What Causes Cravings
Testimony of the Day
In 2001 I felt like crap! Depression, anxiety, exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, mononucleosis, candida over growth, Celiac’s disease, and an abundant of other food sensitivities. All unknown at the time. I just knew I hurt mentally, emotional, spiritual, physically, psychologically and I didn’t know why. No one did. I was a full blown vegan.
With Maria’s guidance of supplements and staying 100% compliance to her diet, my gut has finally healed, my emotional health completely stabilized, my acne gone, excess pounds gone, brain fog gone, tired / fatigue gone. I am the healthy image I longed to be. It took time, persistence, patience, and self-discipline. It has been a journey that has paid off!” Lacy
Click HERE to start your journey to a keto-adapted diet!
BALANCE YOUR BRAIN
I want to help find and adapt recipes so we can enjoy our favorite foods, but I also want to help people feel better in other ways too. One of my specialties is balancing my clients’ brain chemistry through food. Have you ever gone on a diet and no one wanted to be around you? This is what happens when we consume “diet food,” our neurotransmitters drop and we become another person.
For 90% of dieters, a deficiency in one of four key brain chemicals can trigger weight gain, fatigue, and stress. The key to losing weight doesn’t lie in deprivation diets; it lies in balancing our neurochemicals. Many nutritionists and advanced practitioners are focusing on how the brain affects our health.
1. Dopamine controls metabolism
2. Acetylcholine regulates fat storage
3. GABA curbs emotional eating
4. Serotonin influences appetite.
When these primary brain chemicals are balanced, our bodies are more able to lose those unwanted pounds.
How DOPAMINE impacts personality:
Dopamine regulates activity in the frontal lobe, the area of the brain that governs communication, motivation and the ability to experience pleasure. Deficits of this chemical have been linked to psychological symptoms like social anxiety, self-criticism, procrastination or difficulty maintaining relationships. But once deficiencies of this chemical are corrected, women often feel more energetic, sociable and confident.
How ACETYLCHOLINE impacts personality:
Acetylcholine influences activity in the parietal lobe, the area of the brain responsible for processing sensory information, learning, memory and awareness. Insufficient levels of this chemical can cause attributes like forgetfulness, difficulty prioritizing tasks and an inability to relate to others. But as acetylcholine deficits are corrected, most women experience increased mental clarity, greater creativity, quicker thinking and improved empathy.
How GABA impacts personality:
GABA is the primary neurotransmitter in the temporal lobe, the area of the brain that governs perception, attention, speech and motions. Low levels of this chemical have been linked to psychological symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, excessive worrying, fear of new experiences, poor concentration and lock of impulse control, explains. But as GABA shortfalls are corrected, women regain calmness, dependability and objectivity.
How SEROTONIN impacts personality:
Primarily produced within the occipital lobe, the area of the brain that regulates sight, serotonin is associated with mood, ambition, decision making and the ability to experience pleasure. Research in the journal Science suggests that low levels of this brain chemical can cause psychological symptoms like depression, impulsivity, suspiciousness, shortsightedness or aggressiveness. Fortunately, increasing levels of serotonin quickly improves confidence, restores rationality and boosts feelings of happiness.
Here is my book that reveals the science behind balancing your brain. You can find it HERE on www.amazon.com
Happy Eating and Happy Reading!
TESTIMONY OF THE DAY
“Hi Maria, I wanted to update you on my progress!
Thanks so much for the kind words! You totally made my day!
I have been adding Great lakes Gelatin to foods lately. Will that help with these neurotransmitters?
I have never heard of that…I’ll have to look into it.
Thanks for your support!!!
Did you attend the wellness expo this week-end. The Wheat belly info was excellent. Was trying to keep my eye out for you.
I didn’t. Maybe next time. 🙂
Hi! I own two of your books (Keto-Adapted & Slow cooker). Love them!
The Secrets to Weight, Cravings and Moods is next on my list to buy…. I was at the library and there is was!! I am still going to buy it. It is such a good reference book.
My question. How do you prioritize the deficiencies? For example, on your test, I was a “19” on Serotonin and Dopamine was “13”.
Thank you for such a concise, well written and researched book.
Thanks! If you are going to prioritize, start with the one with the highest total. After that, see if the other symptoms are still there when you retake the test. 😉
Hi! It’s been an interesting couple of days! I started with Serotonin raising nutrition. I have felt so much better. Happier. More rested. More pleasant towards my husband!!! Which is significant because my first indication that my period is coming is that everything he does is wrong…and I am horribly critical of him. 🙁 Instead, these past two days with new nutrition, which has coincided with my period, I am happy with him, kind and loving towards him.
Now I just have to figure out what triggers binging – nutrition lacking or allergy/sensitivities.
Thanks Maria for so many useful tools. I am reading and re-reading, your books and blogs. 🙂
That is great! Going keto can help a lot for bingeing. You lose your cravings and stay full most of the day. 🙂
Dear Craig,
Hi! How did you guess that I was away for the weekend (eating out) and no longer in ketosis?? Thanks for you help. 🙂
🙂
Does GABA and 5-HTP keep anyone else awake? I took some last night and was awake from 12:30-4:00! I fell asleep quickly but awakened and just couldn’t get back to sleep. So aggravating. I didn’t have any caffeine, hadn’t worked out etc. I’m I the freak that responds differently than others? I’m 51, teach high school and am craving a good nights sleep. Maybe tonight.
I watched your webinar this weekend and that’s why I tried the GABA.
Some people it does so it should be taken earlier in the day.