to that as we progress into the discussion as follows:

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction: Chocolate

From various studies experts have now established that chocolate stimulates the very same part of the brain just in the same way as opiate drugs does. It therefore means that chocolate even though it is food, it acts in the same way a drug producing food addiction that causes us to crave for more food. This will then continue and before we realize, we are on the road to being addicted to chocolate. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we all have a duty to be on the watch out and therefore emphasis should be made to everybody that food addiction is a serious issue and must be given all the due attention lest things get out of hand. Remember that chocolate as food contains other stimulant drugs like caffeine, theobromine and pheylethylamine and according to expert’s chocolate is not just a drug but a whole drug store wrapped up in one.

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction: Cheese

We have now seen how chocolate can be a serious threat to addiction and that immediate attention must be taken expeditiously if we are to kick off addiction from our societies. Now besides chocolate, experts have established that it is not just chocolate that brings food addiction. However when people who were consuming meat and other dairy products are stopped from consuming the same, the yearning for cheese was described as a “deep seated craving” that stayed with them much longer than their compulsion for other foods. Researchers also found a chemical in cow’s milk similar to morphine, and after testing it repeatedly, they discovered that it was, in fact, morphine. It was only a trace amount, and not all the samples contained the chemical in recognizable levels, but there was indeed a small amount of morphine in cow’s milk.

Therefore assuming that the morphine must have come from the cows’ diets, researches were actually shocked to find that the cows actually made traces of it within their bodies, along with codeine and other opiates that were produced in their livers. Besides the findings were equally surprising to learn that cow’s milk (and the milk of any species) contains the protein, casein that breaks down during the digestion process, and releases other opiate-like compounds called casomorphins. What does this have to with cheese? Casein is concentrated in cheese. So we have the makings of another possible food addiction.

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction: Milk

From the illustrations and explanations above, the question that rings in everyone’s mind would be why are there traces of morphine in milk? (Actually, it’s not some environmental problem.) Scientists believe that the mother’s milk has a relaxing effect on the baby, and this drug-like effect on the brain is responsible for the bonding that is necessary, for the baby to get the nutrition he needs. In one of the studies, researchers gave volunteers yogurt and skim milk, and found that the casein (milk opiates) not only acted within the digestive tract, but some of the fragments actually entered the bloodstream, with direct access to the brain. The effect was greatest about 40 minutes after eating. And as we had mentioned before, cheese has more casein than other dairy products. (Recent studies have found that meat also stimulates the brain’s pleasure centers.) To further prove their theory, researchers found that when volunteers were given naloxone, (a drug that blocks opiates, used in the treatment of heroin and morphine overdoses), their desire for cheese, meat, chocolate, and other addictive foods was greatly decreased.

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction: Sugar

In addition, scientists have discovered that fast foods, like hamburgers and fries, may also be responsible for food addictions. The high fat and carbohydrate content causes changes in the brain that are normally correlated with drug addiction, (and the result is food addiction.) Sugar and fat stimulates the release of natural opiates in the brain, and may be triggering the same response as heroin. After giving rats a diet that was one quarter sugar, he abruptly withdrew the sugar, and the rats went into high anxiety mode, experiencing trembling and teeth chattering, similar to the effects that occur during morphine or nicotine withdrawal. So, in review, the sugar produced the same withdrawal effects that highly addictive drugs do.

Finally doctor Dalal Akoury says that food addiction plays an enormous role in our eating habits, when we’re depressed, tired, lonely, anxious, worried, fearful, etc. we often run to the addictive food of choice. People may be different and for many people, it is chocolate and sugar, with carbohydrates following close behind, which is particularly bad and that, explains why diabetic is rising. Certain foods act as drugs, because our body responds to the natural opiates in them, just as it would to drug opiates. As we experience these effects over and over, we may develop a food addiction. Therefore if you are suspecting any possibility of an addiction of whatever form or kind, you will need to take treatment action promptly so that you can be help with less or just minimal pain. Talking to doctor Akoury should be your staring point and therefore you can schedule for an appointment with her today for the commencement of your recovery process.

Why some food stuff motivates food addiction: When the food you feed on becomes the problem to your health

 

 

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