Who Are the Victims of Your Bingeing? (Part 1) by Joan Kent, PhD
Binge eating appears to be a victimless crime. Who cares if you eat 3 quarts of mashed potatoes, or finish off a few pints of ice cream?
But what if we view the victim concept more broadly?
Health
Not many people binge on healthful veggies. Instead, it’s usually on junk that can affect health.
The most common binge foods include ice cream, cookies, chocolate, milkshakes, chips, pasta, and bread with butter and jam. All are high in sugar, fat, or both.
Most of these foods trigger high insulin. High insulin can result in a temporary increase in serotonin – one reason we choose these foods for bingeing. But we’ll look at serotonin and other brain chemicals next time.
High insulin can cause many health problems: insulin resistance; type-2 diabetes; hypertension; high LDL (bad) cholesterol; low HDL (good) cholesterol; high triglycerides; heart disease and certain cancers.
High insulin also promotes series 2 prostaglandins, which trigger inflammation, pain and more. It inhibits white blood cell function, leading to incomplete healing and chronic inflammation.
Appetite and Weight
Sugar triggers a release of dopamine. Dopamine, a brain feel-good chemical, can prompt cravings for more sugar – whether later the same day, the next day, or even for several days following.
Considering food selection, quantities eaten, and binge frequency, the long-term health effects of binge eating shouldn’t be dismissed. The conditions may affect attendance and productivity at work, and add costs for the companies that provide medical insurance for employees.
Sugar also triggers endorphins (beta-endorphin), which increase appetite by inhibiting the VMH (ventromedial hypothalamus). Obesity is a real result of this specific effect of sugar on the brain.
The obesity epidemic was brought to us courtesy of the sneaky, underhanded dealings of the sugar industry that started in the 1970s (or before) and continued for a few decades.
Dopamine and endorphins move food preferences toward foods high in sugar, fat, or both. That further contributes to obesity.
Obesity and Health
Obesity has health consequences; many are listed above. Sleep apnea, asthma, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, stroke, gout, depression and other mental issues can be added to the list.
These health problems may affect work productivity, and someone pays for linked medical costs, so again bingeing is not without consequences or victims.
Bingeing affects more than the binge eater. Be here for part 2, which will cover how binge eating affects moods and behaviors, and who its victims are.
Binge eaters who’ve tried everything to stop bingeing sometimes can’t stop because of cravings. I help you stop cravings and bingeing, so you can lose weight and reverse your health problems. For your free copy of “Stop Bingeing NOW! 3 Simple Steps to Stop a Binge Once It Starts,” just visit www.LastResortNutrition.com .
Brought to you by Dr. Joan Kent, best-selling author of Stronger Than Sugar: 7 Simple Steps to Defeat Sugar Addiction, Lift Your Mood, and Transform Your Health.
