By C.C. Wilcher, DC, DHM, ND

Traditional Approach
1987 — Traditionally obesity has been considered a simple thermodynamic problem. Basically, “energy input into a system equals energy output” or a surplus results.

However, recent research does not support the thermodynamic hypothesis. In fact, studies show that thin individuals eat considerably more than fat ones.

Goldman and Passmore also found the same results when force feeding laboratory animals and humans. Despite 10,000 calories a day, some subjects failed to gain weight. Interestingly those which did gain weight increased by only 14 percent then stabilized.

Conversely food deprivation studies show that laboratory animals lose weight but immediately gain it back when placed on normal caloric level intakes.

From these references, as well as numerous uncited ones, it becomes obvious that obesity is not a problem of excess intake but rather a problem of regulatory function. The extremely poor long-term results of dieting also leads us to the same conclusion.

Control Factor
The so-called “appestat” has been shown to be located in the hypothalamus of the brain.

While one would initially think that this “appestat” would function on a basic feedback mechanism triggered by the level of stomach contents, numerous other factors such as smell, taste, mouth feel, chewing, swallowing and sight also provide voluminous information to the hypothalamus in the appetite regulations mechanism.

Adjusting the “Appestat”
The appestat seems to be programmed to establish a weight level appropriate to our nutritional needs. For example a diet deficient in any nutritional factor will raise its setting by about 2 percent, and individuals will crave more food in an effort to overcome its deficiency. Therefore, any type of devitalized processed food is a liability.

Thus dieting or missing meals to save calories unwittingly programs the body to become fatter in the long run.

Additionally, a diet high in fats will cause an increase in body fats. This is because high fat foods have an extremely high caloric factor, many being up to 80 times more concentrated than nonfat foods. They simply overload the system and it has no choice but to store the excess calories.

Refined carbohydrates are absorbed, rapidly causing elevation of blood sugar levels which again overload the caloric demands of the body and leave no choice but to store it.

In fact, white sugar is so concentrated that it conforms to the definition of a drug.

High activity levels act as a self-regulating mechanism. The hypothalamus simply cannot afford the luxury of excess body weight and therefore either burns it off or does not permit it to be accumulated in the first place.

Stress also plays a major role. It is well-known that subjects under severe stress frequently become obese due to altered eating habits.

And lastly, the side effects of glucocorticoid hormone and administration of numerous anti-depressant drugs as well as genetic factors must be considered.

Lean Body Mass
In the past, ideal body weights have been determined by height-weight charts. Unfortunately insurance actuary tables show that these charts are as much as 20 percent off when related to the statistical grouping with the fewest health insurance claims filed, and therefore the best health.

While some effort has been made to develop new charts the best method to date is to calculate lean body mass (LBM). LBM has been defined in various ways but the most readily understandable definition is “an optimum ration of fat to lean muscle tissue” or in other words enough reserve body fat to sustain an individual in gluconeogenesis for a limited time, but not enough to create the potential for a cardiovascular problem.

Traditionally, LBM has been measured by a rather complicated water displacement method or by measurement of the fatfolds of the body with specially designed and relatively costly calipers. However, we now have a simple mathematical formula which allows anyone to quickly and easily calculate LBM:

Weight in lbs. divided by Height in Feet Squared = Lean Body Mass.

Thus a woman 5’10” tall who weighs 175 lbs. would have a LBM of 5.15. A man 6’4” tall who weighs 194 lbs. would have a LBM of 4.89.

By this method, the ideal weight range for optimal LBM can also be calculated as follows:

Lower Limit LBM (4.5) x height in feet squared = Lower weight limit.

Upper limit LBM (4.9) x height in feet squared = Upper weight limit.

Thus for a 5’10” woman: 4.5x33.98 equals 152.9 lbs. lower limit and 4.9 x 33.98 equals 166.5 lbs. upper limit. Therefore this woman’s optimum LBM weight can vary through an ideal range of 13.6 lbs.

Conclusion

A compilation of factors from the latest technical articles indicates that the following steps are involved in reprogramming the appestat.

1. Calculating the LBM.

2. Exercise must be in excess of 30 minutes to be effective for this purpose.

3. Reduce fats and refined processed foods (including artificial sweeteners).

4. Increase complex carbohydrates.

5. Only modest amounts of protein-rich foods (they generally are high fat foods also).

6. Snack so that the blood sugar does not fluctuate.

7. Hair and blood analysis is strongly suggested to identify and treat nutritional inadequacies.

8. A quality stress supplement.

9. Stress counseling if indicated.

10. Do not miss meals.

11. Lifestyle reprogramming.

12. Increase fiber foods for bulk.

13. Auricular acupuncture therapy if indicated.

14. Homeopathic remedies may be utilized to control unusually strong cravings.