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Many people who are overweight or obese also struggle with the added stress of not feeling like they should be eating the foods that they crave. Added to this stress is the feeling that they should be in control and should have the power to resist temptation to ignore their powerful cravings for sweets and other "bad" foods. Social stigmas and self-blame are added burdens in the complex obesity problem.
Recent research shows, however, that sugar cravings are not simply an overwhelming lack of willpower. Many current scientific studies show that they body craves sugar that it does not need for energy as a result of an imbalance in the vital hormones. These hormones regulate the processing and storage of energy and signal us to either feel satisfied or eat more energy-producing foods. Do you crave foods even though you know that they may be contributing to you being overweight? You're not alone. This new research may help you understand why it may not totally be your fault. So don't be so hard on yourself. For many, if leptin resistance is present, which is the case on nearly all forms of obesity and many who are overweight, you are set up to fail from the start. Sheer willpower won't be able to overcome these powerful hormonal signals.
Leptin is a hormone that works in the hypothalamus of the brain, controlling the use of energy in the body and the feelings of satiety or fullness after eating. Researchers have discovered that, when another body chemical known as PTP1 B is produced in excess, it prevents leptin from entering the brain to reach the hypothalamus and essentially renders it useless. This situation is known as leptin resistance and it is commonly found in obese individuals.
Sugars are the body's primary source of quick energy and without leptin to regulate their use, they are quickly stored as fat. Until leptin is once again able to reach the hypothalamus and normal functioning resumes, the body will continue to crave the sugar that it feels that it needs for energy. In actuality, those sugars are unnecessary and help to compound the obesity problem, but without leptin reaching the hypothalamus, the brain never gets that signal.
Hormones such as leptin are powerful regulators of normal body functions and also of emotions such as moods and desires. The feelings of anxiety, depression and irritability that are experienced by many people at various points in their lives are often related to hormonal balances in the body. It is no wonder, then, that the current research continues to show the connection between sugar cravings and problems with leptin signaling in the body.
References:
Blum K et al. LG839: Anti-obesity effects and polymorphic gene correlates of reward deficiency syndrome. Advances in Therapy. 2008;25(9):894-913.
Drewnowski A et al. Is sweetness addictive? Nutrition Bulletin. 2007;32(s1):52-60.
