Weight Loss
Understanding Weight Loss
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a common goal for many people. Weight loss can be tough at times and for some people, almost impossible. Trying diet fad after diet fad and having some results, but never the results we are looking for. Here at The McCord Clinic, we understand your pain and we offer a different solution to addressing the issue. This informative page explores the world of Metabolic Syndrome and factors keeping you from achieving the body of your dreams.
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of medical conditions and risk factors that often occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a person typically has at least three of the following five components:
- Abdominal Obesity: Excess fat around the waist, often indicated by a high waist circumference. In men, a waist circumference of 40 inches or more, and in women, 35 inches or more, is considered a risk factor.
- High Blood Pressure: Also known as hypertension, where blood pressure readings consistently measure 130/85 mm Hg or higher.
- High Blood Sugar: Elevated fasting blood sugar levels, indicating impaired glucose metabolism. Typically, a fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL or higher is a risk factor.
- High Triglycerides: Elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood, often at 150 mg/dL or higher.
- Low HDL Cholesterol: Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is considered “good” cholesterol. For men, HDL levels below 40 mg/dL, and for women, below 50 mg/dL, are risk factors.
Factors Affecting Weight Loss
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones play a critical role in regulating metabolism and appetite. Imbalances in hormones like insulin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones can lead to weight gain or hinder weight loss efforts.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate intake or absorption of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, can affect metabolism and lead to weight issues.
- Gut Health: An imbalanced gut microbiome (dysbiosis) can disrupt metabolic processes, influence appetite, and impact the body’s ability to manage weight.
- Food Sensitivities and Allergies: Undiagnosed food sensitivities and allergies can lead to inflammation and metabolic disruptions, making it difficult to lose weight.
- Stress and Cortisol: Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area.
- Toxic Burden: Environmental toxins can disrupt hormonal and metabolic processes, affecting weight regulation.
- Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid imbalances, such as hypothyroidism, can slow down metabolism and make it challenging to lose weight.
- Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and increased fat storage.
- Emotional Eating and Psychological Factors: Emotional and psychological factors, such as stress eating, depression, anxiety, or trauma, can contribute to weight gain and make it difficult to adhere to healthy habits.
- Medication Side Effects: Some medications can lead to weight gain as a side effect.
- Lifestyle Factors: Lack of physical activity, poor sleep quality, and other lifestyle choices can hinder weight loss efforts.
- Genetic Predisposition: Genetic factors can influence an individual’s metabolism and ability to manage weight.
Treatment
· Identify hidden infections/toxic burden and remove them.
· Restore physiology of the liver, kidneys, adrenals, and gastrointestinal tract with micronutrients.
· Make Dietary changes personalized to individual’s genetic needs. This is done via the use of advanced genetic testing.
· Enhance fat burning through personalized targeted training.