This is the time of the year when subscriptions to diet programs and Gym memberships are at a peak. The new year comes with a renewed desire to shed those extra pounds after the Holiday indulgence. For some people it may only be 10-15 pounds, for others it may be in excess of 50 pounds.

Most people, nutritionists and traditional doctors only focus on diet and exercise. Furthermore, opinions about what comprises a healthy diet and effective exercise are varied and conflicting. Much of the information is simply outdated or does not align with our body’s physiology and most recent research data.

Though diet and exercise are crucial pieces of the weight loss puzzle, let’s look at other culprits to weight issues that are equally important but rarely addressed. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED….

UNDERLYING HEALTH ISSUES CAUSING WEIGHT PROBLEMS

One of the most common statements we hear from our patients regarding weight problems is:

"My weight and health drastically changed since my ……….(car accident, surgery,death of a loved one, birth of my last baby, divorce, job loss, etc)."

Many times it is a traumatic, stressful event that sends our body into a tailspin. The body does not distinguish between stressors – negative and positive ones like having a baby – and will attempt to ‘deal’ with them in several different ways. Unfortunately, many of these compensatory responses will slow down our metabolism and cause weight gain.

The following issues are associated with undesirable changes in body composition. While you may have addressed already some of these issues, if you are still struggling with weight loss or if it has been quite some time since your last labs, it is prudent to recheck some lab-work before embarking on a weight loss program. Sometimes minor ‘tweaks’ can make a big difference

Thyroid Dysfunction – Under stress the body will down-regulate the thyroid leading to a sluggish metabolism

Adrenal Dysfunction/Fatigue – Exhausted adrenals not only cause fatigue but they also down-regulate the body’s response to thyroid and sex hormones. Too much c ortisol in response to chronic stress can independently cause increased fat deposition.

Sex Hormone Imbalance – Too much Estrogen and/or insufficient Progesterone cause increased fat. It is difficult to build muscle without optimal Testosterone levels.

Neurotransmitter Imbalances - Low Serotonin can cause carbohydrate cravings, insomnia and emotional eating. Low Norepinephrine levels can impede the conversion of fat into energy.

Abnorma l glucose metabolism – Insulin resistance is the first indicator, which causes cravings and a slower metabolism leading to weight gain and eventually diabetes.

Nutritional deficiencies – The lack of key nutrients such as CoQ10, Magnesium or specific B-vitamins slow the body’s ability to convert glucose into energy.

Food allergies - Sensitivities and allergies to specific foods are often overlooked as causes of weight gain. They are best evaluated via a blood test and are very helpful in designing a customized diet.

Toxins - Toxins, like Mercury, can poison metabolic pathways and slow weight loss. All weight loss involves detoxification. The better we detoxify the easier we loose weight.

When dealing with underlying health issues data is key. First, underlying issues have to be identified but equally important is the follow-up to ensure that issues are improving or have been resolved.

We will never be able to escape all of life’s challenges BUT we can fortify our body so it can deal with them in a more optimal manner. How? Let’s take a closer look at other culprits to weight gain and helpful tips.

INADEQUATE SLEEP – A CAUSE OF WEIGHT GAINS

Research shows there is a direct link between weight loss and how many Z’s you get per night.

We now know that people who are obese and overweight sleep less than others.

With sleep loss we see a rise in cortisol which increases appetite.

With sleep loss we see a decrease in metabolism, so you do not burn off food as quickly as you normally might.

With sleep loss we see an increase in Ghrelin, the hormone that tells you to eat more.

With sleep loss we see a decrease in the hormone Leptin, the hormone that tell you to stop eating

Food choice is also effected by sleep loss, in fact, people tend to select the high carb foods, which increase serotonin (a counter measure for the increase in cortisol/appetite).

Statistically we see that the obesity epidemic coincides with the overall sleep deprivation seen in this country.

Here are some helpful tips that may improve your nightly sleep:

Getting at least eight to nine hours of sleep per night tells your body all is well. Sleep, particularly that obtained before midnight, stimulates release of Growth Hormone and Testosterone and promotes cell repair – all of which are conducive to fat loss.

Sleeping with the thermostat set at 68 degrees (20 degrees Celcius) promotes deeper sleep and a decent rate of accelerated calorie burn.

Avoid caffeine after 3:00 pm.

Sleep in a pitch-dark room. Cover or remove all light sources such as alarm clocks, phones, smoke detectors, night lights, etc. Install black-out shades or curtains if necessary. Studies have shown that receptors in our skin will respond to a light source and increase cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

DEHYDRATION – A CAUSE OF WEIGHT GAIN

The average daily requirement of water for every adult is about 100 oz (3 liters). Our metabolism and, hence, weight gain/loss is carefully orchestrated by an array of hormones. They need to be transported to the right place at the right time. Here are several reasons why adequate hydration plays such a vital role in that process:

Hydration expands circulating blood volume. All hormones are circulated in the blood. Dehydration compromises blood volume and therefore the proper circulation of these vital hormones.

Adequate hydration unburdens the liver. Preferably, harmful fat loss metabolites are eliminated via the kidneys. But during a state of dehydration the liver will get charged with this task, which places extra stress on the liver.

Proper hydration ensures that the interior of the cell is as full as possible, stretching the cell membrane so that all of its hormonal receptors are exposed and accessible.

Drought precedes famine. The body regards dehydration as a precursor to famine/starvation and will slow down its metabolism. Even if calories are restricted but the body is well hydrated that survival process is minimized and mobilization of body fat will continue.

Staying well hydrated tells our bodies that all is well.

Weight Loss Tip: Drinking ice-cold water requires the body to burn more calories in order to heat the body back up to its normal temperature. Research has shown that drinking even two liters of ice water a day may burn as many as 123 calories.

With a better understanding of the numerous factors attributing to weight problems, let’s look at commonly accepted fallacies regarding weight loss……