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10 Dieting Mistakes - Ten dieting mistakes that can strangle a diet to death. continue

Enchiladas Jose - A quick low calorie recipe that's nothing short of delicious. Don your sombrero and grab your castanets! continue

1,300 Calorie Diet - 13 always was my lucky number. Our sweet diet plan is based on prepared meals found at your local market. Calories can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. continue

The Diet Double-Take - Things aren't always what they seem to be, even when dieting. continue

Help! My Little One & My Big One Won't Eat Vegetables - Original tips and techniques to conform your veggie-hater. continue

Tell Us Your Weight Loss Success Story - Has Diet Bites been a positive factor in helping you drop those extra pounds? If so, we'd like to hear your story and would be happy to share your experience with the readers at Diet Bites. continue

Determine if You're a Health Seeker Quiz - Are you a Seeker? Health Seekers come in all ages, all sizes and all shapes. Take our free, fun quiz by clicking here.

Quickly Boost Diet Motivation - How to Go From Meow to Roar - If you're having trouble 'getting in the mood' when it comes to losing weight, try this original weight loss motivation tip from Diet Bites. continue

Diet Bites 30 Pounds or Less Diet Plan - For those dieters seeking less aggressive methods for dropping those extra pounds. continue

Is Your Diet a-Workin' or is Your Diet Hardly a-Workin'? - From Potato Chip Kicker to Glass Blower, we'll show you how to hit Diet Pay Dirt. Pay off is swell.... continue

The Diet Progression of the Taco - It all began with a rustic corn tortilla - a rather healthy insert for the daily diet providing grain and energy values that range from 40 to 60 calories per corn tortilla. So how did this innocent flat-bed of corn go swiftly to heck in a bread basket? continue

 

The Transfer of Trans Fats - A study resulted in weight gain with trans fat consumption, even when calorie levels were maintained. But even more disturbing was the distribution of fat. continue | Foods Highest in Trans-Fats

The Fast Food Diet - Fast food can be an option for dieters. Diet Bites provides Calorie-Wise selections for dieters. continue

Daily Diet Makeover - How to cut calories and fat without giving up favorite foods. click to continue

Oh, Those Confusing Labels - How to make mincemeat out of dough wads. click to continue

Food Association - Just the smell of fresh popcorn can trigger our food desires. But something deeper and dearer to the heart may be our strongest trigger for eating. continue

Goji Berries - Super food OR over-rated promises? continue

When Eating Becomes a Pastime - When eating to live becomes living to eat. Tips to recognize & break the weight gain cycle. continue

Party On Diet Dudes! - Bring down the Diet House with our New Year's Party Planner that is diet friendly and oh-so-good. continue

Eating May Be Addictive - No kidding, Dick Tracy. Nonetheless, we've got some skinny solutions to ponder during this festive time of year - more festive for some, than others...... continue

Is There a Skeleton in Your Diet Closet? - What's that rapping, rapping at your Diet Closet Door? Could it be Weight Gain? Nevermore! Time to let the skeleton out of your Closet Door. continue

Are you suffering from Fiberitis - not knowing quite where to place your Fiber Faith? Although bombarded by bottles, tablets, wafers and pills - there is a natural option. continue

The Hypothalamus & Weight Loss, Weight Maintenance Connection

The hypothalamus, weight loss, weight management & leptin notes.

A tiny cherry-sized zone in the brain called the hypothalamus holds a key in controlling weight. The hypothalamus is involved in controlling hunger and thirst -in fact, almost everything connected with the hypothalamus has the power to influence the numbers on our weight scales. While scientists work to solve the complete puzzle, dieters may benefit from what is currently known. Hypothalamus aside, let's review what is common knowledge in regards to weight gain in simple terms:

The ABC's of Weight Gain & Weight Management

- We know that too much food equals weight gain.
- We know that too little exercise can also lead to weight gain when we exceed our daily energy (food) requirements.
- We know that when we're hungry, we receive a signal from the body in the form of a growl. The hungrier we are, the bigger the growl.
- We know that when we're trying to lose weight, even a kitten-sized growl feels like a lion-sized growl.

What is responsible for creating that growl? The old hypothalamus is right in the middle of things. In fact, the hypothalamus is so multi-tasked that it is often referred to as the Master Brain as well as the Brain of the Brain. It knows when the body requires water, it spurs into action when our blood sugar levels fall and it can even have a big impact on how we feel about the foods and fluids that we ingest - from the way they taste to their level of satisfaction.

