In Australia, 50% of women and 66% of men are considered overweight or obese.

Excessive weight gain is defined as being more than 20% over normal weight, having a body fat percentage greater than 30%, or a Body Mass Index (MBI) of 27-35+. The BMI is calculated by dividing the body weight in kg by the height in meters squared.

Weight regulation depends on genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Imbalances between these factors can disrupt the healthy function of the following:

Fat cells: White adipose tissue (WAT) stores energy as fat and brown adipose tissue (BAT) releases energy through thermogenesis (energy expenditure). Overweight people have higher WAT numbers and lower BAT numbers.

Blood glucose: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which facilitates the absorption of glucose by the liver and muscles to convert it into glycogen and energy. Overweight people frequently have insulin resistance, which results in metabolic problems including elevated blood glucose levels, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and atherosclerosis.

Appetite and Calories: Leptin is a hormone that regulates appetite and thermogenesis. Overweight people have high leptin levels and leptin resistance, resulting in increased food intake and fat burning.

Metabolic Rate: Thyroid hormones regulate basal metabolic rate (resting energy) and facilitate thermogenesis, the production of serotonin in the brain, and the regulation of food cravings. Overweight people often have low serotonin levels, which contributes to disturbances in appetite, body temperature, mood, and sleep.

Stress response: Chronic stress causes high cortisol levels, stimulates appetite, increases blood glucose, alters thyroxine conversion, induces insulin and leptin resistance, inhibits fat breakdown, and increases weight gain .

General Health: Excessive weight gain is associated with the development of insulin resistance, diabetes, atherosclerosis, inflammation, toxicity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Lifestyle: Overwork, lack of exercise, lack of rest, chronic stress, and irregular eating habits, especially late-night eating when calories are converted directly to fat, along with inadequate or poor sleep Poor quality make effective weight loss impossible.

Age: Muscle mass, metabolic rate, and physical activity decrease with age and contribute to weight gain.

Treatment

Achieving weight loss is one of the biggest health challenges. Lasting results often require people to do more than eat fewer high-calorie foods and exercise regularly.

In fact, proper herbal therapy can enhance the results of a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise to support healthy weight loss and body composition for people who are overweight and those who wish to maintain healthy metabolic function.

Specific herbs have been shown to help improve fat metabolism, support normal thyroid function, and promote normal blood sugar regulation. Additionally, the right herbal therapy can help reduce stress, improve restful sleep, and increase energy.

Diet and exercise

A realistic goal is to lose 5-10% of body weight in the first 6 months, which equates to 300-500g every 7-14 days. For overweight people, decreasing calorie intake by 300-500 kcal/day and for obese people (BMI 35+) a decrease of 500-1000 kcal/day will help achieve this goal.

The goal is a diet low in fat, low in refined carbohydrates (low GI), low in calories, rich in vegetables and vegetable protein that provides 1200-1600 kcal per day. For most people, this means reducing their intake or increasing their production by 500 to 1,000 calories per day.

Regular aerobic exercise plus resistance weight training for 30 to 45 minutes, 3 to 5 times per week, increases lean muscle mass, increases metabolic rate, reverses insulin resistance, reduces cardiovascular disease risks, and increases mood and well-being.

herbal therapy

Beneficial herbs to help with healthy weight management include:

The rind of the Garcinia quaesita fruit, a source of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia to make meals more filling. Scientific evidence shows that 1,200-2,800 mg of HCA per day for 8-12 weeks helps control weight by curbing appetite and inhibiting the biosynthesis of body fat.

Coleus forskohlii root extract, equivalent to 50 mg of forskolin per day, shows positive effects in overweight individuals by promoting healthy thyroid function and stimulating fat metabolism.

Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract, equivalent to 100 mg gymnemic acid per day, may help promote normal blood sugar regulation, especially with chromium, for improved weight management results.

Cinnamomum cassia stem bark extract may inhibit an enzyme to support normal leptin and insulin action to maintain healthy metabolic function and body weight.

Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, equivalent to 690 mg catechins per day, helps control body fat composition by activating thermogenesis and regulating fat oxidation (calorie burning).

Panax notoginseng root (Tienchi Ginseng) to help muscles burn fat for energy and promote stamina and stamina.

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil or tulsi) and Magnolia officinalis support stress adaptation, reduce cortisol levels and increase brain serotonin.

Zizyphus spinosa, Passiflora incarnata (Passion Flower), Albizia julibrissin and Polygala sibirica reduce nervous tension and promote quality sleep.