An integrative medicine approach to weight

Words DR CARLOS SANCHEZ

Given these uncertain times with the actual pandemic, it is even more important to try to maintain a healthy immune system. We are seeing the biggest toll from this existing virus on the most immunocompromised, diabetics and elderly people.

Unfortunately, two-thirds of the population are metabolically unhealthy, with soaring numbers of prediabetics and diabetics. We are exposed to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods that are high in sugar and fat. There is certain toxicity with any excess energy foods we eat and don’t burn. The adipose tissue or fat is considered an active endocrine organ that produces proinflammatory cytokines, contributing to the low-level chronic inflammation we see in obese people.

As hunter-gatherers, we used to cycle between periods of abundance and famine, getting our body into a state of ketosis, where fatty acids are burnt as energy for a constant supply of energy to keep up with normal body functions. In times of excess food being available, we created a mechanism of survival, where we accumulated reserves to get us ready for the winter times of starvation. This has been referred to as the Thrifty Gene Hypothesis.

In my practice, I try to mimic nature with cycles of fasting and reduction of excess energy foods as a reboot switch for the endocrine system, to try to normalise the excess insulin most people are subjected to nowadays, as the times of famine never come. We see incredible results, reducing weight and even reversing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other chronic pathologies when this is implemented correctly.

There has been confusion in the last few decades regarding what a healthy diet should be. So far, I don’t think we have been getting it right as the number of morbidly obese people is increasing dramatically. The modern way of life, with very little physical activity and high stress exposure, doesn’t help with trying to keep a healthy weight. Therefore, it is extremely important to try to reduce the high energy foods that are normally deprived of nutrients, and keep up the right amounts of protein to avoid sarcopenia or muscle loss to preserve a lean body mass and prevent the epidemic of osteoporosis in our ageing population.

Eat clean unprocessed foods, locally grown and are environmentally friendly, with an adequate amount of protein, preferably animal as it is the most bioavailable nutrient-dense food that we have been eating for millions of years. Cut out excess refined sugars and fats, and your appetite and body weight will normalise. I hope this helps to keep you healthy and strong in these current times.

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