News

Our monthly nutritional news letter with the latest research and thinking.

Weight loss, wonder drugs, IVF and the NHS

The rate of couples requesting IVF treatment in the UK is soaring. However, the current feeling is that free IVF should be limited to women of healthy weight, mainly because obesity reduces success rates and adds to the risks during pregnancy. A simple statement until you consider the NHS record on tackling obesity in this country. As an ever expanding nation, the ludicrous advice we are still being fed by the health service is that calorie restriction is an effective weight loss method.

There is increasing evidence that deficiencies in micro nutrients such as iron, iodine, zinc and vitamin A are a contributing factor in chronic weight gain. Consider for a moment that obesity is in fact a form of malnutrition. This is often referred to as ‘hidden hunger’. Put simply, our poor food choices aren’t providing the nutrients we need to remain fit and healthy.

With that in mind, what then happens if the only advice you receive from well meaning IVF clinics is to severely restrict the same diet you are already on? The result would be lowered micro nutrient status and a reduction in your chances to conceive and maintain a healthy, happy pregnancy. Not to mention little or no chance of achieving sustainable weight loss.

Now combine this naive misinformation with new, over the counter weight loss solutions. I give you …

Alli the wonder drug?

Alli, the first weight loss pill sold without prescription is currently being investigated by the FDA in America amid claims that it can cause major liver damage. GlaxoSmithKline issued a statement pointing out that there can be many causes of liver damage, and people who are overweight and obese are often predisposed to such disorders. They also said that the drug works in the gastrointestinal tract and there was ‘no obvious biological mechanism to suggest liver damage can occur’.

The truth is they may well be right! Alli probably doesn’t directly harm the liver. They have done their homework and their testing and, my guess is, their defence is solid. The problem is that this isn’t the whole story as far as weight loss goes and here’s one of the reasons why.

Fat deposits store toxins. When our bodies are overloaded and stressed, synthetic chemicals, food additives, drug residues and the like are stored in our fat cells for safe keeping. Most of this storage takes place in and around the liver so that the liver can easily process them when it gets the opportunity. Chances are that individuals with serious weight issues unknowingly have a seriously overweight and fatty liver that doesn’t funtion very well. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what might happen when sudden weight loss occurs without taking adequate time to prepare for it. The liver is suddenly exposed to an increase in toxins released due to the breakdown of fat cells.

In addition these poor unsuspecting souls are also more than likely deficient in many if not all the micro nutrients necessary to deal with this type of cascade. Not least the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K because Alli has already restricted their absorption from food.

Alli has produced £56 million in sales in the EU between April and June this year. The current advice from the FDA is to continue taking Alli as directed.

What can you do?
Enlist the help of a qualified nutritional therapist who understands Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) that promote proven, safe, sustainable weight loss with added health benefits. Maximising your fertility should involve optimising nutrition by incorporating whole foods, essential fats and the broadest range of micro nutrients possible.

Beetroot juice helps athletes train for longer?

Research conducted in The University of Exeter has shown that regular consumption of beetroot juice can increase stamina and endurance. The high nitrate content of the beetroot juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake. This makes you more ‘oxygen efficient’ making exercise less tiring. The use of beetroot juice also led to lower resting blood pressure readings.

Running

The half marathon takes place in Bristol next Sunday. Another chance to enjoy the traffic free town centre that so many people are promoting. I’ll be there trying to knock at least 15 minutes off last years time by attempting to come in at just under 1hr 35mins. Wish me luck!

That’s it for this month, happy eating to all of you

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist