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Chemical Warfare
Overeating causes fat gain, but certain everyday chemicals in our foods and homes make it happen faster and make fat loss challenging. Info here.
Imagine a pair of identical twins. Let's call them Robert and Matt. Imagine they're separated at birth and adopted by different families. Now, fast-forward a few decades. Robert and Matt are overweight but decide to clean up their diets and start training. Both adopt the same nutrition and exercise plan. But then, things get weird.
Robert loses fat easily. Matt, on the other hand, is struggling. Even when he's disciplined, the fat sticks like globs of glue. It's like his body is fighting against him. Sometimes, his cravings win. He wants to blame his "bad genetics," but he has the same genes as his brother.
Well, you say, Robert just has more willpower. Maybe so. Or maybe Matt does have something working against him. What if Matt was exposed to a bunch of chemicals that make fat gain easy and fat loss difficult?
You don't have to use your imagination. These chemicals are called obesogens.
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What Are Obesogens?
Obesogens are a whole category of chemicals and compounds that disrupt normal hormonal function and metabolic health when accumulated in the body. Here's what they can do:
- Increase the number and size of fat cells (adipogenesis).
- Disrupt normal appetite signaling and metabolism by mimicking or blocking hormones.
- Alter gene expression, leading to increased fat storage or changes in metabolic rate.
- Change gut bacteria in ways that promote fat gain.
- Make it easier to store fat and harder to burn fat.
Some researchers say that obesogens "pre-program" the body to store more fat. But before you say, "Poor excuse! People are just overeating and under-exercising!" these same researchers note that obesogens alone do not cause obesity. Instead, they work behind the scenes to promote weight gain and make weight loss much tougher.
Obesogenic chemicals don't shove junk food into your mouth, but they do throw monkey wrenches into all the machinery involved in your metabolic and hormonal health. (Details here.) Training and dieting with a body full of obesogens is like driving a car with a flat tire, water in the fuel, and bad brakes. Your superb "driving discipline" doesn't help much.
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Well, That's Scary. So Where Are These Obesogens?
Mostly in food, but they're usually not naturally occurring. Other obesogens are drugs, and various forms hide in plastic products, personal care products (most things in your bathroom), cleaners, nonstick cookware, fragrances and air fresheners, sunscreens, water bottles, pesticides/herbicides/lawncare products, stain/water/fire-resistant materials and much more.
Only a couple of natural foods contain obesogens: soy and fructose. Soy is easy to avoid. The main worry with fructose isn't so much whole fruit, but rather fruit juice and sodas sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Also, honey is high in fructose. Obviously, the usual highly processed junk foods are full of various obesogens.
Yes, it's virtually impossible to avoid all obesogens, but you can ditch the non-stick pans and plastic cooking utensils, buy only scent-free products (including laundry products and deodorant), and avoid plastic as much as possible, mainly by not storing food in it or eating out of it. Buying organic helps, too.
By the way, in the United States, companies aren't generally required to list obesogenic chemicals on food or product labels, though that may change.
How Else Can I Fight Obesogens?
You can sweat. This helps rid the body of any recently acquired obesogens that haven't established residence in your fat cells.
Luckily, many health supplements you're probably taking for other reasons also help fight obesogens:
1. Resveratrol
Resveratrol is used primarily for estrogen control and T-boosting, but it helps battle the effects of obesogens by modulating pathways related to fat metabolism and reducing inflammation. It also supports the liver, where many obesogens are processed. In short, resveratrol counteracts obesogen-induced fat storage.
Take 600 mg daily of pure trans-resveratrol. That's two capsules of Rez-V High Absorption Resveratrol (Buy at Amazon).
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2. Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and support liver function, mitigating some of the metabolic disruptions caused by obesogens.
Take 4200 mg daily using a formula containing caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glycerides, an agent that makes it more bioavailable. That's three capsules of Flameout DHA-Rich Fish Oil (Buy at Amazon).
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3. Beta Glucan
This is a natural water-soluble fiber mainly known for its immunity-boosting properties, but it's a potent weapon against obesogens:
- Beta-glucan binds to certain toxins and promotes their elimination through the digestive tract, reducing the body's obesogen burden.
- Beta glucan feeds beneficial gut bacteria and helps restore gut microbiota diversity. This improves metabolic health and counters obesogen-induced dysbiosis.
- Obesogens lead to insulin resistance and disrupted glucose metabolism. Beta-glucan slows carbohydrate absorption, stabilizing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of obesogen exposure. Beta-glucan has anti-inflammatory properties and modulates the immune system, reducing systemic inflammation and supporting healthier fat metabolism.
The algal form of beta glucan works best. Take 600 mg daily. Beta Glucan Immune-Boosting Fiber (Buy at Amazon) contains that amount derived from Euglena Gracilis algae.
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Reference
- Kladnicka et al. "Obesogens in Foods, Biomolecules." 2022 May 9;12(5):680.