1. S UGAR : I S IT REALLY THAT S WEET ? Does sugar cause addiction & if so, does sugar addiction cause obesity? Krysta McGinnis

2. S UGAR A DDICTION Research has revealed that sugar and sweet treats can, not only substitute for addictive drugs but can even be more rewarding and attractive Food can release endorphins & the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that can temporarily relieve emotional discomfort, anxiety, and depression

3. H OW IS IT P OSSIBLE ?

4. Drugs act on brain systems evolved to reinforce natural behaviors

5. D OPAMINE D2

6. D OPAMINE D2 L EVELS D ECREASED IN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A HIGHER BMI - BMI: 23BMI: 30

7. W ITHDRAWAL S YMPTOMS Sugar has found to cause withdrawal symptoms like addictive drugs cause Symptoms include: Moodiness Anxiety Anger outbursts Weepiness Headaches Shakiness Intense hunger and/or cravings

8. T ESTED WITH R ATS TO DETERMINE EXTRACELLULAR DA AND AC H IN THE NA C Maintained on one of 4 diets: 1. Daily Intermittent Sucrose + Chow 2. Daily Intermittent Chow 3. Daily Ad libitum Sucrose + Chow 4. Sucrose Twice Microdialysis performed on Days 1, 2 and 21 Withdrawal signs shown when fasting or given an opioid antagonist

9. Research concluded: Tolerance of sucrose increased Signs of withdrawal were shown Consumed more than intended Neurochemical changes in the NAc Cross-sensitization Prolictivity to consume other drugs of abuse

10. E FFECTS OF E XCESSIVE S UGAR Sugar disturbs metabolism Increases risk of developing: High blood pressure Elevated blood triglycerides Heart disease Obesity Inflammation

11. D OES E XCESS S UGAR C AUSE O BESITY ? Research has shown that sugar doesn’t cause obesity Sugar addiction is linked to obesity The cause is the increase in caloric foods – many foods high in sugar are also high in calories The causes of obesity are complex & specific to the individual Rat research concluded: Sugar binging didn’t result in an increase in weight Sweet-fat binging rats were hyperphagic Increased in body weight

12. L EPTIN Biochemical negative feedback mechanism Allows humans to prevent caloric excess In obesity, leptin is defective Occurs through two mechanisms. 1. Leptin transported across the blood-brain barrier is impaired 2. Central leptin signal transduction is impaired in two locations

13. H OW MUCH S UGAR D O YOU C ONSUME ? The average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar per year. This equals 42.5 teaspoons/day! 350 extra calories/day Determining sugar intake: 39 grams of sugar/4 grams = 9.75 teaspoons 1 gram of sugar = 4 calories

14. A DDED S UGAR C ALORIE A LLOWANCE The American Heart Association recommends limiting the amount of added sugar daily Women: 100 calories per day Men: 150 calories per day

15. N ATURAL S UGARS VS. A DDED S UGARS Natural sugars: found “naturally” occurring in foods Added sugars: any sugars or caloric sweeteners added to food/beverages during processing or preparation Food makers can also use sweeteners that aren’t technically sugar, but these other sweeteners are in fact forms of added sugar.

16. I NGREDIENTS TO L OOK FOR - Sugar Lactose Maltose Dextrose Fructose Sorbitol Honey Brown Sugar Corn Sweetener Corn syrup Molasses Sorghum Syrup Agave Nectar Cane crystals Cane sugar Evaporate can juice Fruit juice concentrates Glucose Malt syrup Maple syrup Raw sugar Syrup Invert sugar Crystalline fructose Sugar comes in many different forms

17. K ELLOGG ’ S S MART S TART H EALTHY H EART C EREAL

20. H OW TO B EAT S UGAR A DDICTION #1: Stop eating addictive foods Decrease/remove sweetened beverages Separate dessert from meals #2: Maintain nutritional balance Revamp breakfast Enjoy healthy snacks #3: Read food labels & ingredient lists Remove sources of hidden sugar from house As healthy food plans are established, healing begins and the rebalance of brain chemistry

21. B IBLIOGRAPHY http://foodaddictioninstitute.org/scientific-research/physical- craving-and-food-addiction-a-scientific- review/?doing_wp_cron=1406056625.6964321136474609375000 http://plentyofthymecookbook.blogspot.com/2011/12/kelloggs -smart-start-my-ass.html http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dphs/nhp/adults/documents/su gar.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831667/ http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2129/pmc/articles/PMC325783 7/pdf/fnene-03-00011.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195115/ http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/ departments/psychiatry/Research/DPRG/Documents/Nicole_ Avena.pdf http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/docs/Hoebel- sugaraddiction.pdf http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/docs/Hoebel- sugaraddiction.pdf