In searching food related articles online, I came across one written just recently regarding the effects that fat-rich foods have on our psychological reactions to food. Entitled ‘Bacon and cheesecake have an effect on the brain similar to heroin and cocaine: study’, it immediately caught my attention. The study this article cites has found that eating bacon and cheesecake alters brain chemistry in such a way that it rewires it to crave more of the same high-fat foods. The study was conducted on rats and the findings indicate that when the rats were given a large proportion of high-fat foods in their diet, they binged on these foods while the control group of rats maintained usual eating patterns. When testing levels of the dopamine D2 receptor in their brains, scientists found there to be much lower levels in the experiment group as compared to the control group. The dopamine D2 receptor is linked with feelings of reward and satisfaction. The scientists believe that when the experiment group of rats became obese, they entered a ‘reward deficit’. Because they were binge eating, their reward centres in the brain became overwhelmed, thus essentially causing a crash of the whole system. At this stage, the rats were in a constant state of reward search, or fix, thus causing them to continue to consume excessive amounts of the high fat food. This is why scientists believe that high fat foods may have similar consequences on brain and body function as drug addictions; the same concept applies: the ever-present, uncontrollable need to find that ‘reward’ or ‘fix’. Now, we must take into account that while rats are often used in experiments in place of humans, there is no certainty that this chemical response is the same in humans. I’m not entirely sure whether or not to believe the claims made by this study as a lot of times articles vilifying junk and fatty foods are meant to be sensational and shocking; this one definitely fits the bill. However, I think it brings up some interesting points.
One of the researchers in the study was quoted as saying:
["What this is telling you is that, if you persist in eating food that you know is bad for you, there is a chance that you will develop a habit, and you will keep on going back to that food unless you make a really strong, conscious effort to stop it," Dr. Kenny said.
"It's incumbent upon people to make sure that they're more respectful and aware of what they're eating. Just be aware that there are dangers and risks associated. Enjoy (high-fat) food but make sure it's occasionally and very-well controlled. Don't overindulge repeatedly, because there could be repercussions.]
I think this is really the crux of the matter. In targeting obesity, it is not simply enough to lay blame at the hands of fast-food producers and dopamine D2. In curing the effects of obesity, efforts must be target towards helping individuals build their self-esteem and morale to the extent that they can on their own bring themselves out the addictive behaviour. Control is what needs to be stressed. Granted, in this world of excess this is a tall order, but I see no way other than premeditative action.
I will admit that even I am addicted to McDonald’s. A friend and I sometimes have ‘lard sessions’ as we fondly refer to them, when we’ve had an especially long week. This article’s main insinuation is that high-fat foods, such as the sandwich pictured to the left, are not just superficially addictive (in the sense that they taste good, hence we want to eat them more often), but that there is an actual chemical response; eating excessive junk food causes a dependence on it for satisfaction and feelings of reward. In my own personal experience, I can attest to this somewhat. I know, for instance, that in a week when I have high-fat foods, such as chips, or fast food, I’m much more predisposed to having more in quick succession in the same day or week; it becomes much harder to resist the tempting smells at Union station on my way home on Friday if I’ve already cracked and bought something on Monday. I’m not sure whether this corroborates in entirety the findings of the above mentioned study, however I think there is some merit in considering that our predilection for high-fat foods may not be simply our own fault. I think however, that there is a fear in completely attributing addictions to high-fat foods to an uncontrollable, chemical reaction. It runs the risk of condoning such addictive behaviours, and may serve to increase obesity rates by way of this ‘chemical reaction theory’ being used as an excuse for the continuation of these addictive behaviours.
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=2737117
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