Effects of obesity: Counteracting the outcomes of excess weight

The effects of obesity on the human body and mind are significant. 

Currently, the CDC predicts that the prevalence of obesity in the United States is around 42.4%. In Europe, between 30 and 70% of adults are overweight or obese. 

Almost half of the population deals with this problem, pushing medical professionals to consider different avenues for recovery and prevention. 

Notably, obesity is now having a more significant impact on numerous population groups. Obesity isn’t just an issue facing the more affluent countries with access to greater food supplies. Issues with weight are becoming increasingly common among people who don’t know how to leverage the right combination of diet and exercise for health maintenance. 

For health providers, the answer to better care lies in the correct strategy of combined exercise, dietary management, and natural supplementation. 

What are the effects of obesity?

For decades, the effects of obesity have been linked with a reduced life expectancy and a greater vulnerability to chronic diseases, including various forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Excess weight can also harm the liver and respiratory system, an issue that gained greater attention during 2020, following the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Research reveals that excess weight can lead to a lower life expectancy, particularly among younger age groups, and may also influence:

• An increased chance of fertility issues
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Excess pressure on limbs and joints, leading to mobility issues
• Sleep apnea 
• Cardiovascular issues

Interestingly, it isn’t just the physical body that suffers the effects of obesity, but the mental and psychological health too. The association between obesity and depression is becoming increasingly prominent in study. Scientists are concerned that mental health issues and anxiety might arise from obesity for a number of reasons, including lower self-esteem, reduced social relationships, and fewer opportunities. Obesity also perpetuates low energy , which can reduce a person’s ability to seek potential solutions to their mood issues through exercise and activity. 

Counteracting the effects of obesity

Though prevention is often touted as the best cure in medical communities approaching obesity, there are steps that individuals can take to overcome the effects of excess weight. Studies tell us that a 5% weight loss can be enough to have a drastic impact on quality of life. 

A 200 lbs person that loses 10 pounds can achieve improved mobility, which opens the door for increased exercise and weight loss opportunities. The same loss of weight also reduces the risk associated with long-term illness instantly. Compared to women who remained at the same weight, women in a study who lost 5% of their body weight were 12% less likely to receive a breast cancer diagnosis. 

Counteracting the effects of obesity means finding the right combination of positive activities to address the negative relationship a person has with weight control. Clinical professionals recommend a combination of careful diet and exercise choices. Regular exercise helps to burn the fat that gathers over time from excess eating while improving mood and energy levels. 

Dietary measures may involve removing certain trigger and danger foods from a person’s routine. Foods with a high sugar contents and excessive saturated fats can perpetuate weight gain and fat lipid absorption. 

Supplementation for weight management

Diet and exercise are just two pieces of a complex puzzle for effective weight management. As the obesity problem continues to grow around the world, studies are showing that supplementation could be the extra tool required for faster results.

Most edible mushrooms can be beneficial to a weight loss diet, thanks to their higher levels of antioxidants and vitamin D, but some fungi options are more beneficial than others. One study found that supplementation from the Ganoderma Lucidum mushroom (Reishi) can slow the pace of weight gain significantly. 

Other helpful mushrooms include:

•         Maitake: Maitake dietary supplements are proven to increase metabolic activity, reduce fatty acid synthesis from glucose, and reduce brown fat stored in adipocytes. Maitake is a natural metabolism regulator, and it can reduce plasma cholesterol levels too.
•         Shitake: Shitake is effective at not just balancing cholesterol levels, but also supporting better immune response, and gut microbiota performance.
•        Cordyceps: improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to the muscles and thus promotes enthusiasm for physical activity.

In supplemental form, patients can access this unique substance without taking on any additional calories or fats. The solution works by altering the bacteria within the digestive system, reducing the rate at which the body absorbs fat. The same supplementation can also improve the number of good bacteria in the gut, reducing chronic inflammation and making it easier for human beings to absorb the right nutrition from their food. Higher energy density levels in mushroom supplements also reduce the appetite of people looking to lose weight. 

Research tells us that the practice of regular mushroom supplementation can be effective for the treatment of metabolic systems and obesity. Alongside regular exercise and a balanced diet, mushroom supplements are a valuable tool for future nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.