Why do you Need Alternative Therapies for Weight Loss?
Unsuccessful weight loss is a dilemma that many people face today. According to the data reported by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more than one-third of the entire US population is obese (1); but fortunately, the rate is declining slowly and steadily. For example, according to the new report released by Wall Street Journal (2), a 40% decline in the rate of childhood obesity has been observed over the past 10 years. This decline in the rate can be attributed to:
- Increasing awareness among individuals regarding the hazards of metabolic syndrome
- A slow but encouraging transition in the popularity of organic foods and healthy lifestyle choices
It is imperative to understand that the danger is far from over. Despite public and healthcare sector concerns, the fast food industry is still ruling and booming in the United States.
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Why do you need Natural methods of Weight Loss?
If you are looking for healthy weight loss strategies; there is a strong need for some effective questions & answers.
- Is it possible for you to skip the junk and fast food altogether?
- Can you live on tasteless soups and green salads but no fun, fattening foods?
- Are you sure your weight gain is primarily because of your dietary choices? What if you are suffering from a hormonal or nutritional imbalance?
Of course; there are hundreds of questions and millions of answers, but the need is to find the best solution.
Healthcare providers and researchers believe that healthy weight loss is so much more than dieting and lifestyle. For example; certain overlooked causes of unsuccessful weight loss are:
1. Hormonal Imbalance
An imbalance of hormones (such as thyroid, adrenal hormones, insulin deficiency, etc.) can also lead to weight gain. It is imperative to keep in mind that most hormonal disorders are slow to produce meaningful effects.
2. Nutritional imbalance
It is a fact that nutritional excess (i.e. excessive consumption of calories) can lead to weight gain; but a lot of people are unaware that deficiency of certain nutrients (such as vitamins and enzymes) can also lead to weight gain and unsuccessful weight loss. This is mainly because these micronutrients or vitamins serve as vital co-factors in the maintenance of metabolic functions.
3. Stress
There are several varieties of stress; such as:
- Emotional stress: Feelings of anger, agitation, frustration, emotional pressure, etc. are classified under emotional stress (that is highly prevalent in the general population). Primary causes include economic factors, job-related pressure, peer pressure, marital issues, etc. It is imperative to keep in mind that emotional stress often leads to hormonal imbalance (by increasing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol) and by altering the lifestyle and eating behavior.
- Oxidative Stress: Oftentimes, we are only concerned about emotional stress; and totally ignore oxidative or intrinsic stress (which is a leading cause of chronic health issues and failing metabolism). Oxidative stress refers to the formation of free radicals and irritants that affects our mood and overall health. Some common examples of elements that induce oxidative stress are; fast food/ junk food, fertilizers and chemicals present in the food, heavy metals that are ingested via food and water, medications, and other sources.
In simple words, besides monitoring your diet and lifestyle, it is very important to identify and manage secondary causes of weight gain. Make sure to maintain a record of:
- Details of your diet regimen (ideally maintain a food diary that has information regarding your initial weight, type of diet you are following, and frequency)
- Record physical activity (time of the day, duration of exercise, and intensity of workout session)
- Your mood, energy levels, and overall stamina while you are on the diet
Make sure to take periodic readings for optimal assessment.
References:- Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2014). Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA, 311(8), 806-814.
- Fuente-Martín, E., Granado, M., García-Cáceres, C., Sanchez-Garrido, M. A., Frago, L. M., Tena-Sempere, M., … & Chowen, J. A. (2012). Early nutritional changes induce sexually dimorphic long-term effects on body weight gain and the response to sucrose intake in adult rats. Metabolism, 61(6), 812-822.
- St-Onge, M. P., O’Keeffe, M., Roberts, A. L., RoyChoudhury, A., & Laferrere, B. (2012). Short sleep duration, glucose dysregulation, and hormonal regulation of appetite in men and women. Sleep, 35(11), 1503.
