There is a health perception that to loose weight you need to restrict fat intake – in fact 81.3% of the population have that perception.  A large percentage of adults and children are now classified as overweight or obese.  Despite increased levels of exercise in recent years people are still overweight and obese.  This is mainly due to the major movement to a low fat diet that is often high in carbohydrates and sugars and larger portions as well as an increase in convenience foods.

Convenience foods tend to be high in carbohydrates and fats and is highly processed which increases the consumption of trans fats and is low in nutrients.

High carbohydrate diets contribute to obesity.  The body will primarily choose to metabolise carbohydrates in preference to fats.  While many seem to think that they should then increase their carbohydrates – it has been found that this promotes obesity.  When the content of carbohydrate in the diet is increased, fat in the diet is reduced, but the content of fat (triglycerides) in the blood rises.  A diet high in carbohydrates reeks hormonal havoc affecting triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, Insulin and leptin.

The increase in adipose tissue is associated with an increase in the enzyme aromatase that converts testerone to estradiol and leads to diminished testerone levels in men that favour the preferential deposition of visceral fat.  As the total body fat mass increases hormone resistance develops for leptin and insulin.  Increasing leptin fails to prevent weight gain and hypogonadal obesity cycle ensures further visceral obesity and insulin resistance.

It has been suggested that the activation of the HPA axis following ingestion of large amounts of carbohydrates may have some relevance in women with abdominal obesity (apple shape).  This can also affect ovarian function, insulin secretion and action leading to Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.

High carbohydrate diet and subsequent obesity can reek hormonal havoc, increase triglycerides, activate the HPA axis, cause heart disease, cause Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and cause cancer.

Recent data suggest that a high intake of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates which is characterized by a high glycemic load may increase the risk of coronary heart disease by aggravating glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia. Metabolic studies have shown that high intake of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates can induce insulin responses leading to insulin resistant state.

There is growing recognition that colectoral cancer may be promoted by hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance suggesting that a diet inducing high blood glucose levels and an elevated insulin response may contribute to a metabolic environment conducive to tumor growth.

Insulin resistance has been implicated in the pathogensis of essential hypertension.  Hyperinsulinemia can actually increase blood pressure and is associated with venous and arterial thrombosis and it also raises lipid levels.

Leptin is an anti obesity hormone and plays a powerful role in regulation of appetite.  Leptin has a negative effect on Neuropeptide Y which is a powerful hunger stimulant.  Obesity induces leptin impairment.  Plasma leptin levels are correlated with insulin resistance and maybe associated with coronary heart disease.  Leptin is also associated with hypertension. 

It has been found that hypothalamic Neuropeptide Y can increase rapidly in response to dietary carbohydrate ingestion spelling disaster for the obese individual,  Neuropeptide Y is secreted in the brain and causes the basal metabolic rate to drop and causes cravings.

In a 1989 study it was found that insulin may have a role in the regulation of prolactin synethis – which determines the deposition and mobilisation of fat.

Stress may alter eating patterns in some individuals.  Recent studies indicate that stress induces increased food intake only when stress is followed by a neuroendocrine reaction with increased cortisol concentrations.  Cortisol directly increases adipose tissue.  Higher cortisol can also lower serotonin leading to depression.

Most people have elevated plasma levels of inflammatory markers which correlate with the degree of obesity and insulin resistance and decrease after weight reduction and exercise.

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome has centred around the primary defects in the HPA axis, ovarian function and insulin secretion and action.  Hyperandrogenemia, LH hypersecretion, insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia are common bacterial features of PCOS.  A growing body of evidence suggests that PCOS patients with hyperinsulinemia have a higher risk of developing diabetes mellus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

NUTRITIONAL AND HERBAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Metagenics Meta Oil – combination of oils to assist in inflammatory conditions and metabolic syndrome

5 – 20mls daily

Metagenics Keto Oil – Omega 3 & 6 & EFA & conjugated Linoleic Acid

5ms once or twice daily with meals

Metagenics Ketoslim Plus - Protein with fibre – whey protein vitamins & minerals

1 scoop in 200mls of water 1 – 2 times daily

Or Ketoslim Soy

Keto Bars – low carbohydrate snack

Half to 1 Bar as a snack 1 -2 times daily

Metagenics Insulex – maintenance of glucose, triglycerides & cholesterol levels

1 -2 capsules 3 times a day with food

Metagenics Thermo Blast – herbs to promote thermogensis and fat loss

2 tablets twice daily before meals

Metagenics N Acetyl Carnitine – lipid metabolism and energy production

1 metric teaspoon in juice daily

If stress and anxiety is a symptom – Metagenics Neurocalm – hyper HPA

1 tablet 3 times a day

If cardiovascular health is an issue Metagenics Cardio X – contains magnesium & taurine to help support the health of the heart and cardiovascular system & B12 to reduce homocysteine levels

2 level metric tsps 1 -2 times daily with water

Metagenics Chromium Picolinate – promote insulin mediated glucose uptake and assists insulin in biochemical regulation of fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism

1 – 3 tablets 2 times daily

LIFESTYLE/DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS

Replace some dietary carbohydrate with protein to improve weight loss

Eat protein for breakfast

Go on to the Ketogenic Diet – induces ketosis – state of fat burning

If carbohydrate is restricted you may burn protein – necessary to supplement with a protein powder to ensure minimal muscle loss

Take Acetyl Carnitine supplement as this aids the body in fat burning and enhances muscle growth

Drink 2 litres of live water per day

An integrated Detox involving both gut repair and liver regeneration may assist in weight loss by decreasing inflammation and improving hepatic clearance of hormones and toxins that impair the body’s ability to burn fat.

Reduce Alcohol intake

Get regular exercise of at least 30 mins per day of moderate intensity

Get 8 hours sleep

Plan your meals so you can eat according to the Ketosystem