Weight loss is NOT about eating less and exercising more.

Weight loss success comes down to hormones and which hormones are produced and when in response to certain foods. If the hormonal signals are such that promote weight gain then you will gain weight regardless of what you eat. 


One key (and often over looked) step to establishing optimal hormone signalling, is to support detoxification and remove as much environmental chemical exposure as possible.  This is because research now shows that environmental toxins are a hidden factor in the obesity epidemic.


One chemical of particular importance to remove is phthalates.


What are Phthalates?


Phthalates are a large group of chemicals that are commonly used as plastics and are thus found in numerous household products, such as food packaging, furniture, and toys, and in medical devices, such as tubing and intravenous bags.


Certain plastics may contain up to 40–50% phthalate by weight. In addition, phthalates are used in personal care products, such as cosmetics, and also in pharmaceuticals. This is why I make a blank statement to avoid creams & lotions in my Metabolic Reset Program.  If you have questions about your skincare please consult your coach. In addition, If you are part of the program there is a skincare guide in the files of our private FB Group outlining key ingredients to make sure your beauty products do NOT contain. 


Because phthalates are additives, they can easily leach and transfer to air and food. As a consequence we exposed to phthalates through inhalation, ingestion, and skin exposure, and exposure is unavoidable because of the abundance of plastic in our society. 


How Does Your Body Get Rid of Pthalates?

Phthalates are rapidly degraded by enzymes and secreted in the urine. It appears that the break down products are to be responsible for adverse health effects, in particular obesity & type 2 diabetes. These breakdown products can be measured in the urine and testing exists for you to test to determine your level of exposure.   It is also well documented that the higher the phthalate levels in humans the greater the association with risk of obesity (1). 


Why do Phthalates Contribute to Obesity?

Phthalates bind to receptors inside of cells called  nuclear peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs). These receptors are known to be involved in adipose (fat) tissue regulation.  PPAR activation has been shown to be involved in different steps in glucose homeostasis, such as influence on insulin resistance (2) and on insulin secretion (2), influence on circulating levels of lipids (3), and altering the amount of visceral and subcutaneous fat (2,4).  In addition Phthalates appear to resemble estrogen and may enhance estrogen receptor response, making estrogen dominance symptoms worse.

Pharmaceutical drugs actually take advantage of these PPARS.  Drugs like fibrates and glitazones, activate PPARs and are known to influence fat distribution and change lipid status (5). Drugs that block PPAR-γ  are known to influence blood sugar by reducing insulin resistance  and are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (5).

What is the solution?

The First Step is going to be to take inventory of where your exposures are


1. Eliminate all plastic containers – food storage, water bottles, & cosmetics.

2. Take only necessary pharmaceuticals

3. Use clean household products – the simpler the ingredients the better

4. Avoid Packaged Foods ** This is why there is no packaged foods on my Metabolic Reset Program  

5. Drink clean filtered water

The Second Step involves supporting the liver in its ability to detox.  For signs you may benefit from detoxification support click here.


1. Support detoxification pathways: sauna, amino acids, liver supportive herbs, NAC/glutathione, magnesium, antioxidants, cruciferous vegetables,  B vitamins, castor oil packs etc. 

2. Work on gut health: ensure at least 1 formed bowel movement per day.

3. Avoid processed foods, alcohol, sugar – anything that requires additional detoxing by the liver.

I hope this information was helpful and If you re you ready to support detoxification in order to …

Boost your energy

Elevate your mood

Master your metabolism

And get your mojo back

Check out the Metabolic Reset Program. Registration is now OPEN.

****Note an application call is required to determine if the program is right for you. Click here to learn more.

References:

Hatch EE, Nelson JW, Qureshi MM, et al. Association of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with body mass index and waist circumference: a cross-sectional study of NHANES data, 1999-2002. Environ Health 2008;7:27pmid:18522739

Lebovitz HE, Banerji MA. Insulin resistance and its treatment by thiazolidinediones. Recent Prog Horm Res 2001;56:265–294pmid:11237217

Thomas EL, Potter E, Tosi I, et al. Pioglitazone added to conventional lipid-lowering treatment in familial combined hyperlipidaemia improves parameters of metabolic control: relation to liver, muscle and regional body fat content. Atherosclerosis 2007;195:e181–e190pmid:17482623

Moon JH, Kim HJ, Kim SK, et al. Fat redistribution preferentially reflects the anti-inflammatory benefits of pioglitazone treatment. Metabolism 2011;60:165–172pmid:20092860

Kim SK, Hur KY, Kim HJ, et al. The increase in abdominal subcutaneous fat depot is an independent factor to determine the glycemic control after rosiglitazone treatment. Eur J Endocrinol 2007;157:167–174pmid:17656594

. The increase in abdominal subcutaneous fat depot is an independent factor to determine the glycemic control after rosiglitazone treatment. Eur J Endocrinol 2007;157:167–174pmid:17656594