Naturopathic - Naturopathic Weight Loss

September 16, 2024 Naturopathic

Drugs vs surgery, which is better for long-lasting weight loss?

Table of Contents Table Of Contents Obesity The Growing Obesity Epidemic Understanding the Causes Behind the Epidemic Why are obesity rates increasing at such an alarming rate? What is Bariatric Surgery? Sleeve Gastrectomy Gastric Bypass Who Should Consider Bariatric Surgery? Eligibility Criteria Exploring Other Weight Loss Options First Weight Loss Medications Common Myths and Misconceptions About Bariatric Surgery The “Easy Way Out” Myth The Importance of Support and Counseling Psychological and Nutritional Support Weight Loss Medications vs. Bariatric Surgery: A Comparison The Role of Medications in Weight Loss Appetite Suppression Limitations of Medications Why Bariatric Surgery May Be Necessary Long-Term Effectiveness Conclusion In this blog post, we will discuss the management of obesity. We will discuss some non-surgical options, go through some medication that we have, and then talk about bariatric surgery as well. Obesity Obesity has become a critical public health issue in the United States, affecting millions of Americans each year. With obesity rates continuing to climb, the consequences are severe, ranging from chronic health conditions to decreased quality of life. For many struggling with obesity, traditional weight loss methods like diet and exercise may not be enough. When these methods fail, bariatric surgery emerges as a potential option. But is it the right choice for you? To help answer this question, in this post, we’ll dive deep into the obesity epidemic, explore what bariatric surgery entails, and discuss who stands to benefit the most from this life-changing procedure. The Growing Obesity Epidemic According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity rates have skyrocketed nationwide. As of recent statistics, 22 states now report obesity rates exceeding 35%, while the nationwide obesity rate hovers around 41%, including those classified as morbidly obese. Understanding the Causes Behind the Epidemic Why are obesity rates increasing at such an alarming rate? The rise in obesity is due to a complex interplay of environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors. The modern environment is conducive to weight gain—highly processed, calorie-dense foods are widely available and often cheaper than healthier options. Combined with the sedentary lifestyle that many people lead due to desk jobs, long commutes, and increased screen time, it’s no wonder obesity has become so prevalent. Moreover, there are significant genetic components at play. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to gaining weight more easily than others, even when consuming the same number of calories. This genetic predisposition, when combined with an obesogenic environment, creates a perfect storm that makes it incredibly challenging for some people to maintain a healthy weight. What is Bariatric Surgery? Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss or metabolic surgery, is a medical procedure designed to help individuals achieve significant and sustained weight loss. It’s not just about shedding pounds; it’s about improving overall health, reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions, and enhancing quality of life. The two most common types of bariatric surgery in the United States are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Sleeve Gastrectomy: Sleeve gastrectomy involves reshaping the stomach by removing approximately 75-80% of it. This procedure leaves the patient with a smaller, banana-shaped stomach, which significantly reduces the capacity to consume food. One of the key benefits of this surgery is its impact on hunger hormones. By removing part of the stomach, the procedure reduces the production of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for stimulating appetite. As a result, patients often experience a reduction in hunger, making it easier to adhere to smaller portions and lose weight. Gastric Bypass: Gastric bypass surgery, performed in 1967, involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and rerouting part of the small intestine to this pouch. This reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold and alters the digestion process, leading to reduced calorie absorption. Gastric bypass is particularly effective for patients with severe obesity and those suffering from obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes. It has a proven track record of helping patients achieve substantial and sustained weight loss. Who Should Consider Bariatric Surgery? Bariatric surgery is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s not the first option for weight loss. Before considering surgery, it’s essential to explore and exhaust other weight loss methods, such as dietary changes, increased physical activity, and weight loss medications. Surgery should be viewed as a tool to assist with weight loss, rather than a cure-all solution. So, who should consider bariatric surgery? Eligibility Criteria The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established clear criteria to determine who might benefit from bariatric surgery. The eligibility criteria include: These criteria have been in place for decades and are used by most insurance companies to approve bariatric surgery. They help ensure that those who undergo surgery are likely to benefit the most from it. Exploring Other Weight Loss Options First For many individuals, diet and exercise are the first lines of defense against obesity. However, it is important to note that for those with severe obesity, traditional weight loss methods often yield only modest and temporary results. The body’s metabolic response to calorie restriction can lead to a plateau, making it increasingly difficult to lose additional weight and maintain it over the long term. Weight Loss Medications In recent years, the development of weight loss medications, such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, has provided new options for those struggling with obesity. These medications work by suppressing appetite and helping patients consume fewer calories. However, these medications are generally most effective for individuals with a BMI below 40. For those with a BMI over 40, medication alone is often insufficient, and surgery may be necessary to achieve meaningful weight loss. Common Myths and Misconceptions About Bariatric Surgery Bariatric surgery is often misunderstood, with several myths and misconceptions surrounding it. One of the most common myths is that bariatric surgery is the “easy way out” for weight loss. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The “Easy Way Out” Myth Dispelling the Myth Doctors strongly disagree with the notion that bariatric surgery is an easy option. They explain that surgery

Can Weight Loss Drugs Really Help with Addiction?

