Medical Weight Loss
From a naturopathic point of view, it's interesting to understand why a person is overweight and how he or she can change their eating habits for lasting change. The naturopathic approach to excessive body weight is (as it is with all other unhealthy conditions) to find and treat its cause. Naturopathy emphasizes the body's ability to heal itself and minimize interference with the healing process. Although many diets produce weight loss, they can also negatively impact the body.
Causes of Being Overweight
There are many reasons that people are overweight. We tend to overemphasize the self-control part-imagining that overweight people simply lack self-control. This is not true in all cases. Laboratory tests can reveal physical problems underlying weight gain. Without treating the cause of those extra pounds, when a person cuts back on calories and increases exercise, she may still find it a significant struggle to lose weight.
In addition to laboratory tests, a naturopathic doctor also will be interested in knowing what foods a person likes to eat and when. They will want to know what their patient feels or hopes to feel when eating sugar or high fat foods, or drinking alcohol, and whether or not eating successfully fills a need.
Disruptive Influences on Weight Management
