Weight

We have become a very overweight society. For some it is “just a little pooch” on the abdomen, for others they are 10, 20 or 30 pounds overweight, while others are simply obese. There are at least a dozen reasons why people can be overweight or have a difficult time losing weight. Overeating and lack of exercise are only two factors. It is deeper than that for most.

I have met plenty of people who eat “well”, exercise regularly (even excessively) and seem to be doing everything “right” and yet they either continue to gain weight or just can’t lose it. That is because they are only addressing the most common reasons society gives them, and didn’t know there could be more.

Some examples of other reasons why you can gain weight include:

Endocrine imbalance. The endocrine system comprises many organs and glands such as the liver, pancreas, thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, gonads, etc. that all can play a role in the ability to gain/lose weight. It is an intricate feedback loop of cause and effect that, if not in harmony, can contribute in many ways to weight gain.

Mineral deficiencies. Most people today are so depleted nutritionally that it is no wonder they are struggling with weight. Minerals dictate function in the body. For instance, the thyroid needs iodine, the pancreas needs chromium, and the adrenals need sodium and copper. Without them, they can’t function up to par. But also minerals control the satiation center of the brain and the perceived state of hunger.

Fat deficiency. Yes, not enough fat. Or shall I say, not enough of the right fat. If you are not getting enough essential fatty acids, the body won’t let go of the body fat that’s not needed. You can actually increase fat loss by, through the proper way, introducing more fat into the diet. The key is “proper”.

Blood sugar imbalances. If your blood sugar is unstable, too high or too low (or vacillating between both), you could be gaining weight and have a difficult time losing it.

Toxins. If the body is toxic, it stores toxins in the fatty tissues and can inhibit fat elimination. A proper purification program that not only nourishes the body while simultaneously detoxifying it, but also activates both Phase I and Phase II of the liver detoxification pathways, is critical if weight loss is the goal.

Pain. If you are in pain, you are unlikely to be able to lose weight. Most people don’t know this. Using acupuncture to help eliminate pain can start you on the path to losing weight.

These are only a sampling of other reasons why you gain weight and can’t lose it. Through good diagnostics, acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine and potential lifestyle modifications, there is a lot we can do to help you lose weight.