Introduction Who would’ve thought that the same drugs helping people shed pounds might also kick some bad habits out the window? Yep, we’re talking about weight loss meds like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide potentially playing a role in addiction treatment. Sounds wild, right? But there’s some serious science behind this, and researchers are excited about where it might lead. It’s not every day that a medication designed for one thing ends up having the potential to help with something entirely different, but that’s exactly what’s happening here. The Surprising Link Between Weight Loss and Addiction So, what’s the connection? It all starts with a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). Normally, when you eat, your pancreas pumps out GLP-1, which tells your brain, “Hey, you’re full. Put down the spoon!” This signaling is a critical part of keeping our appetite in check. But in people with conditions like obesity or diabetes, this signaling can get a little out of sync, leading to overeating. Your body basically forgets to tell you when you’ve had enough. That’s where weight loss drugs like Semaglutide come in. These drugs mimic GLP-1 to help get those hunger signals back on track. They act like GLP-1’s stunt double, making sure the message gets through loud and clear: Stop eating, you’re good! But here’s where things get interesting—GLP-1 doesn’t just mess with your appetite. It turns out, it also has a hand in how your brain’s reward system works. This is the same system that lights up when you do something that feels good, like eating your favorite food, winning a game, or, unfortunately, using addictive substances like nicotine, alcohol, or drugs. Researchers started to wonder—if GLP-1 can help curb food cravings, could it also help with other cravings? And that’s when things started to get interesting. How Do These Medications Mess with Your Brain? Let’s break it down a bit. The brain’s reward system is all about dopamine, the chemical that makes you feel good. Imagine dopamine as your brain’s way of giving you a high five whenever you do something that’s good for survival, like eating a meal or spending time with loved ones. It’s like a little internal cheerleader, encouraging you to keep doing things that are good for you. Normally, dopamine is great—it makes sure you keep doing things that are important for survival, like eating or socializing. But here’s the catch: addictive substances can hijack this system, making you crave more and more to get that same dopamine hit. It’s like your brain gets stuck in a loop, constantly seeking out the next hit, whether that’s from food, cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. That’s basically how addiction takes hold. Now, GLP-1 agonists (fancy term for drugs like Semaglutide that mimic GLP-1) might help by reducing how much dopamine your brain pumps out in response to those addictive substances. In simple terms, these drugs could make your brain less excited about nicotine, alcohol, or even opioids, potentially helping to break the cycle of addiction. Imagine if your brain just stopped caring so much about that next cigarette or drink—it could be a game-changer. What’s the Evidence? So, is this all just a theory, or is there some proof? Researchers are on it! In one of the biggest studies so far, scientists tested another GLP-1 drug called exenatide on people with alcohol use disorder. The cool part? When these folks took exenatide, their brains didn’t light up as much when they saw booze, which suggests they weren’t craving it as much. But here’s the twist—this effect was strongest in people who were also dealing with obesity. That’s got researchers scratching their heads. Why would weight influence how well these drugs curb addiction? No one’s totally sure yet, but it could mean that GLP-1 drugs work better for some people than others. Or maybe there’s something special about how obesity and addiction interact. Either way, it’s got scientists eager to dig deeper. And that’s not all—there are studies underway looking at how these drugs might help with other addictions, like smoking and even opioid use. The possibilities are pretty exciting, but there’s still a lot we don’t know. The Safety Question Of course, nothing’s ever that simple, especially when it comes to meds. While GLP-1 drugs are generally safe for people using them to manage weight or diabetes, there are some concerns about using them to treat addiction. For starters, people who are malnourished or have certain health issues might not react well to these drugs. Imagine someone who’s struggling with a drug addiction—they might already be in poor health, and adding a new medication into the mix could have some unexpected effects. Plus, if GLP-1 drugs reduce dopamine too much, there’s a chance they could mess with your mood or motivation. Imagine feeling so “meh” that you lose interest in stuff you used to love—nobody wants that! It’s all about balance, and right now, we don’t know enough about how these drugs might affect people with different health backgrounds or levels of addiction. And let’s not forget about the side effects. Nausea and vomiting are common with these meds, which isn’t exactly fun. If you’re trying to get clean from an addiction, the last thing you need is to feel sick all the time, right? It could be enough to make someone quit the medication altogether, which would be a setback in their recovery journey. A Long Road Ahead So, what’s next? There’s still a lot to figure out. For one, the FDA hasn’t approved GLP-1 drugs for treating addiction yet. And while some researchers are running trials to see how well these drugs work for things like alcohol and opioid addiction, big pharma companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are sticking to weight loss and diabetes for now. It’s a bit of a waiting game to see if these drugs really have what it takes to help people struggling with addiction. Even if these drugs do turn out to be a game-changer for addiction,

September 3, 2024 Naturopathic, GLP-01 Best Weight Loss Drugs, enhancedweightloss, naturopathic supplements, semaglutide, Semaglutide Tirzepatide, weightlossmedication

Can’t get insurance to approve weight loss drugs?

