Weight Balancing: An Inside Look Part I & II
by Amie Mosley

 

Weight gain is a symptom,

an indication that something

in the body is not working properly.

 

In order to have a real sense of what works in regards to permanent weight loss, we need first to understand what happens in our bodies and what causes weight gain.  Weight gain is a symptom, an indication that something in the body is not working properly. 

 

Using Iridology -- an old methodology that most doctors in Europe continue to use -- it is easy to discern that the causes of weight gain are related to the inactivity of two organs (pancreas and liver) and three glands (adrenals, pituitary and thyroid), and their mutual involvement in the metabolism of carbohydrates and storage of glucose. 

 

As Dr. Bernard Jensen (the American grandfather of Iridology) notes, "you have to eat it, think it or drink it to wear it on the waist."  Healthy weight varies from person to person.  We sometimes attribute the excess weight of an obese person to genetics, assuming that if the rest of the family is overweight, it is natural for all the members to carry excess weight.  While genetics does have a factor in determining our body structure, the way we were taught to cook and eat also plays a huge role in our individual weight. 

 

In order to understand the whole picture, we will need to take a deeper look at each of the organs and glands that work together in body metabolism.  Let's focus on the glands first.

The Adrenals

The adrenals are our fight-or-flight glands.  These powerful glands are located on top of the kidneys.  They produce more than 50 hormones and are indispensable to life.  Their main function is (1) protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism and (2) water-mineral balance.  They also secrete some of our sex hormones.  Does this mean if our desire for sex diminishes, it may be a symptom of a blood sugar imbalance?  Does this mean that if we are overweight that we may lose desire?

 

What can we do to balance our weight?  Since stress affects the adrenal glands, which affects our blood sugar and blood pressure, reducing stress is essential in restoring proper adrenal function.  We can also benefit from ingesting the major minerals and vitamins that these glands use as fuel: calcium, sodium and vitamin C.  Most often, however, reducing stress and supplementing is not enough.  Experience shows that in order for the cells of the adrenals to be strong enough to use supplements, toxic accumulation in the body must first be eliminated.  This means colon cleansing, as the colon is our major eliminative organ.  It is like an ant struggling to carry a large leaf.  Remove the leaf, and he moves easier.  As with our bodies, remove the dirt and all of our organs work more efficiently.

 

Adrenal Emotional Component

The adrenals have to do with not caring for the self, anxiety, defeatism and fear.  Their primary function is to produce adrenalin, which regulates heartbeat and blood pressure in response to perceived life-threatening situations.   Perceived life-threatening and actual life-threatening situations may not be the same thing but the body will respond to stress and tension as being life threatening, even if we think it is not.  This shows the seriousness with which the body deals with stress. 

 

The Thyroid 

The thyroid gland is located in the neck below the larynx.  The thyroid synthesizes and stores hormones.  These hormones use large amounts of iodine, which is mandatory in metabolism, growth processes and tissue differentiation.  In Iridology, we find that toxemia in the thyroid is more common than any other organ, except the bowel.  Toxic conditions in the thyroid first stimulate hyperactivity, then produce hypoactivity as cell activity diminishes.  Therefore, it is not only important to feed this gland, but also important to cleanse it.  The thyroid needs foods from the sea that contain iodine such as kelp and dulse. It also needs vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D and E.

 

Thyroid Emotional Component

Did you know that every thought, feeling and emotion is filtered through the thyroid?  If we have gone through some horrific change in lifestyle, experienced marital upset, or have been told we are fat or ugly, after a while, we might believe it.  Believing it, we might easily live it.  We may feel that no one loves us, thus promoting loss of self-love and perhaps not even caring. This is where the fridge door flies open as we look for something soothing to eat.  

