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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on March 5, 2006, at 20:58:05
Just out of curiosity: how many of you out there crave sugar? I can't get enough of it, and I've been that way all my life. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm addicted, because I can't "eat just one" with any kind of sweet thing. I even binge on sweets sometimes! I tend to believe that this is, to some degree, serotonin-related (and this theory has been supported in numerous studies). I'm interested to know how many others have the same problems, and if so, what have you been able to do about it? Are there any particular meds that have helped? Cymbalta at 30 mg. didn't touch my cravings at all, but I've recently increased to 60 mg., so perhaps that will have a positive effect.
Any thoughts???
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2006, at 21:55:08
In reply to sugar cravings, posted by jessers11581 on March 5, 2006, at 20:58:05
Interesting crave chocolate now and didn't ever before. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by mattw84 on March 5, 2006, at 22:55:38
In reply to sugar cravings, posted by jessers11581 on March 5, 2006, at 20:58:05
Jess,
Sounds like will power would help, but I know that is easier said than done when it comes to sweets.
Some evidence shows that Luvox (fluvoxamine), Lexapro, Zoloft, Effexor, Prozac have some "anti-binge" success. Even more successful is topiramate.
Good luck!
Matt
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 6, 2006, at 4:53:49
In reply to Re: sugar cravings, posted by mattw84 on March 5, 2006, at 22:55:38
Hey there, Jess!
Well there are studies showing that sugar cravings are related to a definicity in chronium. I would recommend supplementing for this mineral along with a good vitamin/mineral supplement - try chromium polynicotinate 200µg. I do, and I think it does help. Google/pubmed it if you're unsure.
Do you also try and eat low GI foods? I try and start the day with porriage - I think American's call it oatmeal. It gives you a long slow energy release - which is much better than an instant fix of something sweet. Also, if they are really bad, I would try and stay away from sweet things altogether as it might be that you have insulin sensitivities. Sugar has been compared to a drug.
Do you have atypical depression? Overeating is a symptom.
But I know what you mean - I'm exactly the same - I can't have just one, I can't stop, I'll have the whole packet!! So I just try to avoid buying sweet things. And if I do, I'll only buy one, so there isn't the tempation lying around the house..... I have a feeling it might be something to do with dopamine reward receptors - maybe they're not as sensitive as they should be or something. I was on zyban/wellbutrin, which acts on dopamine, and I noticed that I could resist tempation on that (I could say no to cake!!!!!) which is obviously why its used for smoking cessation.
But the bottom line is really try and stay away from sugary things. And exercise.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Cairo on March 6, 2006, at 21:55:20
In reply to Re: sugar cravings, posted by mattw84 on March 5, 2006, at 22:55:38
Please try conservative measures (Weight Watchers, more exercise, etc.) before trying meds. While I know that in some people, their condition causes their metabolism to change, there still might be a sweet tooth component (or carb or fat craving) that could be addressed by watching calories, exercising or behavioral therapy.
Topiramate caused me to lose 15 pounds, but it was due to very severe medication side effects and probably metabolic acidosis (black box warning on Topamax, I believe). I'm still not over the panic attacks it induced. Be careful with that one.
I want a muffin. I can sympathize with your problem.
Cairo
Posted by jessers11581 on March 7, 2006, at 17:52:38
In reply to Re: sugar cravings, posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 6, 2006, at 4:53:49
Thanks for the replies, everyone! I've tried many, many things in the past to overcome this problem (chromium supplements, l-glutamine, avoidance, more protein, etc.). So far, it seems that increasing protein and just staying away from even the slightest little bit of sugar is the best thing for me. I can pretty much keep my sugar cravings under control...as long as I don't eat sugar, lol! I recently began seeing a nutritionist, who told me that I'd probably always be a sugar-craver, and that it may be best for me to just try and stay away from it indefinitely. I eat a lot of fruit, which helps. I also exercise regularly and whatnot. My diet is actually very good...until I eat sugar and go on a sugar binge! So anyway, I guess I'll just keep trying to avoid it for now and hope that I can one day have it in moderation. :)
Posted by blackcat23 on March 9, 2006, at 15:02:20
In reply to Re: sugar cravings, posted by jessers11581 on March 7, 2006, at 17:52:38
I've struggled with sugar cravings all my life, too. I have no problem controlling how much I eat of anything else, but sugar was always more of a drug to my body.
I take Parnate, now, and my cravings have definitely gotten better on this drug. I find that alcohol makes the cravings much worse, so that's something to watch out for definitely.
I've heard fish oil can help, too. I was taking that reguarly and am unsure if it helped or not. I hadn't heard of the chronium connection- that's interesting.
In my opinion, there's a definite physical component to the sugar addiction thing that goes beyond just liking how it tastes. I have atyical depression and before Parnate, sugar would comfort me like nothing else would. It's tough! Good luck to you!
This is the end of the thread.
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