Research by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven
National Laboratory has found a link between dopamine receptors in the
brain and obesity. In fact, the biology of the brain is not only
thought to be responsible for a variety of eating disorders such as
compulsive overeating, anorexia and bulimia, but also other addictive
compulsive personality disorders like drug abuse and alcohol
addiction.
Dopamine receptors are neurotransmitters that create the feeling of
satisfaction and pleasure and are triggered when we eat to communicate
to the body when we're full to control our appetite. The theory
suggests that people suffering from obesity have fewer dopamine
receptors in the brain and so don't reach this state of satiety as
quickly, needing to eat more to achieve this feeling of being full and
satisfied from food.
At present, it's not clear if people with weight problems are born
with fewer dopamine receptors or whether the overeating itself is
causing the brain to shutdown the receptors to compensate for the
excessively high levels of dopamine created by eating more than the
body needs.
Researchers have also suggested that foods high in protein can
increase the production of dopamine in the body and so reduce food
cravings and help regulate your appetite. This means that increasing
the amount of protein in your diet, while reducing your carbohydrate
and fat intake you can help regulate your appetite and increase your
chances of losing weight.
Our dieting software, Diet Planner Pro, is an effective food diary and
calorie counter that can help you take control of your diet and avoid
obesity. To learn more about our dieting software and losing weight,
visit our website at www.dietplannerpro.com.
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