Weight loss is an amazing topic, and as a functional health clinic, we love to get a little nerdy with it!
Today we get in deeper into the weight loss puzzle, and the factors that can affect metabolism – even when calorie restriction and exercise aren’t working.
These 5 laws relate to metabolism function and our response to diet, exercise and lifestyle.
Law 1: Metabolic Compensation
This law illustrates the natural give and take of our metabolism. The metabolism is constantly seeking balance, and as a result, when you push on the metabolism in any direction, it will push back against you.
This is particulalry important to understand for people who have a low calorie diet – which is very common in our clinic.
The body responds to this diet by slowing down metabolism. This means you need less calories a day just to maintain your weight.
Correcting this usually meaning increasing food intake in correct macro portions, and for those with weak digestion or gut issues, treatment may include digestive remedies while you get your digestion sorted.
Law 2: Metabolic Multitasking
The body can build, or reduce size, called anabolic (building up) and catabolic (breaking down).
Generally speaking, the body can’t do both well at the same time. We often see this in the clinic when people have burnout and are depleted, yet still want to lose weight. Their body actually needs to focus on anabolic processes first to correct hormones and metabolism BEFORE it will lose weight.
This is also important when considering the type of exercise you are doing on a weight loss program – if you focus on weight lifting, you are asking your body to BUILD, so burning fat takes the backseat.
Law 3: The Law of Metabolic Efficiency
Many thyroid patients have an extremely efficient metabolism – in this context. It means that the body is efficient at storing every calorie, carb and sugar as fuel for a rainy day. If you put on weight just looking at cake, you would have a very efficient metabolism.
On the flip side, if you have an inefficient metabolism, it means your body does not utelise calories as well and loses more of them as heat. If it is fat loss you desire, then a less efficient metabolic engine is what you want.
This is governed by the thyroid, and your genetic picture.
To optimise fat loss, you need to ensure your thyroid is working optimally. The thyroid controls your body temperature, and if you are cooler, you burn less calories.
Law 4: The Law of Metabolic Individuality
Our metabolism, and ability to burn fat or gain muscle rests largely on our physical makeup, genetics, and our individuality.
Rather than comparing results to another person with a completely different metabolic picture, you should focus on your own goals, work with your own strengths and weaknesses, and use clever nutrition to boost any genetic weaknesses that are affecting your health, such as sub-optimal thyroid or MTHFR gene issues.
Law 5: The Law Of Psychic Entropy
This law states that our mind and willpower are a quantifiable commodity and directly impact our metabolism. We can quantify it by calling our willpower battery. If is low, your output will also be low. If it is full, you have energy and motivation to do your workout or prepare a super healthy meal.
Where would you rate your willpower battery right now out of 10 – is 10 was optimal?
Things that charge up the willpower battery include; creative pursuits, practicing gratitude, relaxing activities, massages, and meditation.
The role of pathology for optimising metabolism.
Pathology helps us to understand the status of the metabolic system – and more importantly – what is causing it to slow down.
Must have testing includes:
- Thyroid hormone profile looks at TSH, free t4, free t3, thyroid antibodies and reverse t3.
- Iodine testing is essential, as this is a key component for thyroid function.
- Nutritional co-factors such as vitamin D, iron, and B12 that are essential energy and hormone function
- Cardiovascular markers such as cholesterol, CRP, triglycerides and homocysteine.
- Blood Sugar markers such as glucose, insulin, and leptin are indicators of how well you use your food for energy, or whether you store it as excess fat.
Other diagnostic tests
These tests are run if needed based on symptoms:
- Adrenal function tests – covers 3-point cortisol, DHEA and Melatonin. Cortisol dysregulation is often a crucial part of the stubborn Belly Fat puzzle.
- Sex hormones – necessary in cases where menstrual irregularities exist, peri-menopausal symptoms and fertility issues.
- Food Intolerances – to fine-tune food choices for the fastest weight loss possible.
Kylie lost 13kgs in 6 weeks following her Food Intolerance report with a Lucy Rose Detox Program. Now she continues to lose weight, pain in her ankles is resolved, sleep is excellent and she is really on track with her diet. Well done Kylie!
