The symptoms and complications of overweight and obesity-related health issues are numerous, such as bloating, cravings, fatigue, weight fluctuation, water retention, joint pain, SOBOE, raised blood pressure, raised incidence of CVD, diabetes, low self-esteem and many more.
Their root causes also vary, yet most begin with imbalances within our endocrine system in response to shock, trauma, exposure to toxic environment, or prolonged and continued periods of stress and anxiety. This throws our chemical equilibrium out of balance, disrupting the impulses between the digestive system and the brain (may lead to overeating ), and coupled with lifestyle choices such as lack of physical activity, poor nutrition or limited variety of foods, raised alcohol consumption, some prescription medications and seasonal disruption can lead to microbiome dysbiosis, poor digestion, poor assimilation of nutrients, thyroid imbalances, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, PCOS, endometriosis and more, all contributing to unintentional weight gain.
Here are some overall balancing tips to consider if you wish to address weight management for better health
Whilst green tea is well known for its antioxidant polyphenol content, it also has a stimulating quality. This increases metabolism whilst its' mild bitterness takes the digestive system up a couple of gears. A healthy digestive system is able to absorb and utilise all the valuable nutrients in the diet. This is important where poor absorption leads to cravings which can result in overeating and weight gain.
Green tea’s detoxifying properties boost the liver’s natural cleansing function. Green tea also has thermogenic properties again supporting sluggish metabolism. As green tea contains caffeine it is important to drink it in the earlier part of the day and opt for more relaxing infusions in the evening.
Adding spicy and aromatic herbs such as ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamon and clove to your cooking warm and stimulate your whole being and boost metabolism.
Add a slice of orange, grapefruit or lemon peel to hot water - these citrus peels contain essential oils that support healthy digestive function.
Seaweeds: Fucus (bladderwrack), Pelvetia and Ascophyllum - contain iodine and micronutrients - these are very concentrated nutritionally, when compared to land vegetables
Fresh water micro algae: Spirulina - contains amino acids and micronutrients - which are very nourishing and easily assimilated, especially in deficient people.
Samantha Enwisle, Medical Herbalist
