Pandemic Lockdown Weight Gain & the Medical Reasons for it

At a time when Americans should have been focused on their health, as a population they were anything but. During the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown the average American gained two pounds a month, according to a study published in the The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network Open).

But the reasons for this trend were the result of brain chemistry that evolved in humans over the millennia, according to well respected neurologist, Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative. He described these on his regular podcast that can be heard on Apple PodcastsAudacyHouston Healthcare Initiative, iHeartPodcast AddictPodbeanBacktracksSoundcloud, and just about anywhere podcasts can be heard.

Stress & More Stress

Dr. Goldstein told his audience that the main reason for the weight gain was related to stress. “The main reason is stress, especially given the really bad news about the seriousness of the pandemic and the controversies about different treatments early on,” he told his listeners. “That was stress of a long duration which exacerbated the physiological accompaniments of stress.”

Fight or Flight Responses

As part of the ‘fight or flight’ response, the human brain goes on high alert. To maintain a high state of alertness requires more energy for the brain in the form of calories. “Heightened states of stress and anxiety like this require more calories to keep the brain on high alert, Dr. Goldstein stated. “We eat sugar to get a boost of energy. Sugar gets converted to energy faster but does not last long, requiring more sugar. It is a cycle that is unhealthy short term, but really bad long term.”

Long Term Fear of the Unknown

On top of that stress was the unknown. No one living had ever experienced anything like the Covid-19 pandemic and closure of practically everything. According to Dr. Goldstein, not knowing was a huge problem for the American psyche. Research shows that the unknown makes people more stressed than when they know something is about to happen. “In late March, April, and May of last year we really didn’t know what we were dealing with, in terms of how contagious the Covid-19 virus was or how potentially fatal it might be,” Dr. Goldstein said. “Obviously then, the unknowns of the virus and the dramatic worldwide lock downs were things none of us had any experience with and that is the perfect recipe for stress, anxiety and the overeating that accompanies both.”

To Flee or Not to Flee

Stress like this is in reaction to the ‘fight or flight’ response that is hard-wired into the consciousness of humans. According to the web site Psychology Tools, the fight or flight response is ‘an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee.’ When the duration of this automatic response is months or even over an entire year, part of the evidence that Americans endured all this stress is registered on the scale.

Brain Chemistry

So what in the human psyche links eating with stress? “Humans evolved such that when faced with stress, the body does what it must to keep the brain on high alert,” Dr. Goldstein reported. “It decreases levels of some hormones and brain chemicals to discourage behaviors that won’t help in an urgent situation, and it increases other hormones that will.” Dr. Goldstein added more details, “our ancestors had to outrun predators and other humans or be ready to fight them. Thus, we evolved to release adrenaline in response to the fight or flight response. From an evolutionary perspective, that stress responses are tuned to environmental uncertainty suggests that they gave people a better chance at survival, depending on who or what was chasing you.”

A Gut Feeling

Dr. Goldstein also explained that there was a connection between the brain and the stomach. “The brain is connected to the gut through a two-way communication system called the vagus nerve,” he said. “When you are stressed, your body inhibits the signals that travel through the vagus nerve and slows down the digestive process.”  Eating for comfort can be a natural response to stress, but when combined with the lower motivation to exercise and consumption of low-nutrient, calorie-dense food, people can and did gain weight.

About the Houston Healthcare Initiative

The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast with Dr. Steven Goldstein is an information vehicle for people who want to know all medical options for themselves and are interested in reforming the healthcare industry. To learn more about the Houston Healthcare Initiative please visit www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.

How to Find the Best Weight Loss Program in Thailand

With changing lifestyles and food styles, most people are battling excess weight, and many of them go through serious struggles when trying to get rid of those extra pounds. Although there are many weight loss programs, losing weight in Thailand can be challenging. Finding the best plan can be daunting, and you need to know the critical aspects to consider. Nevertheless, with a few ideas, the entire process becomes easier.

How can you find the best weight loss program in Thailand? Read on to find out:

1. What’s the core of your weight issue?

First of all, consider the core of your weight problem. Do you wish to shed a few pounds or you’re struggling with life-long obesity? Is your weight associated with a recent pregnancy? To find the best plan for, you need to understand the basis of your weight problem. This way, it’ll be easier to get the perfect program for your needs.

2. What kind of weight loss plan can you follow best?

Will it be easy for you to stay motivated or do you require weight loss holidays or retreats to kick-start your weight loss journey? Remember, motivation is a crucial aspect when trying to lose weight. If you have issues staying motivated, then this might not be easy, even when you pick the best program.

You want to lose weight, and you want this to be long term. Therefore, the best plan should be one that supports you to live a healthy life and also helps you to become more disciplined. This way, you can exercise more and avoid overeating.

3. Research and more research!

There are many weight loss plans in Thailand, and the best way to pick the perfect one is by conducting research. Seek information from loved ones who have benefited from the weight loss program. Find out about the location of the program, and the costs of the services. If you happen to have a tight schedule, picking a program that requires you to travel miles away won’t be ideal.

More so, check all the different plans that boast of what they can help you achieve. Go through online reviews from others and see what they have to say concerning the particular program. Track the results of others who have tried the plan. This way, you’ll have a rough idea of what works best for your needs.

4. How much are you willing to spend?

The cost of the program is yet another aspect you have to consider. Most of the weight loss programs are costly and come at varying prices. Be sure of how much you can shell out for the plan, and this makes it becomes easier to pick the right program as per your budget and requirements.

5. Type of weight loss plan offered

The type of plan provided is also of the essence. Weight loss for men can be different from that of women, and the methods vary as well. Therefore, check all the different plans that boast of what they can help you achieve. Also, read the reviews from other individuals and what they have to say concerning the particular program and track the results of others who have tried the plan. This way, you’ll have a rough idea of what works best for your needs.

Conclusion

Thailand is a beautiful country with tons of activities. There are different weight loss programs in Thailand. To find the best one, you need to be sure of your weight loss needs, how much you can spend, the kind of plan offered, and the one that you can follow best. Once this is done, you can research the different programs near you.

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