When mice are put on a diet to produce a 10 – 15% weight loss, and then put under stressful circumstances, it makes them sad.

This is according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience.  It was designed to measure the effects of yo-yo dieting on the body.

In stressful situations the dieting mice had escalated amounts of the stress hormone corticosterone and exhibited symptoms of depression.  There was a transformation of the DNA of the mice as well – genes that control eating and stress had changed, and those changes remained after the mice ate enough to go back to their normal, higher weights.  Afterward, faced again with stressful circumstances, the dieting mice ate more fatty foods than mice that had not dieted.

I have not found a study yet on what the effects would be if the dieting mice were then provided a nurturing environment in which they could openly share and process the trauma of finding their food source restricted as they tried to handle an overwhelming situation.  My guess is with the right amount of time and care, their DNA would return to its original structure and they would no longer crave food as a means of support.  I have no scientific study to support this theory, but consider it a strong hypothesis.

Which is why I am offering a support group for people who feel stress around eating and how they relate to their bodies.  The intention is to offer the real and intricate support necessary to create real and lasting transformation for our members.  Based on extensive experience in my own life, I do believe the work of this group can reprogram your DNA (if that’s what’s necessary) to create internal balance and peace with food and your body.

To learn more and find if this group resonates with you, click here.

Wishing deep peace for us all, mice included.