Dopamine - interesting tidbits!

I promised I would explain why my stopping for chocolate donuts is all Parkinson's fault.
http://cmfalling.blogspot.com/2012/08/no-donuts-seriously.html 
Are you ready for this?

I was thumbing through the book "The Insulin Resistance Diet"  last week.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Insulin-Resistance-Diet-Revised-Updated-Fat-Making/dp/0071499849

As a side note, this diet is very similar to the one I have mostly followed for the past 6 years.  It is how I lost the weight that I gained (as most women do) during my peri-menopause years and this eating philosophy is the reason I have kept off the weight thus far.  However, my occasional (cough cough) sugary, junk food lapses is taking it's toll  - but there again - it's all Parkinson's fault- which brings me back to my original purpose of this post...stay with me here...

In this book I found a short section on dopamine and serotonin.  There are some fascinating tidbits that the author shares on dopamine which (to me) totally explains why it is NOT my fault for stopping at Dunkin Donuts!!!  Tell me what you think - am I onto something here?   (just nod yes, please)

"The message of feeling full really is all in your head in the form of dopamine and serotonin.  These neurotransmitters tell you when you are hungry, what you are hungry for, and when you are full enough."

"Cravings for caffeine, chocolate, sweets, fried foods, or salty foods indicate low or depleted dopamine levels."

"Lack of willpower is really a biochemical deficiency of neurotransmitters in the hunger center of the brain."

See - its all Parkinson's fault!!   Because I am dopamine deficient, I just can't help myself.  Really - it's true... according to this book!!!  I am not making this up!!!  Am I right?  (nod your head yes again)

And now, while I eat my rather large bowl of chocolate ice cream - I will give you some more interesting tidbits about dopamine that are also in this book.

"The protein amino acid tyrosine is needed for dopamine...  Tyrosine is found mainly in meat and dairy products.  Almonds, peanuts, bananas, avocados, lima beans, pickled herring, and pumpkin and sesame seeds also provide amounts of tyrosine."

"Certain activities can also affect the release of more dopamine or serotonin.  Rhythmic music with  a lot of drums and bass increase dopamine release"

"An invigorating shower peps up dopamine."

"Cheering on a winning team, whether on television or in the stadium, releases dopamine."

"Tapping your foot, swaying, or dancing to the beat of music is a sure sign that your dopamine has surged."

So ... let the dopamine surge...Whoa Whoa...Listen to the music!



Whoa Whoa - there is some major dopamine surging going on in this vidieo, isn't there?

(This ice cream is really good!!!)