Supplements from naturally sourced ingredients - personalized health and fitness plans

Weight Loss / Weight Management

Weight loss is the single most frequently searched topic on the internet.  It is a problem that plagues millions of people and even the medical community seems to be at a loss.  How can weight loss be so confusing, after all, it should be as simple as eat less and exercise more, right?  To make matters worse, there is so much conflicting information that most people are at a loss as to where to begin.

 

A quick search on the internet reveals an almost endless supply of books claiming to provide the answer to the weight loss dilemma. I am not a fan of these books that claim to have the answer because no single diet works for everyone when it comes to weight loss.  This is because there are numerous components that must be addressed.  These include biological processing of sugar, stress patterns, thyroid function, quality of sleep, exercise, water consumption, toxins, nutrient deficiencies, and nutritional choices.

 

Weight loss is a challenging task but success is greatly enhanced by addressing all of the connected variables. It's more than simply "calories in and calories out" and for many people, simple caloric restriction and exercise are not adequate.

General Statistics:

  • Approximately 70% of cardiovascular diseases is related to obesity. An analysis of the Framingham Heart study in 3,457 patients reported that obesity decreases life expectancy by 7 years at the age of 40.6
  • Leading cause of death in the U.S. are obesity related cardiovascular diseases.
  • From 1993 to 2008, the proportion of smokers among U.S. adults declined 18.5%, whereas the proportion of obesity increased 85%.
  • “Fad” dieting and caloric restriction is associated with increases in cortisol (the "stress" hormone) levels, which can lead to imbalances in your metabolism.
  • There is a reported 75% increase in Type 2 diabetes since 1990, with 80% of Type 2 diabetes associated with obesity.  Source: National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). www.niddk.nih.gov. Accessed, December, 2011
  • There has been a 2 to 4-fold increase in the occurrence of childhood obesity in the last decade.
  • 2 million adolescents aged 12-19 have pre-diabetes, correlating to 1 in 6 adolescents being overweight.

Health Conditions Related to Obesity:

  • Asthma
  • Insulin resistance; Type 2 Diabetes 
  • Hypertension
  • Cholesterol imbalances
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Early puberty
  • Bone loss
  • Orthopedic problems

The solution to long term weight loss begins with the recognition of our daily habits. What we eat, drink and do on a daily basis is what got us to our present state. It is the details within these habits that need review and gradual change to alter the habits of our daily life. This is how you sustain weight loss and succeed at regaining your health. Education is the key. To sustain weight loss, education on diet, exercise, and lifestyle issues such as stress management and adequate sleep are key components. Understanding craving patterns, hormonal imbalances, and other factors also can play a key role in a sustained effort for an individual to manage their weight over a lifetime.

 

At Vitopia Health, our weight management programs are tailored to the individual.  We believe the goal of any weight management program is to employ the proper lifestyle and dietary changes along with intelligent use of supplements to obtain the following changes in your body's biochemistry:

  • Loss of abdominal fat and total body fat.
  • Cholesterol and triglyceride regulation and reduce LDL-cholesterol oxidation.
  • Decrease in inflammatory markers, like tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
  • Reduction in need for drug therapy.
  • Reduction in comfort food eating patterns or continual preservation on food.
  • Improving thermogenesis – improves cellular energy production and increases fat metabolism.
  • Replenish dopamine pools – dopamine is the brain chemical involved in the reward cascade system, which is linked to cravings and impulsive behavior.
  • Dopamine may be depleted when using prescription appetite suppressants.
  • Improves blood sugar levels.
  • Increases nutrient absorption.

We do not believe in “fad diets” or quick weight loss programs.  At Vitopia Health we are committed to helping you lose and maintain a healthy weight through optimizing metabolic function and improving overall health.

 

We often recommend supplements to help minimize cravings and assist with the body's transition to new eating patterns.  These usually include products like Appe-Curb or Weight Loss Support Packets which both have good studies demonstrating success.  While the dietary approach should be customized based on personal health and preference, we often initially recommend a Keto (or modified Keto type diet) for initial weight loss with a transition to a Mediterranean diet which has repeatedly been shown to increase overall health and longevity.