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.

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