Obesity
Not a willpower problem. Obesity is a complex metabolic condition involving hormonal dysregulation, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and environmental factors. The "eat less, move more" advice ignores biology. When hormones drive fat storage, addressing the hormonal roots—not just calories—is key to sustainable change.
The Hormonal Model
Obesity is a hormonal problem, not just a calorie problem:
Insulin = Fat Storage
High insulin tells body to store fat and blocks fat burning. Carbs spike insulin most.
Leptin Resistance
Fat cells make leptin (fullness hormone). Brain stops "hearing" it. Never feel satisfied.
Ghrelin Dysregulation
Hunger hormone. Sleep deprivation raises it. Processed foods don't suppress it well.
Cortisol → Belly Fat
Chronic stress raises cortisol. Cortisol promotes visceral fat storage specifically.
Thyroid Slowdown
Low thyroid = slow metabolism. Dieting can further suppress thyroid function.
Set Point Theory
Body defends weight. Lose weight → metabolism drops, hunger rises. Requires hormonal reset.
Why Most Diets Fail
Calorie Restriction Trap
- Metabolic adaptation: Body burns less to compensate
- Hunger increases: Ghrelin goes up, leptin goes down
- Muscle loss: Body burns muscle along with fat
- Thyroid suppression: T3 drops to conserve energy
What Works Instead
- Lower insulin: Time-restricted eating, low carb
- Maintain muscle: Protein priority, resistance training
- Fix leptin resistance: Reduce inflammation, improve sleep
- Sustainable changes: Not crash diets
Modern Factors
Processed Foods
Engineered for overconsumption. High sugar, seed oils. Don't trigger satiety signals properly.
Seed Oils
Linoleic acid disrupts metabolism. Inflammatory. Replaced natural fats in 1970s.
Sleep Deprivation
Less sleep = more ghrelin, less leptin. Craving carbs. Insulin resistance.
Chronic Stress
Cortisol promotes fat storage. Stress eating. Comfort food cravings.
Obesogens
Endocrine disruptors in plastics, pesticides. Interfere with fat regulation hormones.
Gut Microbiome
Dysbiosis affects calorie extraction, hunger hormones. Obese microbiome is different.
Hormonal Approaches
Time-Restricted Eating
Eating window. Gives insulin time to drop. Improves insulin sensitivity.
Lower Carb
Reduces insulin spikes. Body can access fat stores. Not zero carb necessarily.
Protein Priority
Most satiating macro. Preserves muscle. Increases thermogenesis. 30g per meal.
Strength Training
Build muscle → higher metabolism. Muscle is insulin sensitive. Burn more at rest.
Fix Sleep
7-9 hours. Regulates hunger hormones. Improves insulin sensitivity. Priority #1.
Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation causes leptin resistance. Remove seed oils, processed foods, sugar.