SKY HIGH obesity rates (and THIS makes it more dangerous)

I have to share some thoughts that are circulating in the medical community, as they trouble me…

It appears that we are giving up on the hopes that we can ever get back to what is considered “normal weight.” 

That’s right, folks. The obesity/overweight train has left the building.

But that’s not all. There’s another piece to the puzzle that’s turning this runaway train into a more dangerous, lethal threat…

Losing weight in an unhealthy way

It used to be normal for some folks to be “bigger,” but properly nourished.

Well, nowadays, people are obese—and malnourished.

Even worse, some people aim to lose weight and then become malnourished.

Why is this a big deal?

Malnutrition doesn’t just mean vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It can also increase risk of infection and escalate complications associated with aging, such as muscle loss.

So, in my view, we need to bridge the gap between defining a normal, healthy weight—and how to safely and effectively lose any amount of weight.

When it comes to the first, the mainstream focuses heavily on body mass index (BMI).
But I’m not a big fan of relying solely on BMI to assess your weight. That’s because it doesn’t account for differences in body composition the way it should.

That said, it’s not a completely useless tool. It can paint a quick picture about the range of weight you may need to lose to achieve better health.

Of course, aiming for “just” a five percent weight loss may be beneficial, too…

Start small and keep pushing

In terms of fat-related health risks, visceral fat is the primary villain. It’s the fat that winds itself around your internal organs, like your liver and intestines. And it changes the way they work.

But even a 5 percent weight loss reduces visceral fat. It also combats specific health conditions…

In diabetes, weight loss vastly improves insulin sensitivity. And yes, even a 5 percent loss is beneficial. But if you push even further, you might just reverse your diabetes diagnosis.

When it comes to your heart, a 3 percent weight loss can decrease your triglyceride levels. Plus, a 5 percent loss brings down blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. But inflammatory markers don’t start budging until you lose closer to 15 percent of excess weight.

Let’s say you have sleep apnea or GERD. Well, I’ve found that a 10 percent weight loss can offer much relief. And when it comes to knee pain, each pound of weight lost can result in a fourfold reduction in the load exerted on the joint per step.

Finally, a five to ten percent weight loss can improve quality-of-life measures, urinary stress incontinence symptoms, and sexual function.

At the end of the day, I’m a big proponent of striving to achieve a “normal” weight. So, it’s important to discuss with your doctor what this may be for you.

But I’m also aware of what small reductions—even just five percent—can do to make you healthier. Meaning any reduction is better than none.

Just be sure you’re losing weight in a healthy way.

In short, eat well (fresh, unprocessed foods) and exercise daily (remember to add some weight-bearing exercises to preserve lean muscle mass). And if your doctor reveals any vitamin or mineral deficiencies, talk about proper dietary choices and supplementation.

Until next time,
Dr. Fred

P.S. Keep an eye on your inbox! My much-anticipated weight-loss formula will be made available this month. And as I talked about in my monthly newsletter, Logical Health Alternatives, along with healthy habits, it might be the extra support you need to achieve a healthy weight.