If you’ve watched TV or spent any time online lately, you’ve likely seen ads for weight loss drugs. They often highlight the dual benefits of not only shedding pounds but also managing diabetes. The results are undeniable, but there’s one major catch: these drugs come with a steep price tag. And if you’ve tried to get your insurance to cover them, you may have run into some frustrating roadblocks. Up to now, insurers have been reluctant to prescribe them! And in today’s blog, we will discuss the best ways to get your health plan to pay for your prescription and even methods you could use to lower the fees of your medications. Back in the years, weight loss drugs have sometimes been considered a “lifestyle” or “cosmetic” issue. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes obesity as a chronic disease. This classification highlights that obesity is a long-term, relapsing condition that requires ongoing management, rather than just being a result of lifestyle choices or temporary weight gain. Weight Loss Medication Before we get to the ways to get your health plan to pay for your prescription, we need to understand what weight loss medication we are referring to and who are they geared towards. The category of medication we are talking about are GLP and GLP-1 agonists medication. You may have heard of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, these are weight loss medications that work by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring gut hormone. In short, these are FDA-approved medications that contribute to weight loss up to 15 to 20 percent loss of body weight and both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both geared toward people with type 2 diabetes. You can find more details about Semaglutide and Tirzepatide if you are interested in our website: https://naturopathicweightloss.com/blog/ What you should know It’s true that many employers and insurance plans don’t cover medications specifically for weight loss. You might wonder, though, if having a prescription from a doctor is enough for an insurer to cover the cost? Well, not necessarily, it is not often the only green light. If your doctor prescribes one of these drugs, there’s usually a process to follow. Often, your doctor will need to get prior authorization from the insurance company to cover the medication. This might involve filling out a form or writing a letter. The insurance plan typically wants to proof that you really need the drug. For example, if you have type 2 diabetes and need GLP-1 medication, you might need to show that you have diabetes and that you’ve tried other diabetes medications without success. They might also check if you meet specific criteria, like having a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a related health condition like high blood pressure. Additionally, they sometimes want to see that you’ve tried other weight loss methods, such as a structured program. Now, if your health plan covers GLP or GLP-1 medication, does that mean you’re off the hook for any out-of-pocket costs? It depends on your health plan. Anyone who has had different health plans knows that out-of-pocket costs can vary widely for the same treatment, depending on your employer or insurance provider. Sometimes, you might just have a flat co-pay like you do for many medications, but since these drugs are expensive, employers are cautious about the costs—both for individual patients and the number of people who might need them. Other options? So, if you’ve found out that your employer and insurance don’t cover your medication, does that mean you’re out of luck and won’t get the treatment you need? Not at all! There are plenty of rebates and discounts offered by manufacturers that can significantly lower the cost of these drugs—sometimes by over 50%. Other alternatives are prescription rate. “If you have diabetes and you can prove it, you can easily register for a prescription rate and receive discounts There are also other methods knowns as co-pay and co-insurance. You may not be aware but your insurance plan might offer different ways to share the cost. Instead of having you pay the full price out-of-pocket, your plan could require a co-pay, which is a fixed amount you pay each time you fill the prescription. For example, you might pay a consistent $20 per refill, regardless of the medication’s actual cost. Alternatively, your plan might involve co-insurance, where you pay a percentage of the medication’s price, such as 20%. This means if semaglutide costs $200, you would pay only $40. It is understandable that all the methods mentioned can become overwhelming as it may involves contacting your insurance, your doctor and filling documents back and forth. There are people who prefer turning to “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) options to help spread out these costs, making it easier to manage. With BNPL, you can break down the price of your medication into smaller, more affordable payments over time. For example, instead of paying $400 upfront for a month’s supply of semaglutide, you might pay $100 every two weeks for two months. This way, you get the medication you need right away, without straining your budget. Many companies offer these kinds of services, and they often don’t charge interest if you make your payments on time. Conclusion Now the good news: these medications are already approved for treating diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk, and there are more studies coming out soon that could lead to approvals for other conditions common in people who are obese, like chronic knee pain, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. If these new uses get approved, they could end up being covered by insurances. Finger crossed but it seems that over the next few years, we’re likely to see more of these medications being approved and becoming more accessible through healthcare, even if congress doesn’t act right away. So, it’s a good bet that coverage will expand, and more people will be able to access these treatments.

August 31, 2024 Semaglutide, Naturopathic semaglutide, why am i not losing weight on semaglutide

Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Semaglutide?

Table of Contents Table Of Content Top Reasons Why You Might Not Be Losing Weight on Semaglutide 1. Inadequate Dosage or Low Dosage or Incorrect Dosage 2. You’re Looking for Drastic Change Too Quickly 3. Insufficient Dietary Changes 4. Lack of Physical Activity Your Exercise Routine May Need Some Adjustments 5. Underlying Health Conditions 6. Medication Interactions 7. Psychological Factors 8. Not Sticking to Dietary Changes 9. You’ve Hit a Plateau 10. Administration Issues 11. Constipation Issues 12. Stay Hydrated 13. You May Need a Higher Dose 14. You’re Not Eating Enough Protein Feeling Stuck? Let’s Turn Things Around Together Expert Answers to Your Queries You’ve started Semaglutide, hoping it would be the answer to your weight loss struggles. But here you are, still staring at the same number on the scale. It’s frustrating, and you’re wondering what’s going wrong. You’re not alone—many people face the same issue. The truth is, there are specific reasons why Semaglutide might not be working for you, and they can vary, and they might surprise you. It could be something as simple as not sticking to the dietary changes that need to go hand-in-hand with the medication. There’s also the possibility of issues with how you’re administering the medication. But that’s just the beginning. There are other factors—like hydration, protein intake, or even the dose you’re on—that might be the silent culprits behind your stalled progress. Want to know what else could be holding you back? Read on to uncover reasons that could be sabotaging your dreams of shedding pounds and finally feeling fit. Top Reasons Why You Might Not Be Losing Weight on Semaglutide It’s easy to focus on the numbers on the scale, but weight loss isn’t always about what you see there. Sometimes, even when the scale doesn’t move, your body is changing in other ways. Pay attention to how your clothes fit. You might see only a small drop in weight, but if your clothes fit better or your body looks different, you’re making progress. Have you noticed changes like this? If not, there might be other reasons why Semaglutide isn’t giving you the results you want. Let’s explore some of the top reasons that could be holding you back. 1. Inadequate Dosage or Low Dosage or Incorrect Dosage The effectiveness of Semaglutide for weight loss depends heavily on getting the right dosage. If the dosage is too low, it might not produce the results you’re looking for. If it’s not administered correctly, it could lead to disappointing outcomes. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on the dosage because they adjust it based on how your body responds. If you think your dosage isn’t right, talk to your provider—they can help you figure out if adjustments are needed to see better results. 2. You’re Looking for Drastic Change Too Quickly Weight loss with Semaglutide doesn’t happen overnight. It’s normal to want quick results, but your body needs time to adjust. In the first few weeks, changes might not be visible on the scale, and that’s okay. Your body could be going through other changes that aren’t immediately reflected in your weight. Give it at least another month before you assess how well it’s working. Patience is important—sustainable weight loss takes time. 3. Insufficient Dietary Changes Semaglutide helps manage appetite, but diet plays a huge role in its success. If your eating habits haven’t changed, you might not see the weight loss you expect. Hidden calories, like those in snacks or drinks, can add up and stall progress. Are you tracking your daily calories? You should be eating about 500 calories less than your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) for effective weight loss. You can use tools like a TDEE calculator to figure out your ideal intake. 4. Lack of Physical Activity Exercise is key to making Semaglutide work better for weight loss. While Semaglutide helps control your appetite, regular physical activity boosts fat loss and improves your overall health. You should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week [6], along with strength training on two days. You can use fitness apps like MyFitnessPal or Fitbit, which will help you track your activity and stay on track. Your Exercise Routine May Need Some Adjustments If you’re working out but not seeing results, your routine might need a change. Cardio alone might not be enough. Adding strength training can help because muscle burns more calories than fat. A mix of aerobic exercises (like walking or cycling) and strength training (like weight lifting) can make a big difference. Try using workout apps for a personalized plan or consider consulting a fitness trainer. 5. Underlying Health Conditions Some health conditions can make it hard to lose weight, even with Semaglutide. Conditions like hypothyroidism can slow down your metabolism [5], and hormonal imbalances can interfere with weight loss. If you think an underlying condition might be affecting you, talk to your healthcare provider. They may suggest blood tests to check for thyroid function or hormone levels. Your gut health also matters. Studies show that a healthy gut can support weight loss by improving digestion and nutrient absorption. Poor gut health can lead to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. Adding probiotics, like those found in no-sugar-added kefir or yogurt, can improve gut health and might help Semaglutide work better. 6. Medication Interactions Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, antipsychotics, and even some diabetes medications, can counteract the effects of Semaglutide, making it harder to lose weight. For example, corticosteroids can lead to weight gain by increasing appetite and altering metabolism [4]. If you’re taking other medications, it’s important to discuss these with your healthcare provider to ensure there are no adverse interactions. They might adjust your treatment plan or recommend alternatives that are more compatible with Semaglutide. If you’re taking other medications, talk to your healthcare provider. They can check for interactions and might adjust your treatment. You can also use online tools like Drugs.com’s Interaction

