I think by now we all can agree that being overweight is a “growing” problem globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently stated that “65% of the world’s population lives in a country where overweight and obesity kill more people than underweight,” and, “Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.”

Obesity is now killing three times as many people as malnutrition, according to a landmark study published in the British medical journal The Lancet. Researchers who authored the study concluded that obesity has taken the place of hunger as the No. 1 health crisis globally. With the exception of those living in sub-Saharan Africa, there has been an increase in obesity rates of 82% during the past two decades.

In addition, world leaders recently met at the United Nations to debate the obesity epidemic as a non-communicable disease that could be a “slow-motion disaster,” eventually breaking the bank. It marks only the second time a health issue has been debated during a special meeting of the General Assembly since the group pledged to tackle AIDS nearly a decade ago.

Cause & Effect
So why is this happening? Even major publications are asking this question—some with a hint of sarcasm. This quote came from Forbes; “Dr. Oz Has Found 16 Weight Loss ‘Miracles.’ So why is there an Obesity Epidemic?” In all seriousness, there is no definitive single answer to this important question, but here are a few suggestions.

• In the past 20 years we went from not having enough food to having too much unhealthy food—even in developing countries;
• Prevalence of sugars, refined flour and starches in the diet. These are the cheapest calories, and they can be plenty tasty without much preparation;
• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Fad diets: they either don’t work or don’t last;
• Misleading and false claims about “miracle” weight loss products.

The prevalence of obesity is also contributing to another epidemic: diabetes. These two conditions are the leading risk factors for many deadly diseases and contribute to an increase in mortality rates. Diabetes and obesity also have a huge impact economically because of added healthcare costs.

So what’s the solution? In the long run, it is imperative to re-teach proper dietary and activity habits. This is a difficult task due to economic reasons and the fact we are such a fast-paced society. Many foods we are consuming are processed to the point of being zero value nutritionally; yet they contain more calories than we need—sort of. We need to eat more of these foods to get the actual nutrition our body needs, which translates to high calories consumed vs. the amount of actual nutritional benefit. These foods are usually high in starches and sugars, which are inexpensive, easy to prepare and taste great. Regretfully, these types of foods (breads, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc.) fit into our fast-paced lifestyle, and our budgets.

In the short run, we need some fast and simple solutions to balance out the glut of processed, nutrient deficient foods. This is where the dietary supplement industry can and should play an important role.

However, the industry faces an uphill battle that it really shouldn’t have to fight, due to quotes like this from a recent Consumer Reports article: “Taking diet pills? Don’t waste your money.” There are numerous scientifically validated ingredients that can help address the obesity and diabetes epidemics if used properly over time.

Supplemental Solutions
Before I move forward, please keep in mind I am not making claims that these will treat or prevent diabetes and obesity. There is “no pill to cure my ill” available in the marketplace. Too often false advertising and sketchy marketing compel consumers to think that they can eat more, exercise less and still lose weight. Being more realistic in my approach, I recommend the use of supplements, learning new health habits, and education about weight, proper diet, etc. 

The overconsumption of starchy/sugary/processed foods is a critical factor contributing to our obesity epidemic. Recent information has shown that small amounts of sugar stimulate the same region of the brain as certain addictive drugs.  To me, this means that sugar has very strong and addictive properties. Taking this one step further, I believe anything that converts to sugar easily can also be addictive. Since starches are broken down into sugar very easily by the enzyme amylase, I believe that starchy foods are addictive in nature too. This addictive nature points to why people seem to have such difficulty eliminating breads, pasta, rice and potatoes from their daily diet. Summarizing, not only are sugar containing foods contributing to weight gain and blood sugar issues, but starch-containing foods contribute to this mess too.

This brings me to the first of my four favorite supplements for addressing our obesity epidemic: Phase 2. Phase 2 is a specific extract from white kidney beans that blocks starches from being broken down into sugar by the enzyme amylase. In studies, Phase 2 has shown to block up to 65% of dietary starches from being broken down, and therefore yields an immediate impact on blood sugar levels and consumers’ waistlines. A more recent study even showed that people who used Phase 2 daily with meals had decreased cravings for sweets. Since we are a starch-and sugar-addicted society, this ingredient can go a long way to helping address the obesity epidemic. Phase 2 offers a reprieve from the calorie counter while consumers learn to modify their lifestyles.

Another one of my favorite ingredients is Tonalin, which like my other favorite weight loss support supplements, is also carefully researched. Tonalin, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), has 18 major studies supporting its safety and effectiveness. Tonalin works in these key ways:

• Decreases the number and size of adipocytes (fat cells), lowering body-fat mass;
• Decreases the activity of LPL enzymes, which help to store triglycerides (fats) in adipocytes. With regular use of CLA, less fat gets stored;
• Increases apoptosis, the rate at which fat cells disintegrate, thus reducing the number of existing fat cells in the body;
• Increases activity of the enzyme CPT (carnitine palmitoyltransferase), so fat is burned up faster—leaving less of it in the body.

