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Metabolic Syndrome and Weight Loss
Tracy Tranchitella, N.D. is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine who specializes in providing nutritional and homeopathic consultations, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine and women's health assessments and detoxification programs. She graduated in 1998 from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona. Currently, she lives and practices in Temecula, California. Dr. Tranchitella is licensed in the State of California and a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians (CANP).
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According to the American Heart Association, 20-25% of adults suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. This is the equivalent of 58-73 million men and women across the country. Many of these people may not know that they have Metabolic Syndrome and simply think they are having a terribly tough time losing weight. What they do not realize is that there is an underlying problem with their body’s ability to process sugars from carbohydrates. Metabolic Syndrome Defined How Metabolic Syndrome Develops This is the difference between simple (quickly absorbed) and complex (slowly absorbed) carbohydrates. Examples of simple carbohydrates include refined grains (white flour, white rice) and anything made with them, sweeteners of all kinds, fruit juice, potatoes, refined and processed foods in general, some fruits, alcohol, candy and other sweet treats. Examples of complex carbohydrates include vegetables, whole grains and legumes. When we consume an abundance of simple carbohydrates our blood sugar elevates very quickly. In response to this, the pancreas produces insulin so that glucose can be escorted into the cells to be used for energy production. If the amount of glucose that we have absorbed exceeds the body’s need for energy production, the cells will no longer accept the glucose. As a result, blood sugar stays elevated and in an effort to bring it down, the pancreas will continue to produce insulin. Two things occur at this point: 1) glucose is converted to fat and cholesterol so that it is moved out of the blood, and 2) the body becomes resistant to the effects of its own insulin because the need for energy production has been met. If this biochemical process occurs several times a day, several days a week over several years due to a diet high in simple carbohydrates, the development of insulin resistance makes it very difficult to lose weight and keep cholesterol down. In addition to bringing glucose into cells, insulin is considered a rebuilding hormone that helps the body to replenish structural and functional biochemicals and to store excess sugar as fat and cholesterol. This is a normal process that allows us to draw upon energy reserves when needed. However, too much of a good thing can be bad and as important as insulin is to our survival, the constant production brought about through the over-consumption of simple carbs may be sending us to an early grave preceded by many years of ill-health and obesity. Other diseases associated with insulin resistance are infertility, polycystic ovaries, impaired immunity, chronic inflammation, cancer and liver disorders. Correcting Insulin Resistance |
Regular exercise can reduce insulin levels as well as decrease elevated blood sugar. Sleep plays a vital role in hormonal balance overall and the importance of a good night’s sleep is a topic in and of itself. Suffice it to say that people who get less than 7 hours of quality sleep per night tend to have a higher level of body fat than those who do get a solid 7-8 hours per night. Supplements that help increase insulin sensitivity include chromium, vanadium, B-complex, biotin, zinc, alpha lipoic acid, fiber and essential fats (fish, flax oil). Some herbs that are also helpful are fenugreek, gymnema, bitter melon and cinnamon. There are several products on the market that contain a variety of these items and can be very helpful with reducing sugar cravings and decreasing insulin levels. |
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