Why is Losing Weight So Hard

Diet and exercise are often touted as the primary weight loss solutions. Unfortunately, that’s sometimes just not enough. Losing weight can feel like an uphill battle, especially when the body is facing deficiencies and imbalances.

Because for patients with these imbalances and deficiencies, their body is literally fighting against their weight loss goals. Diagnosing, correcting, and restoring these deficiencies to their optimal levels can help patients lose weight and keep it off. 

3 Imbalances & Deficiencies That Make Losing Weight Harder

1. Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) support heart, brain, and metabolic health. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a medical condition when your body stops producing the optimal amount of TSH. It is deemed ‘subclinical’ because the TSH levels have not dropped below the standard protocols to be diagnosed as hypothyroidism.

Unfortunately, these ‘subclinical’ levels can still cause the body to suffer unwanted symptoms. Between three and eight percent of individuals suffer from subclinical hypothyroidism. And, the vast majority of these individuals never have their condition diagnosed or treated — which can lead to a myriad of health issues, including weight gain and difficulty losing weight. 

Naturally Treating Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Because thyroid issues stem directly from hormonal imbalances, they can rarely be treated by diet and exercise alone. While these kinds of lifestyle changes may prove beneficial, patients typically require hormone treatments to restore their hormone levels and experience symptom relief. 

Some doctors prescribe synthetic hormones to restore the imbalance. Unfortunately, these synthetic hormones come with a fair number of side effects because they don’t match your body’s hormones.

Because bioidentical hormones mirror your own TSH hormones the body is able to naturally process them without suffering unwanted side effects. In a 2011 research paper published by The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, “Bioidentical hormones that are approved by the FDA may be preferred over standard hormone replacement because of their physiologic benefits and safety profile.”

2. Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin deficiencies can wreak havoc on your body. From feeling tired and sluggish to heightening stress, even minor vitamin and mineral imbalances can make it difficult to achieve your health goals. In a 2010 study, researchers found that vitamin deficiencies heighten stress — a factor that often induces cravings and excess eating. 

Vitamin B, in particular, plays a critical role in weight loss. In 2014, the European Food Safety Authority determined the average adult need 4 micrograms per day of B12. (That’s a substantial increase from the 2.4 micrograms recommended by the Institute of Medicine in 1998.)

Previously, it was a popular belief that B12 deficiencies primarily affected vegans and vegetarians. However, research from the Framingham Offspring Study suggests otherwise. The study shows that nearly two in five people may suffer from a B12 deficiency.

Naturally Treating Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin injections deliver targeted doses of specially crafted vitamin cocktails directly to the body. These quick and non-invasive treatments are one of the fastest ways to replenish imbalances. Additionally, vitamin injections don’t require the same full labs and screenings as IV Drip Therapy. Typically, you can be seen and treated within a short window of time, so you can start experiencing the benefits nearly immediately. 

3. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation and weight gain are a cyclical cycle. The less sleep a person gets the harder it is to lose weight and the harder it is to get sleep. In a study published by the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers found that curtailing sleep could decrease weight loss success by as much as 55%!

Furthermore, weight has long been connected to sleep apnea — a common condition when an individual stops breathing while sleeping, causing them to experience poor sleep. 

Naturally Treating Sleep Deprivation

Because sleep deprivation can occur from a wide variety of factors, there are a wide variety of treatments. For those dealing with sleep deprivation, the first course of action is to optimize the sleeping environment and bedtime routine. This can include:

• Getting blackout curtains to make the space as dark as possible.
• Removing or covering any lights (such as a glowing alarm clock) to reduce excess light.
• Cutting out all screentime at least 1 hour before bed.

For those struggling to get enough sleep, these simple changes are the best first step. But if these changes don’t prove to be enough, Medically Supervised Weight Loss can give patients the support and guidance to need to lose weight and promote healthier sleep patterns.