Obesity Protocol

Essential Fatty Acids
The omega-3 and omega-6 oils are called essential fatty acids because the body needs them to remain healthy. The brain is composed almost entirely of essential fatty acids. Clinically, essential fatty acids (such as flax and borage oils) have a marked anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

Many times, scientific studies run counter to popular beliefs that are often spread via media commercials designed to sell a particular product. One such belief says that we should avoid all fats in order to lose weight. While this is true in the case of simple fats, the essential fatty acids found in high-quality oils are very healthy and may also promote weight loss.

An article in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition described a study of dietary fish (Mori et. al. 1999). Overweight patients being treated for hypertension were randomly assigned to a daily fish meal (3.65 g of omega-3 fatty acids); a weight-loss regimen; the two regimens combined; or a control group for 16 weeks. Fasting triglycerides fell 29% with fish consumption and 26% with weight loss. The fish plus weight-loss regimen group showed the greatest improvement in lipids: triglycerides decreased by 38% and HDL(2) cholesterol increased by 24% compared with the control group. The authors concluded that adding a daily fish meal into a weight-loss regimen was more effective than either measure alone at improving glucose-insulin metabolism and dyslipidemia (Mori et. al. 1999).

The essential fatty acids found in fish oils are known to promote thermogenesis, the process by which foods are converted immediately to heat. In this way, the body burns off the calories instead of converting them into fats for storage (McCarty 1994). Another benefit of essential fatty acids is to make cell membranes more sensitive to the effects of insulin (Storlien et al. 1986, 1987, 1996; Borkman et al. 1993; Vessby et al. 1994; Pan et al. 1995). As discussed earlier in this protocol, insulin-resistance is a prime factor causing people to gain unwanted fat pounds as they age.

Eating fish is a good way to promote weight loss. Many people also choose to take essential fatty acid supplements that are high in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from fish oil extracts and GLA (gamma linolenic acid) from borage oil. Other options include flax or perilla oil supplements that contain alpha linolenic acid (precursors to DHA and EPA). Consumption of these essential fatty acids confers a significant protective effect against chronic inflammation and vascular disease, a common problem in overweight people.

Chromium

While thyroid hormone plays a definite role in weight management, both magnesium and chromium are also required to break down the cellular insulin resistance that causes higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.

Overweight people usually experience insulin impairment that prevents the proper carbohydrates (sugars) from being metabolized by their muscle cells. Excessive serum glucose is converted into body fat unless this insulin resistance is broken down and the cells are able to regain youthful carbohydrate metabolism. Chromium has received widespread publicity for its ability to lower serum glucose levels by potentiating insulin sensitivity. Studies have shown that chromium supplementation results in a slight reduction in body fat and an increase in lean body mass. Niacin has been shown to improve the metabolic-enhancing effect of chromium.

In 1997, Austrian researchers conducted a study to assess the effects of chromium yeast and chromium picolinate on lean body mass during and after weight reduction with a very low-calorie diet: 36 obese nondiabetic patients undergoing an 8-week, very low-calorie diet followed by an 18-week maintenance period were evaluated. During the 26-week treatment period, study subjects received either placebo or chromium yeast (200 mcg/day) or chromium picolinate (200 mcg/day) in a double-blind manner. After 26 weeks, chromium picolinate-supplemented subjects showed increased lean body mass. Researchers reported chromium picolinate, but not chromium yeast, is able to increase lean body mass in obese patients in the maintenance period after a very-low-calorie diet without counteracting the weight loss achieved (Bahadori et al. 1997).

To improve the fat-reducing effects of dieting, a 200-mcg chromium capsule should be taken with every meal to facilitate youthful carbohydrate metabolism. The importance of taking a chromium capsule with each meal is illustrated in animal studies in which chromium was given throughout the day in order to lower serum glucose levels. When an individual consumes food, serum glucose levels rise significantly unless the cells are sensitized to insulin. Chromium will help sensitize your cells to insulin by helping to lower your blood sugar levels.

Do not take more than three 200-mcg chromium capsules a day. Always take antioxidant supplements such as vitamin E when taking chromium to protect against free-radical activity. At least 30 mg of niacin should be contained in each 200-mcg chromium capsule to facilitate its effects in the body.

Magnesium

While chromium has received considerable media attention, the scientific literature shows that magnesium plays an even more important role in regulating carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium is involved in a number of the enzymatic reactions required for cells to uptake and metabolize glucose. Magnesium deficiency causes insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels (Paolisso et al. 1990; Nadler et al. 1993, 1995; Lefebvre et al. 1994).

