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Dr. Phyllis Pobee Explains Why Cravings Are Rooted in Biology, Not Willpower
Ontario, Canada, 27th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, GeneLean360° by Dr. Phyllis Pobee is bringing scientific clarity to a topic that affects millions of women yet is often misunderstood cravings. Long treated as a self-control issue, cravings are increasingly recognized as a biological response shaped by genetics, hormones, brain chemistry, and stress—especially during midlife.
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Dr. Pobee, a triple board-certified physician in Family Medicine, Aesthetic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine, is urging a shift away from shame-based health messaging toward a biology-first understanding of appetite and satisfaction. Her work through GeneLean360° has been highlighted in GeneLean360 reviews for reframing cravings as biological signals rather than behavioral failures.
“Cravings are not a character flaw,” said Dr. Pobee. “They’re information. When we learn how to read that information, we can respond intelligently instead of reactively.”
Why Cravings Intensify With Age and Stress
Emerging research shows that dopamine signaling, insulin sensitivity, and cortisol levels all influence appetite regulation. Studies suggest that up to 70% of eating behavior is driven by subconscious neurochemical processes rather than conscious decision-making. For women over 35, hormonal changes during perimenopause can further disrupt blood sugar stability and dopamine response, making cravings more frequent and more intense.
Chronic stress also plays a significant role. Elevated cortisol levels have been linked to increased hunger cues and reduced satiety, particularly for high-reward foods.
“Women often tell me their cravings feel sudden or uncontrollable,” Dr. Pobee said. “But from a biological standpoint, they are highly predictable.”
A Genetics-Informed Lens on Appetite
Through her work with GeneLean360°, Dr. Pobee focuses on genetic pathways, including FTO, COMT, and DRD2, that influence hunger signaling, reward processing, and stress resilience. Variations in these pathways help explain why some individuals feel satisfied after eating, while others continue to seek food despite being physically full.
“When dopamine pathways are inefficient, the brain keeps searching for satisfaction,” she explained. “That search is often mislabeled as a lack of discipline.”
This framework challenges one-size-fits-all nutrition advice and offers a more accurate understanding of eating behavior rooted in biology.
Moving Beyond Guilt-Based Health Advice
Traditional health guidance has long relied on restriction and self-control. Dr. Pobee argues that this approach overlooks the biological drivers behind cravings and contributes to long-term frustration and burnout.
“If willpower were enough, this wouldn’t be such a widespread issue,” she said. “The persistence of cravings tells us we need a better model.”
Instead, she encourages a more informed approach that considers sleep quality, stress load, inflammation, and individual biology before judging behavior.
What Individuals Can Do Today
Rather than promoting a specific program, Dr. Pobee encourages self-observation and curiosity. She suggests that individuals begin by:
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Tracking when cravings appear and what precedes them
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Noticing the impact of sleep and stress on appetite
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Prioritizing meals that support stable blood sugar
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Letting go of advice that frames cravings as a moral failure
“Cravings are data,” Dr. Pobee said. “Once you understand the data, the strategy becomes clearer.”
A Call for Smarter Conversations Around Health
As discussions around longevity and metabolic health continue to grow, understanding the biology behind behavior is becoming essential.
“You can’t build sustainable health on guilt,” Dr. Pobee said. “You build it on understanding how the body actually works.”
She encourages women to replace judgment with curiosity—by tracking patterns in appetite, stress, and energy, and seeking information that explains how biology shapes behavior, particularly during midlife.
About Dr. Phyllis Pobee
Dr. Phyllis Pobee is a triple board-certified physician in Family Medicine, Aesthetic Medicine, and Obesity Medicine, specializing in midlife metabolic health, cravings biology, and longevity-focused care. She is the founder of GeneLean360®, a virtual wellness platform that integrates genetics, hormones, metabolism, and stress science to help women better understand their bodies.
Dr. Pobee is known for her biology-first approach, combining clinical expertise with education to move women away from guilt-based health narratives and toward sustainable, data-informed decision-making. Her work emphasizes clarity, alignment, and long-term resilience over restriction or extremes.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Everest Market Insights journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
