During chronic stress, however, the system does not turn off, and glucocorticoids, which were formerly inhibitory, have an over-riding excitatory effect on brain stress networks. Glucocorticoids in the system remain elevated, maintaining high levels of corticotropin releasing factor, which in turn regulates adrenocorticotropin; both key inciting hormones in the chronic stress response system. This creates a positive feedback loop between the stress systems of the body and brain.
From their studies, the researchers concluded that rats with chronically elevated glucocorticoids developed pleasure-seeking/or compulsive behaviors, which included drinking sucrose (rather than saccharine), eating lard, running on the wheel and taking a drug. They then observed changes that took place in the stress response system in the aftermath of eating the comfort food - an increase in abdominal fat and an end to corticotropin releasing factor and adrenocorticotropin secretion. They also observed an inverse relationship between abdominal fat and the expression of genes in the motor zone of the hypothalamus, where the stress response is initiated.
"This seems to be the body's way of telling the brain, 'It's ok, you can relax, you're refueled with high-energy food,'" says Pecoraro. The message is clearly being transmitted in the middle-aged man or woman with a gut. "This body type represents the classic distribution of fat from stress." The new model may explain why losing weight is notoriously difficult, he says. Losing weight is literally stressful, which makes a person feel anxious, and stress hormones make a person crave high energy foods, which blunt the feelings of stress and make one feel better.
The Dateline Weight Loss Challenge Results
The competitors:
- Weight Watchers
- Slim Fast
- Atkins diet
- Extreme exercise
- Hypnosis
- Jorge Cruise weight-loss program
With this program, Dateline demonstrated hypnosis and hypnotherapy to the public. It was a terrific way for people to see the powerful and effective ways that hypnosis can help program your mind for success.
Other results:
Lynne - extreme exercise and a daily 1,300-calorie diet.
Her weight did not change in three months.
Mark "Gio" - used the Slim Fast diet
After 1 week on Slim Fast "Gio" gained 3 pounds.
Kathy - did Weight Watchers, stayed under 20 points/day
Lost 4.8 pounds in one week ("I starved all week.")
Eleanor - at 300 pounds used an 8 min. weight workout
Eleanor lost three pounds in the first week.
Rick - followed the Atkins low-carb diet. Also exercise
Lost 13 pounds
Marc, using hypnosis, reported that he did not suffer while dieting. He was happy. He felt good and it happened naturally.
After 3 months...
Kathy... lost 18 pounds.
Eleanor... lost 24 pounds.
Lynne... lost 14 pounds
Marc... lost 40 pounds
(And didn't suffer during that time.)
Marc reports that he's very happy with the hypnotist. He's motivated and doesn't feel like anything is holding him back. He now enjoys exercising and has developed a greater love for healthy, nutritious food. In fact, he says he wants to, rather than feeling he ought to. All he wants now is healthy food, he says.
Dateline presented an objective look at the different weight loss methods available to the public today. It was very interesting how hypnosis was demonstrated to be effective and fast. Hypnosis is painlessm, and effective in programming the mind to feel good and desire naturally good foods and healthy diet and lifestyle.