August 22, 2024 Semaglutide, Naturopathic Best Weight Loss Drugs, enhancedweightloss, naturopathic supplements, semaglutide, Semaglutide Tirzepatide, weightlossmedication

How Long Does It Take for Semaglutide to Suppress Appetite?

Table of Contents Table Of Content What is Semaglutide and How Does It Work? How Long Does It Take for Semaglutide to Work? Factors Affecting How Long It Takes Semaglutide to Work What to Expect During the First Few Weeks of Semaglutide Treatment Precautions FAQ You’ve tried diet after diet, workout after workout, but those cravings just won’t quit. Each time you don’t see results, it feels like another letdown, leaving you wondering if anything will really work. Now, semaglutide offers that hope, but the burning question on your mind is, how long does it take for semaglutide to suppress appetite? When you’re fighting those relentless hunger pangs, each day without relief feels unbearable. But you’re not in this alone, and you’re not without help. In this blog post, we will share how long semaglutide takes to work, so you can hold on to that hope just a little longer, knowing that change is on the horizon. What is Semaglutide and How Does It Work? Semaglutide is a medication initially developed to manage type 2 diabetes, but it has also become a powerful tool for weight management. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone naturally produced in your body. This is how it works: 1. Appetite Suppression: Semaglutide works by slowing down digestion and sending signals to your brain that make you feel fuller for longer. This action helps reduce hunger and, consequently, your overall calorie intake. By regulating these hunger signals, semaglutide makes it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan. 2. Blood Sugar Control: Semaglutide also stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar levels are high, helping to lower blood glucose. This dual action is particularly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes, as it not only controls blood sugar but also aids in weight management by reducing appetite. 3. Slows Digestion: Semaglutide ensures that food is released more slowly from the stomach into the intestines by slowing gastric emptying. This slower digestion helps maintain stable blood sugar levels after meals and contributes to a sustained feeling of fullness, making it easier to manage food portions and resist overeating. How Long Does It Take for Semaglutide to Work? How long does semaglutide take to work can vary depending on several factors, but here’s what most people can generally expect: 1. First Few Days to the First Week: Some people notice subtle changes within the first week. You might start to feel a slight reduction in hunger and find it a bit easier to avoid snacking between meals. However, don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel a significant difference right away—this initial period is just the beginning. 2. Weeks 2 to 4: By the second to fourth week, semaglutide typically starts to have a more noticeable effect on your appetite. Many users report feeling fuller after meals and experiencing fewer cravings. This is when you might start to see the real benefits of the medication, making it easier to stick to your dietary goals and reduce your calorie intake. Tip: For even better results, try combining semaglutide with a naturopathic weight loss plan. If you’re curious about how GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide can be part of a broader naturopathic strategy, check out this detailed guide on how GLP-1 agonists support naturopathic weight loss. It’s full of helpful insights. 3. Weeks 5 to 12: As you continue with semaglutide, its appetite-suppressing effects generally become more consistent. Around this time, you might notice a more significant reduction in hunger, leading to steady weight loss. For some, the effects might intensify as the dosage is gradually increased, in line with your healthcare provider’s recommendations. 4. After 12 Weeks: For most users, the long-term benefits of semaglutide begin to solidify after 12 weeks of consistent use. Appetite suppression remains steady, supporting ongoing weight loss and helping to manage food intake more effectively. Research has shown that continuation with semaglutide led to ongoing weight loss over the following 48 weeks, resulting in an average of 17.4% reduction in body weight from baseline. [2] Factors Affecting How Long It Takes Semaglutide to Work The timeline for semaglutide to start working can vary significantly from person to person due to several key factors. 1. Individual Metabolic Rate: Your metabolism plays a crucial role in how quickly you notice the effects of semaglutide. Individuals with a faster metabolic rate may experience the appetite-suppressing effects sooner than those with a slower metabolism. This variability also impacts how fast semaglutide works for different people, as factors like age, genetics, and overall health influence metabolic speed. 2. Lifestyle Choices: Your diet and exercise habits significantly impact how well and how quickly semaglutide works. Combining semaglutide with a balanced diet and regular physical activity can enhance its effectiveness, leading to faster and more pronounced results. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle or poor dietary choices can delay how fast semaglutide works and make it harder to achieve the desired benefits. 3. Adherence to Prescribed Dosage: The medication typically starts at a lower dose to minimize side effects and is gradually increased. Adults generally begin with 0.25 milligrams (mg) [3] injected under the skin once a week for the first 4 weeks. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed, but the usual maximum dose is 2 mg once a week. Note that missing doses or not following the prescribed schedule can delay the onset of its appetite-suppressing effects. 4. Interaction with Other Medications: If you are taking other medications or have underlying medical conditions, these can interact with semaglutide and affect how quickly it works. Some drugs may slow down the absorption or effectiveness of semaglutide, while others may enhance its effects. 5. Working with a Healthcare Provider: Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider are crucial to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment. Your provider can help optimize your dosage and address any side effects, ensuring that semaglutide works

