Obesity and inflammation are major factors underlying almost all diseases, from cancer to depression. Without successfully addressing these factors, it is unlikely that any pill or nutrient will contribute significantly to a healthier and longer life to formulate a weight-loss program-not just a diet.
These include the following:
1. Inflammation, stress, addiction, and emotional and hormonal disorders are major contributors to weight gain.
2. Xeno factors such as resveratrol, quercetin, and other polyphenols enable animals to maintain a normal weight with increased energy despite eating a high-fat, high-calorie diet.
3. These same molecules have potent anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiaging benefits.
4. A balanced life is every bit as important as a balanced diet.
With these observations in hand, it seemed a natural progression to apply what we know about diseases, weight loss, and xeno factors in a practical, useful way. The difference between the Xeno Program and other diets is that the Xeno Program requires a commitment not only to balance your diet but to balance your life. Health and longevity require both. Having experienced some major periods of imbalance in my own life, I believe this program is optimal because it considers all the various causes of weight gain-hormonal, genetic, inflammatory, and psychologicaland provides a solution for each.
There are four parts to the program:
1. A baseline evaluation
2. A reasonable exercise program
3. Eating an anti-inflammatory, organic (when possible) diet
4. Supplementation with xeno factors and resveratrol
With this program, weight loss and health occur as secondary events, while we pursue more pleasant things than dieting!
Step 1: Baseline Evaluation
Before moving on to anti aging and health balancing program, you will need a baseline medical evaluation by a doctor, particularly if you are over 45 or if you have preexisting health problems. Factors that may be contributing to weight gain should be identified. Also, assessment of the amount of damage already done to the body should be measured so that improvement can subsequently be documented.
Assessment of hormonal levels by way of a simple blood test is essential because abnormal levels may contribute to weight gain and may need to be corrected up front. Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most frequent problems discovered in overweight patients. The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped clump of tissue just under the voice box in the throat, produces an active hormone that has profound effects on the body The symptoms of thyroid deficiency include fatigue, increased weight gain, hair loss, dry skin and nails, and many others. If thyroid hormone is deficient, taking an oral replacement can lead to dramatic weight loss with little dietary intervention.
The hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C) blood test is one of the best tests to determine the cumulative effects of high levels of blood sugar. It measures the amount of glucose binding to the hemoglobin of red blood cells, A longer and higher exposure to glucose in the blood will lead to a higher reading. Blood sugar, HgAlC levels, and insulin levels are measured to predict the propensity for type 2 diabetes-if it has not already developed. If one is under chronic, intense stress, a test measuring cortisol also may shed light on the cause as well as the consequences of excessive weight. Other hormone levels to be considered include growth hormone, estrogen, and testosterone.
A lipid profile that includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HOL cholesterol, triglycerides, and the subfractions of cholesterol will provide useful baseline values. Measurement of the waist-to-hip ratio is a low-tech test that is predictive of insulin resistance. You or your doctor simply divides the waist measurement at the belly button level by the hip measurement at the widest point over the hips. For women this number should be 0.8 or less; for men, less than 0.9; values above this are frequently associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
As previously discussed, excessive fat leads to inflammation in the body There are now several measurable substances that indicate the amount of inflammation; markers that can be seen to improve with weight loss and exercise. These inflammatory markers include the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, also called “cardiac CRP.”
Measurements of homocystine and fibrinogen are markers of cardiovascular risk. Other sophisticated but less frequently used blood tests assess various cytokines, which are proteins that participate in the inflammatory process in our heart, brain, and joints.
Before embarking on an exercise program, those of us over the age of 45, especially if sedentary, should undergo a stress test. This is easily performed in a doctor’s office by walking on a treadmill to assess heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure during the exercise. This is an important baseline measurement procedure to detect hidden coronary artery disease prior to major exertion.
Experts recommend measurement of arachidonic acid (AA), a powerful inflammatory agent, as well as the amount of essential fatty acids in the blood. The ratio of this potentially harmful substance (AA) to the healthy essential fatty acids (such as EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids (from fish and fish oil)) is one of the best indicators of cardiovascular risk. The higher the arachidonic acid level compared with omega-3 essential fatty acids, the greater the risk. An estimated 40 percent of Americans are deficient in omega-3s. This deficiency is easily corrected with fish oil supplements.
Optional tests, depending on each patient, include specific tests for allergies to gluten and other foods; tests for infections such as Helicobacter pylori, which is the cause of ulcers; and measurements of minerals and vitamins to assess specific deficiencies. All of these tests are best taken in conjunction with a physician after a comprehensive history and physical examination. This allows us to pinpoint areas of possible trouble and obtain the appropriate tests for diagnostic and baseline evaluation.
The Most Important Lab Tests
Vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature Baseline weight – Body mass index (BMI)* Percentage of body fatBlood count, to assess for anemia/infection Chemistry screen, to assess liver and kidney function Cholesterol testing, to assess lipid levels
Endocrine Tests
Thyroid function
Fasting blood sugar level Cortisol levels
Inflammatory Markers C-reactive protein
Other Tests
(May be recommended by your health-care provider)
Stress test
Chest Xray
Prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), for men
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