Join now

Chiropractic Corner: THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC (Dubai)

THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC – this month's topic will touch upon obesity, it's causes, and it's ill side effects.

A recent study in the United States has pointed out that the current generation will be the first in US history to have a lifespan shorter than their parents!! This is mainly attributable to the chronic health issues of being overweight/obese. Obesity is calculated, and defined by anthropomorphic measure call the BMI – this is a ratio of height to weight. Although not totally accurate for individual cases such as bodybuilders/athletes, it does provide some level of baseline as to the patient status. Complications of obesity can increase the risks of morbidity; resulting in hypertension, dyslipidemia, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and endometrial, prostate, breast, and colon cancers. Higher body weights are also associated with an increase in all-cause mortality. Regarding my profession as a doctor of Chiropractic, a recent study published this past January in ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM has demonstrated the relationship between obesity and an increase in lumbar disc degeneration. What are the causes of obesity? There are numerous theories; poor nutrition, high sugar diet, processed foods, environmental toxins, sedentary lifestyles and office work (i.e. sitting all day), and stress (that, we will cover in another discussion!).A high sugar diet, mainly in the form of high fructose is a major issue. This sugar increases Lipogenesis, increasing low-density lipoprotein's, and triglycerides. Fructose interferes with the hypothalamus feedback of the hormones LeptIn and Insulin. With every gram of sugar consumed, the body carries 2 g of water!! That is the reason why weight loss is initially rapid in any diet program – you drop the pastas, pastries, candies, sweets, potatoes, and breads (All simple carbohydrates/white refined sugars) and off comes 12 kg of water!! In the initiation of a program regaining health, and reducing the chances of chronic illnesses; losing one half to 1 kg per week is ideal. Of course, a series of lab panels assessing type II diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid function, and inflammatory enzymes such as CRP, are of benefit in assessing the current status and recording of the progress towards health. If you have any questions, or comments, please feel free to respond, or call – mobile – Protected content , or email at: Protected content yours, Dr. John "Jack" Graham DC

Dubai Forum

Our Global Partners