Answers from Local Experts

 

This new Healthy Times feature poses a question to experts from different areas of the health and wellness movement in our community.  We’d like to extend our appreciation to those who participated this time.

 

Here is this issue’s question:

"Why can’t I seem to lose my excess body fat?”

 

Nicola McFadzean , ND

There are many factors that can prevent an individual from losing weight. >An important one that many people are not aware of is adrenal health.Our adrenal glands are the stress management centers of our body. When we are under stress (physical or mental/ emotional), the adrenals will produce more of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol has many different functions within the body, but it is involved in protein and fat metabolism, as well as blood sugar management.Often when a person gains abdominal fat, it is because of imbalances in their levels of cortisol and DHEA.

The types of stressors that affect cortisol are far more varied than just mental/ emotional stress.  If an individual has poor blood sugar balance because of the way they are eating, if they have heavy metal toxicity, if they unknowingly have a bacterial infection in their digestive system, then they are at risk of having unbalanced cortisol.

  A simple saliva test can assess levels of cortisol and DHEA in the body.  It is a good idea for anyone with health problems or who lives a stressful lifestyle to have their levels checked.

Tammy Fish

 

There are many reasons why someone has a difficult time losing weight. I couldn't possibly list them all here. But, I can tell you that it is usually linked to malnutrition as well. By this I mean one usually isn't eating enough of the "right" calories. So many people, predominately women, come to me with this question, and when we go over their lifestyle, etc., I find that most have cut down on calories hoping to lose weight, when in fact their bodies have gone into the starvation mode. In other words, their bodies are hanging on to their weight instead of letting it go. That's how the body works.

 

People are either afraid to eat, or they eat all the wrong foods. Yet, we need to consume enough calories so that our bodies can function properly. If we give our bodies what it truly needs, it will release all excess weight. So many people are truly afraid of food these days, yet we are the most obese country in the world! We need to change our minds about food. We needn't be afraid of the right foods, they nourish us, not cause us to gain weight.

 

Look at the right foods for what they truly are; and that's simply fuel for the body! So learn to give your body what it needs, and it will balance itself out by losing the excess weight. We need to be re-educated about diet. We need to look at food in an entirely new light.

Karen Knight

In answer to the question a couple of thoughts come to mind.  One, the eating plan can be great but, because it’s good nutrition doesn’t necessarily mean unlimited quantities.  So, make sure even when sticking to healthy eating that your portion control is appropriate.  It still comes down to spending more calories through activity than you take in with food. 

  If you are truly doing everything right and still can’t lose weight, then we need to take a look at your hormones. Hormone imbalance whether it is sexual hormones: estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, adrenals: DHEA and cortisol, thyroid or insulin levels should be checked.  Any of these or a combination of these will impair the body’s ability to lose weight.

 

Jay McNabney

  Exercise and nutrition are the keys to weight management and overall well being.

Diet without sound nutritional principles and exercise will never allow an individual the ability to maintain the desired weight loss for an indefinite period of time.

  Resistance training with weight lifting machines will effective isolate all of the muscles in an individual body. In turn, the resistance training reduces inches of body fat and increases lean muscle mass which will effectively increase your basal metabolic rate. By increasing your metabolic rate, your body will burn additional calories while resting throughout the entire day.

  Nutrition is the other key component. Eating the right foods at the right time of day will also play a major role in losing weight and creating a permanent life style that will enable you to keep the weight off. All of us need to eat lean sources of protein, fibrous vegetables and complex carbohydrates. We need to keep in mind to stop eating carbohydrates in the evening and do not eat anything for four hours prior to bed. This will allow you to lose the weight you desire and to permanently keep the weight at a desired level.