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musicriddler t1_iyt575c wrote

Reply to comment by TheArcticFox444 in Gut Microbes Influence Binge-Eating of Sweet Treats in Mice by econoblossomist

I think self control and substitutes for bad sweet snacks works best for me. And if need to sweeten something I usually use honey.

But man, every so often I get those cravings for sweet tarts

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyt61rb wrote

Well, in keeping with the article, there's a way to kill (or at least greatly reduce) those sugar-loving critters in your gut.)

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musicriddler t1_iyt72g7 wrote

Do we know which type or species of bacteria that are the culprits? The article didn’t get into that and I’m sure they is a lot to it than just bacteria. There is a signal left from the stomach that goes to the brain which tells the frontal lobe what it needs and wants. Perhaps the answer is in the bacterial by product or a signal protein from the bacteria that cause the cravings, but nobody really knows.

In the end it’s your choice to eat or not to eat when having cravings

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyt9r91 wrote

>In the end it’s your choice to eat or not to eat when having cravings

What if you could get rid of those gut microbes that dine on the sweets you feed them?

>Do we know which type or species of bacteria that are the culprits?

The scientists obviously don't. That's why there tinkering around with mice.

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musicriddler t1_iytaojp wrote

I think we need to first find out which grouping of bacteria cause these cravings and how the mechanism works to cause cravings. It still feeds back to the certain parts of the brain.

You have to be careful with antibiotics. You kill the good with bad when taken too frequently. And antibiotics do not kill 100 percent of bacteria. The bacteria will come back again and more resistant to that antibiotic potentially.

The right approach, imo, is blocking the pathways to the brain that cause the cravings by eating something the creates a byproduct that does the opposite the bacterial products make even eating sweets and getting cravings.

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iytb3nz wrote

>The right approach, imo, is blocking the pathways to the brain that cause the cravings by eating something the creates a byproduct that does the opposite the bacterial products make even eating sweets and getting cravings.

Well, if you want to be complicated about it, but there's a simpler way. Got any knowledge of food groups?

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musicriddler t1_iytdbr3 wrote

Good groups in what regard?

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyteard wrote

>Good groups in what regard?

No. Food groups. (Guess you answered that question.)

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musicriddler t1_iytefun wrote

I meant good groups. Like bread and grains as one category? Veggies? Fruits? Dairy? Meats?

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyticud wrote

>I meant good groups. Like bread and grains as one category? Veggies? Fruits? Dairy? Meats?

I mean like protein, complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates...

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musicriddler t1_iyu9cze wrote

When it comes down to most of those things listed, CH2O (carbohydrates) need to break down into sugars which are used for energy. Since proteins have nitrogen that byproduct goes somewhere else. And fats have long CH chains and that goes somewhere else. Too much sugar gets stored as glycogen and somehow causes other problems like cholesterol issues and what not. Not sure of the mechanism.

I’m not sure where I’m going with this lesson tbh.

Mice, like people, have cravings and sweet teeth. It’s an animalistic behavior. But unlike most people, mice don’t have will power to control what they eat. Most human beings are capable of being the pilot of what they choose to eat regardless of their cravings.

I think we would much prefer not to be tested with cravings and temptations. So I the end, it’s always in our hands to not splurge on sweets. Just have to find that inner pilot to take control of the body.

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyujn9q wrote

>So I the end, it’s always in our hands to not splurge on sweets. Just have to find that inner pilot to take control of the body.

Obviously you don't have a real sweet tooth. So, you have no need to recultivate your gut garden.

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nonzeroday_tv t1_iyuoctz wrote

There are cravings for sugar which is highly addictive and there is willpower to say no to the craving. The more you say no to it the easier it will become.

Your mind will always make excuses for your addiction, like you having a "real sweet tooth" while others that manage to use willpower and healthy habits to say no to the cravings don't have a "real sweet tooth".

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyvywx4 wrote

>Your mind will always make excuses for your addiction, like you having a "real sweet tooth" while others that manage to use willpower and healthy habits to say no to the cravings don't have a "real sweet tooth".

I don't make excuses. I understand what to do and why. If you judge you "will power" is stronger than mine, that's your opinion. As we age, as we move through illness and antibiotic treatments, as your body changes, you will probably reach a stage in your life when your gut starts calling the shots. Enjoy your sense of a "strong" will while you still have that.

Someday you may find it isn't enough. But, sadly, you won't have a clue how to recultivate your gut garden and rein in a demanding sweet tooth. Maybe, by that time, if your lucky, your doctor will tell you how but I wouldn't count on it.

Good luck!

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nonzeroday_tv t1_iyw6bgl wrote

I also wrote "Good luck!" on the last row but then delete it. I find it funny to see it on your reply.

I didn't have a strong will at all. But I've been fighting with my addictions my whole life to the point where it became a hobby for me to identify and eliminate them one by one. Nicotine addiction was my biggest one but I couldn't touch it until I eliminated a few smaller ones first. Like refined carbs, then sugar, then artificial sweeteners. Shure I still have relapses, or cheat days if you will, but I keep pushing forward and I'm confident one day I'll be successful in eliminating all my addictions.

I speak from experience when I say if you want to cure your "sweet tooth" and heal your gut microbiome at the same time, you could try a 3 day water fast. But that's too much if you never fasted before so you could start by looking into intermittent fasting. Basically start by limiting your eating to only 12 hours, then go for only eating 11 hours, then 10 and so on until you reach lets say 4 hours and 20 hours of not eating. After a while you'll be comfortable enough to just skip those 4 hours one day and eat the next day. It's hard work and it's not for everyone. I'll understand if you can't do it. Maybe you could replace the sweets with in season fruits instead.

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TheArcticFox444 t1_iyw9jt7 wrote

>I speak from experience when I say if you want to cure your "sweet tooth" and heal your gut microbiome at the same time, you could try a 3 day water fast.

Excellent move! I start with 1 day water fast and a a good prebiotic supplement. Then a three-day protein only diet. After that, protein and complex carbs for 3 days. Add fruits last. Sosandwich!

It does take will power...by day 2 or 3 of the protein part, you'd kill for a peanut butter sandwhich!

This just cures a sweet tooth. Don't know about your other addictions. I take something for chronic pain but I don't have an addiction to it. (I understand that's not uncommon for people who take a narcotic for chronic pain.)

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econoblossomist OP t1_iyvlcqx wrote

The article said lactobacillus are helpful in mice, iirc.

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musicriddler t1_iywyd5z wrote

Lactobacillus is found in yogurt products and in a lot of probiotics

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koh_kun t1_iyvbzt2 wrote

Isn't honey basically sugar?

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musicriddler t1_iyvgqxs wrote

Yes it is sweet and it has sugar but it also has other health benefits compared to plain sugar.

You’re allowed a little bit sweetness in your food btw.

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