The Science of Weight Loss

For every claim about dieting that is made, there is in fact a counterclaim; eat carbs, don't eat carbs; eat high fat, don't eat high fat; diets don't work; diet do work. Then if diets do work, which diet do you chose? You've got Nutri System, the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, plus many many more that will make your head spin. Where does it end?

Perhaps the answer to weight loss does not come from only dieting. Weight loss does not occur without chemical interactions and reactions inside of the body. To comprehend the process of weight loss one must understand the science behind it.

Get rid of the "JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO FOR WEIGHT LOSS" mentality and learn about your body's chemistry. Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. Something like this takes time and energy and most importantly, effort. The science of losing weight includes the ability to burn fat, brain chemistry, and balancing hormones.

Burning Fat

The human body is constantly in motion, it has no off switch. Even when you are sleeping the body is still hard at work breathing and pumping blood throughout your body. We are metabolically active for 24 hours a day, we never come to a complete rest. With so much energy being used our bodies need to properly and consistently fuel up by breaking down energy.

Sugar is a source of fuel that we need to break down energy in a process called metabolic activity. To burn fat one would have to increase their resting metabolic rate, control carbohydrate absorption, and restore insulin sensitivity.

To increase metabolic rates, foods such as brown seaweed are essential. Seaweed contains Fucoxanthin can speed up this process. Fucoxanthin is converted by developing fat cells into fuxoxanthinaol, which prevents fat cells from "growing" into mature fat cells. It also reduces the growth of new blood vessels in adipose tissue by blocking new fat cells. Fucoxanthin in addition to pomegranate seed oil can increase metabolic rate, induce fat burning, and block the development of new fat cells.

7 - keto - DHEA a steroid produced by the metabolism. can also increase metabolic rate. It drives liver cells to burn fatty acids for energy which causes a lowering of triglycerides in the liver. Many studies using the steroid have significant greater percentage of body fat loss (6.3lbs vs. 2.1lbs).

Carbohydrate absorption can be controlled with foods that contain fiber and magnesium like white kidney beans. It can also replace those caloric catastrophes like pasta, bagels, bread etc.

When it comes to restoring insulin sensitivity green tea, vanadyl, sulfate, fiber, magnesium, and omega-3 acids are best. Vanadyl Sulfate mimics the effect of insulin. In a study done on Type II Diabetic animals, it significantly reduced blood glucose levels and greatly increased uptake and the metabolizing of glucose in all types of muscles.

Brain Chemistry

Your brain chemistry has a lot to do with the way your hormones are balanced. Ever wondered why a person with a thinner frame gets full faster? Because they eat a moderate amount and feel full. They feel full at the right moment when their body no longer needs more calories resulting in not overeating; their brains persuade them not. Leptin and Serotonin are the primary hormones that determine this hunger.

Leptin is a hormone produced by the fat cells to keep lean body composition by two mechanisms. First it moderates appetite by binding to a specific area of the brain, the hypothalamus. Then it signals satiety and enhances the body's ability to access and utilizes the fat stored as energy. Being overweight leads to chronically elevated levels of leptin and prolonged exposure to leptin overload causes the target tissue to become resistant to the effect of leptin, losing the normal capacity to respond.

In order to combat leptin, Irvingia Gabonesis can come to the rescue. It's a tree that bears edible mango-like fruits that are especially valued for their fat and protein-rich nuts. Irvingia increases leptin sensitivity while decreasing CRP (C-reactive protein) as well as increasing insuling sensitivity, which induces a fat burning state.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found primarily in the brain that controls mood and appetite. Serotonin is converted from tryptophan, which releases serotonin from brain neurons. It diminishes appetite for carbohydrates, which helps with loss of body weight. To increase serotonin you have to raise your tryptophan levels by decreasing cravings and binge eating (especially for carbohydrates). Some foods rich in tryptophan are egg whites, cod, or soybeans.

Balancing Hormones

Avoid stress at all cost. Stress is a main cause for weight gain. Stressing about work, school, bills or life affects your health greatly. Not only does it impact your health, but it can also be a huge determining factor on weight

The hormone that is released in response to stress is Cortisol. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar, suppress the immune system, and aid in fat protein, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Cortisol is responsible for setting off all the physiological response associated with physical and emotional stress. Sometimes in times of stress, adrenaline can kick in, increasing your alertness and energy level as well as increasing your metabolism by helping fat cells to release energy.

Stress first occurs when fat is broken down to supply the body with a rapid source of energy. When the body gears up for battle, the pupils dilate, thinking improves, the lungs take in more oxygen, the appetite is suppressed, and digestive system shuts off temporarily. Carbohydrates and fats are burned for quick energy.

When stress is over, Cortisol helps to bring the body back into balance. It increases appetite so we can replace the carbohydrates and fats we burned.

Today's fight or flight responses come from the stress we experience at work. A secondary effect of Cortisol takes place when there is an excess amount; it stimulates glucose levels. Excess glucose levels get converted into fat, ending up as stored fat.

There are some treatment options to aid in Cortisol levels. Relaxing (meditation) for about 20 minutes a day is a great way to combat stress. You can decrease Cortisol with vitamin C, Relora, omega 3 fatty acids, holy basil and magnesium. So there is in fact a science to weight loss. A LOT of science. But at the same time food plays a big role in losing weight.

It depends on the persons habits whether or not diets will or will not work. Burning fat, brain chemistry, and balancing hormones are crucial components in any weight loss plan. Remember losing weight is a marathon, NOT A SPRINT!