There are a lot of reasons for obesity in this country.  I think it's primarily a macronutrient problem, meaning that protein, carbs and fat are out of balance for most people.  Despite the Atkins, South Beach and Zone Craze, people are still not getting enough protein throughout the day.  For example, a 150-pound man, who is in respectable shape with a decent body fat percentage, should probably get up to 150 grams of protein.  A woman should get up to 100 to 125 grams of protein. But you need to know when to eat it and what the right kinds of proteins are for you.  Secondly the adrenal glands, which produce hormones like cortisol and DHA, may not be working properly.  This definitely hinders weight loss.  Thirdly, you might be eating foods you are allergic to--most commonly wheat and dairy products as well as soy. And lastly, People do legitimately crave cert foods.  A lot of times people try to diet and often end up quitting.  And it's not because they're weak or unmotivated, but because of what their bodies are craving.  The problem, believe it or not, may actually be lurking in the brain.  If a person is low in certain neurotransmitters, like dopamine or serotonin, they will use food, alcohol or drugs to feel better.  I use the book, The Diet Cure, by Julia Ross, as a guide to help my clients determine the root of their imbalances. The book discusses everything I just mentioned and is actually mandatory reading for all my clients. 

 

    About fifty percent of my clients suffer from brain chemistry depletion.  There are four main reasons as t o why this happens.  The first is genetic; you may have had only marginal amounts to begin with. Did you have a mother or father who was depressed or an alcoholic?  If so, you may have been born with an imbalance.  The second reason is chronic dieting.  People who go on diets without getting enough protein or fat deplete their brain.  The third reason is stress, which burns up brain chemicals.  And the final reason is the overuse of sugar, alcohol and drugs.  The effects of these vices occupy the receptor sights in your brain and as a result, cause it to stop making the neurotransmitters necessary to help you look and feel better.  The bottom line: Fix the brain first and your habits will change. 

 

    Certain amino acids, the building blocks of protein that are found naturally in food, can be the solution to this rampant problem.  Here's how it works: The body takes in amino acids from protein and converts it into neurotransmitters.  However, if the body isn't getting enough protein or getting the wrong type of protein, you're not going to get neurotransmitter balance.  For example, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), a mood-enhancing chemical that is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan, promotes serotonin in the brain.  In turn, serotonin affect overall behavior including eating habits.  Additionally, a deficiency of serotonin can cause anxiety and depression. 

 

    Looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand.  I see many clients who have tried SSRI's selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like Paxil and Zoloft, to combat their serotonin deficiency.  SSRI's are a form of anti-depressant therapy that allows the neurotransmitter to stay in the synapse longer.  (a synapse is the gap between two neurons; the neurotransmitter works to bridge that gap.) If you take Paxil, the neurotransmitter stays in that synapse for a longer period of time, but it doesn't help the neuron make more of the neurotransmitter you are lacking.  This is precisely why people do tend to initially feel better on anti-depressants.  However, in most cases, six months or a year or five years later, the same does doesn't have the same effect, and many people find themselves depressed again.  Amino acid therapy helps to nourish the brain with the nutrients it needs to make more of that neurotransmitter.  Supplementing your diet with amino acids can naturally and effectively regulate the way we feel, the way we think, what we crave and how happy we are. 

 

    With the brain now properly balanced, most clients begin to feel better.  The Nutrition Treatment Center's objective is to educate its clients on how they can live in a busy world and still follow the recommended program.  One of the first things I do in my consultations is get to know my clients daily routine-from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed.  Every dingle client has unique needs.  I teach my clients to utilize proper nutrition, create a better workout schedule and often times take amino acid supplementation in order to achieve their desired results without sacrificing other aspects of their lives.  To really look and feel your best, you have to change from the inside out.