"You won't touch my bread," a patient said almost immediately after I suggested some dietary changes. Do you recognize that feeling? A terrible craving for milk, bread, or cheese? You genuinely feel like you need it and that it's good for you. That's not illogical at all. It just has a few drawbacks that you can easily overcome if you know how it works.

Some people have a strong craving for dairy products and bread. This is because both products contain addictive substances. That's why a cheese roll is literally addictive for many people. This is because these foods contain substances similar to endorphins.

What are exorphins?

Exorphins (exo meaning from outside) are proteins with an opium-like structure that give us the same feeling as our body's own endorphins. Endorphins provide a feeling of reward and peace. Exorphins are an intermediate product formed in our gastrointestinal tract during the digestion of dairy products and bread, but also soy and spinach. In gluten, this is called gliamorphin, and in milk, casomorphin. Normally, exorphins are broken down and eliminated, and we aren't bothered by them. If this doesn't happen, they can cause considerable distress.

Endorphin resistance

The downside of exorphins is that they disrupt the effects of our body's own endorphins by mimicking them. By constantly occupying the space normally reserved for our endorphins, they keep that space occupied, and our body begins to produce fewer endorphins. It's that efficient. If you continue to consume exorphins, your body will become less sensitive to them. This can eventually lead to resistance, meaning you need more and more to achieve the same effect. We know this from alcohol and drug addiction, but it also applies to substances in our food.

DPP-IV

Protein digestion occurs with the help of enzymes. Enzymes can be thought of as a kind of scissors that cut protein chains into smaller pieces so they can be absorbed. We need the enzyme DPP-IV to break down exorphins. This enzyme is not actually designed for this purpose.DPP-IVFor example, it plays an important role as a pain reliever and in maintaining the health of the intestinal lining. It also breaks down a substance responsible for our feeling of hunger. This means that we stop eating and feel full. DPP-IV activates wound healing and regulates inflammatory responses (preventing them from becoming excessive) and stimulates the breakdown of cancer cells. DPP-IV protects against bacteria in the mouth and respiratory tract and breaks down histamine. Thus, it plays a role in respiratory infections, middle ear infections, and allergies. Consuming a lot of bread, cheese, and milk impairs other functions of DPP-IV.

complaints

So, two things happen when you eat (a lot of) cheese rolls and drink milk. On the one hand, our reward system is hijacked by fake morphine-like substances, desensitizing us to our own reward substances. On the other hand,DPP-IVThe enzyme DPP-IV, which is not actually meant to break down this substance, is so misused that it can no longer perform its "own function." Some people have a genetic predisposition to having less DPP-IV. These people are therefore more sensitive to endorphin resistance and the associated symptoms.

A deficiency in DPP-IV and endorphin resistance can cause one or more of the following conditions: increased pain threshold, allergies, autoimmunity, Parkinson's disease, asthma/COPD, slow wound healing, increased stress, restlessness, anxiety, hyperactivity (ADHD), middle ear infections (in children), food cravings (e.g., cheese sandwiches), obesity, cardiovascular problems, and inflammatory bowel problems. It also makes one susceptible to all kinds of addictions that stimulate a feeling of reward.

Never again bread with cheese

Does that mean you have to completely give up bread with cheese or milk? No, that's not necessary. Although it might be a good idea for people with the aforementioned symptoms to try it. If the symptoms subside, then you'll have a good idea of ​​where the cause lies.

If you stop taking exorphin-rich foods and the symptoms don't subside, something else could be going on. Besides exorphins from food, exorphins can also be produced by pathogens in the gut, such as fungi. With proper guidance, this can be treated quite effectively.

Addition Three weeks without consuming wheat, dairy products, and soy can determine whether a DPP-IV deficiency exists. DPP-IV is also available in supplement form. This can very quickly alleviate symptoms caused by the breakdown of exorphins. Ultimately, of course, it is not a solution, but rather a temporary aid. Variation Recognize that when you stop taking a substance that makes you feel good, your body needs some time to regenerate those substances and become sensitive to them again.

This doesn't feel good, but it's necessary for recovery. It's important to vary your diet. Not just with food, but also with behavior; it helps not to always do the same thing. When you change your diet and your behavior, the likelihood of resistance, and therefore dependencies, decreases. If you have a lot of worries (children or work), then take up a course of study or go on an adventure in the woods. Start something new and challenge yourself a little. Sometimes there is abundance, sometimes scarcity. Certainly, occasionally. In winter there are tubers and in summer cucumbers. Our system is based on variation. Variety keeps our reward system intact. Everything in our body is geared towards maintaining balance. This balance is not achieved by overloading a single system, but through change. As my teacher had hung in large letters in her kitchen: "VARIATION IS THE MAGIC WORD."

Ineke Eebes

Orthomolecular therapist for depression and burnout

www.holymayo.nl