Many people come to our office seeking weight loss programs. They have tried everything and stated that they still can’t lose weight. In many cases, it is not about calories in versus calories burned. We look at what may be causing unexplained weight gain and stubborn weight loss. In many cases, a person may be suffering from stress, lack of sleep, and a poor diet resulting in micronutrient deficiencies. These issues cause inflammation in the body and contribute to weight issues. We address these things first and then we drill down to address 3 “buckets” of other causes: gut issues, toxic burden, and hormonal imbalance.
The first is gut issues. Low stomach acid, pancreatic insufficiency, gall bladder issues, bacterial and fungal overgrowth, food allergies, and sensitivities contribute to poor digestion, bloating, and weight gain. We have seen women who eat very few calories, yet still continue to gain weight. Once we identify the digestive issue and correct digestion, promote a healthy diet, the person starts to lose weight.
The second bucket is toxic exposures and toxic burdens. Toxins are sequestered in fat cells, so it may be difficult to lose weight unless you limit the toxic exposure and give the body the tools to help eliminate toxins. This is a very nutrient-driven process, which we do after we address gastric issues. We start by changing the diet, filtering water, and using more organic foods and products including personal care and cleaning agents. Adding a specific detox shake provides the nutrients to help “pull” toxins out of the body. We usually recommend a 14–30-day detox program. During and after the program, women start seeing their weight drop.
The third bucket is hormonal. We address high insulin, blood sugar, uric acid, and leptin levels. We also know that a sluggish or poorly managed thyroid will also prevent women from losing weight. When a person is under chronic or acute stress, it will spike cortisol levels, which affect insulin, blood sugar, and thyroid. As women age, menopause causes drops in DHEA, estrogen, and progesterone, causing “meno-bulge”. As a nutrition office, we use lifestyle and nutrition therapy to lower stress levels; assist in thyroid hormone conversion (to the active form); and manage blood sugar and insulin with diet, lifestyle, and supplements. We refer to a hormonal specialist to prescribe hormone replacement therapy when indicated.
Weight management is not a “quick fix” for many. It takes functional medicine to discover the root cause of the problem and support our patients in any way we can. Call our office today to get started on your plan!