Another key ingredient in the battle against obesity, Super CitriMax, is a patented brand of the herb Garcinia cambogia. Like Phase 2 and Tonalin, Super CitriMax has extensive research studies demonstrating its benefits as part of a weight management program. The key compound HCA (Hydroxycitric acid) appears to work by this mechanism of action: inhibiting an enzyme called Citric acid lysase, which is required in the synthesis of fatty acids. Loosely translated, it blocks the conversion of simple sugars into fat. Even though the exact mechanism(s) of action are still undetermined, this ingredient shows benefits for curbing appetite and decreasing the body’s ability to make fat from sugars.

My final supplement to discuss is Chromax. Like the previously mentioned ingredients, numerous clinical studies show Chromax offers benefits in both blood sugar and weight management. Chromax is patented chromium picolinate and works by impacting glucose metabolism, carbohydrate cravings, satiety and depression.

If we go back to my theory about the foods we consume being loaded with sugar and starches and that those foods lead to increased blood sugar and fat production, then you can see why these four ingredients are high on my list for taking action against the global obesity epidemic. Until we can educate and enact better lifestyle choices, all four of these products should be looked at as components in the battle we face. They also add credibility to an area of the natural products industry that some argue is flooded with “snake oil” salesmen and “smoke and mirrors.” Science is critical not only for validating use, but to increase the credibility of the industry. As a healthcare provider, science goes a long way in my choosing what to take or recommend.

Nutritional Notes
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t include some other helpful tips to address the obesity challenge:
Eat more nuts, and focus on raw almonds. Studies show that eating just a handful of almonds daily can lower body fat by almost 20% in as little as 6 months. I find them filling and they help curb cravings for me throughout the day if I eat them early enough in the day.

Add chia seeds to the diet. Chia seeds are one of my favorite functional foods. For weight concerns, they help give a full feeling and are high in good fats. This is an excellent one-two punch for attacking weight concerns. These seeds are safe for those with Diverticulitis, and are high in omega-3s, antioxidants, fiber, protein and calcium.  Sprinkle them on just about anything: yogurt, chili, soups, smoothies, etc. They have no taste and when dry add crunch; when wet they will be smooth.

Get more good fats into the diet or add supplements. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition pointed to omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil as helping the body use fat as fuel instead of storing it. Research also shows that fish oil may stop certain kinds of fat cravings.

Report Details Cost of Sugary Drinks Milken Institute challenges America to ‘Drink Different.’ Lowering the obesity rate is key to controlling rising healthcare costs and improving quality of life in the U.S. While many factors contribute to obesity, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is a leading cause. Health economists from the Milken Institute analyzed the effect lowering consumption of such drinks would have on public health and finances; the research discovered that even a modest reduction would have a major health impact and generate substantial economic dividends. “In 2030, if Americans consume on average three fewer 12-oz. sugar-sweetened drinks per month compared to continuing on the current trend, the number of obese Americans would be reduced by 2.6 million,” said Anusuya Chatterjee, managing economist at the Milken Institute and co-author of the report “Drink Different: Feasible Strategies to Reduce Obesity.” “Reaching this goal would produce an overall savings of more than $25 billion for the U.S healthcare system.” The primary drivers of obesity are poor diet and sedentary lifestyle, the report said. “Drink Different” focuses on the “empty calories” in sugar-sweetened beverages—including sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks with less than 100% fruit juice—that contain an average of 10 teaspoons of sugar per 12-oz. container. Medical researchers have established a causal relationship between the excess calories in these drinks and a rise in blood sugar levels that often leads to diabetes and heart disease. For this study, researchers used data from 1999-2010, across market groups representing more than 75% of the U.S. population. They then created two possible scenarios of sugary beverage consumption to note the effects on obesity: a baseline representing continuation of the status quo, and an optimistic scenario assuming a moderate reduction in consumption. Analysis showed that even a moderate reduction could bring dramatic benefits to the healthcare system over a 20-year period. Among the recommended measures to reduce obesity, the report cited: Promote alternatives. Making healthy drinks more attractive could cut consumption of the sugary kind. Policymakers and consumers need to develop infrastructure and raise awareness about the importance of physical activity. Business and political leaders should work together to push for healthy lifestyles.

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David Foreman, RPh, ND is a pharmacist, author, television commentator, radio host and practitioner of natural living and holistic approaches to better health. His weekly radio program is broadcast throughout the U.S. For more information: www.herbalpharmacist.com