Approximately 80% of Americans are magnesium-deficient. When magnesium-deficient individuals go on a diet, they often become severely magnesium-deficient, which aggravates insulin resistance and contributes to the failure of the diet. For those individuals going on a calorie-restricted diet, it is suggested that 300-500 mg of supplemental magnesium be taken each day.

Fiber

Soluble fiber includes pectin, gum, and mucilage. Soluble fiber tends to form a gel when added to water. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, barley, vegetables (carrots), and fruits (apples and oranges). Insoluble fiber is made from cellulose that is used primarily as structural material in plants. Insoluble fiber functions to increase the bulk of stools.

A study examined the use of fiber in a weight-loss program: 53 moderately overweight females (BMI >27.5 kg/m2) on reduced energy intake (1200 kcal/day) were treated for 24 weeks with a fiber supplement on a random, double-blind, placebo-controlled basis. The fiber was administered as an initial dose of 6 grams and a maintenance dose of 4 grams. After treatment, mean weight loss in the fiber group was 8.0 kg (17.6 pounds) versus 5.8 kg (12.76 pounds) in the placebo group (Birketvedt et al. 2000).

A review of published studies on the effects of dietary fiber on hunger, satiety, energy intake, and body composition in healthy individuals found that under conditions of fixed energy intake, the majority of reports indicate that an increase in either soluble or insoluble fiber intake increases post-meal satiety (sensation of fullness) and decreases subsequent hunger. When energy intake is not restricted, mean values from published studies indicate that consumption of an additional 14 grams per day of fiber for more than 2 days is associated with a 10% decrease in energy intake and body weight loss of 1.9 kg over 3.8 months. The observed changes in energy intake and body weight occur both when the fiber is from naturally high-fiber foods and when it is from a fiber supplement. The authors concluded that increasing dietary fiber intake to at least the minimum recommended by the American Heart Association (25-30 grams per day) may help to decrease the currently high national prevalence of obesity (Howarth et al. 2001).

The best time to take fiber is with the highest-fat meal of the day. The objective is to have the fiber absorb some of the dietary fat to prevent it from absorbing into the bloodstream where it helps contribute to body fat accumulation. Do not take fiber at the same time you take beneficial fatty acids such as CLA, EPA/DHA, and GLA. The fiber can absorb these critically important fatty acids before they can reach your cells. Some people experience unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects when taking high doses of fiber. It is best to begin with a very low dose, increasing the dose slowly. Fiber supplements consisting of guar gum, pectins, and psyllium seed husks are available in capsule form and in powder that can be mixed in liquid and consumed immediately before eating a fatty meal.

Stevia

Stevia is a South American herb (Stevia rebaudiana) that is known locally as "sweet herb" or "honey leaf." Stevioside extracted from this plant is 100-300 times sweeter than table sugar, yet it is not a carbohydrate. Stevia extract and powder can be used as a sweetener both in beverages and in cooking.

Implementing a Natural Weight Loss Program

Precautions
Taken together, everything presented so far provides a comprehensive approach to inducing fat-loss and achieving sustained weight control. Many of the weight-loss supplements outlined in Step 1 of the following summary can be safely initiated without the need for hormone blood tests.

However, to optimize long-term weight management, we encourage the hormone blood profile as recommended in Step 2 of the following summary. Too often, only partial weight loss results are achieved because imbalance of hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid (T3) prevent the body from releasing more stored body fat.

Following is a summary of what should be done to implement a scientific-based weight loss program:

Step 1: Take the following dietary supplements to facilitate immediate weight loss:
Supplement
Dose
Avocado Sugar Extract (standardized D-mannoheptulose) 2 tablets after evening meal (Take 2 additional tablets if hunger returns before bedtime.)
CLA (76%) 1000 mg 3-5 capsules early in the day
or CLA with Guarana extract 3-5 capsules early in the day
Chromium (picolinate or polynicotinate)
200 mcg, 1 capsule with each meal
Super GLA/DHA (essential fatty acids) 6 capsules a day
Life Extension Mix (provides high doses of magnesium, zinc, and other important nutrients) 3 tablets, three times a day
Fiber (psyllium seed, guar, and pectin) Start with 4 grams taken when high-fat meals are consumed. Do not take with CLA or Super GLA/DHA because fiber will bind to these important fatty acids before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Step 2: Obtain the following blood tests from your physician or order them directly by calling (800) 208-3444.
1. Complete blood chemistry (includes serum glucose)
2. Fasting insulin
3. Free testosterone
4. Estradiol
5. Thyroid panel (T3, T4, TSH)
6. DHEA
7. PSA (for men)
8. Fasting insulin
(Be certain to not eat anything for 12 hours prior to having blood drawn.)

