Medical Weight Loss

Medical Weight Loss - HCG Weight Loss Program Ann Arbor, MI - Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center

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.

Conditions/Hormones to Evaluate

Thyroid Function (including T3 and Reverse T3)

Estrogen Dominance

Subclinical Adrenal Imbalance/Elevated Cortisol Levels/Depressed DHEA-S

Growth Hormone

Undiagnosed Diabetes, Prediabetes, or Insulin Resistance

Other Basic Information

Eat smart: A Mediterranean-style diet is sometimes a good start. This eating style is low in animal fat and refined carbohydrates, and rich in lightly cooked vegetables, raw fruit, legumes, fish, spices, olive oil, and some lean poultry.

A good general diet for fat reduction has approximately 40 to 50 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fat (mainly “good fats” such as omega-3s), and 20 to 30 percent protein. Don’t be a calorie counter.

Also, for certain genetic types, a diet consisting mainly of lean animal protein and vegetables can be beneficial. In either case, everyone should eat as close to natural as possible. Go back to the original diets of “hunting and gathering,” avoid processed foods, make sure you include a good protein, a complex carbohydrate, and a good fiber source with most meals.

Metabolic typing or nutrigenomic (genetic) testing may be suggested under special circumstances to devise an ideal diet for an individual, but this is rarely needed.

Limit unbuffered sugar intake (i.e. the white crystalline substance or syrup concentrate isolated from sugar cane, beets, and corn, which acts on the body like a drug) Understand that sweet substances, namely high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and chemical sweeteners are being added to food only because we crave them like the dickens, which is precisely the first clue that we should minimize intake.

Avoid soft drinks and chemical sweeteners like NutraSweet and Splenda (which actually contribute to weight gain)

Drink healthy, clean, chemical-free water

Identify food sensitivities that cause water retention and impair metabolism. Requires diagnostic testing ordered by a physician.

Consider Novel Techniques, Such as an hCG Weight Loss Program

For patients who are struggling with weight loss despite trying all of the above and having undergone a full medical workup, we recommend a protocol using the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) together with a calorie-restricted diet. Many patients have had great success with this, but it is a medically prescribed and supervised program, so it requires an in-office consultation.

We Are Here to Help You! Medical Weight Loss Program in Ann Arbor, MI

On behalf of the Natural Balance team, we hope you have found this information helpful and we look forward to working with you.

To learn more about the medical weight loss programs and nutrition coaching we offer, call Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center at (734) 929-2696 or book an appointment online .