Do Refined Carbs Pack on the Pounds and Create Addiction? Brain Imaging Study Says Yes

Eating highly processed carbohydrates can have a similar effect on brain chemistry as addictive substances according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Stimulating regions of the brain involved with reward and craving, refined carbohydrates were found to cause excess hunger and overeating, leading the researchers to suspect limiting high-glycemic foods could be an effective method for discouraging obesity.

A public health crisis

Astoundingly, the rate of obesity in the U.S. has more than doubled since the 1970s. Food and Research Action Center states:

Looking For A Way To Slim Down, Boost Clarity And Renew Vitality? A Healthy Thyroid May Be the Secret

Feeling sluggish with perpetual brain fog? What about weight gain, depression and hair loss? If suffering from these ailments, a lethargic thyroid may be the culprit. Modern lifestyles and toxins as well as gluten can wreck havoc on the gland and, in turn, health. Yet the ill effects of modern living can be counteracted with a few simple adjustments. Two of the best methods are though diet and stress reduction.

On of the largest glands in the body, the thyroid is located on the front side of the neck, sitting just below the Adam's apple. It produces hormones that influence metabolism, digestion and immune response. When the thyroid is stagnant, it leads to:

5 Things That Happen When You Quit Eating Sugar

(Eat Local Grown) First, let’s set the record straight by saying that sugar in and of itself isn’t evil, per se. It occurs naturally in plenty of foods, including fruits and milk. With that being said, adding excess sugar to your dietary intake simply isn’t necessary. In fact, you’ll notice numerous positive things happen when you decide to quit sugar for life.

Although people living in the Western world have been trained to desire sugary treats, as well as foods that include copious amounts of sugar for flavoring, we certainly don’t need it. If you stop eating anything but naturally occurring sugars, you’ll notice that 5 very distinctive things will happen.

GMOs encourage weight gain and obesity, researchers discover

Looking around, it's no secret that Americans are putting on the pounds unlike any other time in history. Sure, we can't discount sedentary lifestyles, processed foods and outrageous sugar consumption as contributing factors. At the same time, an elephant in the room is often overlooked -- one known as genetically modified food. Researches are beginning to connect the dots, realizing that the possibility of GMOs contributing to weight gain is not as far-fetched as once thought.

Estrogen overload - How environment and lifestyle contribute to hormonal imbalance while devastating the health of both men and women

Estrogen is typically considered a female hormone, vital for the reproductive system. Yet with the widespread use of plastics and pesticides, estrogen dominance is now a serious issue for both men and women. Excessive levels not only increase the incidence of breast, colon and prostate cancer, but also foster weight gain, fatigue, irritability and mental instability. Present in a variety of consumer goods like cosmetics, shampoos, oil-based coatings and animal products, we are bombarded by chemical estrogens at every turn. Minimizing the damaging effects is a three-fold process: limit exposure, detoxify and balance with progesterone. Continue »