Abstract

Introduction

All too often, people with overweight and obesity are told to eat less and move more to lose weight. In most cases, insulin resistance is a factor that both contributes to weight gain and makes weight loss challenging. In the short-term, calorie restriction will promote weight loss, but after five years, 80% of weight that has been lost is regained. Naturopathic treatment looks at the whole person, and addresses multiple contributing factors to weight management, including diet, sleep, stress management and gastrointestinal health.

Methods

Proposed research will look at 30 people with diagnosed insulin resistance and waist circumference exceeding 80cm in women and 94cm in men. Baseline blood, urine and saliva testing will record markers such as glucose, insulin, cortisol, microbiome and lipid status alongside anthropometric measurements. A Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire will be completed by all participants. Herbal, nutraceutical and dietary interventions will be provided for 12 weeks, at which time all original markers will be retested. Dietary interventions will continue over the next 48 weeks, with further retesting of baseline tests at 24, 36, and 48 weeks.

Results

It is anticipated that all biomarkers, anthropometric measurements and sleep quality results will improve for all participants. In particular, waist circumference and insulin levels will reduce to reflect ranges outside of cardiometabolic risk. Weight loss will also be consistent in all participants.

Conclusion

This research is intended to promote health outcomes that stretch beyond weight loss and set people up with optimal health outcomes.  Weight loss needs to be the bonus that comes with holistic management of diet, sleep, stress response and gastrointestinal health.