Successful weight control

Permanent weight loss requires an earnest commitment to healthier living, as well as thorough investigation of the underlying cause(s) of one’s excess weight.

by Dasha Trebichavska — 

Permanent weight loss requires an earnest commitment to healthier living, as well as thorough investigation of the underlying cause(s) of one’s excess weight. Excess weight can result from a variety of causes, including a diet high in carbohydrates, lack of exercise, thyroid imbalance, insulin and adrenal problems, water retention, emotional imbalance or other health problems.

Several popular approaches to weight management promise fast weight loss. One is the use of diuretic herbs or drugs to reduce water retention. Another is the use of lipotropic vitamins or drugs that bind to cholesterol and fats to prevent their absorption. A third approach is the use of appetite suppressants.

Unfortunately, none of these methods leads to permanent weight loss. On the contrary, the symptomatic weight-loss treatments described above can lead to further health imbalances. For example, losing weight too quickly can suppress the immune system and strain organs such as the liver and kidneys. Some weight-loss products focus on thermogenesis (the body’s natural way of burning calories). These products contain ephedrine, which not only speeds up the body’s metabolism but also raises blood pressure and increases the heart rate. This can be dangerous for certain individuals.

Abnormal weight may be a result of:

• Eating imbalanced meals (high fat, high carbohydrates, low protein)
• Not getting enough exercise
• Thyroid imbalance
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Weak digestive function
• Blood sugar swings (glycogen/insulin imbalance or hypoglycemia/diabetes)
• Water retention — kidney/heart malfunction (edema, phlegm accumulation)
• Emotional trauma (indigestion)

Successful approaches to losing weight:

• Eat regular, balanced meals (30 percent fats, 30 percent proteins, 40 percent complex carbohydrates (mostly vegetables, with some grains).
• Walk after eating.
• Take specific proven herbal compounds right before meals to increase metabolism and help release fat and curb water retention.
• Take specific nutritional supplements for the thyroid and adrenal gland, both crucial to the weight-loss process.
• Have acupuncture treatments, proven to help balance the organ systems (pancreas, liver, endocrine function), reduce cravings and curb the appetite (ear acupressure is available for those who fear needles).
• Try hypnotherapy or biofeedback, if your eating has a strong, underlying emotional cause.

Dasha Trebichavska, M.S., L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist practicing in Scottsdale, Ariz. She specializes in gynecology — specifically helping women achieve pregnancy. 480-272-6572 or www.healthtransformations.net.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 1, February/March 2007.