Dieting gets medical ally







The desire of being thin turned into a real obsession. Unfortunately this is one of the main reasons to why people are approaching all the wrong ways to lose weight. This is why Dr. Natasha Turner, naturopathic doctor and author of "The Supercharged Hormone Diet", "The Hormone Diet" and "The Carb Sensitivity Program", teaches us the right approach to lose belly fat.

Dr Turner says that the fat around the belly area is an indicator of a hormone imbalance, being worst than the weight on thighs or hips. "Extra belly fat can indicate one or more of the following hormonal imbalances: high estrogen, low testosterone, low DHEA (a hormone of the adrenal glands), high insulin and high cortisol. Abdominal fat also sets a risky stage for aging, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. A program to get rid of this stubborn fat must include proper diet, exercise, sleep and, of course, motivation. All of these components work well to install a healthy balance that allows fat loss to occur".

Dr. Natasha says that the primary cause of high insulin is a diet rich in sugar and carbohydrates. "This includes nutrient-poor carbohydrates such as processed foods, sugary drinks and sodas, packaged low-fat foods, along with insufficient protein intake, inadequate fat intake, and deficient fibre consumption. Insulin resistance may also be attributed to lack of exercise, overindulging in alcohol, stress, a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and excess body fat, especially around the abdomen".

To prevent that from happening, the doctor teaches us to up the protein intake to about 20-25 grams per meal and about 15-20 grams per snack. That is because "high protein intake keeps your blood sugar balanced and your insulin levels low - a metabolic must for appetite control and fat loss". You should choose proteins low in fat like "chicken, turkey, low-fat cheese, such as ricotta or cottage cheese, omega-3 eggs and shellfish, such as scallops, which are 100% protein", says Dr. Turner.

 I know that you must have heard it a thousand times, but you should control the stress in your life. Dr. Turner says that " chronic stress makes us soft, flabby and much older than we truly are! Study after study shows that stress causes abdominal fat – even in people who are otherwise thin". So, get enough sleep (at least 7.5 to 9 hours per night) and try eating at the right times. "Sleep deprivation makes us wake up with higher amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, which fuels appetite and increases our cravings, particularly for sugary and carb-laden treats, even when we have eaten enough".

Having high estrogen levels is responsible for abdominal fat in women as well as men ("abdominal fat in men increases the conversion of testosterone into estrogen"). You can keep this under control with "a product with indole-3-carbinol, green tea, and turmeric - all three help to rid the body of excess negative estrogen and correct the balance of estrogen to testosterone. Adding ground flax, chia seeds and/or a non-psyllium fiber supplement will also assist your body to eliminate harmful estrogen", states Dr. turner in her article.

Low testosterone, another hormone that impairs the balance, also makes you gain belly fat. "Testosterone levels decrease as abdominal fat converts it to estrogen, and also with increasing stress", says doctor Turner.  She also states that "this is quite an alarming finding, considering low testosterone has been linked to depression, obesity, osteoporosis, heart disease and even death". Doctor Natasha Turner says that you should try out the herb tribulus terrestries, take zinc supplements, do weight training and raise the protein intake to balance the testosterone levels.

If you have problems with DHEA (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, responsible for libido, feeling motivated, youthful and energetic), Dr. Turner says that you should take a supplement to balance that ( like Relora, or any other that the doctor is recommending you). "You should test your DHEA levels after 4 to 6 weeks of taking the supplement to avoid taking in excessive amounts, which can be harmful."


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