Before we dive off into the scientific's of the hypothalamus, you can use the information above to assist you while dieting, as well as during the weight maintenance phase. The next time that you hear your tummy growl (the hypothalamus telling you that the body needs fuel), think about what you want to refuel your body with. The following tips may be of help in creating the wisest choices:

- Fiber filled foods require a longer processing time by the body thus taming the appetite for longer periods of time. Good choices that fall within this category include: apples with the peel left on, oatmeal and hot-air popcorn.

- Sugar filled foods are quickly processed by the body and when unaccompanied by fat, the appetite will swiftly resurface. When you're craving a sugary food, opt for foods that are pumped with nutritional values - such as dried fruits.

- When your body craves fluids, it's impossible to beat H2O.

- Eat slowly as it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register that the tummy is full (more on this below).

Additional Interesting Facts & Data Surrounding the Hypothalamus

 


What is the Hypothalamus?

Located beneath the thalamus region of the brain, the cherry-sized hypothalamus is responsible for regulating the metabolic process (among a plethora of other functions). The hypothalamus contains several groups of nerve cells which have the ability to impact emotions, regulate body temperature, motivate sexual behavior as well as control blood pressure- in addition to influencing an army of other body functions as referenced above.

The hypothalamus in regards to human body weight: The hypothalamus contains a leptin-sensitive neutral network which works to regulate body weight and is highly effective in assuring that the body is supplied with the levels of energy necessary for survival. Leptin (a hormone) receptors are also located in several other areas within the body, including: taste receptor cells, nucleus accumbens, the thalamus and the caudal brainstem.
 
A couple of notes regarding leptin:
 
- Several new's agencies have reported that the hormone leptin found in mother's milk might be a key factor in body weight control.
 
- At one point, leptin treatments were hoped to be a key to preventing or reversing obesity but much controversy exists.
 
The hypothalamus is also involved in signaling when the tummy is full, but the time it takes from fork-to-mouth to feeling full takes about 20 minutes for most individuals. Many diet supplements focus on shortening this span to target weight loss. For example, some hoodia gordonii suppliers claim that the dietary supplement is so powerful that it fools the brain into believing it is full prior to eating. No 20 minute wait.

Recap: Functions Related to the Hypothalamus & Weight Loss

  • the hypothalamus controls hunger;
  • the hypothalamus controls thirst;
  • levels of satiety (feeling of fullness) are also controlled by the hypothalamus
  • the hypothalamus in involved in salt cravings (when sodium levels are too high within the body, the hypothalamus sends a signal to drink fluids);
  • fluid & electrolyte balance are control by the hypothalamus;
  • body weight is controlled by the hypothalamus.

Factors That Impact the Hypothalamus

  • stress
  • light, including length of day
  • steroids, including corticosteroids
  • blood-borne stimuli such as insulin
  • olfactory stimuli
  • invading microorganisms such as occur during illness

Hypothalamus Controls Appetite

Internal sense organs inform the hypothalamus of glucose levels in the blood, along with information concerning the body's current water content. When these levels become too low, the hypothalamus stimulates our appetite so that we desire food and/or drink.

These food-pattern disturbances are triggered by a disorder within the hypothalamus which typically occurs via brain hemorrhage within the hypothalamic region. Pituitary tumors may also cause a disorder to occur within the hypothalamus, particularly as they expand. Other situations which can make the hypothalamus malfunction to a lesser degree include: drugs and substance withdrawal.

When a disturbance within the hypothalamus occurs, other disturbances within the body may occur along with the shift in eating patterns. The individual may experience a disturbance in body temperature as well as increased OR decreased needs for sex and/or sleep.

Hypothalamus Disorder Notes

When stimulation of the extreme lateral area of the hypothalamus occurs, the result is a desire to consume more food. When stimulation of the hypothalamus occurs by way of bilateral lesion, an individual may be left with no desire to eat.

In Summary

Only time will tell if scientists are able to break the code when it comes to solving issues surrounding weight gain and obesity. Until then, eat and drink wisely, get those all-important 40 winks along with a healthy burst of activity.

 


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What Causes Weight Gain? - Too many carbs? Stress, which in turn creates belly fat? Inadequate exercise? The answer is very simple.... continue | Unlikely Causes of Weight Gain | Natural Causes of Weight Gain

Free Quick Meals Menus for Dieters - Step out of that furry cave dress & loincloth and into the Modern Day World with these tasty, low calorie menus that won't blow your diet and that will leave you with enough time on your hands for more important things - like candle making. continue

Daylight Savings Time May Contribute to Weight Gain - Getting in an extra hour of sleep amid the sweeping-in of autumn is sweet music to the Sandman but doing such may have our weight scales on the upswing. To demonstrate our point, meet Todd who has just awoken from his extended slumber, a gift from Mr. Daylight Savings Time.... continue

 

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