A headline on the cover of a women’s magazine caught my attention:
“Crave Carbs? Discover the “pure carb” strategy that kick-starts metabolism.”
The premise of the article is that a shortfall of serotonin, a powerful antidepressant neurotransmitter, triggers an avalanche of symptoms, including fatigue, blue moods, anxiety, carb cravings, hunger pangs and weight gain.
According to the article, studies at Portland’s Oregon Health & Science University suggest that the way to correct this biochemical imbalance is to succumb to your cravings. “When carbs flood the bloodstream, they signal brain cells to soak up the amino acid tryptophan, a key building block of serotonin,” according to Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and coauthor of the Serotonin Power Diet (Rodale, 2006); “so giving in to carb cravings is actually the best remedy for a serotonin shortage.”
The recommendation resulting from these studies is to eat carb-only snacks between protein-rich meals, which according to Wurtman, enables carbs to shuttle tryptophan to the brain, allowing serotonin production to rise quickly. According to the article, the results were confirmed in studies that showed tryptophan levels rise by 88%, causing a significant increase in energy, alertness and mental clarity. Plus three out of four women studied felt less stressed and dropped up to three pounds a week during the study.
The human body is an intricate work of Nature that has evolved over the eons with survival mechanisms that dictate our actions, desires and cravings. We know that carbohydrates are Nature's preferred source of energy for humans; providing dietary fiber, nutrients, antioxidants and serotonin production, all integral to health and well being.
Carbohydrates are also fundamental to blood sugar control, which in turn is key to weight management, sustained energy and disease risk reduction. Choose quality low GI carbohydrates that support the body beyond conventional nutrition and work with Nature’s design to support optimal health and performance.
Low Glycemic Index (GI) and Low Glycemic Load (GL) foods have been proven in studies to be beneficial: dieting; weight loss; obesity; diabetes; balancing blood sugar; sustained energy; sport nutrition; mental performance; acne; eye health; macular degeneration; heart disease and forms of cancer. See also Low GI Diet, Low GI Recipes, Low GI Food, Low GI Eating.
Copyright 2008, Saul Katz
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