Weight Management

Weight management can be a challenge for many of us. Weight gain itself is influenced by a range of factors including genetics, hormones, and socio-economic and environmental influences. It can also be a side of effect of some medications or health conditions, or as a result of unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor diet and lack of exercise. Obesity is also a risk factor for many health conditions including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, respiratory issues, and bone and joint health. Maintaining a healthy weight and balanced lifestyle has a huge number of benefits for our overall health.

Weight gain and obesity were initially thought to occur due to an imbalance between energy in (how much we eat) and energy out (how active we are). If we take in more calories than we burn through activity and exercise, we will put on weight. However, further research has shown that obesity is more complex that this, involving many body systems involved with hunger, satiety (how full we feel), and energy balance.

Research has shown that hormones released in the gut which help regulate blood glucose levels after eating play an important role in obesity. One of these hormones is glucagon-like peptide-1 otherwise known as GLP-1.

• Suppressing appetite and food intake (so you feel less hungry and therefore eat less)
• Increasing satiety (the feeling of being full)
• Reducing gastric emptying of food (helping you feel fuller for longer)
• Improving fat metabolism by reducing white adipose tissue thickness
• Enhancing browning of adipose tissue (which helps to increase energy expenditure / burning of calories)

Blood sugar balance is important when it comes to weight management because high levels of blood sugar can lead to increased appetite and fat storage.

GLP-1 is released in the intestine in response to eating and/or increased blood glucose levels. It helps support the action of insulin – a hormone which helps the cells in the body to take in glucose for energy - and reduces liver glucose production, which in healthy individuals results in lower blood glucose levels. Research therefore suggests that using natural botanicals which can mimic the effects of GLP-1 could help to maintain balanced blood sugar levels.  

Eating a low GI (Glycaemic Index) diet which is rich in protein, fibre from wholegrains and vegetables, plus healthy fats can also help
to maintain blood sugar balance, alongside regular exercise and good quality sleep.

There is growing evidence to suggest that the healthy bacteria in our gut has an impact on our metabolism by producing Short-Chain
Fatty Acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are a type of ‘metabolite’ which can influence our appetite and energy balance in the body. 

Some dietary fibres including Glucomannan are fermented by our gut bacteria to produce SCFAs. The fermentation of glucomannan and the resulting SCFAs therefore can help to regulate our metabolism which in turn can help support a weight management programme.

Some fibres act as pre-biotics in the gut. The action of the gut bacteria on the fibre produces Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) which in turn can help regulate metabolism.

There are a number of essential nutrients that play an important role when it comes to weight management. Making sure we avoid micronutrient deficiencies is another way to help support our weight and overall health.