Decoding Unexplained Weight Gain – An Investigation Into Cellular Health
Unexplained weight gain is a frustrating and confusing experience, especially when you think you are doing everything correctly. This happened to me back in the year 2000 when I became sick. I started gaining fat, while losing muscle, something I call skinny-fat, even though I was eating ideally and exercising constantly. Even though I looked fine in clothes, I knew something was not right, as I saw my abs being replaced by a layer of belly fat. Let me tell you, it’s not your fault, as there are hidden underlying factors at play that are causing weight gain.
Specifically, cellular dysfunction is to blame for unexplained weight gain. Our cells play a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and well-being, including regulating our metabolism and managing our weight. When our cells are functioning optimally, they are able to efficiently convert food into energy and eliminate waste products from the body. However, when our cells become damaged, their ability to perform these functions becomes impaired. This results in a variety of health issues, including weight gain.
Decoding Unexplained Weight Gain – Exposure To Obesogens
Obesogens are chemical compounds that disrupt the body’s natural metabolic processes and contribute to weight gain, even without an increase in calorie intake. These substances are found in everyday products such as household cleaners, plastics, and even some foods.1
Research has shown that exposure to obesogens impacts the body’s hormonal balance, leading to weight gain. These chemicals have been found to alter the function of hormones responsible for regulating metabolism, such as insulin, leptin, and thyroid hormones. This disruption leads to a slower metabolism, increased fat storage, and a decrease in the body’s ability to burn calories effectively.2
Some commonly known obesogens include bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). BPA is found in many plastic products such as water bottles and food containers, while phthalates are often used in cosmetics and fragrances. PFAS are commonly found in non-stick cookware and stain-resistant materials.3 4 5
Based on a research carried out by Consumer Reports, it was discovered that an alarming 79% of fast food samples contained BPA. The same study found the presence of phthalates in nearly all fast food and supermarket items.6
Minimizing exposure to obesogens is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. Avoid plastic containers with BPA, avoid cooking with non-stick pans, choose natural cleaning products, and limit the use of commercial personal care products. Additionally, consuming organic foods whenever possible reduces exposure to obesogens.
Obesogens Disrupt Cellular Function
One of the main ways obesogens cause weight gain is by dysregulating cellular function. Our cells have receptors for hormones like insulin, estrogen, and leptin that regulate metabolism and energy balance. Obesogens mimic these hormones or interfere with their signaling pathways, disrupting the normal functioning of the cells.7 8
When obesogens bind to these receptors, they either activate or block the signaling process, leading to an imbalance in hormone levels. This results in altered metabolism, increased fat storage, and a reduced ability to burn calories.9
Furthermore, obesogens also affect gene expression within our cells. They turn on or off certain genes that are involved in metabolic processes, leading to an increase in body weight. For example, some obesogens have been found to activate genes that promote the growth of fat cells while inhibiting genes that regulate metabolism.10
BPA’s Effects On Epigenetic Expression
Research has shown that exposure to BPA activates something called the Agouti gene, leading to weight gain and increased fat mass. This effect is not only limited to the individual exposed, but also affects their offspring.
Fortunately, we have discovered that by turning off this gene, we can reverse these undesirable effects. In the same study, when the Agouti gene was silenced in mice, they lost weight and returned to a normal state. Additionally, their offspring were also lean.11
Obesogens And The Microbiome
In addition to altering cellular function and gene expression, obesogens also impact our gut microbiome. The microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live in our digestive tract and play a crucial role in metabolism. Obesogens disrupt the balance of these microorganisms, leading to inflammation and an increase in weight.12
Heavy Metals Cause Unexplained Weight Gain
While obesogens are typically associated with synthetic chemicals, some heavy metals have also been identified as contributors to obesity. Studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals like mercury affects the body’s metabolism and lead to weight gain.13
Toxins Cause Cellular Membrane Inflammation
The negative impact of toxins on cellular membrane health is a known fact. These harmful substances, such as heavy metals, cause inflammation in the cellular membrane, leading to reduced permeability. This hinders the intake of nutrients and removal of waste products within the cells.14
To better understand this concept, imagine each cell as a city with protective walls. When the entrance gate is damaged or blocked, the city’s functioning is disrupted, causing an accumulation of waste and debris.
Similarly, when cellular membranes are inflamed, cells become overwhelmed with metabolic waste and cannot efficiently receive essential materials for ATP synthesis. As a result, overall cell health declines and various health symptoms like unexplained weight gain arise. Moreover, these toxic byproducts also trigger harmful genetic expression that is linked to weight gain.15
Cellular Membrane Inflammation Leads To Hormone Resistance
Cellular membrane inflammation is behind hormone resistance. This type of inflammation causes changes in the shape and function of hormone receptors. As a result, hormones such as thyroid hormones, insulin, estrogen, testosterone, and leptin are unable to effectively carry out their functions within the cell. This condition is known as “hormone resistance.”16
A helpful analogy to understand this concept is that of a key and lock mechanism. When the lock becomes damaged to the point where the key cannot be inserted, it is no longer functional.
