As Arizona is just “Pre-Heating” for what’s to come in the next few months, many people are looking to shed just a few more pounds of Winter weight that they’ve been carrying around since the Holidays. Then again, if your Holidays go clear through The Fourth of July, it’s time to make some changes! Weight loss is a necessary part of overall health for many people. Excess weight causes many different diseases, some that may be reversed with proper weight loss. One pound of fat contains seven miles of capillaries! This causes such an increase of work for the heart and other organs just to stay alive. Simply being just ten pounds overweight adds SEVENTY MILES of capillaries!
I’ve been working with weight loss since the late 1980’s, when I was a Nutritional Specialist and class instructor for NutriSystem. I worked for them in Florida before going to Chiropractic school, and continued working for them part time in the Chicagoland area when I became a student there. As a physician since 1995, I’ve offered weight loss programs in my offices since. There are so many weight loss methods out there, and even more excuses from those trying to lose weight. Believe me, I’ve heard them all! Excuses can be real, but then again, sometimes people have difficulty losing weight because they’ve not followed what they should be doing, or even making up their own program from what they’ve heard from a friend of a friend etc. who’s losing weight. The problem arises when the ‘program’ is no longer the original program and is bastardized. It has been changed so much from the original way it was intended, that it can cause more harm than good. I’ll talk about some things people do that are perhaps allowing them to lose weight, but may be dangerous to their health, especially in our extreme heat of Arizona Summers.
The first thing many people do today to lose weight quickly is to reduce or cut out carbohydrates completely. This has been the most common method of weight loss for a while now. By reducing or eliminating carbohydrates for the diet, causes a process called ketosis. Ketosis is supposed to happen by following a ketogenic diet, which is high in fats, moderate in proteins, and very low in carbohydrates. When there are insufficient carbohydrates, the body starts breaking down stored fat into molecules called ketones, which then become the primary source of energy. Keto sticks are used to test the urine for ketones. When ketones are found in high levels, the body is in a state of ketosis. Many people enter ketosis to promote fat loss, as the body becomes more efficient at burning fat for energy. Those who remember the old Atkins Diet are familiar with eating cheese, bacon, burgers and more fat-laden meals to maintain ketosis. The issue was the poor quality of the low carb choices was very unhealthy, and it was difficult for most to maintain that lifestyle long enough to lose the weight, and transition back into a normal diet.
The most recent trend is the Keto Diet. This is a viable alternative to the Atkins Diet, but in order to promote the health benefits, the fats consumed must be healthy, clean fats and proteins. The dangerous spin off becomes a quasi-Atkins diet. People are again consuming processed meats, including commercially processed bacon, cheeses, regular butter, inflammatory seed oils and more. Yes, they will drop some weight, but at an expense of their overall health. Some changes that include the increase of inflammation can be deadly to some overtime. Going into ketosis for long periods of time may be dangerous with some medical conditions. That is why it’s important to have a doctor who understands nutrition, to assist with your weight-loss program.
Now that I’ve explained what most are doing to drop these pounds, let’s talk about what happens to the body when carbs are greatly diminished during Arizona’s extreme heat. Carbohydrates supply us with a source of minerals. Here’s a list of the minerals and what happens with a low carb diet. This is also what happens if we are exposed to high temperatures outside either with regular daily activities or with exercise.
Loss of Sodium: The keto diet leads to reduced insulin levels, causing the kidneys to excrete more sodium. This can result in lower sodium levels in the body.
Loss of Potassium: The increased excretion of sodium also leads to the loss of potassium. Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness, cramping, and heart palpitations.
Magnesium: Many people on a keto diet may not consume enough magnesium-rich foods, leading to deficiencies. Magnesium is crucial for muscle function, energy production, and bone health.
Calcium: The keto diet may affect calcium metabolism, potentially impacting bone health over time. This is particularly important for individuals at risk of osteoporosis.
Other Electrolytes: Electrolytes are positively charged minerals. We are at severe risk of reducing electrolytes here in Arizona already. Reducing them further is very dangerous. Electrolyte imbalances are common on a keto diet due to changes in fluid and mineral levels. This can lead to symptoms collectively known as the “keto flu,” including fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.
I hope this article helps to explain what can happen by trying to eliminate certain foods in your diet to lose weight. Like they say, “It looks good on paper” but the reality is that it does not. Please be sure to include all foods that help maintain good health while losing the weight you need to lose. In my office, I offer a drug free, injection free, healthy plan that works. You eat your own food, no shakes or stimulants. Supplements are included to ensure that you maintain your health while on the plan. Please call my office for a complimentary consultation to see how much weight you need to lose, and how I can help. Visit my website for more information and our success stories as well.
Leisa-Marie Grgula. DC
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Medical Wellness Center
18261 N. Pima Rd. Ste. #115
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-584-3955
www.CaringPainRelief.com