 

The Pituitary 

The pituitary gland is a highly vascular mass located in the brain. This gland manufactures nine known hormones indispensable to all types of body activity, such as promoting carbohydrate and protein metabolism; influencing the growth of bones, organs and muscles; water and electrolyte re-absorption; thyroid function; and sexual development and function.  Foods high in phosphorus and silicon are recommended for the pituitary, as are vitamin E and B complex vitamins.  As with all glands and organs, remember the cleansing aspect!  A toxic pituitary cannot function properly.

 

Pituitary Emotional Component

Since the pituitary is the control center over the other endocrine glands, it holds issues of power on the emotional level. Do we have control over our lives or are we living precariously?   In some ways this doesn't even matter, for the real question is: Do we feel we have control over our lives?  Do we let others make our decisions for us?  Do we stand up for what we believe in?  Or are we overbearing or controlling of others?

 

What Does It Mean?

Although we will discuss the pancreas and liver in more detail next issue, another important element to weight balancing is found in two hormones that are produced by the pancreas: insulin and glucagon.  Insulin is a storage and locking hormone that drives blood sugar levels down, while glucagon is a mobilization hormone that restores blood sugar levels.

 

However, if hormones such as insulin and glucagon control blood sugar, what controls hormones?  The answer is eicosanoids (eye-kay-sah-noids).  Eicosanoids are super hormones that are made by every living cell in the human body.  They are the molecular glue that holds the body together.  Eicosanoids arise to do their jobs, then self-destruct, all in a flash.  They are regulators of cellular function, turning cells on and off on a second-by-second basis. 

 

Like the good LDL and the bad HDL in cholesterol, there are good and bad eicosanoids.  Actually, there is no absolute good or bad in human physiology.  Nature loves balance, and too much of a good thing or too little of a bad thing can be detrimental to the body.

Dietary fat is the only source of building blocks for all eicosanoids.  The balance of protein and carbohydrate controls the insulin-glucagon axis, which in turn determines whether the eicosanoids your body makes are "good" or "bad."  If you consume a diet too rich in carbohydrates, insulin levels become too high. This results in production of "bad" eicosanoids, which keeps your blood sugar levels out of balance.  This denies you access to your stored body fat, and ultimately leads to weight gain and disease. 

What does this tell us?  We must eat a balance of fat, carbohydrate and protein for eicosanoids to work effectively in keeping our weight balanced.

 

Part Two

Part Two

 

What happens if you punch in the wrong hormonal code by eating the typical high-carbohydrate, low-protein meal?

 

In the last issue, we discussed how both underactivity and overactivity of three glands (the adrenals, pituitary and thyroid) affect weight. We will conclude this discussion with the two organs that affect weight: the liver and pancreas. Though both the liver and pancreas have many jobs, we will focus on their duties involved with weight balancing.

 

The Liver
The main role the liver plays in weight balancing is in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The liver is a storehouse for nutrients. On an emotional level, it is also known to store anger. The liver detoxifies bodily poisons. In doing so, it helps keep us sweet and healthy. But it can also become a repository for the poisonous aspects of our being -- for the bitter and resentful thoughts and feelings we may have but are not expressing or resolving. Hate, frustration, rage, self-dislike, hurt, greed and/or a need for power all affect the liver.

 

The Pancreas
The main role of the pancreas in relation to weight balancing is in the production of hormones (insulin and glucagon) that drive blood sugar up or down. This gland has to do with the sweetness in life. The emotions associated with the pancreas include the feeling that life has passed one by; longing for what might have been; deep sorrow; or wondering "when is it going to be my turn?" Lack of sweetness produces a sour disposition and leaves us with a feeling of emptiness or inner depletion, which can lead to depression or a sense of loss. In looking at pancreatic emotional imbalances, we might also consider the opposite -- receiving smothering or overwhelming love.

 

The Role of Carbohydrates

The liver stores carbohydrates in the form of glycogen and converts it to glucose to maintain blood sugar constancy. The liver's capacity to store carbohydrates as glycogen is very limited, however, and can be easily depleted within ten to twelve hours. Therefore, the liver's glycogen reserves must be maintained on a continual basis. Now, what happens when we eat too many carbohydrates?

