The typical recommendations for weight loss are no longer necessary. Willpower, calorie counting, dieting, measuring and weighing food, and counting points can be tossed out the window. The only thing necessary to address for effortless weight loss is INSULIN. Insulin is pro-inflammatory and causes food cravings, especially in response to intake of high energy foods such as processed foods and sugar.
In her research, Gail Clayton, R.Ph., M.S., CNS, of Beyond Pharmaceuticals, has identified insulin dysregulation as the core cause of unwanted weight gain and the inability to lose weight. She has been working to dispel the myths and disinformation surrounding weight loss.
According to Clayton, insulin secretion is a normal bodily response to the intake of carbohydrates and glucose. Its’ purpose is to pull glucose inside the cells where it is processed to make energy. It is secreted whenever the brain gets a signal that something sweet has triggered the palate. However, when blood glucose levels rise very quickly from a highly-processed food or simple sugar, the body will secrete an over-abundance of insulin in order to maintain blood glucose levels. Then after about 90 minutes, the blood glucose level will drop to dangerously low levels from the over-secretion of insulin and that will trigger the brain to send a hunger response signal. This signal is so strong that it will override willpower and even the basic knowledge of what one knows they should eat, driving one to reach for high-energy junk food in order to satisfy that craving.
If one experiences food cravings, then it is most likely due to certain ingredients in the foods that are being consumed. The secret is to find out what those ingredients are and avoid them, and the body will quickly adjust and one will regain control over eating habits and begin to experience real hunger versus food cravings.
Clayton shared that many people mistakenly think that eating diet foods and diet sodas are the way to go when it comes to calorie control, but this thinking is wrong because artificial sweeteners trick the brain into thinking that you are consuming glucose, so it will trigger insulin to be released.
Once insulin is released, it mops up the glucose in the blood stream to prevent the blood glucose levels from becoming dangerously high. However, since it was artificial sweetener that was consumed, then blood glucose will drop to a dangerously low level. Since the brain ONLY utilizes glucose for energy, a panic signal is sent to the hypothalamus to trigger a hunger response.
That signal is so strong that it doesn’t matter how much knowledge you have or what foods are healthy and what you should eat. One will be over-powered by that signal to quickly get some high energy food into the body, and will reach for chips, cookies, and junk food in order to satisfy that overwhelming craving. This sets off a vicious cycle of carbohydrate cravings. Junk foods and processed foods such as processed grains have the same effect because consuming them causes an over-secretion of insulin which will, in turn, drop blood glucose levels too low.
To overcome these cravings, stop all forms of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. This will stabilize the release of insulin and the food & carbohydrate cravings will cease. “When you learn to regulate your insulin, you will be surprised how easy it is to lose weight. It really is effortless,” Clayton said.
When asked which foods to avoid, Clayton responded with the following:
-Artificial sweeteners
-Sugar
-Processed foods
-Breads and Cereals
-White rice
-Foods containing high fructose corn syrup
-Refined grains
-Fruits with a high glycemic index, i.e. grapes, melons, pineapple, very ripened fruit
Clayton also offered the following suggestions, “You want to eat only foods that have a glycemic index of 55 or lower. There are many websites that offer a list of low glycemic foods that you can include in your diet. Here are a few of my favorites: Steel cut oats, brown rice, low sugar fruits such as apples, nuts & seeds, meats, low-fat dairy, and fresh vegetables. Remember to drink eight ounces of water daily too.”
Clayton also suggested, “Be sure you include fermented foods such as Kimchi, Kombucha, fermented ginger, sauerkraut, and yogurts. These foods help to repopulate the gut flora, which is another important aspect for weight loss.”
Gail Clayton, R.Ph., M.S., CNS, of Beyond Pharmaceuticals, combines her nutritional training with her pharmaceutical background to help patients recover their health naturally by rebalancing their core systems through nutrition so that their bodies have the tools needed to heal themselves. Patients seeking help with personalized weight loss or other complex medical issues can learn more about by visiting: http://www.BeyondPharmaceuticals.com