Step 3: Once the test results are received, initiate hormone modulation therapy as follows:

If there is any indication of thyroid deficiency, take an appropriate thyroid replacement medication (usually Cytomel). The starting dose of Cytomel is normally 12.5 mcg twice a day. Because calorie intake will normally be reduced in response to taking the avocado sugar extract, your thyroid gland may slow down and try to block fat loss by reducing thermogenesis. To guard against thyroid deficiency, have your blood tested or use the morning basal temperature test within 60 days of starting avocado sugar extract to be certain that you do not need a thyroid replacement drug.

If DHEA levels are low (they almost always are in people over age 35), then take the appropriate amount of DHEA (15-50 mg/day) to restore them to a youthful range. (Refer to DHEA Replacement Therapy protocol for precautions.)

For men, if free testosterone is in the low normal range or below normal, ask your physician to prescribe a transdermal cream to provide 5 mg a day of natural testosterone. If estradiol levels are high (over 30), use 0.5 mg of the drug Arimidex twice a week to block the aromatase enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. Before using testosterone, men should verify that they do not have prostate cancer by having a blood test for PSA and undergoing a digital rectal exam.

Once armed with a youthful hormone profile, along with supplements that help facilitate weight loss, you are in a position to determine how much body fat you want to lose. For instance, if you take the avocado sugar extract supplement every evening, your appetite will be reduced, fewer calories will be consumed, and you can expect to start losing about a pound a day. There may be social occasions when you do not want to curb your appetite because you want to eat a big meal. You may not want to take the avocado sugar extract during these occasions because it would not enable you to eat a lot of food.

If fasting insulin levels remain significantly above 5, you may need to take more avocado sugar extract tablets. Avocado sugar extract also decreases excess serum insulin that causes food to convert to body fat. By reducing high serum insulin, body fat can be released from storage (fat deposition) in your body. Obese people normally have high levels of fasting insulin (unless they are advanced Type II diabetics whose pancreatic beta cells no longer produce insulin). These insulin-dependent diabetics would not benefit from avocado sugar extract because they are not producing enough (or any) insulin to begin with.

Once on this program, you will find it easy to make healthy food choices such as including more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, avoiding high sugar snacks, and reducing total calorie intake.

Based on our research, this three-step program is the only practical approach for the normal aging human to be rid of excess body fat over a continuous period. If you are seriously concerned about protecting yourself against multiple degenerative diseases and improving your appearance, we urge you to make the effort to have your blood tested, modulate your hormone profile accordingly, and take the supplements that can help you regain your youthful appearance. If you need a referral to a physician knowledgeable about hormone modulation, please call (800) 226-2370.

Precautions for Natural Weight Loss Protocol
Even when taking natural weight loss supplements, there are still some precautions that should be followed to guard against adverse side effects. For instance, if an individual has uncontrolled hypertension, CLA with guarana should not be taken. Instead, use the CLA stand-alone product (without guarana). Even though guarana tends to release slowly in the body, individuals who are hypersensitive to caffeine may want to use the CLA stand-alone product.

Avocado sugar extract may be used in several ways. The best way is to take two tablets after dinner and two additional tablets later in the evening if hunger returns before bedtime. Some people choose to take two tablets of avocado sugar extract 30-45 minutes after each meal and as needed to suppress inappropriate hunger (up to a maximum of eight tablets a day).

Some individuals should not take avocado sugar extract. It will not work for persons taking insulin. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, do not take avocado sugar extract. Also, those taking oral medications that stimulate insulin production (sulfonylureas) will receive no benefit from avocado sugar extract. Type II diabetics should only take this product under supervision of their physician who has read the specific instructions and warnings located on the Website ( www.insulinreducer.com ) or available by calling (866) 820-8090.

Avocado sugar extract should also be avoided by hospitalized or institutionalized patients and by persons who have loss of appetite, anorexia, HIV, or any form of catabolic (wasting) illness. Cancer patients may take this supplement provided they understand the precautions listed on www.insulinreducer.com or available by calling (866) 820-8090.

Reduced thyroid hormone output is a common response when less food is consumed. This response is nature's way of conserving body mass in response to what it perceives as a famine. If avocado sugar extract significantly reduces food consumption, check thyroid hormone status and ask your physician for Cytomel or Armour drug therapy if body temperature or blood tests indicate thyroid deficit. Refer to the Thyroid Deficiency protocol for details.

Chromium can induce the production of free radicals. Therefore, when taking a chromium supplement, be certain to simultaneously consume an antioxidant supplement.

 

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

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