Weight Loss Resistance Naturopathic Care in Squamish
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Weight Loss Resistance is one of Dr. MacIver’s areas of clinical focus. She will take the time to understand your full picture, test thoroughly, and explain what is going on, so treatment decisions are made together.
What is weight loss resistance?
Weight loss resistance is a metabolic issue involving increased fat storage and decreased metabolism, often due to hormones and inflammation. This issue also affects your ability to generate energy, causing fatigue and difficulty losing weight, even if you are not eating excessively or are working out a lot. The answer is not to eat even less and work out more, but to understand where your metabolism is blocked with thorough lab testing.
Symptoms of weight loss resistance may include:
Weight gain, especially abdominal
Inability to lose weight, despite reducing calories
Fatigue
Fatigue after eating
Anxiety or mood fluctuations
Bloating or other digestive issues
Elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers
Causes of weight loss resistance include:
Insulin resistance and blood sugar issues (most common reason)
Low thyroid function or thyroid antibodies
High stress hormones
Inflammation
Gut bugs out of balance
Liver issues
Excess androgens / PMOS / PCOS
Estrogen imbalance
How Dr. MacIver approaches weight loss resistance
Your metabolism doesn’t work in isolation. Blood sugar and insulin, thyroid hormones, stress hormones, nutrients, inflammation and microbiome out of balance can all influence your ability to burn fat for energy, and as foundational health issues, are all worth investigating. Dr. MacIver’s comprehensive lab assessment is designed to look at these together rather than one at a time, so you have all the information you need.
The Women’s Health Weight Loss Resistance Program
Visit 1 — Initial consult
1 hour
A detailed look at your medical history and health goals.
Dr. MacIver strives to create a safe space where you can feel heard and be supported. Not only will she focus on your metabolic health, but will consider other factors that can contribute such as inflammation, stress hormones, microbiome issues and more.
At this visit:
Your initial treatment plan will begin with individualized nutrition, lifestyle and movement, and herbal medicine.
You will receive a lab requisition for comprehensive lab testing at the local lab, or LifeLabs.
You may receive a continuous glucose monitor to assess your blood sugar over the next 2 weeks.
Visit 2 — Lab review
45 minutes, about one month later
Dr. MacIver goes through your results, explains what is happening, and adjusts your plan accordingly.
She will optimize your nutrition based on your blood sugar and insulin testing. Foods to include, foods to avoid, timing of foods, and fasting will all be reviewed.
Foundational health issues will continue to be addressed including sleep and the nervous system, the microbiome, and any nutrient deficiencies found on labs.
Visits 3 and 4 — Follow-ups
30 minutes each, about 6 weeks apart
A check-in on your symptoms and progress to make sure your plan is still on the right track, while continuing to work on the foundational areas that contribute to metabolic health.
Labs that were out of range are repeated after the third visit, and your plan continues to be refined.
If needed, GLP-1s will be discussed and may be prescribed.
Maintenance Phase
The aim is to maintain what you have built, and Dr. MacIver will make sure you have the information and tools to do that.
If you are using GLP-1 therapy, you will need a check-in to renew your prescription every 3 months.
Others may want a check-in every 3-4 months for accountability, or to address new issues if they arise.
Life happens, and if you experience setbacks or fall off the wagon – this phase is designed to keep you on track, without judgement. Rebook anytime, and get back on the program.
A typical metabolic health lab screen includes:
Thyroid: TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies
Stress hormones: morning cortisol and DHEA
Liver panel: all liver enzymes to assess for fatty liver
Inflammatory markers: CRP, ESR and ferritin
Energy vitamins: B12 and vit D
Lipids: cholesterol and triglycerides
Insulin resistance: the two hour insulin challenge test with glucose
Other hormones may be assessed including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone
The Foundations of Health
These are contributing health issues that Dr. MacIver will begin to address in your first visit. They are all interconnected!
Blood sugar and insulin
Blood sugar and insulin stabilization is absolutely foundational and a very common cause of weight loss resistance. Starting your day with stable blood sugar is one of the best things you can do to maximize energy, a calm mind, and support metabolic health.
Nervous system
Our nervous system drives every function of our body and is easily put out of balance by chronic stress. Chronic stress raises cortisol, which favours fat storage, so the nervous system is especially important to consider when weight won’t shift. Sleep is a function of the nervous system, and poor sleep can indicate some work is needed here.
Microbiome
Our microbiome, or the balance of your gut bugs, is foundational to our health. It affects the immune system, inflammation, metabolic health, and histamine reactions. Symptoms like chronic bloating or constipation let us know it’s likely our balance of bugs is off, contributing to other issues in the body.
Further areas
Nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, and immune activation are other foundational issues that are explored once blood sugar, hormones, the microbiome and the nervous system are stable.
Treatment options
Every plan is individualized and research-informed. Depending on your history, symptoms and lab results, it may include:
Nutrition and lifestyle
What to eat, when to eat it, fasting, and optimum nutrition will all be reviewed. There will be a focus on blood sugar balance and building muscle through nutrition.
Herbal medicine
Selected for your situation, with possible interactions with your current medications reviewed before you start. Commonly used for calming stressed nerves and optimizing the microbiome. Berberine and other herbs are frequently prescribed to support insulin resistance and blood sugar balance.
Prescription medication
One option for managing stubborn weight loss resistance is GLP-1 medication. Dr. MacIver has additional training in prescriptive therapies and considers these alongside nutrition, herbal medicine and lifestyle. Close monitoring is provided, to target fat loss vs muscle, and to minimize potential side effects. Risks, benefits and alternatives are discussed before starting.
Consultation Fees
$735 / 4 appointments in 5 months
Pay as you go
Labs not included (approx $200-350 at the Squamish hospital lab). Lab req will be provided.
Virtual care across BC
All visit types are available in person at Garibaldi Health Clinic in Squamish, or by video or phone anywhere in British Columbia. Patients in Whistler, Pemberton, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and anywhere in BC can complete the program virtually; lab work is done at a lab near you.
Ready to start?
Book an initial consult to talk through what you're experiencing.
Not sure whether naturopathic care is right for you? Book a free 15-minute discovery visit, in person or virtual, to ask questions before booking an initial consult.