The big deal about body fat
ACCORDING to a 2012 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, Malaysia is the fattest country in Southeast Asia, with some 60% of Malaysian adults having a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or higher.
Obesity is probably the greatest threat to humankind in the coming decades. At least 2.8 million people die each year from obesity-related disorders.
The link between obesity and cancers is worrisome as obesity continues to rise throughout the world. Besides colorectal cancer which is the fastest emerging cause of cancer death in men in Malaysia, obesity is also the major cause of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
HEAVY METAL TOXICITY Intra-abdominal visceral fat accumulation plays an important role in the development of diabetes, abnormal cholesterol profile, hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Hypoadiponectinemia induced by visceral fat accumulation is considered a strong risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer.
High plasma adiponectin levels may prevent cardiovascular disease, as well as metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
Adiponectin production and secretion are regulated largely by our nutritional condition. Lifestyle factors, such as overeating and physical inactivity, induce visceral fat accumulation which then results in the dysfunction of adipocytes.
The presence of heavy metals in our systems, such as mercury (dental amalgam, contaminated seafood), lead (paints, plastic toys), aluminium (cooking utensils) and others cause our bodies to produce more fat in order to trap these toxins as a preventive measure.
The reduction of visceral fat is considered an essential preventive measure for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. To many, this aspect of weight reduction is most difficult to achieve.
PAEDIATRIC OBESITY According to the New England Journal of Medicine (2005), the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is so pervasive that for the first time in history, the current generation of children is not expected to live as long as the previous generation.
Research has shown that adults who were obese as children suffer higher mortality rates independent of their current body weight. Further, the heart disease process often initiates early in childhood, and is occurring at an increasing rate.
While regular intensive exercise improves cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength, it doesn’t seem to improve much for blood lipid profiles, or reduce blood pressure in obese youngsters.
FOOD SOLUTIONS Diet influences hormones, which are linked to fat gain. Insulin converts sugar to fat for storage, leptin suppresses the appetite, and ghrelin stimulates the appetite.
Estrogen is a fat-gaining hormone, while testosterone promotes higher lead muscle mass; cortisol is a catabolic hormone, and is triggered by elevated mental stress; and melatonin promotes sleep.
Your choice of food items can change the profile for each of these key weight-regulating hormones.
Nutritional medicine practitioners have recommended a ketogenic diet to promote the burning of excess body fat. This diet should be used as a short-term therapy under professional supervision.
It consists of less than 80% of protein-based food items; 10% to 20% complex carbs; hardly any refined sugars; and use of extra virgin coconut oil.
Those with kidney damage shouldn’t attempt this diet due to its high protein content.
Drinking coffee and green/yellow tea an hour or so before a meal can reduce the appetite.
Also, consuming high-protein food items first during each meal can stimulate our fat cells to produce the hormone leptin, which then leads to feelings of satiety.
Fat-loss nutraceuticals are also widely available and these should be taken with professional supervision by Ministry of Health-registered therapists (www.anmp.org.my).
Commonly prescribed ones include resveratrol, pine nut oil, chromium polynicotinate, hydroxyl citric acid, guarana, iodine, EPA/DHA (not omega-3 alone), creatine monohydrate and L-tyrosine.
Views expressed are those of the author, who’s president of the Federation of Complementary & Natural Medical Associations, and not necessarily those of the
professional bodies and government committees of which he’s a member. Dato’ Steve Yap can be contacted at lifestyle.
steve@thesundaily.com.