Is Obesity a Disease?

In my last post I shared what I know about the anti-obesity drugs that are coming on the market and my thoughts on safer alternatives.  I received quite a bit of feedback from readers, one saying “this is brilliant. I’m so glad you wrote this. I will admit I explored these myself. I decided a while ago it wasn’t worth the risk and this just confirms that.”  Another, a medical doctor said  “I just completed a 38 hour review course on General Internal Medicine for Specialists . We had sessions on obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.. They advocated lifestyle changes as step one to reducing “unhealthy weight"; then adding professional counseling if this does not result in a 5% reduction in 3-6 months. Then just 3-6 months in Step 2 with a rapid transition to Step 3 - drugs! Then 3-6 months with drugs before going to Step 4 - operation! I thought this very aggressive since it can lead to an irreversible operation within a year! If I were treating patients, I would allow 1-2 years in Step 2 , looking for at least a 10% weight reduction. I would include aggressive Cognitive-Behavioral Training as well as Nutritionist counseling in Step 2.”

Using just this sampling of responses to my newsletter, it made me step back and ask the question - Is obesity a disease?

Modern medicine now defines it as such.  I understand that obesity is linked to a number of diseases: high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, Type II diabetes and some forms of cancer.  But is obesity itself a disease, or is it a condition that is the result of  chronically poor nutrition?

Let me define what chronically poor nutrition and resulting weight issues looks like to me:

   1.   a regular diet of low nutrient high calorie foods, leading to chronic hunger

   2.  constant dieting, trying restrictive diets that tip essential nutrients out of balance with a goal of rapid weight loss, resulting in loss of muscle mass and altering metabolism

   3.  snacking, especially when it takes the place of meals

   4.  overindulgence in refined sugar and white flour

   5.  absence of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans/legumes and/or lean meat

   6.  night time eating

   7.  insufficient intake of water

   8.  loneliness

   9   boredom

  10. anxiety

  11. unmanaged stress

So you see, nutrition and weight are not just about food. No question, nutrition and weight issues are complex.  That’s why in my work I begin with the food part, looking to stabilize eating practices to three nourishing meals each day.  But the deeper work needs to be done too.  How do you take care of yourself?  Is it just outward appearances, or do you give yourself enough rest, social connection with people you care about, and time for the things you enjoy?  Do you get outside in the daytime to listen to the birds, look at the sky and just be?

I worry that people who only focus on the idea that weight loss is the answer will succumb to the intense marketing of obesity drugs you will see this year. It looks so simple, until you look at the fine print of side effects and the need to remain on the drug indefinitely or the lost weight will return.  Time magazine has again brought some of the serious issues related to these drugs to light.

Don’t blame yourself - when was the last time you saw an ad for broccoli?  Or carrots?

Obesity is not the result of laziness or gluttony,  It’s the failure of our government to make nutrition education a priority, all the while subsidizing the food industries that produce inferior foods and charge a lot of money for them.  By calling obesity a disease, it suggests that people are helpless where what we really need is better affordable food choices at the market and comprehensive education on food and the basics of meal preparation.  We need public service announcements and community organizations that teach shopping and cooking skills.

In the meantime, don’t put your health and happiness at risk by obsessing over your weight.  You are unique,  the result of your anatomy, your food and how you care for yourself. That’s where your power is.

Meryl Streep - Wise Woman

I had the honor of speaking at the MA Conference for Women in 2017.  Meryl Streep was a keynote.  Here’s what she said about weight: “Don’t worry about your weight.”   “It’s a big waste of time. When I think about how many years I’ve wasted thinking about that subject, it’s just idiotic.  And we lose so many genius people and their genius ideas because they are looking in the mirror and saying ‘Oh my God, my ass is too big’”

The audience of 11,000 women erupted.  I hope you just did too.

Endorphins "Kiss the Boo-Boo"

When I was a little 9 year old my parents took their ‘2nd honeymoon’ in their newly purchased car. They farmed out all four children to different families for the week. I went with the Fords - very nice people but I didn’t know them very well. Mrs. Ford was a bridesmaid in my parents’ wedding and I’d only seen her a few times. She had a daughter my age and we stayed at their beach house, and my parents thought it would be a good fit.  The problem was the Fords were rather dark skinned and had no idea that a blonde blue eyed child could sunburn as quickly as I did.  They felt terrible, and I did too. I hurt and I missed my parents.

But something strange happened when my parents came home from their trip. They came in the door of the cottage and I literally ran into the arms.  It surprised everyone as I was barely walking since I got sunburned. Something changed in my head and my body. My endorphins woke up and took the pain away.

what are endorphins?    

by definition: any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.

what do they do when they are activated?  They relax you and when you are relaxed you are much less aware of pain. Pain sensors literally quiet down.

Endorphins can be boosted by exercising, eating, having sex, getting a massage and many other ways.

Carbs are not Bad

The idea that carbohydrates are bad for you is embedded in every conversation about diet. Carbs are bad, you can only eat a few carbs, etc. etc. Somehow what is lost in this is the fact that carbohydrates are an essential part of every human’s diet.

How did we get it so wrong? If you look at the advent of processed foods, that’s when carbohydrates started to take a confusing path. So I’d like to clarify and distinguish carbohydrates into 2 groups through my little home-made drawing:

Simple and Complex Carbs

As you look at the drawing you will see a series of dramatic ups and downs in the first drawing. This is what happens energetically when you eat simple carbs like white bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, soda, processed foods, etc. These food all turn into sugar, or glucose, in the blood. Simple carbs stress the pancreas by demanding relief from all the sugar going into the blood. The result is an abrupt adjustment leading to a ‘crash’ of sorts that brings blood sugar way down, triggering hunger and fatigue. Those feelings of hunger and fatigue trigger more eating, and if simple carbs are what you go for, the process repeats, over and over.

In the second part of the drawing you will see what happens when you eat a complex carb. Yes, your blood sugar will raise, but not to the extent it does with simple carbs. The pancreas is less alarmed, and you remain steady and not hungry for the few hours before your next meal. Eating this way gives you a sense of satiety and balance, allowing you to move about your day without the distraction of hunger.

So the next time someone tells you to watch your carbs, or go low carb, share this little story with them and maybe their eating habits will ultimately improve.

Why I Want My Omega 3s and Vitamin D Nutrients

Dr. Barry Sears was a guest lecturer some years ago when I was attending nutrition classes in New York. Dr. Sears was spending much of his work hours helping kids with ADD and ADHD as he looked for some nutritional ways to help them.

Often improvement to focus occurs by eliminating some foods, most notably sugar and inflammatory foods like french fries and highly processed foods made with trans fats and additives. Dr. Sears guided young patients struggling with attention disorders to improve their diets. Then to further treat attention disorders, , Dr. Sears found that adequate omega 3’s (fish oils) gave a significant boost to brain health and focus.

The nutrient chart below highlights the way Omega 3s and other nutrients support brain health not only of developing brains in children, but also the brains and cognitive function of adults of all ages.

I’m always a proponent of getting your nutrients from food first, and supplements second. But two important nutrients, Omega 3s and Vitamin D, are hard to get in adequate amounts from food alone. I use and make available by mail order both of these nutrients through Metagenics, a company with a solid reputation nd strong R&D labs to ensure high quality.

My personal choice is Omegagenics EPA-DHA 2400 Lliquid for omega 3s and D3 Liquid and I’m able to offer a 20% discount through my portal. I opt for liquid in both cases because liquid is the most absorbable way to take any supplement or medication. As for magnesium and Vitamin C, with a good diet you should be able to get adequate amounts through food alone.

Read through the infographic below which was developed by grassroots health. It’s quite informative