Combating Obesity

1. The autonomic nervous system connecting the brain, gut and fat cells. This is the “auto-pilot” part of your nervous system that controls many vital functions without you even having to think about it. These nerves connect your brain function to your digestive system while keeping your fat cells in the loop. This insures that all parts of your body are in constant communication nearly instantaneously.

2. Metabolic hormones including those made by your adipocytes or fat cells. That’s right. Your fat cells actually produce hormones as well as the other hormone producing organs in your body such as the thyroid, adrenal glands and sex glands. Women in particular have a significant amount of sex hormone, estrogen, produced by fat cells. This, in turn, can impact many functions of your body including your hunger signals, satiety and even cravings or urges.

3. Brain messenger chemicals called neuropeptides. We used to believe that these chemicals were confined to the brain. We now know that these chemicals are actually found throughout your body and serve to provide another form of communication between various organs of your body.

4. Messenger molecules produced in the immune system called cytokines. Cytokines produced by fat cells have especially wide-ranging effects, from appetite suppression to even inflammatory processes. Cytokines float freely throughout your body, resulting in a vast array of effects.

New messenger molecules are being discovered every day. They speak to each other to control appetite. When these molecules are in balance, your weight stays in balance and when they are out of balance, your weight changes. The most important molecules involved in appetite control include those made in the pancreas and the fat cells. These include leptin, insulin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin. There are molecules made in the brain as well as the stomach of importance as well.

These components work together to communicate between all the organs and tissues responsible for managing weight and survival. Their signals flow between the stomach and intestines, liver and pancreas, to and from fat cells and the hormone system, and to the brain and autonomic nervous system. This dance of molecules controls appetite and weight gain or loss. Small disturbances in the system can lead to significant changes in weight over time.

What can you do to impact this intricate system so that your weight is constant and at a healthy level? It’s important that you keep all parts of this system working at its optimal best. This means eating the most healthy fresh whole foods so that the maximal levels of vitamins, minerals and phyto-nutrients are supplied to your body and its intricate system, keeping it working at its optimal levels. Supplements that support these vital processes such as co-enzyme Q 10, chromium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B complex, E, D and A can all contribute to maintaining this overall balance. Daily exercise contributes to regulating these processes. And finally, understanding your unique genetic underpinnings around the proper utilization of nutrients from your diet is vital. Ultimately, crafting an overall lifestyle to support these genetic underpinnings is the smartest way to control and maintain a healthy weight for life.

Online health and wellness expert, Dr. Pamela Avery, publishes the widely acclaimed ‘Natural Solutions, Natural You’ weekly ezine with 1,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to improve your health, make more money by helping others improve their health, or just have more fun and energy in your life, all naturally, then get your FREE tips now at www.the-natural-md.com.