Count Toxins, Not Calories

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What makes us fat? Well, contrary to popular belief it's not as simple as too many calories (check out "Why You Should Stop Counting Calories"). In fact, there are many factors that can cause us to gain weight, and one of the major factors is the hormonal and physiological affect certain foods and substances create when they enter our bodies regardless of calorie content. Do they cause a spike in insulin? Do they alter thyroid function? Do they alter gene expression? Do they create a stress response? Do they make you feel lethargic? There are even certain substances, when ingested, that actually cause disruption in hormonal processes and metabolism. 

So what is a hormone? Well, a hormone is simply a compound that is released into the blood that is designed to interact with another organ, tissue, or cell; organs that secrete hormones are called endocrine glands. Some examples of endocrine glands in the body are the hypothalamus that helps to create the brain body connection, the thyroid gland that helps to regulate metabolism, and the testes/ovaries that release different sex hormones. Basically, hormone communication can be compared to sending a letter to someone that instructs them to perform a certain task.
  
Unfortunately, toxins are everywhere, and when they enter our bodies they can wreak havoc on normal body function. Within the scope of toxic chemicals, there is a class known as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). These toxins are found in our environment, in our food, and products we use. These EDCs can specifically interfere with hormone synthesis, hormone metabolism, and interfere with normal hormone function by affecting the thyroid, neuro-endocrine glands, sex organs, and insulin/glucose regulation. When this happens, the delicate balance of hormones can be disrupted resulting in major issues. 

Now obviously we are talking about toxins in relation to weight gain, but these different EDCs can cause many other problems such as cancer and infertility. Many of these chemicals are found in different cosmetic products, pesticides, plastic products, industrial solvents, and some petroleum based products. So basically, in stuff that is around us 24/7, and that is why it is so important to try to eliminate as many toxins as possible in your daily life. There is a more extensive list at the end of this article. 

There is also a class of toxins that is closely related to EDCs called "obesogens", and just like the name suggests, these toxins can be a factor in weight gain and obesity. Obesogens are found in the foods we eat, in different pharmaceutical drugs, and industrial compounds. These toxins can cause the number of fat cells to increase, cause the fat cells to increase in size, affect hormones that control appetite and satiety, and affect overall metabolism. One of the scariest effects of obeseogens is their potential to act on DNA without actually changing the genetic code, not only causing the individual to be more prone to obesity, but also passing the trait of obesity to their offspring. Just like many toxins, obesogens can be found in synthetic products, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Some notable obesogens are fructose, MSG, nicotine, estradiol, and lead. Click here to learn more and see a more complete list of obesogens.

When we consume toxins, our bodies have different mechanisms in place to help neutralize them and make them able to be excreted via urine or stool (check out "How Our Bodies Detox" to learn more). When we are exposed to too many toxins, they can travel around the body, and since many are fat soluble they will embed themselves into different fatty organs like your endocrine organs or brain. These toxins can remain there for years causing that gland to function poorly. Over time, as more and more toxins build up in the body, these different organs and glands begin to malfunction more and more, and create the ideal conditions for hormone and chemical imbalances to occur. These malfunctions can lead to many different conditions and dysfunctions including weight gain.

The main function of fat cells is to store fat to be used as energy at a later time. However, there is some evidence that suggests our bodies use fat cells to store excess toxins because so many toxins are fat soluble. So just as fat is important for energy, it may also be important in keeping toxins out of other fatty organs such as the brain. So if you are consuming or are exposed to high levels of toxins, your body may be more inclined to increase fat as a means of toxin storage as well.

Another way toxins can affect you, when it comes to weight gain, is by affecting your mental status. There is a link between depression, fatigue, and lethargy caused by toxins that can be associated with excessive weight gain. If you think about it, eating healthy, working out, and putting the necessary disciplines in your life to live a healthy lifestyle takes a lot of motivation. Being exposed to different toxins and chemicals, whether from the environment or diet, can cause a lack of motivation and energy in people necessary to accomplish what is needed to lose weight. So without eliminating toxins from your diet or environment, it can be extremely difficult mentally to overcome the obstacles that are preventing weight-loss.

Hopefully at this point you aren't freaking out, but have totally re-thought the "calorie in, calorie out" model. So where do you go from here? Well, start eliminating toxins from your life. Try to eat organic foods, wash produce well, drink filtered water, use glass containers as much as possible, and avoid eating processed foods. The truth of the matter is, we will never be able to avoid all toxins, but our bodies have many very sophisticated mechanisms in place to eliminate toxins. Plus, because of epigenetics, we know that gene expression has a lot to do with the environment you place your body in. So by eliminating toxin exposure, your body will actually be less likely to express genetic traits that can lead to weight gain. 

In the end, don't use this as an excuse, because none of these factors override your free will, but it does mean some people will have to work a bit harder than others to lose weight. On the bright side, we all know people who overcame obesity, even though they might be more predisposed to it than others, proving it is possible.