Similarly, cellular membrane inflammation alters the structures of hormone receptors. This makes it difficult for hormones to fit into or efficiently dock into these receptors. As a result, even if there are sufficient levels of hormones present in the body, they are not able to properly regulate cellular metabolism because their messages are unable to reach the cells.
Hormone Resistance Leads To Unexplained Weight Gain
The hormone leptin is essential for regulating metabolism and promoting a healthy body weight. Its main role is to bind with cells and send signals that control appetite, energy expenditure, and fat storage. However, when the cellular membrane is inflamed, leptin is not able to bind effectively, leading to a condition known as leptin resistance. This impairs the proper functioning of cells and ultimately contributes to obesity and metabolic syndrome.17
Thyroid hormone resistance also occurs due to cellular membrane inflammation so receptors aren’t able to respond adequately to T4 and T3, even when they are present in normal or elevated levels. This causes a disruption in the body’s metabolic processes, leading to weight gain and other symptoms.18
Decoding Unexplained Weight Gain – An Investigation Into Cellular Health
To get to the root cause of unexplained weight gain, we must address hormone resistance and cellular membrane inflammation at the core. My 5Rs are the roadmap we will use to restore normal cellular function and finally lose undesirable weight.
R1 – Remove The Source Of Stressors That Are Causing Weight Gain
To improve cellular health, it is crucial to identify and eliminate the source of toxins like obesogens and heavy metals. This involves taking action in two key areas, preventing external toxins from entering our bodies and addressing internal toxins that have built up over time.
Preventing external toxins from entering our bodies is achieved by making changes to our daily habits and environment. This includes avoiding processed foods and reducing exposure to chemicals found in household cleaning products, personal care items, and plastics. Choosing organic and natural products is the best way to reduce the intake of obesogens and other harmful substances.
R2 – Regenerating The Cellular Membrane
Years of toxic accumulation has damaged cellular membranes. Repairing the cellular membranes of all of our trillions of cells is necessary to address unexplained weight gain at the core. The process of lipid synthesis enables cells to produce new phospholipids and seamlessly incorporate them into damaged membranes.
In addition to nutraceuticals provided in the Pompa Program, diet also plays a significant role in regenerating cellular membranes. Since these tissues are primarily composed of fat, consuming the right types of dietary fat provides the necessary building blocks for repair.
Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining the proper function of cellular membranes. As essential polyunsaturated fats, our bodies cannot produce them, so they must be obtained through diet. Both types of fatty acids play a vital role in regulating membrane fluidity and permeability.19
Read more about eating a healthy diet.
R3 – Restoring Cellular Energy
Mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining the proper functioning of our cells. These small organelles are responsible for producing ATP, the primary source of energy for cellular processes. In addition to their energy production function, mitochondria also aid in detoxifying harmful substances and regulating epigenetic expression, which plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. Adequate levels of ATP allow for the effective functioning of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps detoxify cells and prevent oxidative stress.20 21
To enhance existing mitochondrial function and promote the growth of new mitochondria within our cells, there is a selection of nutraceuticals that are incorporated into the Pompa Program. These compounds work to support and optimize mitochondrial function, helping to ensure our cells have a plentiful supply of energy for optimal functioning.
R4 – Downregulating Cellular Membrane Inflammation
When there is a shortage of ATP due to cellular membrane inflammation, it triggers an increase in enzymes responsible for producing peroxynitrite (ONOO), a highly reactive oxidant that promotes inflammation. This leads to the “NO/ONOO cycle,” which perpetuates chronic inflammatory conditions.22
To break this harmful cycle, the use of nutraceuticals is necessary to reset cellular membrane inflammation back to baseline. Without these specialized compounds, cellular membrane inflammation continues, leading to ongoing health issues despite adopting a healthy lifestyle.
R5 – Reestablish Methylation
The decrease in methylation levels activates “negative” genes. These genes, like the Agouti gene we discussed earlier, are typically supposed to remain inactive, but with decreased methylation, they become active. By turning these genes off, we can put an end to unexplained weight gain.23
Decoding Unexplained Weight Gain – An Investigation Into Cellular Health
After optimizing cellular function by increasing energy production, enhancing detoxification pathways, reducing cellular membrane inflammation, and restoring proper methylation patterns, we can finally eliminate toxins that are responsible for unexplained weight gain.
To learn even more about this phenomenon, join me in my free webinar or read more about which foods to avoid to lose weight.
References
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