Sugar, Pain And The Brain
By Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, and Nina Frusztajer Marquis, MD
Authors of The Serotonin Power Diet

A few days ago a weight-loss client told us that she eats sugary foods to help her pain. She has been suffering from fibromyalgia for decades, and her treatment has included a variety of antidepressants. "They work," she said, "to control pain most of the time. But every so often the pain breaks through and then I have to eat something sweet. The sugar takes away the pain for about 30 minutes, which is enough of a reprieve so I can deal with it when it comes back."

Our client was afraid that if she went on a diet she would no longer be able to use sugar when her pain again became intolerable. To her immense relief, we told her that our diet plan included carbohydrates, either in the form of a sugary or starchy snack, at least twice at day. If she followed the plan, she could count on much longer periods of relief from her pain.

"It isn’t the sugar itself that is taking away the pain," we explained. "However, sugar and other starchy carbohydrates do trigger the production of serotonin in the brain. This chemical will diminish the pain you are feeling."

"Well I guess I won’t be losing any weight on your diet," she told us sadly, "but if the pain goes away, I guess it is worth it."
"Au contraire," we answered, using our very limited French. "You will lose weight very easily. Serotonin not only takes away pain, it takes away appetite and gives you a better mood. But you don’t have to eat sugar. Any carb except fruit will get the brain to make new serotonin. You just have to be careful and eat the carbs on an empty stomach. Avoid eating protein with the carbs when you need to make serotonin for pain and appetite control because the protein prevents serotonin from being made."

"What is a sweet snack I could eat on the diet?" she asked.

"Well, how about those sugary crunchy very low-fat breakfast cereals?"

"You mean like Captain Crunch?" she asked.

"Sure. But you can’t eat the whole box. You have to follow the diet guidelines and measure."

"Pas de problem," she answered. "When can I start?"

Copyright © 2007 Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, and Nina Frusztajer Marquis, MD

Authors
Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, has been recognized worldwide for decades of pioneering research into the relationship of food, mood, brain, and appetite. Dr. Wurtman received her PhD in cell biology from MIT and took additional training as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in nutrition/obesity. The author of five books for the general public, she has written more than 40 peer-reviewed articles for professional publications. She splits her time between Boston and Miami.

Nina Frusztajer Marquis, MD, received her master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University and her medical degree from George Washington University. Her articles on weight, stress, and lifestyle have appeared in numerous publications. With Judith Wurtman, she founded the Adara Weight Loss Centers in the Boston, Miami and San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives.

They are the authors of The Serotonin Power Diet: Use Your Brain’s Natural Chemistry to Cut Cravings, Curb Emotional Overeating, and Lose Weight. Published by Rodale. January 2007; $24.95US/$31.00CAN; 1-59486-346-6.

For more information, please visit www.serotoninpowerdiet.com