By Dr Cabot

The taste of foods high in sugar or gluten can be addictive, especially if you have excess fluctuations in your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Once you become accustomed to eating high sugar and/or high gluten foods on a regular basis, your brain will come to expect them regularly, so it is best to stop as soon as possible.

Sometimes the cravings for these foods can become overbearing and you need to have some strategies to overcome these cravings such as.

1. A protein powder designed for Syndrome X called Synd-X Slimming Protein Powder, when you get a craving. This can be used inbetween meals and also inbetween Quickloss Meal Shakes. Synd-X is virtually calorie and carb free and will have no effect on your weight – but it will affect your cravings. The full range of amino acids in this powder will help to stabilize blood glucose levels and increase energy. The addition of extra L – glutamine in the powder can act as an alternative fuel for the brain, which means the brain does not rely so much on blood glucose for energy. Synd-X Protein Powder also contains supplemental taurine and chromium picolinate, which helps to stabilize blood glucose levels. Simply mix the protein powder in water or unsweetened milk, and make a shake in the blender.
2. Salty foods – the craving for sugar and refined carbohydrates can often be replaced with salty foods. Salt does not cause fat gain. Suitable examples are salted peanuts or other salted nuts, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes, olives, capers and salty cheeses.

3. Supplement with the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is required for the manufacture of important brain neurotransmitters; these include dopamine and noradrenalin, which impact greatly on mood and appetite.Low dopamine or noradrenalin levels have been linked with –
   1. Food cravings (particularly for carbohydrates like sugar and gluten )
   2. Excessive and disordered appetite
   3. Reduced ability to achieve satisfaction
   4. Reduced ability to experience pleasure
   5. Reduced concentration and mental drive

A study carried out by Dr Alan Gelenberg of the Harvard Medical School showed clearly that a lack of the amino acid tyrosine resulted in a deficiency of the brain transmitters called dopamine and noradrenalin. This can make us bored, tired and hungry.

This deficiency of dopamine occurred at certain locations in the brain, which relate specifically to mood disorders and appetite. Tyrosine can be an excellent and safe mood lifter and in general exerts a stimulating effect. Tyrosine can improve concentration and mental drive. Sometimes tyrosine is referred to as a “mood food” because it improves mood.

Tyrosine supplementation may provide the following benefits:

• Improved concentration and alertness
• More motivation
• Increased ability to experience satisfaction and pleasure
• Reduced appetite in those with eating disorders

Some people battling with drug, food and/or alcohol addiction find that tyrosine helps them to detoxify and reduce their cravings. It has been used successfully to help people overcome a cocaine addiction.

How to take tyrosine

Tyrosine is best taken in between meals, two or three times daily. The recommended dose is 3 grams, two or three times daily. Some people may need higher doses than this so work with your health care practitioner to increase the dose if lower doses are ineffective. I have found that in some cases up to 12 grams daily may be needed. Tyrosine can be taken in the form of a pure white powder and is tasteless and odourless. This powder can be eaten off a spoon or stirred into water or juice. For more information contact the Health Advisory Service on 02 4655 8855.

Contraindications to taking tyrosine

Tyrosine supplements must not be used by people taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant medications. Tyrosine can cause a severe rise in blood pressure in people taking these medications. If you have a malignant melanoma don’t take tyrosine unless you check with your doctor first.

Chocolate Addiction

Some people need chocolate more than love and cannot exist without any chocolate in their lives. In all honesty I cannot think of a substitute for the experience of chocolate. I recently met a woman who suffered with obesity and Syndrome X, and consumed seven family sized blocks of chocolate a week!

If you are a chocolate addict and must have chocolate, I suggest that you treat yourself to chocolate once a week, but do not eat the family size block and stick to a smaller chocolate bar or dark chocolate. You can also add raw cacao powder and some Nature Sweet Sugar Substitute to your Quickloss or Synd – X Smoothie.

Nature Sweet Sugar Substitute is carb free and tastes like sugar and is quite healthy. You can use it to sweeten many things and can even make your own chocolate with it, using dairy cream, coconut oil, raw cacao powder and nuts. There are many recipes on the Internet