19 Aug Unusual Suspects

Weight loss – the unusual suspects!

by Karen Latter, Naturopath & Nutritionist

Let me ask you a question – standing in front of you is an overweight woman – she is in her late 40s, 168cm in height, weighs 90 kilos and her fat percentage is topping 38%. Would you assume she eats too much, makes poor food choices and does not exercise? Many of us would say yes, however this assumption oversimplifies an often far more complex picture.

The truth is that being overweight or obese can be a result of many factors including: a disease process, ageing, stress, food intolerances or rebound weight after a period of prolonged dieting. In clinic, fully assessing the overweight or obese client for limiting factors such as these plus making dietary and exercise recommendations holds the key to healthy weight loss.

Taking a closer look at factors leading to excess weight:

• Ageing – as you age your metabolism can slow down and brown fat cell mass reduces, this is associated with weight gain.

• Stress and depression – prolonged stress causes a dysregulation of hormone levels, which can cause the body to stock pile food as fat.

• Food intolerance – sensitivity to certain foods can cause bloating and an increase in weight. For instance a man who has a beer belly despite exercising could be suffering from grain or cereal sensitivity. The solution is to stop drinking grain based alcohols (beer) and adhere to a wheat free diet.

• Prolonged dieting – reduced food intake changes hormone levels, effects metabolic rate, causes vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can lead to rebound weight gain.

• Virus infections – certain viruses can actually increase fat cell numbers.

For each of these situations, nutritional and herbal remedies can be used with the aim of helping the individual to reach their weight loss goals.

To address the factors that might be stopping you loosing weight – book a health assessment with Karen by calling 0405 707 156.

Karen Latter is an Australian Traditional Medicine Society accredited Naturopath & Nutritionist and is health fund registered. She works at Sydney Health & Fertility, Manly and The Fountain Centre, Balgowlah. Find out more: http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/karenlatter/21447