Thought Provokers

Mastering the hidden force that undermines health & happiness. The Motivational Triad 1. Seek pleasure2. Avoid pain3.Conserve energy Magic Buttons! Modern life has magic buttons that can short circuit the natural connection between happiness and pleasure seeking behavior, with products such as recreational drugs, processed foods, pain relieving medications and gambling. These magic buttons are dangerous as they appeal to the instincts embedded in the motivation triad, but rob their victims of health and happiness. Read more…

Based on “Fat Chance” and “The Hacking of the American Mind” by H .Robert Lustig. MD . “Over several years, prolonged cortisol leads to excessive food intake–but not just any food.Human research shows that cortisol specifically increases calorie intake of “comfort foods”(those with high energy density or high fat and sugar). Your spouse is late and the kid’s won’t stop whining ? Break out the Ben & Jerry’s .  What predisposes certain people to stressed- Read more…

Processed food and ultra processed food messes with our biological systems on a cellular level. Did you know that you can take control of your diet and it will help your overall health. According to Robert Lustig, MD, MSL, “Designed to be highly palatable and even addictive like a Trojan horse it looks and seems attractive in many ways only to do it’s damage once inside our bodies and brains which may take years to Read more…

Effects of Chronic Stress“Your body is designed for  cortisol to be released in any given stressful situation, but in small doses and in short bursts. Today even though our acute stresses are declining in frequency and severity (most of us are far less likely to be chased by a lion in our daily lives), our chronic stresses are going through the roof. Despite (or maybe because of) electricity, computers, cars, indoor climate control and food Read more…

Stress and the Telomere Effect“Have you ever wondered why some sixty year olds look and feel like forty year olds and why some 40 year old look and feel like 60 year olds? While many factors contribute to aging and illness, Dr Elizabeth Blackburn discovered a biological indicator called telomerase, the enzyme that replenishes telomeres which protect our genetic heritage. Dr Blackburn and Dr Elissa Epel’s research shows that the length and health of one’s Read more…