August 20, 2024 Naturopathic, Medical enhancedweightloss, naturopathic supplements, Semaglutide Tirzepatide, weightlossmedication

Tirzepatide in treating obstructive sleep apnea and obesity

Table of Contents Table Of Contents What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep Apnea In-depth Sleep Study Methods in the Study The Results Adverse Events Limitations Conclusion This is going to be a different type of blog post. Today we will discuss and summarize a recent paper published on June 21, 2024, in The New England Journal of Medicine exploring Tirzepatide for treating sleep apnea and obesity. Here we go! Approximately 39 million US adults have obstructive sleep apnea, and 936 million adults worldwide are estimated to have mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition where the airway gets blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly. One of the main risk factors for this condition is obesity. People who are overweight are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea because the extra weight can put pressure on the airway and make it more likely to collapse during sleep. Hence it was no surprise, that there is a press release about a study that looked at how Tirzepatide affects sleep apnea. Sleep apnea in-depth Before we get to the findings, let’s learn more about sleep apnea. There are two types of sleep apnea. The first type is obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when the upper airway gets blocked during sleep. This blockage interferes with breathing and can cause a person to stop breathing for short periods while asleep. The second type is central sleep apnea. This occurs when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. As a result, the muscles and nerves aren’t activated enough for breathing, leading to pauses in airflow during sleep. The reason we care about sleep apnea is because, if left untreated, it can lead to many serious health problems. These include insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, stroke, kidney disease, sexual dysfunction, and coronary artery diseases like heart failure. Essentially, untreated sleep apnea can cause a wide range of medical issues. Additionally, several health conditions can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea, such as hypothyroidism, cleft lip or cleft palate, heart disease, kidney disease, large tonsils, obesity or higher body weight, and even menopause. These conditions can either cause sleep apnea or make it worse. Now, how do you know if you have sleep apnea? Some of the most common symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, where you go to sleep, wake up, and still feel unrested. You might also experience loud snoring. Another symptom is observed episodes where you stop breathing while sleeping. You might suddenly start breathing again with a gasp, or someone may need to nudge you awake to resume breathing. People with sleep apnea might also wake up gasping or coughing. Additionally, some wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat in the morning. Morning headaches are also a common symptom. Sometimes, difficulty controlling blood pressure can be an indicator of sleep apnea. If you have any of these symptoms, it might be worth consulting a healthcare professional to get evaluated for sleep apnea. Sleep study If you think you might have sleep apnea and want to get diagnosed, the first step is to undergo a sleep study. There are several types of sleep studies available. The most common one is done at a sleep clinic, where you stay overnight. During this study, called polysomnography, they place leads on your head to monitor brain activity, and sensors on your chest to check your heart and breathing. They also measure your oxygen levels while you sleep. Another option is a home sleep test, which you can do in your bed. This test doesn’t use as many sensors. Typically, you’ll wear a device like a watch, have a band around your chest, a sensor in your nose to monitor airflow, and a pulse oximeter on your finger to check oxygen levels. This home test is more convenient and often less expensive than the in-clinic study, depending on your insurance. Both types of tests provide valuable information to help diagnose sleep apnea. As we know, Tirzepatide is a once-weekly GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist known to lead to a 20% reduction in body weight. If you are familiar with Semaglutide, you can think of Tirzepatide as its younger stronger brother. Methods in the study It is an industry-funded study, it was conducted in two phase 3, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials involving adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. The participants were assigned to receive either the maximum tolerated dose of Tirzepatide (10 mg or 15 mg) or a placebo for 52 weeks. In terms of the most salient exclusion criteria, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, a prior or planned surgery, or if they had a self-reported weight loss of more than 5kg in the past 3 months. The intervention was Tirzepatide, which started at a dose of approximately 2 and a half mg once a week and up to 15 mg once a week and to a comparison of placebo. The outcome was change from the baseline in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). In brief, the AHI index is essentially how many times a person stops breathing every hour, it’s assessed with a sleep study. So, all the participants in this study had a sleep study done at the beginning and a follow-up sleep study at the end of the trial. The Results Now, let’s dive into the actual results! They recruited 470 adults, and as noted they were randomized to Tirzepatide or placebo. The average age was 50. 30% were women and 73% were white, the average BMI was 39 and the base AHI index was 50 as a point of reference “AHI above 30 is severe” In other words, this was the real deal in terms of sleep apnea. So, what happened? Well, in the group of Tirzepatide, those patients experienced a 25%-point reduction in their AHI index which is remarkable compared to the placebo

August 15, 2024 Naturopathic glp-1 receptor agonists, naturopathic supplements, semaglutide, Semaglutide Tirzepatide, weightlossmedication

