WellnessPROFILE

DR. MARK HYMANSimplifying Weight Loss

By Kelli Miller Stacy

"Eating the right foodwill 'turn on' gene

messages that promotehealth and cause

weight loss almostautomatically."

The New York Times bestsellingauthor Dr. Mark Hytnati wants to

reprogratn the way Americans eatand think about food. His latesthook, Ultrametabolism: The SimplePlan for Automatic Weight Loss(2006, Scrihner), dispels long-heldmyths about carbohydrates, calo-ries, and fats.

The book also offers a novel pre-scription for individualized weightloss that does not involve traditionaldieting. It promises that if youchoose the right foods and supple-ments for your body, you will awakenyour fat-burning DNA and neverstruggle with your weight again. Dr.Hyman's recommendations pro-mote lifelong wellness, an importantobjective shared hy the LifeExtension Foundation.

"Life Extension magazine Is agreat resource for people who wantto promote their longevity," notes Dr.Hyman. "The organization carefullyevaluates the changes that affectadults and their health, and basesnutritional advice on an individual'sspecific needs."

The human body is a complexbiological machine that requires cer-tain nutrients to keep it in optimalworking order. The proper foodskeep your body's metabolism in

balance and help fight off obesity,heart disease, and other illnesses.

"Food is more than calories, it isinformation," says Dr. Hyman."Eating the right food will 'turn on'gene messages that promote healthand cause weight loss almost auto-matically."

On the other hand, the wrongfoods wreak metabolic havoc thatcan make you gain weight, feel tired,or ache all over. What is right for oneperson, however, can be totallywrong for another. That is why somany "one size fits all" fad diets fail.Each one of us is genetically pro-grammed to react to food and sup-plements in a unique way. Somebodies simply cannot run on certainfoods, just as a gasoline-powered carwill not run if you put diesel in itstank. However, cars come with a setof maintenance instructions; peopledo not.

Weight management, then, haslong been a game of chance. Rarelydoes a person maintain weight lossfor an extended period of time. Infact, less than 6% of those who try tolose weight actually succeed in drop-ping pounds and keeping them off.'

"It is not about counting calories,carbs, or fat grams. It is about under-standing how your body works and

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using that information to extendyour life," says Dr. Hyman, a facultymember at Georgetown Univer-sity's Center for Mind-BodyMedicine and the Institute forFunctional Medicine.

The Ultrametabolism approachis based on the revolutionary fieldof nutrigenomics. the science ofhow food affects our genes and,ultimately, our health.- Dr. Hymanhas translated this science intostrategies you can customize forlong-term health and wellness.

The unraveling of the humangenome helped usher in the era ofnutrigenomics, which is based onseveral key points:

1. The impact of diet on an indi-vidual's health greatly dependson his or her genetic blueprint.

2. Improper diets can, in mostcases, be risk factors for chronicdisease.

3. Specific dietary chemicalsand nutrients can alter genefunction.

4. Many genes are controlled byour diets.

5. A genetically sound diet canoptimize health, which couldhave a beneficial impact on theaging process.

Lactose intolerance is a goodexample of the nutrigenomicsprinciple. Certain people have aDNA alteration that makes themunable to digest lactose.

"Nutrigenomics aUows us toreprogram otir genetics based onthe input we provide," says Dr.Hyman. "Dietary input, lifestyleinput, supplements, and medica-tions all affect our biochemistry,our gene function, from momentto moment. Otir genes turn onmessages of health and disease,and weight gain or weight loss."

Funcfioruil Merlicine

Dr. Hyman did not set out tobecome a weight-loss expert.However, during his nearly 10years as medical co-director at theprestigious Canyon Ranch healthresort in Lenox, MA, he was rou-tinely confronted with patientswho simply could not lose weight,despite trying every diet plan, pill,and surgery available.

"I was the doctor of last resort,"he says. "I always call myself the'accidental weight-loss doctor'because it was never my intentionto tackle obesity."

He combined the best ofconventional and alternative

medicine, and looked at the bodyas a whole, using principles offunctional medicine. Functionalmedicine, which can also bethought of as systems medicine, isa fast-growing field of science thattakes into consideration a per-son's entire picture of health.Instead of doling out prescrip-tions for symptoms here andthere, doctors who practice func-tional medicine look for andtreat the underlying causes of dis-ease, while providing the rawmaterials for optimal function.

"1 never really tell people to goon a diet," he explains. "I say,'Here is what is out of balance,here's what you need to fix that,and here's what your body needsto thrive,' and then the weightloss is really accidental, orautomatic."

Popular fad diets usually lookat one underlying cause of weightgain and obesity. For example, theAtkins and South Beach dietsfocus on the relationship betweensugar and insulin levels. Dr.Hyman's approach is the first sci-ence-based program that looks atevery cause of weight gain andmetabolic distress, and explainsexactly how to tailor the programto fit each person's needs.

