Why Eating Less Isn't Always the Answer After 40
If you've ever felt like your body stopped responding to the diets that used to work, you're not imagining it. And the fix may not be more restriction.
What the Research Looked At
A peer-reviewed study published in Eating Behaviors (Owens et al., 2023) examined 116 women ages 40 to 64. It looked at intuitive eating, which means eating based on real hunger and fullness cues rather than strict rules.
The study found an association worth noting:
- Women who scored higher on intuitive eating tended to have lower total body fat and lower abdominal fat.
- The patterns that stood out were eating for physical reasons, not stress or habit, and relying on internal hunger and fullness signals.
A few things to keep in mind about what this research does and does not say:
- It is a cross-sectional study. It shows that two things tend to occur together. It does not prove that intuitive eating causes lower body fat.
- It studied eating behavior only. It did not study any product, supplement, or program.
- The researchers noted these findings may have public health value for encouraging intuitive eating in midlife women, a group that often sees changes in body composition during this stage.
Why Some Women Prefer a Little Structure
Tuning into hunger and fullness sounds simple, but for a lot of women it is hard to do while juggling work, family, and decades of diet noise. When you are constantly second-guessing what to eat and whether you ate "right," that mental load gets in the way.
Some women do better with a clear, repeatable routine than with pure intuition. A simple whole-food structure can take the guesswork out of the day so eating feels less like a decision and more like a habit.
That is the gap the Appetrol20 Program™ is designed to fill. It is a structured option for women who want a routine to follow, not a claim that the research above endorses any specific product.
About the Appetrol20 Program™
Created by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, IFMCP, the Appetrol20 Program™ is a structured 6-week whole-food framework. Instead of guessing, you get a clear, realistic routine to follow.
The program pairs homeopathic drops with a guided whole-food meal plan. No meal replacements. No complicated rules. Just real food and a structure that fits real life.
The program is built around:
- Healthy eating habits, so food decisions feel less overwhelming
- Mindful eating routines that help you tune into real hunger
- A calmer relationship with food choices
- Whole-food consistency that builds over time
The Appetrol20 Program's homeopathic drops are intended to support appetite and help curb food cravings.
There is no scientific evidence that the homeopathic drops work. These statements are based only on theories of homeopathy from the 1700s that are not accepted by most modern medical experts. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Background
The program is based on Marcelle Pick's original 2018 program, developed within her medical practice. On average, participants in Marcelle Pick's original "Drop 20 in 6" program reported weight loss outcomes. Individual results vary and no specific results are guaranteed. More than 3,500 women have completed the original program.
About the Appetrol20 Program™ Created by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, IFMCP. This is a homeopathic product. Homeopathic products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It contains ingredients found in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS). Manufactured in the USA in a GMP-certified facility. On the market since 2018 under a different brand name.
Reference: Owens BA, et al. Eat Behav. 2023;50:101796. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37634483/
The information provided in this blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products offered are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition, weight-loss program, dietary changes, or before starting any new diet or exercise regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information shared here. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, or have a history of eating disorders, consult your healthcare provider before use.
On average, participants in Marcelle Pick's original "Drop 20 in 6" program reported weight loss outcomes. Individual results vary and no specific results are guaranteed.