Obesity

It is well known that there is an epidemic of obesity. Obesity causes a number of health problems such as inflammation, high triglycerides and insulin resistance. These obesity related conditions should not be ignored, as they can be life debilitating.

Many people believe that dieting will solve everything. In one sense this is true, but it is vitally important that a correct fat loss program is followed, preferably by a well trained Natural Health Practitioner.

The reason for this, is that many who start a diet, can easily fall into the trap of the following bad habits:

• Start to skip meals
• Eat the incorrect foods
• Lose not just fat tissue but also the needed muscle mass tissue.
• Begin over strenuous exercising
• Follow incorrect advice
• Start self prescribing - Taking the incorrect or unnecessary supplementation.

These can hinder the success of fat loss; and in many cases increase fat tissue / obesity.

What should I know about weight loss diets?

• Many weight loss diets can be harmful, such as low calorie diets. These can suppress the thyroid function, thus lowering metabolic rate. This results in easier weight gain.
• Weight loss programs usually, advise the incorrect carbohydrate intake with very low fat intake.
• Please note that fats do not put on fat. It is the carbohydrates (usually the refined and processed such as white bread, white pasta, etc.) that convert into bad fat.
• Excessive exercising, increases inflammation, which contributes to more weight gain. One needs to be guided according to their unique, individual needs.

It is important to identify the cause of obesity, as there could be a number of reasons.

A person may be eating well, exercising and taking supplements and still find it difficult to lose fat.

Examples:

• Stress
• Hormonal imbalances
• Deficiencies
• Chemical toxicity

Excessive fat tissue and the need for protein

·         As fat cell stores increase, the fat tissue starts to misbehave. Secreting chemicals (known as cytokines) that increase inflammation, compounding health issues, e.g. insulin resistance and fat gain.

·         Fat cells (Adipose tissue) release free fatty acids into the circulation which inhibits insulin action, e.g. blood glucose control (blood glucose control is a vital part of maintaining weight loss)

·         Fat tissue uses both free fatty acids and glucose (sugar) for fuel. But, by restricting dietary carbohydrates (sugar availability); the tissues are forced to utilize free fatty acids as an alternative source of energy. In short, your body has to use its own fat as a source of fuel.

·         High intakes of carbohydrates, especially the refined carbohydrates, will stimulate an increase for the need of insulin release. Insulin is a hormone that in excess makes fat cells fatter. At the same time Carnitine Palmtyl Transferase (CPT), an enzyme activity that supports fat burning, is suppressed.  For example, eating 2 slices of bread (carbohydrate), which is approximately 60gms of sugar (glucose), will suppress fat burning.

The importance of protein

Protein intake is so vital for promoting healthy fat loss, as it aids in fat burning / fat loss (it increases thermogenisis) and preserves the needed lean muscle mass. A good point to note is that protein increases thermogenisis by 100% over carbohydrates, as it improves body composition and prevents weight regain.

The importance of the “Good Fats”

Flaxseed oil and coconut oil are known as medium chained fatty acids

These medium chained fatty acids assist the “Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor” (PPAR), which is very important in assisting in healthy fat loss.

Examples:

• These are receptors which stimulate fatty acid uptake and metabolism.
• Its activation has an insulin-sensitizing effect by clearing fatty acids from the blood.
• It reduces insulin resistance and inflammation.
• It is anti inflammatory.

Inflammation is a driver of many health complaints such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, arthritis and endocrine imbalances. So an interesting way to block this inflammatory drive is by supporting PPAR with healthy fats such as

-          Flaxseed oil

-          Coconut oil

-          Sesame oil

-          Olive oil

The omega 3 essential fatty acids.

These good fats activate the PPAR receptors, which also does other wonderful things like increase thermogenesis, (increase fat burning), inhibits fat storage,  it takes hold of the bad fat and aids in it’s elimination, reduces triglycerides, raises the good fat HDL and improves insulin sensitivity.

Just a note about long chained fatty acids and why they need to be avoided

1. Adrenoleukodystrophy

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare fatal degenerative disease, caused by a build up of long chained fatty acid (c22 to c28) which destroys the myelin (protective sheath) of the nerves, resulting in myelin sheath degeneration, i.e.: it destroys the myelin (protective sheath) of the nerves. An example of myelin sheath deterioration is Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Long chained fatty acids, usually found in processed foods and many eateries, including canola oil are known to be a long chained fatty acid of (c22).

Essential Fatty ACIDS

• EFA’s are essential for the promotion of optimal neurological & immunological development & function, especially with regard to vision & the control of inflammatory immune responses.
• Supplementation will improve learning & behaviour, and help in the control of allergies & infections.

Coconut oil

It is a medium chain fatty acid, with a host of health supporting benefits, such as assisting in thyroid function therefore improving metabolic rate and blood glucose support.

These are just some of the reasons it is important to eat good fat to support fat loss, and simultaneously avoid bad carbohydrates and sugars.

Oils like coconut oil support healthy fat loss.