26 Nov How Is Functional Medicine Used To Treat Obesity And Manage Weight Loss?
Functional medicine aims to address the root cause of many different health conditions, and this holistic approach can also play an important role in weight loss. Combined with healthy lifestyle habits, diet changes, and medical weight loss prescriptions, functional medicine can help you lose unwanted pounds and maintain your target weight.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a patient-centered, science-based approach to health, addressing the root causes of chronic illnesses and disease and not the symptoms alone. Rather than a one-size-fits all approach, treatment plans are crafted with the patient’s unique health profile at the core.
Lifestyle factors, genetics, environment, diet, exercise, sleep habits, medical history, and more are all taken into consideration when developing a care program that will safely and effectively help a patient achieve their health goals.
A certified functional medicine practitioner is a medical professional who has undergone special training in functional medicine. In general, these individuals are MDs and are licensed to practice medicine, prescribe medications, and make diagnoses; however, some may be physicians assistants, nurses, pharmacists, or chiropractors.
Be sure to do your research to ensure you find a functional medicine practitioner that fits your specific criteria and preferences.
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ORDER NOWHow Can Functional Medicine Help With Obesity?
You may be wondering how a holistic approach commonly used for chronic illness management applies to obesity and weight loss.
Your weight and your overall health are closely linked, and obesity and overweight aren’t simply a matter of willpower. Genetics, environment, and even certain prescription medications can contribute to the number on the scale.
Functional medicine for weight loss is not just about how much you weigh, but also how to develop healthy habits and lifestyle changes to maintain your target weight. By losing even 5% of your weight, you take an important step towards long-term health by improving your cholesterol levels, reducing the chance of developing diabetes, lowering your blood pressure, and much more.
Every functional medicine practice is different, but in general, your doctor will aim to identify the root causes of weight gain and find ways to work with these challenges.
For example:
- If excess weight is caused by a medication, they may recommend an alternative medication or another workaround.
- If excess weight is caused by a trigger such as stress or emotional eating, they may advise trying stress management techniques or using accountability measures such as keeping a food diary or reaching out to a support network.
- Poor sleep is linked to weight control. A functional medicine specialist may suggest techniques for improving your sleep hygiene and help you get restful sleep consistently.
- A functional medicine doctor may also suggest ways to work with your habits, such as swapping out the types of snacks you keep in your cupboard or helping you develop new coping skills for times that you encounter a food cravings trigger.
- They may also recommend an exercise routine that improves your whole-body health in addition to trimming up your waistline.
Again, every functional medicine practice is different. This is not a comprehensive list, and there are many potential approaches to holistic weight loss that we have not discussed here.
Functional Nutritionists: What Are They?
A functional nutritionist is a practitioner who specializes in creating a nutrition plan optimized for your body and health needs. These professionals do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe a treatment for a condition. Instead, they offer guidance and recommendations for food choices, and nutrition plans are tailored for every individual.
Factors such as food sensitivities, digestive issues, personal preferences, and activity levels are all taken into consideration to ensure that diets are nutritionally complete and effective at supporting your health goals.
Can You Get a Certified Functional Medicine Professional for Weight Loss?
Yes, there are many functional medicine professionals who can craft a diet plan that helps you achieve and sustain your goal weight. The Institute for Functional Medicine offers a free search service that you can use to find a functional medicine professional in your area.
The Role of Weight Loss Medications in Functional Medicine
Weight loss medications are prescription medications that can play an important, supportive role in a functional medicine program. These medications should not be confused with over-the-counter supplements that do not require a prescription and are not evaluated by the FDA.
Weight loss medications can be an excellent complement to a comprehensive functional medicine weight loss program. A healthy weight is associated with better health outcomes as compared to people with overweight or obesity. You are less likely to experience many types of serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
There are many types of weight loss prescriptions, and each medication works in a slightly different way to help you lose weight. For example, Orlistat prevents the absorption of fat, while Semaglutide and Tirzepatide reduce your appetite and increase feelings of satiety (fullness) during meals.
Regardless of which type you choose, medications for weight loss are designed to be used alongside diet and regular exercise. Although they may have some positive effects when used on their own, you will generally see the best results when combining these prescriptions with healthy lifestyle changes. A functional medicine professional can offer guidance on how to achieve the safest and most effective results.
Understanding Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, Two Popular Weight Loss Medications
There are several types of weight loss medications available. Today, we’ll focus on semaglutide and tirzepatide, two of the most popular – and effective – prescription weight loss medications currently on the market.
Both of these medications are part of the “GLP-1” (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) family of medications and are known for their positive effects on diabetes and obesity. They are given as weekly injectable medications and may be administered either by a medical professional or directly by the patient.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that works by reducing your appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. Patients who use this medication regularly alongside diet changes and exercise experience an average 15% reduction in body weight.
This medication is sold under two brand names:
- Wegovy, which is FDA-approved for weight loss.
- Ozempic, which is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, and may also be prescribed off-label for weight loss.
In addition to its positive effects on weight loss and blood sugar control, semaglutide in individuals without diabetes has been shown to cause a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events and was recently FDA-approved to reduce the risk of serious heart problems.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist that suppresses your appetite, increases feelings of satiety, and slows the digestion of food through the digestive tract. GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is thought to enhance the effects of GLP-1, and this medication has been found to be more effective than semaglutide in studies. However, side effects may be more likely with tirzepatide than semaglutide.
Tirzepatide is sold under the following brand names:
- Zepbound, which is FDA-approved for weight loss.
- Mounjaro, which is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes management. Similar to Ozempic, this medication may be prescribed off-label for weight loss in certain circumstances.
These weight loss medications are designed to be used for long-term weight maintenance and can be a highly effective aspect of a comprehensive weight loss program.
What Side Effects Can You Expect?
Since semaglutide and tirzepatide are in the GLP family, and both are injectable medications, their side effect profiles are quite similar.
For most people, side effects are mild and go away on their own as your body adjusts to the medication. More serious side effects are possible, so it’s essential to speak with your doctor about whether these medications are suitable for you before starting use.
| Semaglutide (GLP-1) | Tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1) |
|---|---|
Wegovy
|
Zepbound
|
Ozempic
|
Mounjaro
|
This is not a comprehensive list of side effects. Check the manufacturer’s sites for a complete listing of all potential side effects and medication interactions.
Last Words
Losing weight can help you look and feel great and boost your self esteem. Maintaining a healthy weight can also help prevent or reduce your risk of a wide range of diseases.
Functional medicine aims to address the root of health issues, addressing both physical and psychological aspects of weight loss. By targeting elements such as food choices, exercise routines, and psychology, functional medicine can help you develop healthy habits that you can use to lose – and, more importantly, maintain – a healthy weight long after your program is over.
If you are having trouble reaching your target weight despite your best efforts, weight loss medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide can complement a functional medicine weight loss program. These medications help make it easier to reach your goal weight by reducing your appetite, slowing the digestion of food through your stomach, and increasing feelings of fullness during mealtimes.
By utilizing a holistic approach, sustainable long-term weight loss is possible. Speak with your doctor to learn whether functional medicine and medical weight loss prescriptions are right for you.
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