WEIGHT LOSS, DIFFERENT DIETS, WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

"Fat is where it's at" "Save a whale, spear a fat chick" "Fat people are happy people" Quite possibly you've seen one of the above sayings, used as bumper stickers, particularly in California where I read them. Well, the common thread for these statements is about fat and they are all incorrect. Most of what has been published on weight loss problems has been, in some ways, incorrect. Many fad diets are conjured up and of course are promoted as the one that will reverse all the over-weight problems of everyone. It's estimated that over 100 million people, in the U.S. are over-weight to varying degrees. According to, "Obesity, Nutrition week, 7/28/95", annual health care cost of 69 billion dollars for several health diseases; cardiovascular, diabetes, musculoskeletal, gallbladder, and cancer disease., these impact society through higher insurance premiums, taxes and higher prices on consumable, due to lost productivity. When examined, one quickly understands the importance of patient education, as to the impact of their overall health and of the negative effect on their longevity from continuously remaining over-weight.

WHY MOST DIETS REALLY DON'T KEEP WEIGHT OFF! Calories in/calories out? This continues to be the basic philosophy for weight gain or loss. In many cases this is the most practical approach. This concept has created a huge guilt trip for many people who diligently follow some weight loss program, yet do not achieve weight goals or do not maintain the lost weight. In today's real world, weight loss is far more complex than counting calories. Of course, caloric intake is very important but is not the end-all. There are a number of anatomical systems involved which first must be examined before the practitioner can really understand an appropriate program for each patient. First, the Intestinal floral environment and it's functionality is extremely important. An intestinal malabsorption consequence greatly contributes to weight gain. In hair analysis tests, there is a classic malabsorption pattern, basically almost all of the elements are low and the trace minerals will be very low. With an obese or over-weight patient this adds to the problem due to the limited uptake of several necessary trace minerals which are involved as metalo cofactors in many enzymes, as well as, being directly involved in insulin utilization and fat distribution, which I'll address later. With malabsorption the ability to absorb fats and sugars isn't interrupted, however, if these essential trace elements were absorbed they would assist in more efficient glucose conversion and fat catabolism. Lets talk about the more complicated aspect of hormonal effects on weight gain. Dr. Barry Sears author of the book, "Enter the Zone", in which he addressed a couple of hormones that are key to controlling calories; insulin and glucagon. Mr. Sears approaches the control of insulin through the ratio of protein calories to equal fat plus carbohydrate caloric intake. This is definitely a step toward improvement, however there are other hormones that have to be considered, as well. Estrogen, progesterone, thyroxin and for the men-testosterone. Women tend to be overweight, as a percentage of the general population, than men and they will experience hormonal imbalance, more than men, as well. Adding to this problem, women entering menopause, taking Estrogen replacement therapy [ERT] for their menopausal symptoms, and, women on the birth control pill. One can see that feminine hormonal imbalance is a huge problem in society today. This hormonal imbalance adds to the weight loss dilemma. Elevated estrogen levels lower the basic metabolic rate by suppression of the thyroid T3 [triiodothyronine] hormone. This produces classic symptoms of cold hands/feet, hypoglycemia, fatigue and depression. Estrogen decreases T3 levels, at the same time, increases thyroxin-binding globulin [TBG] which in turn lowers serum T3, further. A secondary effect of excessive estrogen is to increase intra-cellular fluids and activation of a fat storing enzyme, Lipoprotein lipase. Combine hormonal dysfunction with decreased fat catabolism, you have a double whammy. Consider the dysfunctional hormones and add a trace mineral deficiency due to malabsorption, as mentioned earlier, now the patient has a triple whammy. All of these physiological imbalances make it highly improbable that the patient will ever be able to lose necessary amounts of weight or to stabilize there weight, once lost. All the while they're trying many different weight loss programs, to no avail, and in many cases becoming depressed. As mentioned earlier in this article, the essential trace minerals required for normal cellular glucose function are; chromium [preferably nicotinic acid complex], manganese, vanadium, and zinc. Chromium is an essential element involved in the Glucose tolerance factor [GTF], GTF is the interpreter for insulin assimilation, at the cell membrane. Chromium, in recent animal studies, has shown its ability to reduce elevations of cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. Manganese is absolutely essential as a metalo-cofactor for hundreds of cellular enzymes. In tests when there is a deficiency of manganese, the deficiency reduced insulin sensitivity and a decreased ability to transport glucose and metabolize it for energy. Vanadium deficiencies mimic insulin to a degree. Vanadyl sulfate is biologically active even in the absence of insulin, it increases liver glycogen and improves glycogen uptake by muscle tissues. Vanadyl sulfate inhibits storage of excessive calories from carbohydrates and fats by stabilizing the body's production of insulin. Zinc has many functions involving carbohydrate metabolism, increased insulin response and when added with chromium GTF is able to increase the utilization of insulin. Magnesium is a macro-mineral and in recent studies, when there is a deficiency it will exacerbate food cravings, sweets in particular. Normal hormone levels in conjunction with proper trace mineral levels are the basic foundation for proper insulin control and basal metabolic functions, all of this, plus sound caloric intake, adds up to weight management which will be maintained throughout their lives. Successful programs for your patients must involve, Gastro-intestinal cleanse, proper endocrine function, particularly those glands involved with digestion; pancreas, gallbladder, and liver, plus ovary and thyroid hormones, all play an important role in weight management.

Many of your patients have struggled for years trying to do their best to lose weight and have always failed. Now is the time for practitioners to help patients not only with weight loss, but in their everyday lives with greater energy, balanced hormones and better digestion, couple this to a better personal attitude, all add up to a much healthier and happier individual. This is so important for your patients and your practice, don't dismiss the degree of help that you can provide. Successful weight loss does not go unnoticed and will definitely be talked about, who knows, this might even equate to some new patient referrals! There are laboratories available that do some of the more sophisticated hormone tests to verify hormonal imbalance. This will be the subject for upcoming features.

Obesity, Nutrition Wk., 8-28-95, pg.;25-28:7

Sears, Barry, Ph.D., "Enter the Zone", published; Harper-Collins, N.Y, New York

Clouatre, Dallas, Ph.D., "Getting Lean with Anti-Fat Nutrients", Pax Publishing, CA., 1993, pg. 22

Article: Townsend Letter, #189, Apr.99, pg. 66, Author; Carol Simontacchi, CCn, MS Altura, Burton M., Ph.D., et al., Magnesium: growing in clinical importance. Patient care, Jan.15, 1994: pg. 130-136

Bates C., Egerman R., Umstot E., Buster J., Casson P., DHEA attenuates study-induced declines in insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women. Ann NY acad. sci., 1995;774:291-293