Carbohydrate Addiction – Part 1

“I don’t know what’s the matter with me. Sometimes, when it comes to eating, I’m fine – totally in control. Then, at other times, I start to eat and no matter how hard I try and no matter how much I want to control myself, I just can’t. It’s as if something takes hold of me and I just can’t keep from eating.”

Fresh research adds weight to the notion that certain foods (think empty carbs like bagels and sweet treats) can lead to more intense hunger and overeating.

Fast-digesting carbohydrates can stimulate regions of the brain involved in cravings and addiction, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Prior studies have shown that highly desirable foods, perhaps a cheesecake or pie, can trigger pleasure centers in the brain. But what’s new about this research is that it shows that even when people are unaware of what they’re eating, the intake of fast-digesting carbs can activate parts of the brain associated with pleasure, reward and addiction.

Join Us For: Carbohydrate Addiction – Part 1

Presented By: Dr. Stephen Archer, MD

About The Presenter: Stephen Archer, MD, FACS along with Nicole O’Neill, PA-C joined Summit Health in July 2015. Dr. Archer directs Summit Health’s new bariatric weight loss surgery program. The program focuses on addressing obesity with modern medical and surgical treatment, research and education. Dr. Archer operates at St. Charles Bend, a fully accredited American College of Surgeons Center for bariatrics. Along with Dr. Archer, Summit Health’s weight loss surgery program will be comprised of a comprehensive health team including a dietician, access to Summit Health’s TotalCare ENERGY providers and program and a nurse navigator that will all work together to provide patients with the highest level of care. In addition to bariatric surgery, Dr. Archer has a general surgery practice that focuses on minimally invasive foregut surgery and reflux. Dr. Archer has added robotic bariatric and general surgery within the last two years.

Dr. Stephen Archer graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical Center in 1991 and completed general surgery training at the University of Cincinnati in 1998. He completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery and bariatric at Emory University in 2000 and stayed on the surgery faculty at Emory after graduation. He moved to Central Oregon in 2001.

In addition to the surgical aspects of obesity care he has a special interest in the psychological components that are a part of the disease of obesity. He is the director of the St. Charles Bariatric Surgery Program. He is also the founder and was the first president of the Oregon Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the state chapter of the national society, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Dr. Archer is an associate professor of surgery for the OHSU physician assistant program and he teaches medical students from OHSU on their surgical rotations in Central Oregon.

Dr. Archer and his wife and son enjoy traveling together, cooking and music. Dr. Archer is an avid photographer and writer.