It s of course difficult to say what makes
a particular person overeat, as described
in these posts.
We can only generalize and see if the
theory fits the person.
From a biochemical viewpoint people
overeating do so, because without eating
they start to feel depressed. It is
suggested that what the person is looking
for are sweets that gives quick burst of
energy.
The brain needs energy to produce its feel
good neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
That energy is derived form the foods we
eat and in particular carbohydrates. Thus
people with depression often find relief
from eating high carbohydrate foods
(containing sugars).
Sugar triggers the release of insulin into
the blood stream. This hormone pushes
glucose and other nutrients across cell
membranes. It then enters the
mitochondria of cells (power house) where
it is converted to biological energy.
Tryptophan found in food and the
forerunner of serotonin - our main feel
good neurotransmitter - is left behind
after absorption of glucose and is then
converted to serotonin. And presto we
feel happy!! Thus initially, consumption
of refined carbohydrates helps us to avert
depression. But this can also cause sugar
addiction. But sugar addiction can lead
to more serious problems.
The trouble is that if we eat too much
sugar, it exposes the body to peroxidation
of tissues, leading to all sorts of
degenerative diseases. The body reacts to
this by shutting down the receptors for
insulin. This is called insulin
resistance. Although we may have higher
than normal blood sugar levels, energy is
not entering the cells and especially
brain cells that depends very much on
glucose as its only source of energy.
When brain cells are starved of energy, in
a world of plenty of blood sugar, it will
trigger the release of stress hormones,
such as adrenaline and cortisol. This
causes the body to convert sugar stores
into sugar (energy) to feed the brain
again. But these stress hormones are also
responsible for the many and varied
symptoms of mental illness, ranging from
depression, anxiety attacks, alcoholism,
drug addiction, uncontrollable mood swings
and so on.
Thus overeating is a sign that the body
has problems producing serotonin, the feel
good hormone.
The treatment is going on
hypoglycemic
diet.
