As obesity is not caused by a single factor, there is not a single solution.
Weight loss is determined by the interaction of one’s unique physiology and the environmental influences that are acting upon it.
NIHA'S integrative medicine approach to Weight Loss uses a personalized approach with lab testing, nutrition, pharmacology and other assessment tools to determine what your unique requirements are for weight loss.
There are many potential factors contributing to obesity and overweight. Some of which include: Poor diets with insufficient high quality nutrients, excessive calorie-dense foods and beverages, stress, lack of quality sleep, sedentary lifestyle, hormonal imbalances and an unhealthy gut microbiome. See the complete list:
Do you have?
These comorbidities and symptoms can all be associated with excess body fat especially around the mid-section, called visceral adiposity.
What is Obesity?
“Obesity is defined as a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease, wherein an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences.” Obesity Medical Association
The integrative medicine approach complements all the traditional tests and uses additional advanced assessment tools to gain more detailed information in order to plan the best personalized treatments based on the individual’s needs.
1. Comprehensive History
The first step is to gather the patient’s history as far back as in utero to better understand the antecedents, triggers and mediators of the disease process. This can often times be done electronically in advance of the appointment. Anthropometrics and biomarkers are evaluated using the latest technology and clinical indicators helping to create a complete picture of one’s health.
2. Modification of Lifestyle Factors
Addressing modifiable lifestyle factors (sleep, movement, stress, relationships, and diet) early on is fundamental to the success of the patient.
3. Advanced Laboratory Testing
Additional advanced laboratory assessments will further explore the “true health” status of the patient. This testing can reveal nutritional, metabolic, hormonal, and genetic factors playing a role in the disease process, which may hinder the patient from losing weight. Individualized diagnostic testing may also be recommended based on comorbidities.
• Comprehensive functional nutritional testing
• Insulin
• Hormones
• Complete Thyroid Panel (including antibodies)
• Advanced Lipid Analysis
• Inflammatory markers
• Stool analysis
• Oxidative stress
• Heavy Metal Toxicities
• Specific Genetic Testing
• Sleep study
• Coronary Calcium Score
4. A Personalized Treatment Plan
Treatment plans ALL consist of dietary protocols and supplements tailored to the patient based on the above findings. This may include meal oriented intermittent fasting, elimination diets, or cardiometabolic meal plans to name a few. Some patients may also benefit from IV nutritional therapy and/or chelation treatments. Appetite can be managed with medical and non-medical interventions after determining the contributing factors.
5. Monitoring Progress
Routine follow up is important to monitor success and make changes in the treatment protocols when necessary.
As patients’ health status improves it may become necessary to adjust current medication. We work in collaboration with patient’s primary care to keep them informed of their progress and to refer them for additional medical tests and assessments.
Get started on a personalized approach to weight loss. CALL 202-237-7000 or request an appointment.
Please fill out our form below to request an appointment.
