Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction

Abstract

Food addiction, specifically ultra-processed food addiction, has been discussed in thousands of peer-reviewed publications. Although 20% of adults meet criteria for this condition, food addiction is not a recognized clinical diagnosis, leading to a dearth of tested treatment protocols and published outcome data. Growing numbers of clinicians are offering services to individuals on the basis that the food addiction construct has clinical utility. This audit reports on clinical teams across three locations offering a common approach to programs delivered online. Each team focused on a whole food low-carbohydrate approach along with delivering educational materials and psychosocial support relating to food addiction recovery. The programs involved weekly sessions for 10–14 weeks, followed by monthly support. The data comprised pre- and post- program outcomes relating to food addiction symptoms measured by the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, ICD-10 symptoms of food related substance use disorder (CRAVED), mental wellbeing as measured by the short version of the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and body weight. Sample size across programs was 103 participants. Food addiction symptoms were significantly reduced across settings; mYFAS2 score −1.52 (95% CI: −2.22, −0.81), CRAVED score −1.53 (95% CI: −1.93, −1.13) and body weight was reduced −2.34 kg (95% CI: −4.02, −0.66). Mental wellbeing showed significant improvements across all settings; short version Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale 2.37 (95% CI: 1.55, 3.19). Follow-up data will be published in due course. Further research is needed to evaluate and compare long-term interventions for this complex and increasingly burdensome biopsychosocial condition.

A novel weight suppression score associates with distinct eating disorder and ultra-processed food addiction symptoms compared to the traditional weight suppression measure among adults seeking outpatient nutrition counseling

“…Thus, TWS appears to capture more associations between WS and UPFA symptoms than the NWSS. This may be because the NWSS calculation is more likely to categorize individuals as positive for WS if they have maintained weight loss, which has been associated with lower UPFA symptoms in prior research [ 40 ].…”

A Novel Weight Suppression Score Associates with Distinct Eating Disorder and Ultra- Processed Food Symptoms Compared to the Traditional Weight Suppression Measure Among Adults Seeking Outpatient Nutrition Counseling

“…Thus, TWS appears to capture more associations between WS and UPFA symptoms than the NWSS. This may be because the NWSS calculation is more likely to categorize individuals as positive for WS if they have maintained weight loss, which has been associated with lower UPFA symptoms in prior research [39]. The exception for criterion 2 could relate to the association noted above between NWSS and increased endorsement of binge eating behavior, as this may involve a substantial amount of time obtaining, eating, and recovering from UPF intake.…”

Ketogenic diet prevents sucrose withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviour in male mice

“…Recent studies have suggested a low carbohydrate high-fat diet as potential metabolic therapy for the management of binge eating and ultra-processed food addiction 19,20 . Animals were fed with either normal chow or a KD and given free access to two bottles each of water and 10% sucrose for four consecutive weeks.…”

“…Altered gene expression 17 , neurotransmitter levels 18 and metabolic profile of the brain cells 11 by KD are some suggested molecular mechanisms driving its neuroprotective effects. Recent studies have suggested KD as a potential dietary intervention for the management of ultraprocessed and palatable food addiction 19,20 .…”