Introduction

"I'm gaining weight out of nowhere- I haven't changed anything!"


Or,


"I can't lose weight like I used to"


This issue is incredibly common in our practice at Ember Naturopathic and we want to present some food for thought:


Maybe the "no change" part is the problem.


Our bodies' needs change as we age, and just because a certain diet and lifestyle is working for you now, doesn't mean it will always be that way.


Our Bodies Change as We Age

Often, this concern follows a major shift in hormones such as after puberty, being pregnant, or going through menopause. But it's not just the sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) that we want to investigate, changes in these hormones can affect other hormones that have a much greater influence on weight such as insulin and thyroid hormone.


Here's an example: A recently post-menopausal woman starts noticing fat gain out of nowhere, even though she hasn't changed anything in her diet, and continues to take her long daily walks. In this case, what could be happening is an issue with the relationship between low estrogen and insulin levels. When estrogen is low, it can make our cells less sensitive to insulin, which can lead to sugar being stored as fat (instead of being used for energy in the cells) more often than before. While estrogen may appear to be the culprit here, it's a natural change that can't be avoided, and instead it may be best to address blood sugars and insulin.


Nutrient Deficiencies and Weight Gain

We also need to investigate nutrient deficiencies- if you've been eating essentially the same diet for years, perhaps a deficiency is starting to manifest as symptoms. A classic example is a woman with heavy periods who is also trying to reduce her red meat intake ending up with very low iron stores.


It's rare that we don't still work on diet (and supplements when needed) with these patients to support their hormones and to replenish any deficiencies.


Addressing Weight Gain Through Diet and Supplements

Our goal is to help patients see where there are missing pieces in their diet and lifestyle that might have led to their concerns and/or to understand the hormonal shift that may have happened which makes their current diet and/or lifestyle no longer ideal for their new nutritional needs.


Conclusion

These diet changes are not just about getting more vitamins or protein, for example, they might also be used to support better bowel movements, or better liver function to help eliminate excess hormones that the body is trying to get rid of.


Our bodies change and have different needs throughout the life stages and we are always here for you if you need support.