Just like anything in the body, it all comes down to expression. Are you exposing yourself to toxins causing your body to express dysfunction, or are you trying to eliminate as many toxins as possible and providing your body with what it needs to help itself detox and expressing health? A little can go a long way when it comes to eliminating toxins from your life. So if you are looking to lose weight, instead of looking at the calorie content on the food label, look at the ingredient list instead. Try eating whole foods, eat until you are full, and avoid processed foods and chemicals as much as possible. I guarantee that if you do this, that you will not only lose weight, but also see a transformation in your overall physical and mental health as well!

List of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (1)

• Industrial solvents /lubricants and their byproducts 
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) 
• Dioxins
• Plastics
• Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Plasticizers 
• phthalates
• Pesticides
• Methoxychlor
• Chlorpyrifos
• Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) 
• Fungicides
• Vinclozolin 
• Pharmaceutical agents 
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES) 
• Phytoestrogens 
• Genistien 
• Coumestrol

1) Functional Medicine University. Insiders Guide: Sources of Toxins. pg10.

You might have Candida, eh?

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Candida is a yeast that is normally present in the large intestine in about 50% of the population with no effect. So why should you care? Well, because it can actually cause problems ranging from ADD and autism-like symptoms to autoimmune type diseases, leading to stuff like a sluggish thyroid and fibromyalgia. It is actually some pretty nasty stuff when it starts to grow out of control.

So Candida itself isn't the problem, it is when it starts to grow out of control and/or spreads throughout the body that problems start to arise. In your gut there are many different types of microorganisms like yeast and bacteria, and it is very important for your overall health that you maintain the appropriate levels and ratios of good bacteria. What you put into your body plays a major role in maintaining the appropriate levels. For instance, eating a diet high in sugar, processed foods, and dairy can create ideal conditions for Candida to grow and spread out of control. Also, taking antibiotics can kill good bacteria in your gut and give room for the Candida to multiply unchecked. Other things that can lead to excess Candida growth is taking oral contraceptives, a history of thrush or vaginal yeast infections, a weakened immune system, dysbiosis, a parasitic infection in the gut, the presence of mercury, and altered pH.

When Candida is in excess in the gut, or has escaped into the blood stream, it can affect any organ of the body, especially female reproductive organs. One of the reasons it is dangerous is because it creates toxic byproducts that can negatively affect different cells, tissues, and organs in your body. Specifically, it releases neurotoxins, and that is one of the reasons that it can be linked to ADD and autism-like symptoms. Whenever there is a something actively releasing toxins into the body, there is going to be major problems.

Another way that Candida overgrowth is believed to cause problems is due to a phenomenon called Cross Reactivity. This is basically when the body's immune attack cells not only see Candida as a threat, but because of similarities, also views certain cells in your body as a threat and attacks. So basically it can lead to your body attacking itself; hence an autoimmune disease/disorder.

Here's what it comes down to; at what level is your body able to express health? If you have a substance growing and spreading in your body, like Candida, that is causing all sorts of problems in your gut (which is where about 70% of your immune system resides), then it spreads and infects different tissues and organs in your body causing them to malfunction, plus it is turning your immune system against your own body by attacking good cells, and all the while, it is releasing neurotoxins into your body, you are going to have MAJOR problems. Did you follow all that?

Here is a list of some different diseases/disorders that have been linked to Candida overgrowth: Gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, gas and boating, leaky gut, dysbiosis, ADD, autism, chronic fatigue, vaginal yeast infections, irritability, chemical sensitivity, eczema, psoriasis, hypoparathyroidism, Addison disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, adrenal problems, fatigue, brain fog, constipation, irregular menses, decreased sex drive, mucous in stool, cold hands and feet, infertility, IBS, migraines, cancer, vaginitis, asthma, weight gain, fibromyalgia, food allergies, and depression.

So as you can see, Candida can be a major player in many health issues. It is estimated that about 15% of people have some type of Candida overgrowth. The good news is it's something that can be tested for via blood or saliva (stool testing is possible, but not as reliable), but an easy place to start is to take this questionnaire. Candida Questionnaire and Score Sheet. 

Obviously going gluten free is very popular right now and I recommend that everybody does it for multiple reasons. But if you have gone gluten free and are still having health problems, Candida is great place to start looking for the cause of your problem. It's kind of sneaky and many of the problems that it can cause overlap with gluten related issues.

Now, if you score high on the questionnaire, it would be a very good idea to avoid processed foods, dairy, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, vinegar products, bread, carrots, potatoes, aged cheese, and high amounts of fruit because these can all create a favorable environment for Candida to grow in your gut. Also, taking a good probiotic is essential because it will help to crowd out the yeast. Even if you do all of this, I still recommend seeing a doctor who is familiar with Candida and its related conditions because even if the Candida is gone, it can leave behind a wake of other problems due to its destructive nature.

Candida overgrowth is an opportunistic infection. So the best way to protect yourself from it, is to not give it the opportunity to grow by simply investing in good gut health, eating real food, and eliminating stress on your body.