How GLP-1 Agonists Support Naturopathic Weight Loss

Table of Contents Table Of Content What is Naturopathic Weight Loss? What are GLP-1 Agonists? What is the Link Between Naturopathic Weight Loss and GLP-1? Popular GLP-1 Agonists 1. Tirzepatide Diet Plan 2. Semaglutide Diet Plan Could This Be What You’re Missing? In 2021, 38.4 million Americans—11.6% of the population—were living with diabetes. GLP-1 agonists, like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, were created to help manage this condition. They’re now being used to help with weight loss too. If you’re tired of struggling with diets that don’t work, these medications might be worth a look. In this article, we’ll explore how these medications are incorporated into modern diet plans and what you should know if you’re considering them for your weight loss journey. Read on to see if they could be the solution you need. What is Naturopathic Weight Loss? Naturopathic weight loss is all about using natural ways to help people shed pounds and keep them off. This method combines dietary changes, regular exercise, stress management, and natural supplements. Instead of depending on medications or surgeries, it highlights the importance of consuming whole foods, staying active, and managing stress for sustainable weight loss. A big part of this approach is taking whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes, which together support a healthier lifestyle. What are GLP-1 Agonists? GLP-1 agonists are medications that mimic the action of the Glucagon-like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Hormone in the body. This hormone is produced in the gut and significantly helps manage blood sugar levels and appetite. Here’s how they work: Appetite Control — GLP-1 agonists slow down the emptying of the stomach, which prolongs the feeling of fullness after meals. This reduced hunger leads to lower calorie intake, which is essential for weight loss. Blood Sugar Regulation — These medications increase the release of insulin in response to food, helping to manage blood sugar levels more effectively. Stable blood sugar levels are crucial for preventing excessive hunger and energy crashes, which can lead to overeating. Reduced Glucagon Secretion — GLP-1 agonists reduce the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that prevents the liver from releasing too much glucose into the blood. This helps maintain lower blood sugar levels, further aiding in weight control. Dosage info — These medications are typically administered as injections (weekly or daily), though some are available as daily pills. While they are generally effective, side effects like nausea and digestive discomfort may occur but often improve over time. What is the Link Between Naturopathic Weight Loss and GLP-1? The connection between naturopathic weight loss and GLP-1 agonists lies in their complementary approach to managing weight. When GLP-1 agonists are integrated into a naturopathic weight loss plan, they can support the body’s natural processes by helping to control hunger and improve insulin sensitivity. This combination of natural methods and medication can offer a more balanced and effective approach to weight loss, especially for those who struggle with obesity or have related health issues. Popular GLP-1 Agonists Tirzepatide and Semaglutide are two of the most widely used GLP-1 agonists in weight loss and diabetes management. Tirzepatide is unique because it is a dual agonist and targets both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. This dual action leads to more significant weight loss compared to Semaglutide. Tirzepatide is also under consideration for FDA approval specifically for weight loss which adds to its growing reputation as a powerful option for obesity management. Semaglutide, on the other hand, solely targets the GLP-1 receptor. It has been extensively studied and is currently approved for both type 2 diabetes and obesity management. Its long track record provides a solid understanding of its efficacy and makes it a reliable choice for many patients. Note: Both medications are effective, but Tirzepatide generally offers greater weight loss, though it may also have a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and vomiting. The choice between these medications should be based on individual health needs, potential side effects, and consultation with a healthcare provider. 1. Tirzepatide Diet Plan Tirzepatide helps reduce body weight by making you feel fuller for longer and curbing your appetite. This reduces the overall calorie intake, making it easier to stick to a diet and achieve sustainable weight loss. Studies have shown that Tirzepatide can lead to a 20% reduction in body weight in patients, which is higher than what’s typically seen with other weight loss medications like Semaglutide. If Tirzepatide feels right for you, check it out here. You can follow these dietary guidelines to get the most out of Tirzepatide: Focus on vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. These foods help stabilize blood sugar levels and complement Tirzepatide’s appetite-suppressing effects. Include sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil. These fats contribute to satiety and do not cause significant blood sugar spikes, supporting Tirzepatide’s benefits. Go for complex carbohydrates like brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes. These carbs release sugar slowly and can help prevent blood sugar spikes that can undermine the effects of Tirzepatide. Drink plenty of water to aid digestion and support Tirzepatide’s effectiveness. Proper hydration also helps manage any gastrointestinal side effects. These foods can lead to digestive issues, particularly when combined with Tirzepatide. So, it will be wiser to stick to lighter and less processed options. 2. Semaglutide Diet Plan Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that supports weight loss by reducing appetite, slowing stomach emptying, and helping regulate blood sugar levels. However, It’s essential to pair it with an appropriate diet plan that complements these effects to get the best results from Semaglutide. Semaglutide helps reduce body weight by about 12-13% on average at the highest doses. You can follow these dietary guidelines to get the most out of Semaglutide: Prioritize a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. These foods help stabilize blood sugar levels and enhance the appetite-suppressing effects of Semaglutide. Add lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish, as well as plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. Protein helps maintain muscle mass during

