By: Aleah Pilgrim
A transition that seemed greater than willpower
My cravings, especially for chocolate or something I called a “reward food,” proved relentless for years. During an afternoon dip, under strain, or seemingly out of nowhere, they showed up. But nothing has changed now. As our mineral balance improved, these cravings not only became easier to tolerate, but they largely disappeared. It is not about restriction. The first step was restoring what the body was on about in the first place.
The science of the transition:
From the pursuit of rewards to gaining stability. Stabilizing dopamine, a neurotransmitter in our brains, is one of the biggest changes. When low in minerals such as iron (as in Iron Deficiency Anemia), dopamine signaling is disrupted. This can resemble:
* Lack of drive.
* Tiredness.
* Increased desire for candy and chocolate, caffeine.
Chocolate and similar foods cause a brief increase in dopamine via neurotransmitter pathways. Cravings reflect a brain that’s trying to mend a deficit or a deficiency.
As the mineral levels returned to normal, that continuous “search for a boost” quietened. A properly supported brain doesn’t always need to be on the hunt for stimulation.
Copper-iron synergy is
often overlooked:
Metal doesn’t function in isolation. Copper is required for proper transport and utilization in the body.
* Copper works well with iron to mobilize it into your bloodstream.
* It helps enzymes that enable the effective use of iron.
* Copper’s absence results in iron presence, but it cannot be used.
When copper and iron are in better balance, oxygen delivery improves, energy stabilizes, and the body no longer signals distress with cravings. It is a dominant one that often goes unmentioned, but can be a piece of the puzzle. Energy solutions should focus on stability, not convenience.
Prior to mineral balance, fatigue drove many cravings:
* Low energy levels tempt you to sugar or stimulants.
* Crash, temporary boost, crash, and repeat.
Following the addition of mineral supplementation:
* The energy grew more stable.
* Blood sugar fluctuations lowered
* Demand for “emergency fuel” no longer exists.
Cravings were not suppressed but rather purposeless.
Natural food versus unnatural food
There was a significant transformation regarding the approach to food. The focus was shifted away from super-processed, hyper-palatable items meant for repeated eating.
* Whole, Nutrient-Dense Foods.
* Meals should consist of protein, fat, and complex carbs.
* Ingredients that offer natural flavor.
Excessively processed food overstimulates the brain’s reward system, forming a cycle of. Consume, Elevate, Collapse, Desire Again. Whole foods, however, assist with:
* Digestion that occurs slowly.
* Steady power supply.
Gradually, the taste buds reset. Foods that previously seemed “boring” become rich and satisfying, while processed foods might feel like too much.
Cravings are signals, not weaknesses:
It alters the way cravings are perceived. They’re not a failure of self-discipline; they’re actually signals that something needs to change.
* Imbalance signs.
* A request for nutrients or energy.
* Indications of disrupted systems or activities have been cited.
Less extreme cases include pica, which refers to a craving for non-food objects and may occur when the body has nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency.
The key message:
As mineral balance (e.g., iron, copper) improves and there’s a transition to whole nourishing foods, the body is no longer “asking” for fixes. Discipline isn’t the outcome. Think more about sustainability. The desire for anything will disappear once the need is met. On the other hand, this revelation brings a larger concept to the case in point: Cravings are signals, not the problem. When you address the root cause, the signals cease.
