I am truly amazed at the sheer number of patients I see that ask about weight loss. Most are interested in advice on diet, but a growing number turn to prescription medications in order to achieve their desired results. Over 400,000 deaths per year are attributable to obesity. With obesity overtaking smoking as the number one cause of death in this country, our focus has shifted to greater reliance on preventative medicine.
Traditional weight loss programs tend to suffer the same eventual fate – lack of sustainability. Multiple studies have demonstrated their ultimate failure at three to five years out. Most of these diets are difficult to adhere to for the long term as well; just ask anyone who has ever tried the Adkins diet. Diet pills like adipex or bontril have potential inherent risks, from elevations in blood pressure and pulse to overt valvular heart disease. Weight loss is not as simply as eating less and exercising more as there are huge variations in hormonal and genetic influences. At the core, however, is an overall reduction in caloric intake.
What then are we to do? Our office has embraced a new weight loss program that may offer patients an opportunity to lose weight safely and efficiently without the use of potential harmful medications. The program, called HealthPointe 2.0, has been used in over 25,000 patients in California with impressive results. Typical patients have lost an average of 1-3 pounds per week, or 18-30 pounds in a six week period. Many patients with diabetes or hypertension have been able to decrease, or in some cases, discontinue, many of their medications.
Weight loss is achieved through a fine balance of ensuring three meals a day with the addition of frequent protein based snacks that effectively rev up an individual’s metabolism. Uniquely, it is the snacks that allow a decrease in hunger and allow the body’s metabolism to return to a more normal state. Overweight patients often skip meals in order to decrease total intake, but then snack inappropriately with the wrong foods. In essence, they are actually slowing their metabolism – storing more fat and burning up their body’s protein stores. This results in continued weight gain and fatigue.
Since its inception in our clinic, we have seen quite impressive weight loss. While we readily admit that this diet may not be effective for everyone, it has little risk. After six weeks, patients can gradually add foods (and the amount of those foods) to their diet. The rationale is that once the metabolism has increased, a patient can then begin to eat more normally.
With New Year’s around the corner, there is no better time to work towards a healthier future. Without exception, weight loss is the cornerstone to better health and self-confidence. Diet pills are not the answer and are a potential risk down the line. We need to get more pro-active and get active! Weight loss takes a concerted effort; nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If you have any questions about the HealthPointe system or are interested in taking the Healthpointe challenge, feel free to contact me at 209-2996.
Dr. John Spence
Panhandle Family Care Associates