Metabolic Weight Management
Questions and Answers
QUESTION: I am a 45 year old
female that has recently been going through the first stages
of Peri-menopause. I have been put on prescription HRT, consisting
of Premarin. After 6 weeks, I noticed an increase in adipose
(fatty) tissue, specifically around the abdomen, hips and
thighs. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: As women age, the metabolism
of estrogens can become more difficult. Remember from previous
articles, there are three types of estrogens: estrone, estradiol
and estriol. Unfortunately it's a vicious cycle at time with
some of the pharmaceutical estrogens, consequently causing
an increase of what we call truncal obesity. Natural HRT,
i.e. bio-identical hormone treatment works quite well. In
addition, I have seen patients utilizing our metabolic weigh
loss system have decreased food cravings and decreased truncal
obesity.
QUESTION: I am a 52 year old
male who has been recently diagnosed with hypertension and
have been placed on a beta-blocker. My weight has always been
a constant battle but recently it's becoming an ardous task
to keep off the weight. What can you suggest?
ANSWER: Beta-blockers work by
blocking the beta-receptors, i.e. in the heart, helping to
slow down and regulate pressure. Unfortunately, for some people
who have weight control issues, the beta-blockers also work
by blocking the beta-receptors of fat cells. These receptors
normally help release from the cells. When the receptors are
blocked, you gain weight. At times patients will say they
feel a "medication bloat". Some solutions would
be a natural diuretic along with the Prothin 7 day plan. It
would help decrease the appetite thus allowing you to shed
some excessive pounds.
QUESTION: Can you explain the
connection in people with Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency
Syndrome and weight gain?
ANSWER: CFIDS, a.k.a. Chronic
Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome, accompanies a host of
viral and low-grade bacterial culprits. There are some theories
that CFIDS patients tend to have low-grade candida infections
At times my female patients will complain of increased susceptibility
to yeast infections. The candida migrates to other tissues
producing toxins such as acetaldehyde that stress the immune
system. Interestingly enough, candida also produces hormone
like substances that interfere with hormone production. For
a female, it may stimulate increased estrogen production thus
making you estrogen dominant. There is a hypothesis that if
estrogen is higher than progesterone, you may develop hypothyroidism.
In summary, treating the underlying infection along with proper
hormonal regulation and a metabolic weight loss program may
provide some benefit.
QUESTION: I have read about body
shapes. Some people having an apple shaped body while other
people have a "pear" shaped body. What is the difference?
ANSWER: People with an apple
body shape have a proportional higher fat around the abdomen.
The rest of their body tends to be normal or sometimes even
lean. Pear shaped body types carries their excessive adipose
tissue in the hips and thighs. There is some correlation that
the apple shape fat is associated more with heart disease,
hypertension and diabetes. The logic is that this is associated
with excessive cortisol levels resulting in chronicity of
stress. Another medical term for this is truncal obesity.
The rule of thumb is to control high cortisol levels. This
can be done through mild exercise, dietary techniques and
nutraceutical/botanical therapeutics.
QUESTION: According to insurance
graphs, I am 25 to 30 lbs overweight. However, I am physically
fit, I jog daily and exercise three times per week. Although
I have tried numerous diets, I can't seem to drop the last
25 lbs. Do you have any thoughts on this?
ANSWER: Individuals who are slightly
overweight yet are avid exercisers tend to actually be very
physically fit. Most insurance graphs and/or what society
feels is normal weight, needs to be taken with a grain of
salt. I would suggest a body composition test and perhaps
a blood test consisting of thyroid function, random insulin
and estradiol. |