Metabolic Syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that, when occurring together, significantly increase the risk of many serious diseases. Heart failure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, liver disease and some cancers are just a few examples of the conditions that are related to the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterised by a combination of the following factors: – Abdominal obesity – High blood pressure – High blood sugar levels – Elevated triglycerides – Low levels of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) The good news is that metabolic syndrome is largely prev ..read more

Depression After Bariatric Surgery Bariatric surgery procedures lead to significant weight loss, improvements in obesity-related health conditions, and extended life expectancy. They enhance a persons physical and mental well-being, daily activities, social relationships, body image, eating behavior, and sexual health. However, weight loss outcomes can vary among individuals, and some may experience a decline in psychological health following surgery. Post-bariatric surgery depression is common, affecting nearly one in five patients. A 2022 meta-analysis found that 15.3% of post-bariatr ..read more

Binge Eating Disorder Over 1.1 million Australians are currently experiencing an eating disorder. Binge Eating Disorder is one of many eating disorders. It involves frequent episodes of excessive eating without compensatory behaviors like vomiting or over-exercising afterward. It’s a significant mental health condition. Binge eating comprises two main aspects: Consuming a substantial quantity of food in a short timeframe, typically within two hours. Experiencing a loss of control over eating, such as feeling unable to stop the consumption.   Guilt and shame are common in those wit ..read more

Vitamin D Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia. It is estimated that over 30% of Australians have mild, moderate or severe vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption from the gut and helps to maintain normal calcium concentrations in the body. This is important for bone and muscle health. Vitamin D also plays many other roles in the body such as reducing inflammation and modulation of immune function. The main source of vitamin D in Australia is from sunlight exposure. There is small amounts of vitamin D found in foods such as liver, oily fish and egg yolks, h ..read more

Managing Nausea - Medication Side Effects Nausea is a common side effect experienced by many patients taking weight loss medications. While it can be uncomfortable, the good news is that nausea typically diminishes over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Here are some helpful tips to manage and reduce nausea while on weight loss medications: • Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water throughout the day. Cold water is generally better tolerated. Small sips regularly are encouraged over large, quick gulps. • Avoid greasy, highly processed foods – these foods can increase your risk o ..read more

Knee Osteoarthritis Clinical studies have thoroughly documented the relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis (OA). Obesity is consistently identified as a risk factor for developing knee OA, with a 35% increase in risk for every 5-unit rise in BMI. This risk is notably higher in women compared to men. Knee OA can be highly debilitating due to the associated pain and dysfunction. Research indicates that patients with class III obesity (BMI >40kg/m²) undergo knee replacement surgery, on average, 13 years earlier than those with a ‘normal’ BMI range. As the most significant modif ..read more

The Pancreas The pancreas is a small but very important organ. It lives in your abdominal cavity tucked behind your stomach in the nook of the first part of the small bowel. It has two main roles within the body; it is both an exocrine and endocrine organ. The exocrine role of the pancreas is part of the digestive system. When we eat a meal the pancreas will release digestive enzymes into the first part of the small bowel (the duodenum) to meet the food as it is transiting down the gastrointestinal tract. The enzymes include: Amylase – to break down carbohydrates Lipase – to break down ..read more

Percentage Weight Loss Benefits A 5% total body weight loss (TBWL) is generally accepted as a clinically meaningful amount. For a 100kg person this would mean a reduction and maintenance of just 5kgs can significantly reduce their risk of metabolic complications. Today we will explore how much % TBWL can improve health and reduce disease. We aim to explore how modest weight loss effects the individual organ systems in greater detail in future posts. For now, let’s have a wider, overall look at weight loss and its effects on the body. A 5% TBWL can • Reduce blood pressure • Improve bloo ..read more

Bariatric Surgery Criteria The general medical guidelines for weight loss surgery have recently changed and are based on BMI (Body Mass Index). To be eligible for weight-loss surgery you must meet the following requirements:  • Have a BMI of 35 or higher Or • Have a BMI between 30 and 35 and an obesity-related condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnoea.  Your doctor will assess your health history and your current metabolic status to determine if you meet the criteria for bariatric surgery. Some patients of certain ethnic backg ..read more

Ketogenic Diet Ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate diet mostly being used for weight loss. There is not one “standard” ketogenic diet with a specific ratio of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat). But it typically contains less than 50 gr of carbohydrate , high amount of protein and moderate amount of fat. The premise of the ketogenic diet for weight loss is that if you deprive the body of glucose—the main source of energy for all cells in the body, an alternative fuel called ketones is produced from stored fat. The brain demands the most glucose in a steady supply, about 120 gr ..read more