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Seven Keys to Weight Loss

If your body does not breakdown, or metabolize, food quicklyenough, you gain weight. Figuringout what is dragging your metabo-lism down is essential to successfulweight loss.

There are seven major causes ofa slow metabolism, all of which canbe identified and treated. Dr.Hyman considers each cause a"key" that, when understood, canopen the door to optimal health.

"Not only will you experienceeffortless weight loss and create ahealthy metabolism, you willaddress the underlying causes ofchronic disease," says Dr. Hyman."This will mean a new feeling of lifeand energy."

1. Control your appetite.The body produces hormones

and brain chemicals that make youfeel full or hungry. For example, thehormone leptin regulates yourmetabolism. Low levels of leptincan make you feel hungry.' Ghrelin,a hormone found primarily in thestomach, stimulates the appetite.'When the appetite-regulatinghormones are out of balance, youovereat and gain weight. Blood teststo measure insulin, glucosetolerance, and fats (such as triglyc-erides and high-density lipopro-tein) in your blood can belp revealappetite problems.

2. Subdue stress.Stress can take a tremendous toll

on your overall health. It canincrease body fat even if you eatwell and get regular exercise. Whenyou are stressed, the body producesa hormone called cortisol. Thisincreases your blood sugar andinsulin levels, slows fat burning,and increases inflammation,leading to weight gain around the

middle. Chronically high levels ofcortisol make you less sensitive toleptin, so your appetite is increasedand you gain weight. Some peoplehave a genetic defect that makes itimpossible to process cortisolproperly.

Persistent stress can also causeinsomnia, which throws your nor-mal circadian rhythm and appetitehormones off balance. This leads tofurther weight gain.

Specific medical tests can deter-mine whether you have an overac-tive or underactive stress response.Cortisol levels can be detected inurine, blood, and saliva. A bloodtest can reveal if you have abnormallevels of the growth hormoneinsulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1. Stress and high levels of cortisollead to reduced IGF-1 levels.

3. Control inflammation.Inflammation increases with

weight gain, and weight gainpromotes inflammation. The resultis a vicious cycle of metabohclethargy and increased insulinresistance.^ Medical evidencesuggests that obesity-relatedinsulin resistance may be due, inpart, to chronic inflammation.*

According to Dr. Hyman, sugaris the greatest inflammatorysubstance in our diet, but trans fatsare not far behind. Trans fatspromote inflammation by blockingthe receptors that normally switchyour metabolism on and off.Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cer-tain fish and fish oil capsules, aregood fats that help these receptorsfunction properly. Food allergenssuch as gluten can also promoteinflammation.

The high-sensitivity C-reactiveprotein (hs-CRP) blood test is thebest method for measuring thebody's general level of inflamma-tion. It does not, however, identify

the cause of inflammation. Thelevels can be elevated in patientswith metabolic syndrome, insulinresistance, food allergies, and ahost of other diseases. People withhigh hs-CRP levels typically haveproblems losing weight.

Blood tests can also be used tocheck for environmental and foodallergies, gluten allergies, andceliac sprue disease. Getting to theroot of the inflammation can helpyou determine how to adjust yourdiet so you shed pounds andkeep them off.

4. Prevent oxidative stress.While oxygen is essential to life,

the wrong kind of oxygen can causecellular damage. Oxygen moleculeslike to have a partner. Oxidativestress occurs when a pair of oxygenmolectiles is split in two. The loneoxygen molecule becomes a highlyreactive, unstable molecule called afree radical. Free radicals damageDNA, promote wrinkles, and throwa kink into normal metabolicprocesses, promoting weight gainand diabetes. Antioxidants, foundin colorful plant foods, teas, redwine, cocoa, and many supple-ments, help reduce the number offree radicals in the body and helprestore a healthy metabolism.

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5. Turn calories into energy.You will not lose weight sitting

around on the sofa. The best way toturbocharge your metabolism is toget moving. Physical activity has apositive impact on how fast cellsturn food into energy.

6. Check your thyroid.Your thyroid gland is the master

metabolic regulator. An underac-tive thyroid slows down yourmetabolism. What you eat, whatyou breathe, and how you handlestress all affect thyroid function. Asimple blood test can tell you if youhave a sluggish thyroid.

7. Detoxify your liver.Toxins from food and the

environment can make you fat.Toxins may come in the form ofmedication, bacteria, industrialchemicals, and heavy metals suchas mercury. These pollutants candamage or block the signals thatcontrol your appetite. You candetoxify your body with the rightbalance of protein, fats, fiber,vitamins, minerals, and phyto-nutrients found in plant foods.

Supplement Your Diet

Most Americans lack one ormore essential vitamins or miner-als. Dr. Hyman recommends thateveryone take the following supple-ments daily:

• A multivitamin andmineral combination

• Calcium citrate(800-1200 mg/day)

• Magnesium amino acidchelate (400-600 mg/day)

• Vitamin D3 (400-800 IU/day)• An omega-3 fish ofl

supplement from areputable company thatcertifies purity;it should provide at least300 mg of eicosapentaenoicacid (EPA) and 200 mgof docosahexaenoic (DHA)acid per capsule.

