Despite the fact that Americans have dramatically reduced the fat in their diets over the last 15 or 20 years, we continue to get fatter. As a matter of fact, the United States has become known as the fattest country on Earth. Obesity is associated with increased risk of heart disease, various cancers, hypertension, diabetes and reduced life expectancy, just to name a few.

In Chinese Medicine theory, extra fat on the body is considered an accumulation of toxins and "dampness." Dampness, a term that is a little lost in translation from Chinese, has a very broad definition in the context of Chinese Medicine. Damp can be considered an accumulation of excessive fluid, which could be associated with the Western medical term "edema", but it can mean much more than that. Dampness as translated from a Chinese Medical Dictionary means: a heavy, turbid, sticky evil, and obstructs the activity of Yang Qi, especially that of the spleen (digestion), causing a pale complexion, oppression in the chest, abdominal distension, fullness, diarrhea and in severe cases, and water swelling. The idea of obesity being a state of toxicity is in concurrence with much Western medical research as well. Losing weight therefore, is as important to overall health as much as fitting back into a size eight.

This article is not to lay out any kind of diet plan, but to put forth some basic ideas that can help you reduce the toxins and damp accumulation in your body - which will automatically promote healthy and permanent weight loss. Firstly, I would like to address the idea of toxicity and dampness. Toxicity in the body often causes "dampness" or accumulation of wastes in the form of fluid and fat.

Of course, the most effective weight loss plans include lifestyle changes as well as diet. True weight loss is not only about reducing caloric intake, but increasing activity, and building muscle and bone strength. I believe that toxicity must also be addressed in any weight loss program. Generally, it has been promoted by most practical and useful weight loss programs to "clean up the diet." It isn't hard to admit that the basic American diet is full of empty calories, processed and junk foods, foods that are difficult to absorb, or are even poisonous! Ultimately, we must reduce the unnecessary burden on the digestive system. So, we must examine what causes toxicity.

Some toxins are obvious when examining the diet-dinner consisting of a giant package of M&Ms and a six pack of Pepsi for example. Some toxins are not so evident, such as food allergies. It is a known fact that the body will oftentimes crave that which is toxic to it in a maligned attempt to desensitize the allergic or negative reaction that substance causes. It has been told to me time and again by a sincere person striving for a good diet, that they cannot help craving a food that they know causes them problems.

The body in it's infinite wisdom-if it is in a state of balance-will cause us to crave the right foods that are the best for us. The clouding over of all the poisons and imbalances in our bodies may often cause that inherent judgment to become completely askew. This is where a little research can be helpful to determine the source of toxic substances and foods:

1. Examine the diet. A food diary comes in handy with a section that describes emotion, cravings, and digestive function included. Often, it becomes clear to the dieter how patterns of eating are established. Also, one can more clearly see the deleterious effect certain foods have on overall health.

2. Follow the blood sugar balance. Although this has to do with diet, it is important to understand appetite, cravings, energy level, and overall health by maintaining a healthy control of blood sugar levels. Dieters should not just skip meals, as it throws the body out of balance and into "starvation" mode, as well as other side effects.

3. Examine food allergies. Certain foods are common allergens, and can be tested for. BioHealth has a food allergy test that measures allergic reaction to five of the most common foods: Gluten (found in wheat and other grains, Milk, Corn, Rice and Soy. There is also another extensive assay available that tests for 90 foods.

4. Check digestive function. Malabsorption can be caused from toxic foods and other substances and can damage the gut lining. If you aren't absorbing the vital nutrients in the foods you eat, your body is basically sending out the signal that it is starving. BioHealth has a comprehensive test that measures gut damage and imbalances in bacteria and the guts capacity for absorption. Using a test in this way, one can begin to understand what is causing malabsorption and correct it.

5. Check for other forms of toxicity other than diet. Mercury fillings and crowns can leech toxic metals into the body. Working around toxic fumes and substances can also accumulate in the body.

I will continue weight issues and digestion in my next article.

If you have any questions or would like to contact me I can be reached at: E-mail or call (858) 576-7243.