August 7, 2024 Naturopathic, Medical

3 Steps to a Mental Health Plan

Table of Contents Table Of Content Suppressed trauma The roadmap The 3 steps to healing Conclusion Many of us think going out into the world and chasing success will somehow heal us from all the shame or trauma we experienced. This does not always work. This usually leads us to drive ourselves with perfectionism and an overdone type-A personality. It makes us almost feel like we cannot do enough, and everything must be a certain way. Instead of compassion and self-love, we become too indulged in stressing to make the right choices. All this post-trauma affects us so powerfully in our day-to-day lives. Do you feel as if you are kept in a small life where you are not moving forward? This post may not have the keys to remove your trauma, it is ONLY YOU who has the answers inside of you; you just have not accessed them yet. And this is what we’re going to do 🙂! Suppressed trauma The idea is about when we go through trauma and when we don’t process what happened to us, and we don’t deal with the emotional energy we have surrounding it, we suppress it, compartmentalize it, and think, “Oh, if I ignore it, it’ll go away.” Remember! Emotions are energy and so they don’t go away. If you stuff them down, that’s where they stay! So, when you experience trauma and you don’t deal with the emotion surrounding it, it stays in your BODY, and it creates these stories for you. Your brain creates stories around your trauma because your brain wants to keep you safe. Your brain shifts into survival mode. In other words, when you have suppressed unprocessed emotional energy, your brain may still think you’re in some kind of danger and so it writes these limiting stories for you about your shame, your unworthiness, who you can’t be in the world, and what you shouldn’t say or do. This makes us afraid to follow or rundown our dreams. So many times, people who experience trauma begin to live in a gray-skied mental landscape. It is living inside a repeatedly recounted story that you believe about yourself. No one wanted me. I would never be good enough. I could never be happy. It is certainly okay to feel overwhelmed and scared when you start unfolding your trauma. The beginning can bring even more confusion. You don’t know what to do, where to go, what to read, or what makes sense. The roadmap Why go all in to let go? Did you know you can let go of past trauma and that your body already knows how? Going into our body is very important because the trauma is stored in our tissues. We need to learn how our body specifically releases trauma, so “go all in” can mean so many things in these areas, it can be letting go of the negative beliefs in our minds, and it can also be letting go of things that happen in our body. Basically, going all in and letting go are connected and are interconnected in many ways!! The 3 steps to healing The three-step process to heal trauma is inspired by Cami Birdnon (Trauma Trained Embodiment Coach). As you start going in your body and begin learning tools, you will recognize differences, where trauma is released. This is what the 3 steps process is all about. The 3 steps process is about being able to understand how your body talks to you. The approach is centered around TOP DOWN, BOTTOM UP & SIDEWAYS of your body. This is an understanding of when your top-down is talking to you, when your bottom-up is talking to you, and when things are coming from the side which is the sideways process. The Top-down processing is all about awareness. Going on in your mind and using that awareness to pay attention to what’s going on in your body. It is also a mindset tool. You are being the watcher, the noticer of what is going on in your body. Trauma is not always visible, and this is why we have the top-down concept. The approach: you have something going on in your body. You find yourself doing certain things repeatedly, why? When you ask yourself questions, you may find; oh, so it’s because am thinking this way about it and then that might link to a trauma belief. It’s AWARENESS and that is what we need to achieve mental well-being. Top-down processing is a nice space to use for journaling. You start to have tangible evidence and understanding of what is going on cognitively with the trauma happening in your body. Not only knowing what is happening in your body but also begin understanding what is normal in trauma 🙂 This bottom-up processing is when you have something that seems to be uncontrolled. This is when triggers happen that you can’t control, and suddenly you feel like you need to curl up in a ball and hide, or when you have all that anxiety and want to fight to be free from something. This is when you want to use some tools to offer safety to your body, once you recognize what you are feeling from the top-down processing. A well-known tool used in trauma healing is the (butterfly hug). The idea is that the butterfly hug teaches our body how it can be our container safety. In other words, this makes us connect to ourselves and learn to trust our bodies instead of trying to get out of our bodies which is often felt in trauma. In the previous two processes, we discussed how to raise questions about our thoughts, and from there we learned tools to handle uncontrolled anxiety, the tools to offer safety to your body. This leads us to the third and last process the sideways processing. Process 3 deals with recognizing where the thoughts are coming from and what the energy coming from the thoughts. Sideways enable us to

August 1, 2024 Naturopathic enhancedweightloss, Excercise, Exercising

How to Start Exercising when Everything Hurts

Table of Contents Table Of Content Starting with the sense of Neuf Finding your niche The direction The myths The iceberg theory Inflammation Causes of inflammation Conclusion This is another blog post to continue discussing the sensitive topic of “Moving with chronic disease.” It is a companion blog post to our previous blog where we have addressed what are the different barriers that can limit us or stop us from incorporating movements in our lives. Although we have learned different ways to manage these barriers and limitations, we did not explicitly cover HOW to get started in practical scientific ways. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do today! As mentioned before, this post DOES NOT aim to push you into something that you are not ready for or able to do. All there is, is to provide you with the best information and tips from professionals such as- Physiotherapy Pain Association, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Ok? Good let’s get started! Starting with the sense of Neuf Neuf means new in the sense of brand new, fresh out of the factory, first of its kind. Before we start, You NEED to throw the whole ‘workout’ mentality influenced by social media and other factors in the bin, especially if movement is new to you. We have already discussed in the previous post the danger of “Setting goals that are extremely difficult to attain,” You want to aim to find a way to move in what feels safe, and that you’re confident you can stick with, even if it needs to be adapted on more challenging days. Finding your niche There are many ways and approaches to exercise, and all of them come with their own pros and cons. Many people with chronic pain may have conditions that scare them because of hearing negative or scary experiences of movement. In most cases, that fear can come from online pseudoscience too. So, taking the time to experiment with different exercises may help you find safe and accessible forms of movement that you can incorporate into your life. It is difficult to separate our bodies from our minds, you may find perhaps there are certain obviousness discussed here, and it’s important for you to know that all the information listed and reminders aren’t to tell you what you should do or should be able to do, but helping you to learn from the insights of others to discover what is best for you and your body. The direction Obviously, and I guess this bears repeating repeatedly, everyone is different. But what we all do not want is to spend decades immersed in equally unhealthy body-abusing sports. If you know that fat loss and the attainment of a sexy, lean body begin with getting off your butt, moving more, working out, and slowly lowering the calories. You are in the right direction! Now the direction you want to avoid is — a two-a-day workout and being cold and starving all the time — there are potent strategies that fly under the radar. The myths You may remember that we spoke about how ‘Having core beliefs or fixed thoughts can be the reason for our failures a lot of the time’. For example, you began reading about ways to burn fat, and you may have come across several flawed concepts. Take for example; while you can add more fat cells to your body, you can never eliminate them. This dogma is commonly accepted in the fitness and diet industry. YES, you read it right, It dictates that if you have ever had excess weight or bits of undesirable fatty tissue on your waist, hips, and butt, then the fat cells never disappear, even with weight loss — they just shrink. The problem is, this can get you in a rut, so you cannot work forward or worse you choose to drop it before you start. The iceberg theory An interview by a registered physician and nutritionist “Dr. Cate Shanahan” simply rebukes such flawed concepts. Dr. Shanahan explained that if you eliminate just one notorious biological variable present in most people eating a standard Western diet, then you can not only lose fat but also kill existing fat cells and transform them into more metabolically active tissues, such as brown fat and even stem cells, making yourself more resistant to future weight gain. The issue with flawed concepts is rooted in the lack of research and experimentation we make. People tend to look at only the surface of the iceberg but not the explicit details underneath. This is why we should take an individualized approach, by experimenting with movement and strategies to find what works best for our conditions. Truth is, it’s not the excess calories. It’s not chocolate. To the chagrin of diet-book authors worldwide, it’s not gluten. It’s not refined carbohydrates or saturated fat. It’s inflammation! Yes inflammation— particularly from exposure to a toxin-laden environment, consumption of heated and rancid vegetable oils, a stressful lifestyle, and sleep deprivation. Inflammation Before jumping into the nitty-gritty, you need to understand. There are different kinds of inflammations. Not all inflammation is bad. Acute inflammation is a natural biological reaction to stressors. For example, when you cut yourself, your immune system and regenerative processes respond to prevent you from getting infected and to heal the cut, and so it is only natural that the surrounding area of the cut becomes inflamed. Acute inflammation also occurs when your muscle fibers are broken down and then rebuilt after a hard workout. But overworking in intense physical stress and mental stress more than your body can handle can lead to chronic inflammation. What this means; you are overloading yourself to a point you are producing a constant stream of inflammatory chemicals. Causes of inflammation Rancid Oil— You should pay close attention to popular comfort foods. Just to name a few; french fries, chicken wings to mac ’n’ cheese, packaged sushi, and trail mix. One of the biggest and most underemphasized causes

