Functional Medicine for Weight Loss

What defines a healthy weight?

Medically, weight is classified as “Underweight,” “Healthy Weight,” “Overweight,” and “Obese” as well as “Morbidly Obese.” This is determined using the formula of Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI calculates a person’s body fat based on their height and weight (adult men and women).

Risks of Gaining Weight

Keeping a healthy weight can prevent or reduce the likelihood of several health issues and diseases.

Possible health hazards associated with weight increase include:

• Cardiac disease

• Stroke

• Diabetes

• Joint problems

• Reducing the immunological system

• Infertility

• Sleep apnea

• Asthma

• Gout

• Kidney disease

• Death

Reasons for Weight Gain

There are numerous reasons for weight increase. When a person’s weight gain negatively impacts their entire health and well-being, it becomes a cause for concern.

The following are common causes of overweight, obesity, and morbid obesity:

• Increased food intakee

• Decreased calorie expenditure through activity

• Stress

• Anxiety and depression

• Lack of sleep

• Certain medications

• Food addiction

• Undiagnosed food intolerances or food allergies

• Aging

• Hypothyroidism

• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Syndrome

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Cushing’s Syndrome

Functional Medicine weight reduction includes finding the correct diet for you.

What benefits your best friend or co-worker may not benefit you. There is no universally effective eating regimen. Food sensitivities and intolerances, gut health needs, exercise levels, toxin exposures, stage of life, GI surgeries, and many other factors should be considered when determining what foods, you should (and should not) eat.

Features:

• Using an elimination & reintroduction diet, identify food sensitivities and intolerances.

• A short-term ketogenic or low-carbohydrate diet can benefit those with high blood sugar and hypertension.

• Don’t permanently eliminate entire food groupings. It takes some effort, but it is worthwhile to determine which types of each food group you can and cannot tolerate.

• Quality is the most important factor. Purchase as much organic produce as possible and prioritize the “Clean 15” fruits and vegetables, which are most likely to have high levels of pesticides.

• Not all calories are equal. 100 calories of grass-fed, organic beef have a completely different metabolic effect than 100 calories of donuts.

• A microbiome that is out of balance generates compounds that communicate with the brain and directly contribute to cravings.

Functional Medicine Weight Loss Strategies

Weight is a complex combination of hormonal pathways and metabolic control mechanisms. Frequently, being overweight (or underweight) is an indication of an underlying physical dysfunction or hormonal imbalance.

Because weight increase is a result of various variables, functional medicine investigates all potential underlying causes to establish long-term weight management strategies. Functional medicine is a more personalized, customized approach to well-being that employs a methodical, big-picture strategy to empower patients and provide them with the greatest chances of success.

The following elements of functional medicine are utilized to aid patients with their weight loss efforts:

Clinical Assessment

• Physical exam

• Determine genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors

• Initial plan development

Diagnostic Testing

• Possible tests for weight loss include:

• Comprehensive metabolic panel

• Nutrient testing (vitamins and minerals)

• Complete GI panel

• Food sensitivities (IGG and IGE)

• Salivary Cortisol (adrenal assessment)

• Comprehensive hormonal panels

• SIBO testing

Lifestyle/Behavioural Change Roadmap

• Short-term goal development

• Long-term goal development

• Nutritionist consultation

• Other recommended specialist treatments

Interested in reducing weight with a Functional Medicine approach? As we are aware that there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to health problems and weight management challenges, we will create a treatment plan that is tailored to you and your body. Contact us for Functional Medicine Dubai treatment immediately to schedule your weight reduction therapy appointment.