Connecting the Dots

As you all know, I have a self-professed addiction to candy, specifically M&M's but I'm eating more other types of candy every day now. This addiction is snowballing and I feel like I'm drowning.  I resumed my research (as a person who always has the need to understand what's going on) and I found a very interesting article that basically says this: because sugar provides such a high jolt of energy, the body tries to recognize sugar as a vital nutrient.  However, processed sugar of any kind is devoid of nutrients - empty calories. To exacerbate the problem, the brain releases a huge jolt of endorphins in response to the high energy produced by sugar. So, while the body is trying to find the nutrional value in the empty calories of candy, the brain is throwing a party with the V.I.P. invited guest list made up exclusively of all those hormones that make us feel higher than a kite. This is why when the sugar rush wears off, the body - and the brain - start scrambling for more, more, more - compulsion sets in and is not satisfied until more candy/sugar is put into the bloodstream.  Here's the connect-the-dots factor - the article suggests that PEOPLE WHO ARE PRONE TO CANDY ADDICTION ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEFICIENT IN NUTRIENTS, vitamins, minerals... I have said it before and I'll say it again - I NEVER, EVER CRAVED CANDY before this surgery! Once again, this research points to the malapbsorption factors inherent in post-surgery life as a potential primary culprit in sugar addiction!  NOW maybe I can move forward in trying to solve this for myself.  It is not a mere issue of willpower!! I've got plenty to feel guilty and ashamed about but not this - I am not CHOOSING to eat candy every day - it's something that I cannot control - but maybe now that I'm armed with this information, I can tackle it a different way - thanks for listening, friends. Maureen

Thanks for that! VERY interesting because the night candy cravings are jsut plain weird!! i will wake up out of a dead sleep and have this intense teeth grinding need for candy!!! of all stupid things!! i never craved candy like that when i was huge. NEVER. I just ate too much and snacked badly etc... but never for like...chewy candy and just... candy! starbursts or skittles or something like that! it is very weird. I had gotten some sugar free gummy bears and gummy fish for those wake up in the middle of the night cravings. But I swear, the sugar free ones make me dump worse than the normal ones (sugar alcohols are high I suppose) at any rate... also to keep in mind that I read that was discovered is that people who are morbidly obese have something wrong with their seratonin release. For example a normal person can have an intense craving...eat one piece of chocolate and it will satisfy the brain. For others... with issues with that seratonin release, they need more in order to get that "aahhh" feeling. Very interesting study that was to read. I may still have the link. if I find it i'll post. Wish they could make somethign to fix that... but then some of the diet drugs help with cravings. I also read Reenie that sugar is not good for the liver. SO be careful! it has to work harder when we put it in our bodies. We just never can catch a break! ask your doc about the hunger meds out there that may help with the cravings. See what they say. And feed that liver of your milk thistle. You can get it at the vitamin shoppe in liquid form in a small dropper. I just drop a few drops a couple times a day under my tongue. They say it really helps. :)

wait... let me clairfy something here. The people who have that seratonin issue can be thin and that will be the REASON they become obese. Just random people in general are born with this issue apparently.  So its not "people are obese and the effect of being obese it the seratonin issue" no, it happens before and hence because of the seratonin issue...can become overweight slash stay overweight...

Very interesting-indeed!! I don't crave candy, but, sugar on some days. with diabetis, I can't go there very often. but still do on occasion.