Preventing Obesity via CAM''s

by Lakeisa Perry, RN

It’s no secret that eating right and exercising are the best methods for shedding the pounds. They may also be the two most inexpensive ways to a healthier weight and state of mind. Obesity is defined as a medical condition where a surplus of body fat has gathered in a position where it can have an unfavorable effect on an individual’s health (Wikipedia, 2011).

When we speak of obesity there has to be a greater rationale for the crisis. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become widely used in our current population (Mauk, 2010). As healthcare professionals, when we are performing assessment we should also asses for the use of CAM (Mauk, 2010). Obesity is a disease that affects over 60 million people in the country (Ezine, 2011) and has a particular affect on women. Looking deeper into the issue of obesity there has to be a multifaceted underlying problem. Healthcare professionals should look to the subterranean explanations for this growing epidemic. In addressing the issue we should first remember that being overweight is different than being obese. To combat the dilemma we should address the psychosocial aspect of the problem i.e. depression, low self-esteem, lack of control or a possible fundamental health issue like thyroid anomalies or osteoarthritis. I would like to believe as Americans we do not wake from bed uttering “today is the day that I will do all I can to remain obese and unhealthy”. We’ll examine some interventions to oppose the problem of obesity.

When attempting to defeat your own personal demons I believe that the battle starts in your mind. Prepare yourself mentally to defeat the problem whether you have to say a chant or read a text to start your day. You also need to rate the importance of the CAM therapy in your life and believe that it will be effective to help fight your obesity. When exploring alternative modalities to weight lose some CAM’s that can be helpful are herbs, relaxation techniques (such as mediation and deep breathing exercise) and acupuncture. Acupuncture can be used to fight obesity by suppressing food cravings, appetite and boosting an individual’s mood (Kent, 2010). Acupuncture can help by increasing the stomachs smooth muscles tone and once the muscle tone has improved the hypothalamus then triggers the hypothalamus’ satiety center and stimulates the vagal nerve to increase the serotonin level (Kent, 2010) and as healthcare professionals we all know that an amplified serotonin level will cause a diminished desire to eat. It also can have a dual benefit because it alters our mood by fighting depression. Another alternative for fighting obesity can be the ingestion of herbs. Herbs can work in your body by improving your metabolism or suppressing your appetite. To name a few, Bee Pollen can stimulate metabolism and satisfy your cravings, Chromium can help the body use fat for energy and Brewer’s Yeast has been known to reduce various cravings for food and drink (Ezine.com, 2011). Herbs are not designed to replace your diet and there are some drawbacks to these alternative methods. For instance Bee Pollen should only be used for a short period of time (WebMD, 2011) and can cause an allergic reaction if taken without the knowledge of an allergy to the product. It has also been reported that Chromium can cause DNA damage (About.com, 2011) and should be used short term.

The benefit can sometimes out way the risk when attempting to combat obesity and by addressing the predicament known as obesity one can improve cardiovascular function, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorders, depression and hypertension.
Obesity can be precluded and is one of the major principles to death prevention for most individuals (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).

Always consult with your physician before attempting an alternative treatment.

References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Four specific health behaviors contributing to a longer life. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://cdc.gov/Features/LiveLonger/.
Kent, L.T. (2010). Acupuncture for obesity. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/107364-acupuncture-obesity/
Mauk, K.L. (2010). Gerontological nursing competencies for care (2nd ed.).Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Nick, D. (2007). Herbs to fight obesity. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://health.ezine9.com/herbs-to-fight-obesity-1381ca599f.html
WebMD. (2011). Bee pollen benefits and side effects. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://www.webmd.com/balance/bee-pollen-benefits-and-side-effects
Wikipedia. (2011). Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-obesity_medication
Wong, C. (2007). Chromium pilcolinate side effects. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/chromiumsideeff.htm

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.