 

Carbohydrates are either stored in the liver or in the muscles of the body. Again, that storage capacity is quite limited. Once the glycogen levels are filled in both the liver and muscles, excess carbohydrates have just one fate: to be converted into fat and stored in the fatty tissue. In a nutshell, even though carbohydrates themselves are fat-free, excess carbohydrates end up as excess fat.

 

And that's not the worst of it. Any meal or snack high in carbohydrates will generate a rapid rise in blood sugar. To adjust for this rapid rise, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin to lower the levels of blood sugar.

 

The problem is that insulin is essentially a storage hormone, evolved to put aside excess carbohydrate calories in the form of fat in case of future famine. The insulin that is stimulated by excess carbohydrates aggressively promotes the accumulation of body fat. In other words, when we eat too much carbohydrates, we are essentially sending a hormonal message to the body to store fat.

 

The Double Whammy

Not only do increased insulin levels tell the body to store carbohydrates as fat, they also tell it not to release any stored fat. This makes it impossible for you to use your own stored body fat for energy. Thus, the excess carbohydrates in your diet not only make you fat, they make sure you stay fat. "It's a double whammy, and it can be lethal," writes Barry Sears in his book Enter the Zone.

 

Since insulin drives down blood sugar and glucagon restores blood-sugar levels by releasing stored carbohydrates, effective communication and ongoing balance of these two hormones is critical for survival. Remember that the release of insulin is stimulated by carbohydrates, especially by high-glycemic carbohydrates such as breads, rice and pastas. On the other hand, glucagon (which, like insulin, is secreted by the pancreas) is stimulated by dietary protein in proper combination with carbohydrates and fats.

 

The critical hormonal balance of insulin and glucagon depends on two things. One is the size of the meal you eat, which will stimulate excess insulin. The other is the ratio of protein to carbohydrates and fats in each meal.

 

Achieving Balance
What happens if you punch in the wrong hormonal code by eating the typical high-carbohydrate, low-protein meal? Blood-sugar levels drop and the brain begins to tune out. Within three to four hours after a high-carbohydrate meal, the brain starts getting desperate for energy (even though you probably have the equivalent of two or three Snickers bars stored in your liver, desperate to get out). But this massive amount of stored carbohydrate can't be released into the bloodstream because the high-carbohydrate meal you just ate drove insulin levels up and the glucagon levels down.

 

Since glucagon levels remain low, you can't replenish blood sugar from your own internal stored carbohydrates. In desperation, your brain tells you that bag of corn chips look very inviting. While eating the corn chips does supply an immediate source of carbohydrates for the brain, it simply restarts the vicious circle of raised insulin and diminished glucagon. In other words, you're stuck in what Sears refers to as "carbohydrate hell."

 

Carbohydrate Hell
Carbohydrate hell is the source of all your cravings -- including the infamous sweet tooth and the constant cycle of recurring hunger. These cravings are hormonally driven by that high-carbohydrate meal.

 

If carbohydrate cravings were the only result of punching up the wrong hormonal code, that would be bad enough. Your glycogen depots in the liver and muscles are stuffed full, but you're still eating carbohydrates. That excess carbohydrate ends up being converted into fat. The body can always find a storage site for fat. So, even though you may have eaten only fat-free carbohydrates, you might as well have been attaching the results to your derrière.

 

Some people can eat high carbohydrate diets and never get fat. Why? Genetics and higher metabolism may play a role, but so do proper prevention and diet. Overall, the proper functioning of the five principle glands and organs that deal with metabolism are most important in weight balance and, indeed, health in general.

 

What Can We Do?
The liver uses a lot of vitamin C, B12, iron and potassium. The pancreas uses B vitamins, sodium and silicon. Because of their workload, the liver and pancreas often needs supplementation and cleansing. Cleansing programs are always called for when there are weight challenges!

