Many individuals who seek medical help for obesity have usually tried repeatedly to lose weight any number of ways, usually in the form of diets, the choice of which is never-ending and ever-increasing. In addition, individuals may have tried over-the-counter weight-loss aids, most of which are ineffective, and some of which are actually dangerous. And although most everyone knows the value of exercise, establishing a routine of physical activity is difficult for most individuals and especially so when excess weight is involved.

Traditional medical treatment for obesity focuses on calorie reduction, increasing physical activity and decreasing alcohol consumption if excess alcohol consumption is a factor in the obesity. The problem with low-calorie diets is that although the patient may lose weight initially, the diet causes the metabolism to slow, making it difficult to exercise and continue the weight loss without reducing caloric intake even more.

People who struggle with weight issues, particularly those who are obese, need natural medicine. Natural medicine doctors test a patient’s body chemistry and overall health to get to the root cause of the weight gain. First, individuals would receive a detailed diet analysis that includes recommendations for eating plans specifically designed for his or her individual metabolic type.

Some patients are placed on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet based on metabolic testing. One of the best sources of protein in the diet is soy protein. Soy has many health benefits including balancing estrogen levels (irregular levels can contribute to weight gain). Soy also helps lower cancer risk in women by blocking estrogenic activity. By eating for one's metabolic type, an overweight person is able to increase his or her metabolic rate, thus speeding up metabolism and losing weight.

Other lab tests that may be performed on obese patients include:

• Hormone testing (to determine if male or female hormones are low)
• Metabolic profile (to check kidney, liver and thyroid functions)
• Bleeding time (to check the thickness of the blood, which correlates with heart disease risk)
• Nova 8 (to check mineral and electrolyte levels)
• GITT (glucose insulin tolerance test, which tests for Hyperinsulinemia/Syndrome X)

Because hormones play a major part in a person’s energy and metabolism, one of the natural medicine treatments used for obesity is Natural Hormone Replacement.

Exercise also plays a role in weight and obesity. As a patient becomes able to exercise, he or she will be encouraged to start on a sensible exercise program to raise heart rates and burn fat. Supplements would also be prescribed to enhance the above effects and accelerate weight loss and fat reduction. In summary, the natural medicine treatment approach to obesity takes traditional medical treatments one step further by testing for underlying conditions and factors contributing to the weight gain, and customizing diet, exercise and supplements to affect healthy and successful weight loss and maintenance.