Transforming Health Through Nutrition, Empathy, and Research

🧠 THE NEUROSCIENCE OF EATING PLEASURE 🍽️

New research from UC Berkeley has uncovered a fascinating connection between our brain chemistry and how we experience pleasure from food!

Scientists have discovered that a brain chemical called neurotensin plays a crucial role in our ability to enjoy eating. When neurotensin levels drop, the brain’s dopamine pleasure network gets disrupted, reducing the joy we get from meals.

The most interesting finding? For many people, long-term dietary patterns can actually reduce these pleasure signals in the brain. This means some individuals might continue eating out of habit or boredom rather than genuine enjoyment.

“Bringing back neurotensin seems to be very critical for preventing the loss of desire to consume high-calorie foods,” explains UC Berkeley professor Stephan Lammel. When researchers restored neurotensin levels, it normalized eating behavior and improved overall wellbeing.

This groundbreaking study, published in Nature, helps us understand that healthy eating isn’t just about what we eat, but about maintaining our brain’s natural ability to experience pleasure from food.

What’s your relationship with food pleasure? Have you noticed changes in how much you enjoy certain foods over time? Share your thoughts below! 👇

#dopamine #neuroscience #nutrition

Anyone with even a mild sense of intuition knows that babies and children consuming artificial colors every day cannot be good.

Funny part is, I was taught in school that these substances had no negative impact on human health. A lot of people still believe that. It’s usually not people who pay close attention to kids behavior 🤯

Anyway, I’m pretty excited about this news. It gives me hope! Not just for my children but the future of this nation 🇺🇸

#maha

Just published! Our groundbreaking work on ultra-processed food addiction treatment shows sustained improvements at 12-month follow-up🔬📊

Big props to @jenunwin for taking the lead and @mollypainschab and @crissykens from @sweet_sobriety

This research represents the first long-term data on food addiction recovery. It demonstrates that a “real food” approach combined with proper support can create lasting change for those struggling with addiction-like behaviors around ultra-processed foods.

As someone who has long advocated for integrating multiple perspectives in nutrition and mental health, I’m particularly excited about how this study bridges traditional gaps between ED and addiction frameworks.

Drop “UPFA” below for a link to the paper👇

#foodaddiction #research #foodaddictionrecovery

🚨 Nutrition Label Revolution? Not So Fast. 🤔

The FDA proposes a new front-of-package nutrition label highlighting saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Sounds great, right?

But here’s the truth bomb: We’ve had nutrition labels for decades, and chronic diseases are STILL on the rise. Why? Because nutrition is about SO much more than numbers.

Join me for a FREE webinar where we’ll dive deep into:
* Why calorie counting isn’t always the answer
* How to develop a genuinely nourishing relationship with food
* Moving beyond math-centric nutrition approaches

Counting Calories: Helpful to Some and Harmful to Others?
🗓️ Friday, May 2nd
⏰ 12pm PST

DROP “webinar” in the comments to get your link! 👇

#NutritionTips #WellnessTips #WiseMindNutrition

New research suggests oral creatine monohydrate supplementation may help reduce depression symptoms when combined with therapy! 🧠✨

This European Neuropsychopharmacology study (PMID: 39488067) found that participants who took creatine alongside CBT therapy had “significantly lower” depression scores than those who received just therapy with a placebo.

While these findings are promising, remember that nutrition for mental health isn’t about single supplements—it’s about understanding the complex connections between what we eat and how we feel.

There are many paths to wellness, and what works for one person may not work for another. The wise mind approach considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

Have you incorporated creatine or other nutritional approaches into your mental health journey?

#nutritionformentalhealth #depressionresearch #creatine #mentalwellness #brainhealth #wisemindnutrition #nutritionalpsychiatry

3 years ago today I put a ring on it 💍 my boo was already pregnant and we were ready to settle down 🏠

My father told me that the single most important decision I will make is who I choose to marry ❤️

@miracleworkher you are the single best decision I’ve ever made. Thank you for choosing me to create this nest with. For loving me through life’s twists and turns.

Being married and having children is the ultimate test and truly the biggest challenge. It turns out that if you do it with the right person it isn’t so bad 🤣 we are doing fantastic!!!

Sure, there are days when we are sleep-deprived and operating a low levels of consciousness. I have had anxiety attacks that I can’t think my way out of. But we do it together and life each other up along the way🥰

Happy 3-year anniversary Mega. I love you so deeply and am in awe of your beauty on the inside and out.

The most satisfactory days of our existence lie ahead of us!

#anniversary #couple #marriedwithchildren

NEW RESEARCH ALERT! 🚨

I’m excited to share our latest study published in Frontier in Psychiatry examining how childhood adversity impacts our relationship with ultra-processed foods 🍕🍩🍟

Our findings suggest that people with 4+ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have DOUBLE the odds of developing ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA). And for those with a history of substance use disorder (SUD), this risk is even greater! 📈

This research highlights why we need trauma-informed approaches in nutrition counseling and addiction treatment. It’s not just about willpower—our early experiences shape our brains’ responses to highly rewarding foods.

Drop “PUB” in the comments for the full article!

Thanks @erica.m.lafata for being such an amazing collaborator!

#research #foodaddiction #addictionrecovery #MAHA

My first walk was 60 miles in 2008 with @ryrongracie and a crew of athletes. I will never forget it.

From that experience, I brought the concept of “night walking” or “meditation walking” to my sober community. We used to walk from 2:30am-7am to catch an additional buzz from sleep deprivation.

Eventually, we started walking earlier so that people in treatment centers could join us.

I started doing walks with @beittshuvah, and from that, we started the Running4Recovery marathon program. I walked five marathons with the Beit T’shuvah team and now provide some nutrition coaching to the team each year.

I have done the 14-mile walk along the bike path from Hermosa Pier to Santa Monica Pier about 50 times, but every walk is unique.

Last night was particularly special. We struggled, chatted, synchronized our movement to our breath, and demonstrated our commitment to a spiritual way of life.

Big shout out to @itslianarae @kourtney.golden @foruitousebb9911 @japkets @karenjayres @untamedstar16 and everyone else who joined us!

I am in awe of the Power.

#fledglingsociety