 

In order to achieve a balanced weight, there are several things to keep in mind. First, it is essential to eat a balanced diet of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. The rule of thumb to aim for is a diet comprised of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat. Though this may at first look out of proportion, consider the example of a typically balanced meal: 4 ounces chicken or tofu (protein), 1-1/4 cups each of broccoli and cauliflower, 3/4 cup snow peas (carbohydrate), 1 1/3 teaspoon oil (fat).

 

Other aids to achieving a balanced weight include drinking plenty of water; cleansing the toxins from the body; feeding your organs and glands the proper foods and supplements; getting plenty of rest and exercise; and, absolutely resolving any emotional components of excess weight. All of these aspects are essential for weight balancing.

Amie Mosley pinpoints the cause of weight challenges by looking at the tissue condition of your body through the science of Iridology. Call Amie at 561-3469 for further information.

Metabolic Typing For Nutrition -
One Size Does NOT Fit All
by Lori Zitzmann

Metabolic typing is more successful than conventional nutritional approaches for enhancing health because it addresses our individual differences.

Many people are familiar with various nutritionists advocating one type of healthy diet for everyone. Dean Ornish and Nathan Pritikin tout the benefits for all of a low fat, low protein, high carbohydrate diet. Robert Atkins recommended everyone restrict carbohydrates, and emphasize good amounts of protein and fat instead. Barry Sears insists the Zone diet (40% carbohydrates, 30% fat, 30% protein) is the way to go. How is a person to know what is right for them?

Each of us is unique in our metabolic biochemistry. We each have different needs for types and quantities of nutrients to maintain health. Some foods are unhealthy for everyone. These include processed, refined carbohydrates with white flour and white sugar, as well as damaged fats. But, within the realm of whole foods, certain foods are healthy for some, but not for others. This depends upon your metabolic type.

Over the last fifty years, researchers have identified different metabolic systems within individuals, based on the scientific work of Drs. Roger Williams and George Watson. More recently, William Wolcott and Harold Krystal have provided trained clinicians with methods of personalized metabolic nutrition testing for those interested in uncovering their biochemical individuality.

Metabolic nutrition typing is a state of the art methodology for determining whether a person is better suited to a more agrarian, vegetarian-oriented diet, or perhaps will thrive on a diet higher in animal fats and proteins. Metabolic typing can also direct a person in choosing which vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrate sources are ideal for his or her body.

Metabolic nutrition analysis is based upon balancing blood pH. We now know that most diseases result from metabolic imbalances in the body, such as excess acidity or alkalinity. By correcting metabolic imbalances, nutrients can be absorbed more efficiently and utilized optimally.

In my experience working with clients, it is difficult for most people to know intuitively what their ideal diet should comprise. We are constantly bombarded by mixed messages of what a “healthy” diet includes. Metabolic typing can help resolve this confusion.

What is involved with the process of testing? A client comes in fasting in the morning. Both objective and subjective data are collected over approximately two hours. This includes timed blood sugar readings via glucometer checks, saliva pH, urine pH, vital signs, and breath holding capacity in response to a challenge drink. Can testing provide other information besides my metabolic type? Yes. Diabetes, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance tendencies, and blood sugar imbalances are often identified with testing. Does my metabolic type change through out my life? No. You inherit your metabolic type through genetics, much like your eye color or hair color. Will my insurance pay for metabolic typing? Usually. We bill insurance for our clients. Many people have their testing covered by insurance.

Correcting imbalances through proper nutrition can enhance health on many levels. Achieving and maintaining ideal body weight, improved digestion, greater energy levels, and reversal of some chronic illness patterns are all areas I have seen positively impacted by individuals following their appropriate metabolic diet.

Metabolic typing is more successful than conventional nutritional approaches for enhancing health because it addresses our individual differences. When it comes to nutrition, one size definitely does not fit all!

Lori Zitzmann is an advanced nurse practitioner who specializes in natural approaches to adult health issues, hormone balancing, and metabolic typing. Her practice is located at Avante Medical Center. Call 770-6700.