Those who are obese, or even moderately overweight, are faced with a variety of health problems. Heart disease, diabetes, and hormonal imbalance are among the myriad conditions that may develop when a person has excess body fat. Adjusting your diet to include more fruits, vegetable, and lean proteins, as well as including physical activity, will help you lose weight and improve overall health. However, losing weight can be risky if it is done too quickly.
If you are severely overweight, even small changes can lead to immediate loss of pounds, which puts you at risk for developing gallstones. Gallstones are small, pebble-like stones that develop in the gallbladder when bile hardens. Bile is typically used to help the body digest fats. When fat intake is restricted, there is no need for the bile to be released into the system. The overweight body is used to producing large amounts of bile, and when it is suddenly left with no purpose, it results in the formation of stones.
Initial Effects of Weight Loss
When drastic weight loss occurs, it results in a sudden imbalance in the body. Even though you are feeding it better, the immediate changes may shock your system. The health professionals at Southwest Integrative Medicine in Arizona will help you make drastic changes in your diet and remain healthy. They have experience working with patients on severely restricted calorie diets like the HCG diet, so they understand the risks associated with quick weight loss. It is their belief drastic weight loss is healthy as long as the dieter has medical supervision.
The HCG diet is an option for those who want to lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. The diet includes severe calorie restriction, but also injections or topical applications of HCG. HCG is a substance naturally produced by women who are pregnant. When introduced into a non-pregnant body, and coupled with calorie restriction, it forces the body to burn its fat stores for energy. Even with less fuel, the body is able to run efficiently. However, due to the caloric restriction, dieters must be closely monitored. Gallstones are one of several challenges dieters may face. IV nutrient therapy or vitamin injections may be necessary to maintain optimal health while restricting calories.
Preventing Stone Formation
However, gallstone development is still a risk, even with supervision. If you are concerned about the efficiency of your gallbladder, consider losing weight slowly. By losing only one to two pounds per week, your body will gradually adjust to the changes. This enables it to balance itself without external support. Include healthy fats like nuts and low-fat dairy in your diet in small amounts. This enables gallbladder function to continue because the bile will have something to process.
You may also want to avoid certain foods if gallstones are an issues when dieting. Refined and processed foods such as white flour, white bread, and sugar tend to contribute to gallbladder issues. Eliminating these items is generally a good idea when developing a healthier pattern of eating, so make it a priority to replace refined foods with whole grains and natural sweeteners.
Exercise is another way to reduce your risk for gallstones. Again, this is a necessary component to a healthy weight-loss plan, in addition to helping with gallbladder inefficiency. Physical activity reduces your risk of a variety of ailments associated with obesity including heart disease and stroke. It also helps you reduce stress and anxiety, which may be triggers for overeating. Eliminating stress may be the single most important thing you can do to improve your health and initiate weight loss.
The natural health professionals at Southwest Integrative Medicine will help you create a diet plan that is right for you. Even if you need to lose a significant amount of weight in a short time to improve your health, they will work with you to ensure your safety. Through a variety of natural methods including vitamin therapy, hormonal balance, and acupuncture, they will help you reach your optimal level of health and well-being. If you would like to diet with less risk, contact Southwest Integrative Medicine.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
