Wellness

Are you overweight? If so, you are not alone. Millions of South Africans are more than 30 percent over their ideal body weight and, therefore, are considered clinically obese. For many, their lives prove an endless succession of diets. They may lose weight, but often gain it right back.

Are you overweight? If so, you are not alone. Millions of South Africans are more than 30 percent over their ideal body weight and, therefore, are considered clinically obese. For many, their lives prove an endless succession of diets. They may lose weight, but often gain it right back.

They are easily excited by the newest diet book to hit the Best Seller List or the latest diet pill sensationalized by the press — both of which provide initial weight loss, but only as a result of their ability to suppress the appetite or otherwise restrict caloric intake. This can often be unhealthy since severe calorie restriction causes a shift in the body's metabolism, such that fat will be preserved and muscle will be broken down into protein for energy. Obviously this is counterproductive, yet millions of people do this routinely. They go through periods of starvation to achieve their goal weight, only to eventually resume their old habits and regain the weight … once again finding it necessary to start yet a new diet. Ultimately, this self-imposed roller coaster ride will result in a substantial loss of muscle and a higher percentage of body fat. And since the body's muscle mass largely determines the metabolic rate, these people will find it increasingly more difficult to lose weight in the future ... until the muscle is regained.

Body Physiology & the WIN Products

The body is often compared to a complex machine in which billions of biochemical reactions occur in order to sustain life. These reactions require energy. The body generates this energy from three dietary sources: carbohydrates, protein and fat ... all of which are broken down respectively into simple sugars, amino acids and fatty acids. Simple sugars and amino acids are further "refined" by the body into its preferred fuel, glucose. Fatty acids cannot be converted into glucose, but instead become ketones, which are used as a reserve fuel.

Unfortunately, the body can only store a limited amount of glucose. These glucose molecules are condensed into long-branched chains called glycogen which are then stored in the liver and muscles. This can later be used by the body for energy. If this storage were not possible, then we would have to eat constantly, or receive constant intravenous infusions of glucose, to survive.

So why not just eliminate fat from the diet all together? First, it is not practical since there is fat in many of the foods we eat. Second, we need fat in our diet to promote the health of our skin, hair, nails, brain and nervous system. This is especially true of essential fatty acids found in plant oils and nuts. A general rule of thumb is to limit total fat to 20 grams per day during periods of active fat loss, and maintain 40 to 60 grams per day once you have achieved your goal.

Interestingly, it is possible to gain body fat even on a low-fat diet. This occurs when the total number of calories ingested in a day exceeds the number "burned up" by the body. Any extra calories, even if derived from carbohydrates or protein, will replenish the glycogen stores, and the remainder will be converted and stored as fat. Consequently, some decrease in daily calorie consumption and increase in physical activity may be necessary. Do not, however, reduce your intake below 1,200 calories per day unless supervised by your physician. This, along with an increased ratio of lean protein in the diet and increased muscle strengthening exercises, will help prevent the breakdown of muscle for energy and maintain the lean muscle mass.

Weight reduction and, more importantly, body fat reduction are truly complicated. To win this battle, it is best to attack from many angles and not just rely upon appetite suppression alone. Certainly some ingredients, such as chromium and different types of herbs, can satisfy the appetite. However, one can maximize fat metabolism through a number of other mechanisms.

Thermogenesis is the body's ability to use fuel to "create heat." This is accomplished primarily by the brown adipose tissue which utilizes fat for this purpose. Thermogenic products not only create heat, but they also stimulate the breakdown of fat (lipolysis) so that it can be used as an energy source.

Chromium polynicotinate stimulates the satiety center in the brain to satisfy one's appetite. It can also help decrease total cholesterol, LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides, while increasing HDL ("good" cholesterol). Most importantly, chromium works as a cofactor with insulin and helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and increase the amount of glucose that enters the cells. This provides more fuel to the cell. Hydroxycitric acid acts with the chromium by interfering with ATP citrate lyase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of excess glucose to fat. This also passively shunts more glucose to be stored as glycogen, which can increase endurance levels. Free radical production dramatically increases during this time of fat breakdown, thermogenesis and increased physical activity, and thus one has to take Anti-Oxidants whilst losing weight to protect ones’ body.

Next month I will continue to discuss weight loss and other natural products that can assist with healthy weight loss.

For any queries, please consult your GP or the Zoi Wellness center at 9141688 for further information.

Dr Costa Kapnias has been a GP in Cape Town for 14 years and qualified at the University of Cape Town. He has spent the last 8 years practising preventative and anti-aging medicine.

Zoi Wellness was founded by Dr. Costa Kapnias in December 2003 and is dedicated to Total Wellness-Physical, Mental and Spiritual. More than just personal well being, wellness is a way of life. A Philosophy. In keeping with this philosophy, Zoi Wellness is dedicated and focused to supplying products and services that are at the forefront of the wellness industry.