Healthy weight is a common concern for many today. Available information is often overwhelming and leads to confusion. Working with a naturopath on weight management is different in that it is patient-centered and comprehensive.

Naturopathic medicine acknowledges that there are many causes for weight challenges, not all of which are obvious. Oftentimes problems with weight are a symptom of a larger issue. As naturopaths, we identify the underlying cause of your weight issues and customize an effective, lifelong treatment plan. 

At Naturally Sue Wellness in NYC, we provide a naturopathic approach to weight management in-person (in NYC) and online, nationwide. 

Weight loss itself is not a means to good health. But good, foundational health is a means to a healthy weight. 

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Understanding Causes of Weight Issues

From a naturopathic perspective, weight issues are sometimes oversimplified, and not just a matter of calories-in, calories-out. Research has shown that metabolism is affected by lifestyle and hormonal fluctuations, not just by genetics or caloric intake. Therefore, assessing overall health and lifestyle influences is a key aspect of weight management.  

While we do take into account a person’s caloric intake concerning activity levels, we also consider several other factors that may contribute to a person’s overall health and weight management. These factors include:

• Hormones
• Stress
• Sleep
• Food quality and nutrient deficiencies
• Diet history
• Physical activity levels and history
• Substance use (past or present)

Hormone health is a major contributing factor to issues with weight. Hormone health is variable depending on the stage of life, such as perimenopause and menopause. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), high androgens, stress, and thyroid dysfunction are also disruptive to hormone health. Since many causes and factors affect hormones, the doctors at Naturally Sue will look at hormone function as a potential underlying cause when it comes to concerns about weight. 

Getting to the root cause of your condition is essential for effective, long-term treatment and prevention. 

Naturopathic Support for Weight Management

Naturopathic doctors approach weight issues comprehensively and holistically. At Naturally Sue we help to create a personalized approach to address your weight concerns and promote optimal health by addressing the root cause of your weight concerns. 

As naturopaths, we believe in the body’s natural ability to heal when given the right conditions. We blend modern, scientific methods with various natural therapeutic tools to foster the body’s innate healing process. We combine several, evidence-based modalities, including hormone testing, personalized nutrition, lifestyle counseling, and supplementation depending on each individual’s needs. 

The doctors at Naturally Sue are experts in weight management. Our patients experience long-term success with managing weight, as well as benefits to self-image, health, and well-being. 

Contact us for an individualized plan for your weight concerns in NYC and start healing now. 

Diagnosing the Root Cause of Weight Issues 

During your first visit with Naturally Sue Wellness, we will do a full health evaluation to assess your concerns about your weight and to accurately identify the underlying cause. 

The evaluation includes a review of the following: 

• Evaluation of current diet
• Past dietary interventions 
• Activity levels
• Stage of life
• Family history of weight issues
• Current life stressors, such as job, family, financial, etc. 
• Sleep Quality
• Medications, like birth control, antidepressants, etc. 
• Medical conditions, such as hormone imbalances, autoimmune, toxicity, etc.

We may conduct the following diagnostic exams to look for underlying hormonal imbalances or infections that may be contributing to your concerns with weight, such as: 

• Dutch test (looks at cortisol, estrogen, androgens, and other hormone levels, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis)
• Comprehensive thyroid testing
• Vitamin and micronutrient testing
• Chronic infections
• Toxin testing 

There are many reasons why weight may become an issue. Successful, long-term treatment from the inside depends on an accurate assessment and diagnosis of the root cause. 

Treating Weight Issues at Naturally Sue Wellness

Everyone’s issues with weight are unique to them. By addressing weight from the inside out, we get to the root of why weight is an issue in the first place. 

At Naturally Sue Wellness, we integrate several holistic, therapeutic techniques when curating care plans for weight management, such as nutrition, lifestyle, herbal treatments, and mental health. 

Nutritional Therapies

Nutrition is one of the first areas we address when it comes to weight management. First, we will determine if your nutrient needs are being met, and ensure what you are eating isn’t causing issues with weight, inflammation, or hormone imbalances. 

A whole foods diet, rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates provides the best foundation for keeping a healthy weight. It also has the following benefits related to weight management: 

• Supports lean mass
• Stabilizes blood sugar 
• Reduces insulin spikes
• Regulates hormones 
• Increases satiety and reduces cravings
• Improves digestion
• Provides essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Increases hydration
• Anti-inflammatory

A whole-food diet should include the following: 

• Protein, like lean meats, eggs, and fish is the most bioavailable. We have found that eliminating animal protein can cause you to eat a disproportionate amount of carbohydrates, which tends to cause hormone imbalance and unstable blood sugar. We do like to have our patients aim for 30 grams of protein with each meal. 
• Fruits & Vegetables. Consuming an array of colorful fruits and vegetables is a good way to get fiber, which helps you stay fuller longer, aids in digestion, and eliminates waste.  
• High fiber, complex carbohydrates, like beans & legumes, sweet potatoes, and certain whole grains also provide a healthy amount of fiber and long-lasting energy. 
• Healthy fats, like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds help to improve metabolism and stabilize hormones. 

