Globally, there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, with numbers steadily rising each year. Weight loss has become one of the biggest health concerns in the United States, and it’s estimated that we spend over $60 billion dollars per year on fad diets and weight loss products. Overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, stroke, and certain type of cancer (breast, colon, endometrial, and kidney).

Though you may have tried many diet and weight loss plans in the past without results, the reasons you have not been successful may not be what you think. Here are a few questions to ask yourself about why you may be having trouble shedding those extra pounds:

Is your gut healthy? It’s a fact that an altered gut microbiome can cause weight gain and obesity. Altered gut flora causes low-grade inflammation, which can lead to insulin resistance, and ultimately, weight gain. Obese individuals tend to have different bacterial makeup than those who are not obese, and in one study, lab mice lacking a specific gut protein known as TLR5 weighed 15% more than mice not lacking this protein.

Were you born via Cesarian Section or did you take antibiotics as a child? If so, it’s likely that your gut microbiome has been altered and needs to be repaired. Try a 4R gut restoration plan in order to restore your gut health. For more information on our 4R gut restoration, you can contact our office.

Have you detoxed lately? Detoxing the body can give you a great jump start to achieving weight loss goals and can relieve symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, muscle pain, GI distress, memory lapses, mood swings, and generally feeling unwell. It’s important to only complete a detoxification plan under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

Are you eating enough good fat? You have to eat fat to burn fat! In one study, mice that were given 12% of their dietary fat from EPA and DHA from fish had a weight reduction and were resistant to weight gain, even when given unlimited access to food. They also had a reduction in the number of fat cells in their abdominal area. It’s important to only take good quality fish oil, such as Nordic Naturals or Metagenics.

Are you utilizing medical foods? Medical foods help to stabilize blood sugar, regulate appetite, control excess cortisol, and have an optimal vitamin and mineral profile with designer phytonutrients to support healthy body fat levels while maintaining muscle.

Are you stressing too much and not sleeping enough? High stress levels increase cortisol production, which can increase belly fat, and lack of sleep contributes to this vicious cycle. Try deep breathing exercises and going to bed at the same time every night to break the cycle and get back to normal.

There are many ways to combat weight loss resistance and to maintain a healthy weight. For any questions regarding these and other plans, feel free to contact our office or visit www.patewellnesscenter.com.