DR MAX: This is why ultra-processed foods are as addictive as cocaine

Step away from the Coco Pops! Put down that spoon! Put that bowl away! Last week, author and associate professor Dr Chris van Tulleken presented a packet of the aforementioned breakfast cereals to the House of Lords Committee on Food, Diet and Obesity, and argued that this, and other ‘harmful’ junk food, should be of health are stripped. claims and a ban on advertising.

He was one of several experts who spoke before Parliament about the scourge of junk food, especially when it comes to children. Dr. Van Tulleken accused the mass-produced food industry of behaving in a similar way to big tobacco by selling addictive products that could be harmful.

It’s a subject he has written about in his latest book Ultra-processed People: Why Do We Eat Stuff That Ain’t Food And Why Can’t We Stop, which was serialized by the Daily Mail, and the horrific consequences for exposes health – including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer – from junk food and the ruthless tactics companies use to sell their products to an unsuspecting public.

“Poor nutrition has overtaken tobacco as the leading cause of death worldwide – and poor nutrition means an ultra-processed diet,” he argues.

It’s hard not to agree. While not addictive in the same way as alcohol or heroin, processed foods are often carefully crafted to lighten our reward pathways.

This is similar to the way cocaine works on the brain and can create a strong desire to seek out the ‘reward’ again and again: a form of psychological addiction. I’ve seen this many times.

Patients simply seem unable to stop eating processed foods and feel out of control over them in a way that they don’t with other types of foods. The cravings can be extreme as our brains try to get us to initiate that reward pathway over and over again.

This is no coincidence; these foods are carefully formulated to maximize the effect they have on our reward pathways, making them incredibly appealing.

It’s easy to say that people just need to learn some self-discipline, but for many, these little moments of “reward” are intoxicating and incredibly hard to resist.

After all, we are hardwired to seek rewards and it is a difficult instinct to fight, especially when you are a child.

Manufacturers effectively use our neurology against us to help sell their products.

Now I have to admit that I love Coco Pops. There is always a box in my closet. But they are a rare treat – maybe once a month at most.

In the meantime, I eat healthy and exercise regularly. I eat enough fruit and vegetables, only eat lean meat such as chicken and fish and avoid processed food. So I think it’s okay to indulge once in a while. I sure as hell am not a monk – I need some vices and it could be a lot worse than an occasional bowl of processed, sugary cereal.

But for many people, these types of highly processed foods are a mainstay of their diet. For many, processed food is an important source of nutrition, appearing in every meal, often several times.

It is especially concerning for children, whose bodies are still growing and developing.

There is clear evidence of the negative impact that ultra-processed foods have, not only on physical health, but also on mental health. A Harvard study last year found that eating ultra-processed foods (UPF), for example, increased the risk of depression.

The study found that participants in the top fifth of UPF consumers – who ate nine or more servings per day – had a 50 percent higher risk of developing depression than those in the bottom fifth, who ate four or fewer servings per day. ate day.

Other studies have also found links to anxiety and cognitive decline. But why? Scientists have made some progress in answering this difficult question. UPFs are high in carbohydrates, saturated fat and energy, and low in protein and fiber.

You don’t see these kinds of combinations with unprocessed food. This, along with the additives such as stabilizers and emulsifiers that extend shelf life and improve taste and texture, cause inflammation in the body, which is known to increase the risk of mental and physical health problems.

Many UPFs are low in micronutrients – such as niacin, pyridoxine, copper, selenium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc – chemicals that the body needs in small amounts to function properly, which means we’re eating foods that don’t actually work in the skin. is food. nutritional feeling.

I am a libertarian and believe that people should have the freedom to make choices about their lives, including what they eat.

But let’s not forget that many of these products are aggressively marketed to cash-strapped children and families who don’t know the health consequences of the things they put in their shopping carts every week.

The least companies selling these types of products should do is warn those who eat them about the health hazards?

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How Robin fell victim to fame

There has been an outpouring of grief after former Strictly star Robin Windsor died last week at the age of 44.

He was very open about his mental health issues and was a passionate advocate for other patients. I interviewed him about this a few years ago and it was an absolute pleasure talking to him.

But he had also spoken about the impact of being dropped by Strictly after an injury. He was so upset that he couldn’t watch the BBC show and fell into a deep depression.

The chill people experience when the heat of the spotlight is transferred to someone else can be devastating. I saw this when I worked privately and treated a number of former stars who had resorted to drinking or taking drugs or developed cripplingly low self-esteem as their star waned – almost always through no fault of their own.

The world of celebrity is cruel and fickle. It sucks people in and spits them out. This worries me about the number of young people dreaming of stardom. Fame should come with a health warning.

Women who experience a stillbirth or miscarriage before 24 weeks can apply to the government for a ‘baby loss certificate’. The program aims to recognize the devastating impact of pregnancy loss and help grieving families move forward.

I think this is such a good idea. Miscarriage affects people in very different ways. While for some they understand it as part of nature and move on, for others it can be devastating and hang over them for years.

I have spoken to several patients over the years who struggle to move forward precisely because there is so little recognition of their suffering. This will help.

Dr. Max writes for…

Wendy’s Memoirs

Wendy Mitchell died last week at the age of 68 after a battle with early-onset vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. She decided to stop eating and drinking in an attempt to end her life. Her best-selling 2018 memoir remains one of the best books I’ve read on the subject. Warm, smart and life-affirming, a must-read for anyone affected by dementia.