Dr. Charles Zuker

We have a mega problem with overconsumption of sugar and fat.

We're facing a unique time in our evolution

where diseases of malnutrition are due to overnutrition.

Historically, diseases of malnutrition have always been linked to undernutrition.

But I wanna just go back to the notion of these brain centers that are ultimately the ones that are being activated by these essential nutrients.

So sugar, fat, and amino acids are building blocks of our diets.

And this is across all animal species.

So it's not unreasonable then to assume that dedicated brain circuits

would have evolved to ensure their recognition, their ingestion, and the reinforcement that that is what I need.

And indeed, you know, animals evolve these two systems.

One is the taste system that allows you to recognize them and trigger this predetermined, hardwired, immediate responses, yes?

You know, oh my God, this is so delicious, it's fatty, or umami, recognizing amino acids.

So that's the liking pathway.

But in the wisdom of evolution, that's good, but doesn't quite do it.

You want to make sure that these things get to the place where they're needed.

They are needed in your intestines where they're going to be absorbed as the nutrients that will support life.

And the brain wants to know this.

Highly processed foods are hijacking, you know, co-opting the circuits in a way

that it would have never happened in nature.

And then we not only find these things appetitive and palatable, but in addition, we are continuously reinforcing the wanting