FAQs
What are the risks to being overweight?
ANSWER: Being overweight makes individuals more susceptible to some cancers, many diseases, pain and injury. Metabolic syndrome and other related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, sleep apnea, etc. have all been associated with individuals who are overweight. Additionally, being overweight puts additional strain on your joints and back which could result in pain and/or injury.
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
ANSWER: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is used to identify if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. It has limitations because it does not take into account body composition. This is why some athletes are considered obese even though they are clearly very muscular and fit.
What is body composition?
ANSWER: Body composition is used to describe the percentages of fat, bone, muscle and water in the body. Muscle tissue takes up less space in our body than fat. For this reason the bodies of people with equal height and weight will often look completely different from each other because they have a different body composition.
Why is it important to measure body composition?
ANSWER: It is important to measure body composition because height and weight alone does not take into account lean mass and fat mass. Body composition is a more accurate measurement than BMI when assessing an individual’s weight. An individual’s BMI calculation may show them to be within a healthy BMI range; however, a person can have an unhealthy body composition by not having enough lean mass and still be within their healthy BMI range. Being under lean and over fat increases risk for disease.
What is metabolic syndrome?
ANSWER: Metabolic syndrome is a combination of several abnormalities existing together. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing other diseases like cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes mellitus. Metabolic syndrome has several acceptable definitions. To meet the criteria for one of the definitions of metabolic syndrome a person must possess 3 of the 5 following criteria:
- Waist circumference > 40 inches (man) and >35 inches (woman)
- Fasting glucose >100 or treated for diabetes
- Triglyceride level >150 or treated for this condition
- HDL <40 (man) or <50 (woman)
- BP > 130/85 or treatment for elevated blood pressure
What is metabolic testing?
ANSWER: Metabolic testing measures how much energy (food/fat) is required by a person in a day. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the measurement of how much food, or energy, is required to maintain basic body functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and maintenance of body heat while you are in a state of rest. That energy is expressed in calories per day. So an RMR measurement shows how many calories you burn at rest, doing nothing more than sitting in a chair.
Is the NuStart program based on a very low calorie diet model (VLCD)?
ANSWER: No. The NuStart program targets each individual’s unique metabolism and designs a specific strategy that will allow participants to attain and maintain their healthy weight.
Is losing weight rapidly dangerous?
ANSWER: Rapid weight loss can be safely achieved with a customized program that is designed by health experts and medically supervised. However, if not properly supervised rapid weight loss could result in conditions like dehydration, malnutrition, diarrhea, fatigue, and negative effects on your appearance. You should consult your primary care physician before you begin any weight loss, fitness programs or lifestyle changes.
How do you lose weight when you have a slow metabolism?
ANSWER: Many people who have trouble losing weight tend to blame it on having a slow metabolism. Most of the time this is simply not the case. In the American diet it is easy to choose foods that are calorie-dense and still feel like we are not overeating when in fact we are consuming more calories than what we need. The best way to identify how many calories that your body burns is to have your metabolic rate tested and establish your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). This will allow your physician to help you target a diet that will help you attain and maintain your healthy weight. Keep in mind that as your weight changes, either up or down, your RMR will also change and your diet should change accordingly to achieve desirable results.
What role does nutrition play in losing weight and body composition?
ANSWER: Nutrition plays the most significant role in losing weight and maintaining a healthy body composition. 80% of what you weigh is determined by what you eat.
What role does exercise play in losing weight and body composition?
ANSWER: Exercise plays a significant role in your overall health and weight maintenance. Exercise alone does not always result in weight loss. Often individuals who desire to lose weight will try to exercise longer and harder without seeing the results that they are striving for because they do not adjust their diet and nutritional habits. When you continue to consume too many calorie-dense foods it makes it extremely difficult to exercise your way to weight loss.
What role does genetics play in losing weight and body composition?
ANSWER: The reality is that in most cases genetics is not what causes a person to be overweight. For the most part an individual’s ability to lose weight and maintain a healthy body composition is their diet, regardless of their genetic makeup. Smarter choices in what we eat will make a big difference in how much we weigh.
Is there a way to prevent or even reverse metabolic syndrome and other related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.?
ANSWER: Yes. In many cases even losing 10% of your weight will result in decreased risk for some diseases and improved overall health. Often medications that treat symptoms like hypertension and high cholesterol will need to be reduced by physicians as patients lose weight. In many cases individuals can prevent and even reverse metabolic syndrome and other obesity related diseases by attaining and maintaining a healthy body composition.
What medications or supplements do you recommend taking for weight loss?
ANSWER: Medications and supplements are not required for NuStart’s program. NuStart often suggests the usage of fish oil, Vitamin D, and multivitamin supplementation for patients as appropriate. We also sometimes suggest chromium and 5-HTP containing supplements. The usage of supplements is patient dependent and totally optional. In appropriate cases we also may discuss the usage of FDA approved medications to aid in appetite control and weight loss. Our emphasis is on nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Dr. Jamie N. Lindsay, D.O.
Founder NuStart Health
“It’s important to have the life skills, strategies, and
environment in place that will enable you to get the results you want.”
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