July 27, 2024 Naturopathic

GLP-1 Agonists – The Future of Treating Inflammation?

Table of Contents Table Of Content Why Did It Take So Long to Get to Obesity? The organs Application Security Getting to the brain Inflammation Conclusion We’re bringing you everything you need to know about the latest updates on GLP-1 medications, straight from a credited scientist with numerous awards for his groundbreaking work on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) – Daniel Drucker. Ready? Let’s go! Here’s what, Daniel Drucker, who has been researching GLP-1 for decades, has to say about this family of medications. GLP-1 agonists were approved for treating obesity back in 2014, so it’s been 10 years since liraglutide hit the market. But why didn’t it catch the public’s attention until recently? Early experiments focused on demonstrating insulin secretion, and patents were led for using GLP-1 in diabetes treatment. The story around food intake and weight loss developed more gradually and took longer to unfold. Why Did It Take So Long to Get to Obesity? GLP-1 agonists have really taken o in the last three or four years. Novo Nordisk initially looked at liraglutide doses for diabetes, which was 1.8 milligrams once daily for people with type 2 diabetes. They then aimed to boost the dose to 3 milligrams once a day for better weight loss results. Learning from this, they introduced Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes with doses of 0.5 and 1 milligram. They kept experimenting with the same question, what if we increased the dose even more? They landed on 2.4 milligrams once a week, and that’s when we started to see the spectacular weight loss results, we’re now familiar with. The organs There are many di places in the body where you don’t see a lot of GLP-1. In the heart, blood vessels, the liver, in many organs where you don’t see a lot of GLP-1 receptors, and you don’t see a lot of GLP-1 receptors on immune cells. So, this really leads us to the question, how does it act on all these organs where we don’t see enough or any GLP-1 receptors? Well, this is exactly why scientists are so focused on the brain when studying GLP-1. Getting to the brain You may be familiar with the fact that our nervous system can communicate with many different cell types in almost every organ and that GLP-1 is naturally made in the brain and the gut, but it doesn’t last long given it’s a protein. This raises the question when one gets these GLP-1 agonist medication, how do they reach the brain? Isn’t there a barrier that stops many things from getting into the brain? Daniel D. answered this important question by explaining: GLP-1 agonists don’t get into the brain very well. There’s a lot of data on this. People have done experiments using radioactive or unresent markers to see how much gets past the blood-brain barrier, and it turns out, that not much does. The best way to explain it is that GLP-1 can send messages to the brain, but it doesn’t directly enter the brain. In other words, it does reach some of the accessible neurons that have GLP-1 receptors, and they probably transmit signals deeper into the brain and then activate signal transduction. One way to look at it is if you use c-fos, the protein, which is an immediate early gene, which is increased when we activate neurons, we see rapid activation of c-fos in many regions that are deep within the brain within minutes. It is found that GLP-1 is not getting directly to those neurons, but it’s activating pathways that turn on those neurons. And so, there’s probably a very intricate set of pathways that sense the GLP-1 and the accessible neurons and then transmit those signals deeper into the brain. This is especially interesting when we consider using GLP-1 for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Would it be more effective if we could get more of the agonist into the brain, or would that just lead to more side effects? This is a really important area for study being looked at beyond diabetes and obesity. Inflammation It was noticed that neurons that expressed the GLP-1 receptor, which when blocked or abrogated eliminated the ability of GLP-1 to reduce in inflammation in the periphery in white cells or lungs. So, it’s been known for some time that the brain can control the immune system. GLP-1 agonists exert an anti-inflammatory ect throughout many different mechanisms, this has a very significant implication for our overall health, particularly in conditions categorized by chronic in inflammation such as obesity, diabetes, and even neurodegenerative diseases. So how does GLP-1 agonist produce their anti-in inflammatory ect and the potential benefits associated with these actions? First off, let’s begin with the modulation of immune responses. GLP-1 has an important role in controlling the activity of the immune cells involved in in inflammation, it can dampen the response of immune cells called macrophages. These cells are key players in the in inflammatory process. They reduce the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, and instead, they promote the release of anti-in inflammatory substances. You might be thinking “Okay but how does GLP-1 exert anti-in inflammatory ects?” This leads to the second salient part: the Inhibition of Inflammatory Pathways. These are the signaling pathways that GLP-1 interferes with to disrupt from causing in inflammation. For instance, GLP-1 can stop the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which is a key player in in inflammation that turns on genes causing in inflammation. By blocking NF-κB and other similar pathways, GLP-1 reduces the production of in inflammatory substances like tumor necrosis factor-alpha. And so, this is just the latest piece in the puzzle of how GLP-1 might reduce in inflammation. Conclusion The future of GLP-1 agonists looks incredibly promising. These drugs, while not directly penetrating the brain, engage with it in complex ways that lead to significant health benefits. From their established role in managing obesity and diabetes to emerging evidence of their e ects on cardiovascular health and neurodegenerative diseases. GLP-1

Category: Naturopathic