Nutrition & Weight Loss
OUR WAY
Our approach to weight loss and nutrition focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of weight gain, rather than just calorie restriction or generic diets. It’s personalized, holistic, and evidence-based, aiming to optimize overall health while achieving sustainable weight loss. Here’s a detailed breakdown
1. Comprehensive Assessment
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Detailed Health History: Practitioners explore medical history, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and environmental factors to uncover contributors like hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, or gut issues.
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Targeted Lab Testing: Tests may include:
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Hormonal panels (thyroid, cortisol, insulin, sex hormones like estrogen/testosterone) to identify imbalances affecting metabolism.
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Blood sugar markers (fasting glucose, HbA1c) to assess insulin resistance.
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Inflammation markers (CRP, Uric Acid or homocysteine) to detect chronic inflammation.
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Gut health analysis (History will probably provide diagnosis but when needed stool tests for microbiome balance, food sensitivities, or leaky gut can be ordered).
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Nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium) that impact energy and metabolism.
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Lifestyle Evaluation: Assess diet, exercise, sleep quality, stress levels, and toxin exposure (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides).
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2. Personalized Nutrition Plan
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Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods (vegetables, proteins, healthy fats) while reducing processed carbs, sugars, and inflammatory foods (e.g., gluten or dairy for sensitive individuals). Some may need to consider a stricter Keto or Carnivorous diet.
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Blood Sugar Stabilization: Meals are designed to balance blood sugar, often incorporating low-glycemic foods, fiber, and healthy fats to curb cravings and prevent insulin spikes.
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Food Sensitivity Testing: Identifies trigger foods that may cause bloating, inflammation, or weight retention.
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Nutrient Optimization: Addresses deficiencies with targeted foods or supplements (e.g., omega-3s, iron) to support metabolism.
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3. Hormonal Balance
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Thyroid Optimization: Addresses hypothyroidism or subclinical thyroid issues, which slow metabolism, using medications or nutrients like iodine or selenium if needed.
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Insulin Sensitivity: Improves with diet, exercise, and sometimes supplements like berberine or inositol.
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Cortisol Management: Balances stress hormones through lifestyle changes or adaptogens (e.g., ashwagandha) to prevent stress-related weight gain, especially around the midsection.
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Sex Hormone Support: Corrects imbalances (e.g., low testosterone, estrogen dominance) that affect fat distribution, potentially using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
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4. Gut Health Restoration
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Microbiome Support: Uses prebiotics, probiotics, or fermented foods to foster a healthy gut microbiome, which influences metabolism and appetite regulation.
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Healing Leaky Gut: Eliminates inflammatory foods and adds gut-healing nutrients (e.g., L-glutamine, zinc) to improve nutrient absorption and reduce systemic inflammation.
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Detoxification: Supports liver function with foods (e.g., cruciferous vegetables) or supplements (e.g., milk thistle) to enhance toxin elimination, as toxins can disrupt metabolism.
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5. Lifestyle Optimization
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Sleep Improvement: Prioritizes 7-9 hours of quality sleep to regulate hunger hormones (ghrelin, leptin) and reduce cravings. Strategies include sleep hygiene practices or supplements like melatonin.
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Stress Reduction: Incorporates mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to lower cortisol levels, which can sabotage weight loss.
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Exercise Tailoring: Recommends movement suited to the individual’s needs (e.g., resistance training to build muscle, HIIT for fat burning, or low-impact activities for beginners), avoiding overtraining that spikes cortisol.
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6. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
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Regular Follow-Ups: Tracks progress with re-evaluations of symptoms, labs, and body composition to fine-tune the plan.
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Behavioral Support: Addresses emotional eating or habits through coaching, journaling, or therapy to foster sustainable changes.
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Flexible management options: Sometimes we have to consider medications.
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Team Approach: Involves functional medicine practitioners, nutritionists, and health coaches to provide comprehensive support.
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Why It Works
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Unlike conventional weight loss programs that focus solely on calorie deficits or medications and injectables, our aproach also addresses underlying imbalances that make weight loss difficult, such as hormonal dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, or chronic stress. By optimizing the body’s systems, it promotes fat loss, boosts energy, and improves overall well-being, making results more sustainable.
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Example Plan
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Month 1-2: Eliminate sugar and processed foods, start an anti-inflammatory diet, and begin stress-reducing practices (e.g., 10-minute daily meditation).
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Months 1-4: Introduce targeted supplements (e.g., probiotics, magnesium) based on lab results, add strength training 2-3 times per week.
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Month 2-4: Reassess labs, adjust thyroid or hormone therapy if needed, and refine diet to address any food sensitivities.
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Ongoing: Monthly check-ins to monitor progress, tweak exercise, and ensure adherence.
This approach empowers individuals to achieve weight loss by aligning their biology with their goals, fostering long-term health rather than quick fixes. If you’d like a tailored program for a you, let us know!