Being overweight exhausts energy reserves and places undue stress on our physical and physiological systems. Even if you eat correctly and exercise according to standard recommendations, there are many rate-limiting factors that may be inhibiting your ability to lose the pounds you desire.
These factors include:
- Slowing of metabolism
- Hormonal imbalances
- Possible prediabetic, insulin-resistant state
- Poor liver function
- Lack of understanding of proper diet and exercise
(Hint: Not what the ‘food triangle’ or rouges at the gym tell you to eat…)
What follows are recommendations that we at Natural Balance and most other natural health physicians recommend as basic strategies for weight loss. Only after these have failed are the more novel approaches such as Beta HCG or other medical weight loss programs warranted.
These steps (medically supervised) include:
- Diagnose and treat any thyroid, adrenal, or hormonal imbalances
- Increase metabolism at the cellular level
- Protect cells and tissues from the effects of glycation (sugar damage)
- Improve the body’s response to insulin
- Improve liver function and detoxification pathways
- Manage stress, eat right, and exercise “smart”
Our Precision Medicine program, functional medicine approach, and dietary/lifestyle coaching can all help you achieve your weight loss goals by improving your metabolism, checking for hormonal imbalances, and providing diet and nutrition guidance.
Improve Metabolism at the Cellular Level
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). We often go to higher-than-standard doses with our patients especially if they suffer from fatigue. Higher doses need to be taken only under physician supervision because CoQ10 is a mild blood thinner, so it’s important to consult with your physician prior to taking if you are on blood-thinning medications.
L-Carnitine. Can cause gastrointestinal upset. In such case, take with food or decrease dose to a more tolerable level.
Resveratrol. Has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, improve cellular metabolism, and activate “anti-aging” genes (a concept that is being heavily researched by many drug companies currently). Can cause gastrointestinal upset. In such case, take with food or decrease dose to a more tolerable level.
D-ribose. D-ribose is the actual sugar fuel your cells use to produce energy, so over time it can help burn calories and assist in weight loss. Can cause one to feel lightheaded. If this happens can be taken with food or reduce dose until tolerated.
Healthy Fats/Oils. Simply put, if you want your body to burn fat, you have to train your system to utilize fatty acids as its primary fuel by consuming healthy, natural fats and fatty acids, and shunning the unhealthy ones. Learn more
Check for Hormone Imbalances
Requires diagnostic testing ordered by a physician. Note: Although lab values may be normal, subclinical low levels can indicate an imbalance (or pre-disease state) and warrants attention, especially if symptoms are present. Often, holistic physicians will know how to treat with natural agents, whereas conventional physicians do not have this option… Just something to keep in mind.
