PET Scans Reveal SHOCKING Food Revelation
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 23, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is filled with food, family, and fun.
The LAST thing I want to do is put a damper on today’s festivities. But on a food-focused holiday like today, I can’t help but think about our relationship with food these days.
We know more about HOW to eat to stay healthy than we ever have before. And yet, we’re getting sicker and unhealthier with each passing year.
A recent study sheds a bright light on one of the biggest reasons why.
And spoiler alert…the decline is NOT our fault…
Researchers recently decided to figure out what the sugary, ultra-processed foods—that have become a staple of the Western diet—are doing to our brains.
They gave volunteers milkshakes with different amounts of sugar. The volunteers then had PET scans of their brains done. And what the scientists saw was rather shocking.
The very low-sugar milkshake did nothing to the brains of the volunteers. The low-sugar milkshake produced the same results…. no effect.
But all bets were off with the high-sugar milkshakes. When THEY hit, the volunteer’s brains lit up like Christmas trees.
But it gets even crazier. The researchers immediately recognized the PARTS of the brain that were lighting up in response to the high-sugar food…
They’re the exact SAME areas that are activated when people take addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin!
In other words, eating more sugar caused similar brain responses to those seen when people abuse drugs.
It’s just one more piece of evidence to add to a growing stack proving that some foods, ESPECIALLY those high in sugar, fat, and salt, can be essentially “addictive.”
There are reasons to be worried about what this means.
For one thing, these results give a brain-based explanation for overeating and bingeing, which can be very hard to control. Because, although it’s not a chemical addiction that can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, some aspects of it ARE similar.
For example, someone addicted to crack cocaine who is always desperate for their next hit and folks who are “addicted” to food may all be stuck in a compulsive loop of strong cravings and overindulgences.
Our brains and bodies seem incapable of resisting the siren call of sugar, fat, and salt in LETHAL combinations. We may need an intervention to break free of Big Food’s irresistible concoctions.
P.S. The food industry’s dirty little secret is REVEALED!
Source:
Carnell S, et al., “Milkshake Acutely Stimulates Dopamine Release in Ventral and Dorsal Striatum in Healthy-Weight Individuals and Patients with Severe Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Pilot Study.” Nutrients. 2023; 15(12):2671.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...