Time to lose that summer weight

Checking and regulating hormones is a great way to address the root cause of either weight gain or weight loss.

Time to lose that summer weight

by Dr. Paul Stallone — 

Most people try to lose weight before the summer; however, many people who live in Phoenix during some of the hottest weather in the United States actually have to lose weight after summer ends.

The intense Arizona heat drives most people indoors; when they do venture outside, they are drained of any remaining energy. This can cause countless people to gain unwanted pounds during the summer.

While sweating is great for overall health, it alone will not contribute to weight loss. This is your metabolism’s job, as it is mainly responsible for regulating your body mass. Many agree that your metabolism slows significantly during higher temperatures because it does not have to burn as many calories to heat your body as it does during cooler months.

The heat can also cause people to crave cold drinks laced with sugar. These factors and many others are a recipe for weight gain. Healthy living is on the horizon now that it is finally cooling down. You can go for walks and hikes without fear of heat stroke, a very real concern during the summer. Getting back to your old routine should help shed a few pounds, but some people will continue to struggle or even gain more weight.

This is a great time to check in with a naturopathic doctor. He can make simple suggestions to lose those extra pounds, or look into why you are not losing any weight at all. Some people who cannot lose weight might have an underlying hormonal imbalance that will make it nearly impossible.

Checking and regulating hormones is a great way to address the root cause of either weight gain or weight loss. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment to reverse symptoms related to an imbalance.

Checking your hormones is the first step in becoming a candidate for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) diet, a program for serious weight loss. The hCG diet has been utilized for decades and is a safe, natural way to lose weight. The program involves injection of the hormone hCG, which is already present in both men and women.

This hormone triggers your body to release and burn calories from stored fat. The diet part of this program limits the amount and type of calories you consume by doing two things. First, by restricting calories, you force your body to use stored fat for energy; second, eating specific foods will put your body into a fat-burning stage called ketosis. This protocol is great for anyone looking to lose a stubborn 15 pounds or an intimidating 50 pounds.

While the hCG program is safe for many people, the diet should be monitored by a knowledgeable physician, just as any patient on a hormone program needs monitoring from beginning to end.

The core principles of this diet have been consistent over the years, but there are slight variations that could allow you to have even more success, and only an expert will know what is appropriate for you.

Paul Stallone, N.M.D., founded the Arizona Integrative Medical Center, located in Scottsdale, Ariz. He combines natural, alternative and conventional treatments to best fit each patient’s needs. drstallone.com or 480-214-3922.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 5, October/November 2015.