Can’t Lose Weight? This May Be Why

Are you doing everything right and still struggling to lose weight? Do you tend to store more fat around your belly? This may be due to high levels of insulin.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that allows glucose, from the carbohydrates you consume, to enter your body’s cells to provide energy or store it for future use. Excess insulin, referred to as hyperinsulinemia, is the result of insulin resistance, which causes the pancreas to produce more insulin to maintain healthy levels of blood sugar. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the demands which can often lead to type II diabetes and is also correlated with weight gain.

High levels of insulin, even if slightly elevated, suppress lipolysis (i.e. fat burning) and promote lipogenesis (the conversion of metabolites into fats) in the fat cells, leading to weight gain.

High insulin is often caused or exacerbated by dietary and lifestyle factors including; smoking, excess consumption of refined carbohydrates, steroid use and a sedentary lifestyle. Certain health conditions may also increase risk, such as gestational diabetes, obesity, PCOS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, family history of diabetes, hormonal disorders and sleep apnea.

Symptoms to look out for include weight gain, sugar cravings, frequent hunger, a lack of concentration, fatigue and anxiety. Treatment for hyperinsulinemia involves a combination of medication, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications.

Naturopathic medication may include a variety of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and blood glucose regulators. Herbs such as Cinnamomum verum, Cynara scolymus, Ginkgo biloba and Gynostemma pentaphyllum or nutrients like alanine, carnitine, lysine and taurine may be used, depending on the individual.

Dietary changes aim to reduce the consumption of refined carbohydrates and processed foods, include more dark leafy greens and berries, and adopt more of a low-fat Mediterranean diet, rich in plant foods. Resistance exercise and aerobics should also be incorporated to one's own ability.

If you’re struggling with weight loss and would like help using tailored holistic approaches, make an appointment. Together, we can explore your concerns safely and confidentially to formulate a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

References

Kolb, H., Stumvoll, M., Kramer, W. et al. Insulin translates unfavourable lifestyle into obesity. BMC Med 16, 232 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-018-1225-1 

Verkouter, I., Noordam, R., le Cessie, S., van Dam, R. M., Lamb, H. J., Rosendaal, F. R., van Heemst, D., & de Mutsert, R. (2019). The Association between Adult Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance at Middle Age: Mediation by Visceral Fat and Liver Fat. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(10), 1559. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8101559