ADHD Sugar Addiction and a GP's UNIQUE guidance on ADHD

Aug 21, 2024

Gemma Newman, a GP specializing in holistic health and plant-based nutrition, joins Nicole Avena, a research neuroscientist focused on food addiction and sugar's effects on the brain. They explore the fascinating link between ADHD and sugar addiction, discussing how sugar activates dopamine pathways, impacting emotions and behavior. The duo emphasizes the need for teaching children smart dietary choices instead of outright bans and provide insights into fostering self-compassion in navigating ADHD and autism diagnoses. It's a rich discussion on health, diet, and emotional well-being!

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INSIGHT

Genetic Dopamine Sensitivity and Sugar

People born with genetic predisposition may be more prone to sugar addiction through dopamine sensitivity.
Modern processed foods flood brains with dopamine release similar to some drugs, making quitting difficult.

INSIGHT

Sugar Ubiquity Fuels Addiction

Sugar is omnipresent, unlike other addictions where triggers can be avoided.
This constant exposure makes sugar addiction harder to manage and socially normalized.

INSIGHT

Sugar Primes Dopamine Overactivation

Sugar primes the brain's dopamine system to react exaggeratedly to stimuli.
This causes heightened sensitivity and difficulty calming down after stress for many individuals.

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Dopamine sensitivity and sugar addiction are familiar traits of ADHD. Perhaps using sugar to self-medicate, re-energise, or dopamine-seek may be a pattern you relate to?

If so, you'll want to listen to this week's episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing, with guest Dr. Nicole Avena, a research neuroscientist and nutrition, diet, and addiction expert. Her research focuses on nutrition during early life and pregnancy and women’s health. She has done groundbreaking work developing models to characterize food addiction and the dangers of excess sugar intake.

Dr Avena's latest book, Sugarless, covers the latest science on sugar addiction and how to overcome it. On this episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, Dr Avena and Kate talk about:

The link between sugar addiction and dopamine-seeking brains
The effects of dopamine released by sugar consumption on the brain
How sugar affects your body and your health
Parenting and teaching our kids nutritional choices and consuming processed sugar
Having a susceptible dopamine system
Our busy society doesn't lend itself to healthy eating

You hear me talking about an integrative and more holistic healthcare approach a lot on the Podcast, so I'm delighted to welcome Dr Gemma Newman (The Plant Power Doctor), a best-selling author, podcast host, and GP who embraces this approach with her patients.

Although Gemma is a medical GP, she's also interested in holistic health, plant-based nutrition, and lifestyle medicine.

Gemma's second book, Get Well, Stay Well: The Six Healing Health Habits Everyone Should Know , combines medicine, psychology, and nutrition. It provides simple, actionable tips and a unique wellness template to help you transform your life.

On this episode of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, Gemma and Kate speak about:

The role of functional medicine and ADHD
How to talk to your GP regarding an ADHD diagnosis
Self-compassion as a neurodivergent person
Gemma's journey to spiritual practice, holistic and functional health
Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping and the many benefits for ADHD
How does our emotional and spiritual wellbeing impact our physical health

Mentioned in this episode:

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