With the start of the New Year, weight loss is one of the most common topics. With world obesity at 35% and continuing to rise, there’s been a corresponding emergence of related diseases (World Health Organization, 2013). At DBC, we’ve seen and treated thousands of patients with these issues for over twenty years through our science-based weight loss programs. We’ve learned a lot along the way about how patients can best achieve and maintain long-term weight loss.
First and foremost, I really feel that weight loss will only be successful when it’s approached with a focus on achieving a healthy lifestyle versus losing weight. The reason over 90% of diets fail is because they are a short-term fix, not a lifestyle change. They also don’t get to the root of the problem causing the excess weight gain in the first place. Conventional weight loss efforts are often undermined by the release of toxins within the body as well, which can cause mild depression, fatigue, and loss of willpower.
No matter the excess weight, it’s vital to take care of inflammation, toxicity, and emotional disturbances first. Otherwise, no matter how many calories you restrict, the body’s health imbalances will undermine successful weight loss. In fact, we treat patients over 400 pounds and are able to normalize their cholesterol within six weeks at that weight. It’s not the excess weight that’s created the problems; it’s the lifestyle that got us there.
Let’s not diminish the importance of getting rid of excess
body fat, though, as it increases wear and tear on the body and causes greater inflammation. Fat, after all, acts as a metabolic organ, disrupting endocrine and metabolic functions and raging destruction where there are genetic weak spots.
Some of these important metabolic pathways that we check for dysfunction include
methylation,
glycation,
detoxification, and hormonal imbalances. Important blood markers that are also helpful but not essential include:
- - Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – This measures glycation, which tells me the metabolic damage that sugar is doing within the body.
- - Lipid profile – This gives me an idea on the state of inflammation, including whether insulin resistance and liver problems are present.
- - Fasting insulin – This should be less than 4, and helps me determine if insulin resistance is present.
- - Thyroid profile or other hormonal profile – Since 50% of perimenopausal and menopausal women have undiagnosed thyroid conditions, when symptoms indicate an issue, it can be helpful to have additional related testing done.
- - Uric acid – This helps me to determine inflammation levels.
- - Homocysteine – This gives me an idea on how a person’s methylation status.
Based on the patient’s metabolic functions and blood markers, we design a customized program for them to achieve optimal health and appropriate weight loss. Our highly qualified and competent health coaches at DBC help implement the program, and work with the patient to achieve success.
For example, one of our most successful and popular weight loss programs, “Boot Camp,” involves designing a food program that is specific to the patient’s biochemistry. It is anti-inflammatory, non-allergenic, low glycemic, and high in nutrients.
For others, we offer
anti-inflammatory and detoxification courses, and yes, we focus on exercise as well. In fact, the quickest results typically occur with a combination of diet changes and quality (not necessarily quantity of) exercise, which you can read more about
here.
Along with their plan, we recommend appropriate nutraceuticals with patients. UltraMeal 360, a plant-based protein meal replacement, is one of our most popular products, as it works to decrease insulin resistance and normalize weight. About 80% of our obese patients have successfully used this product to improve insulin resistance in as little as 3 – 4 months.
Our programs and nutraceuticals are not based on current fads, of course, but on breaking new science that has been published in top tier medical journals that has yet to find its way into common knowledge.
I’m always amazed at how high blood pressure, high cholesterol, autoimmune diseases, and other symptoms can be dramatically improved at any weight within six to twelve weeks with appropriate lifestyle changes.
Typically, blood work numbers change drastically within a few weeks, brain fog and depression lift, and weight loss ensues. This success creates an upward cycle, allowing them to find the want and willpower to continue. Then, we gradually liberalize the program as weight loss continues.
In shifting our patients’ focus of weight loss towards achieving health and healthy living, we’ve had an extremely high rate of long-term weight loss success. It’s amazing how small steps of replacing unhealthy habits with healthy ones can reinforce success with boosted energy, mood, health, and happiness!
References
Obesity. (2013). World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/gho/ncd/risk_factors/obesity_text/en/.