As shown in the chart of recom-mended food sources and supple-ments on the following page,further supplementation dependson which key best suits you.

Boosting Life Expectancy

For the first time in history,humans are facing a potentialdecline in life expectancy.Researchers reporting in theNew England Journal of Medicineattribute the potential decline toAmerica's obesity epidemic.'Studies conducted by the USCenters for Disease Control andPrevention estimate that 112,000Americans die each year as a directresult of obesity." Dr. Hymanblames the food, drug, and health-care industries for ignoring what hecalls a "treatable, preventable, andcompletely reversible problem."

"The industry is not given incen-tives to promote health," says Dr.Hyman. "It is profiting from poordiets, fllness, and obesity."'

Ultrametabolism taps into yearsof medical research that has neverbeen translated into clinical prac-tice. Dr. Hyman's new paradigm forautomatic weight loss has put per-sonalized medicine within every-one's reach.

According to Dr. Hyman, thismeans that "people can take advan-tage of the medicine of the future,right now." •

Por more informationvisit www.drhyman.com.

Ultrametabolism retails for $15.35.Life Extension members pay only

$11.51. To order.call 1-800-544-4440 or

visit www. lifeextension. com.

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(//frdAfefd/;o//5/77 Recommended Food Sources and Supplements

KEY

CONTROL APPETITE

SUBOUE STRESS

REOUCE INFLAMMATION

PREVENT OXIDATIVE STRESS

TURN CALORIES INTO ENERGY

FORTIFY YOUR THYROIO

SUPPORT LIVER DETOXIFICATION

FOOD SOURCES

Ginseng; green tea;fenugreek; cinnamon

Ginseng; rhodiola; Siberian ginseng;ashwagandha; iicorice

Capsaicin (from cayenne pepper); green tea;ginger; quercetin (from fruit andvegetable rinds); turmeric; cocoa

Ginkgo; ginger; green tea polyphenols; grape seedextract; milk thistle; rosemary; turmeric

Alt colorful fruits and vegetables;essential fatty acids from wild fish;

seaweed; nuts; seeds

Seaweed; sea vegetables;sardines; salmon

Dandelion; broccoli; collard greens;kale; watercress;

pomegranate; green tea

SUPPLEMENTS

Lipoic acid; gamma-linolenic acid (GLA);P G r fiber blend

Vitamin B complex; magnesium;vitamin C;zinc

Probiotics {iactobaciHus acidophilus,Bitidobacterium bifidum); bromelain and

proteolytic enzymes; antioxidants

N-acetylcysteine; lipoic acid;coenzyme QIO

N-acetylcysteine; lipoic acid; coenzyme QIO;acetyl-L-carnitine; nicotinamide adenine

dinucleotide (NADH); creatine powder;aspartic acid; D-ribose

Vitamin E; vitamin A; selenium;iodine; vitamin D;zinc

Probiotics {Lactobacillus acidophilus,Bifidobacterium bifiduin]\ vitamin C with

mineral ascorbates; N-acetylcysteine;lipoic acid; taurine; glycine; bioflavonoids

(quercetin, grape seed extract, rutin)

References

Sarlio-Lahteenkorva S, Rjssanen A, KaprioJ. A descriptive study of weight loss main-tenance: 6 and 15 year follow-upof ini-tially overweight adults. IntfOhes RelatMetah DisnriL 2000 ian;24(ll:116-25.Kaput J. Decoding the pyramid: a systems-biological approach to nutrigenomics. AnnNYAcadSci. 2005 Dec; 1055:64-79.Berger A, Brand M, O'Rahiily S.Uncoupling proteins: the unravelling ofobesity? Increased understanding ofmechanisms may lead, in time, to betterdrugs. BMJ. 1998 Dec 12;317(7173):1607-8.Wortley KE, del Rincon )I Murray JD, et al.Absence of ghrelin protects against early-onset obesity. / Ctin Invest. 2005Dec;ll5(]2):3573-8.

5. Phinney SD. Fatty acids, inflammation,and the metabolic syndrome. Am j ClinMifr. 2005Dec;8216):1151-2.

6. Xu H. Barnes GT, Yang Q, et al. Chronicinflammation in fat plays a crucial role inthe development of obesity-related insulinresistance. / Clin Invest. 2003Dec;112(12):1821-30.

7. Olshansky SJ, Passaro D). Hershow RC, etal. A potential decline in life expectancy inthe United States in the 21st century, NErtg/yMed. 2005 Mar ]7;352(ll):1138-45.Flegal KM, Graubard Bl. Williamson DF.Gail MH. Hxcess deaths associated withunderweiglit. overweight, and obesity.

. 2005 Apr 20:293(151:1861-7.

8.

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