Foods to eliminate. Certain food items have been found to contribute to weight issues, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. In general, we may recommend reducing or eliminating the food groups below for most patients:

• Dairy
• Gluten
• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Greasy Foods

Gut health is another important factor in weight management. Poor digestive health is linked to the following: 

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Unstable blood sugar 
• Hormone imbalance
• Digestive issues, like constipation and/or diarrhea
• Food intolerance 
• Inflammation 

Ensuring good gut health is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight.  

Nutrient deficiencies are a common cause of weight-related issues, as they lead to hormone imbalance, cravings, and low energy. Specific nutrients that can contribute to issues with weight include:  

• Zinc 
• Vitamin D
• Iron
• Vitamin B12
• Protein

Nutritional supplementation may be essential to filling in gaps in nutrition. At Naturally Sue, we will identify any nutrient deficiencies you may have and make specific recommendations for you. A few that we commonly suggest for people struggling with weight include the following: 

• Essential Fatty Acids
• DHEA
• Probiotics
• Vitamin D
• Protein, including collagen
• L-Carnosine

Lifestyle Recommendations 

Lifestyle modification is a first-line therapy when it comes to weight management. In addition to nutrition, key lifestyle factors that contribute to weight include stress, sleep, and exercise. 

Stress: When stress is chronic, it can lead to various hormone imbalances, including chronically elevated cortisol, high insulin, and dopamine, all of which affect blood sugar and cravings. Stress increases inflammation, and also leads to poor eating habits as a way to cope with stress. 

Practicing stress management should be a high priority if weight is an issue for you. To reduce stress and its effects on weight, you can try activities that calm and regulate the nervous system, such as: 

• Practicing mindfulness and meditation
• Getting more than six hours of sleep per night
• Incorporating physical activity
• Expressing through creativity, like art, reading, gardening, music 
• Reducing or eliminating substance use, such as alcohol and smoking, which creates more stress on the body, not less. 

Stress management is a personal practice. Find the things that work well for you. 

Sleep: Like stress management, getting good, quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Poor sleep is tied to so many health conditions, including hormone imbalance and weight issues. Aim for 7-8 hours a night, and practice good sleep hygiene, such as: 

• Manage screen time
• Establish a bedtime routine
• Create an environment conducive to sleep. 

Exercise: Our bodies are designed for movement. It is essential to stay active for weight management, immunity, and overall health. Benefits of physical activity include:

• Stress management
• Helps increase metabolism
• Supports hormone balance
• Improves mood, energy, and self-confidence

According to recent studies, taking between 4,000 and 7,000 steps per day provides significant health advantages, including weight management. If you can get up to 10k steps, that would provide even more benefit. 

Mental Health Support 

For some, addressing mental health is a fundamental part of a weight management plan. 

Mental health and weight are closely linked and complex. Studies show that people with mental health conditions, like depression, are more likely to experience weight issues, and people with weight issues are more likely to experience depression. 

Similarly, trauma, including PTSD, childhood trauma, or abuse, is a primary risk factor for weight issues later in life. These patients have essentially “padded” themselves as a means of protection or armor. Mental health support can help a person heal from trauma and dismantle the barrier they’ve created to protect themselves from hurt.  

We’ve found great success with techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a form of psychotherapy that treats psychological trauma. 

When weight is an issue, it can take a toll on your emotional health, regardless of the cause. Self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth can all take a hit when weight becomes an issue. 

Mental health therapeutic techniques, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or EMDR, can significantly improve health from within, often without changing other factors, like lifestyle. A positive side effect of therapy for these patients is often an improvement in weight. 

Herbal Therapies

When we work with patients on weight concerns, herbal treatments we include in a treatment plan are designed to address the root cause of weight issues, not weight itself. 

We use herbal therapy to address underlying causes of weight concerns, such as balance hormones, blood sugar, insulin regulation, and stress reduction. Examples of herbal remedies used to address common causes of weight issues include: 

• Inositol
• Berberine
• Ashwagandha
• Chasteberry
• Evening Primrose
• Maca root
• Black Cohosh
• Saw Palmetto

The use of herbs is highly individual and is determined based on one’s specific needs. When using herbs, it’s best to work under the advice of a professional. Be sure to work with an expert to determine the right herbs for your treatment needs.   

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