Low Carb Weight Loss
Effective weight loss requires an understanding of the physiology and biochemistry behind it, and an easy and practical way to implement this biochemistry is through a Low Carbohydrate Approach to weight loss.
I like to take some time and discuss the physiology, the eating plans and approaches, and work this into your overall health strategy and health care situation to maintain patient safety and effectiveness of the program
I aim to bring a compassionate, intelligent, straightforward and evidence-based approach to helping you with your low carb weight loss, in an effort to contribute to your health care and life journey.
What to Know About Our Consult
The entire concept of Low Carb Weight Loss is aimed the understanding of the biochemistry of weight gain and weight loss, and managing this from an Endocrine, or hormonal, perspective.
We aim to achieve “nutritional ketosis” by a combination of diet and moderate exercise, with a veiw to making this achievable, easy and able to be implemented within the context of your undoubtedly busy and hectic life.
Health Assessment
The first step is to undertake a normal consult, to get an idea of your medical history, cardiac risk factors, your life and lifestyle, goal weights, do a thorough physical examination, and check up bloods if needed.
History will focus on
- Past Medical History
- Past Surgical History
- Family History
- Current Medications
- Current Allergies
- Smoking Status
- Alcohol Status
- Diet and Nutrition
- Exercise Levels
- Mental Health
- Current weight
- Previous weight
- Motivation for change
This helps to build a picture of your health status, establish your medical situation, helps with overall cardiovascular safety and builds a therapeutic relationship.
Physical Examination
Physical examination involves a general check up, and in particular I would look for causes and complications of weight gain, if any.
I look in particular for evidence of hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, heart disease.
I usually examine for:
- Height
- Weight
- BMI
- Waist circumference
- Neck circumference
- Arm circumference
- Thigh circumference
- Pulse rate
- Blood pressure
- Respiratory rate
- Oxygen saturations
- Cardiovascular examination
- Gastrointestinal examination
- Endocrine examination
- Visual Assessment of body fat percentage
Blood Tests
Depending on your age, comorbidities, and preferences, we then have the option of doing some blood tests. I would generally focus on age-dependent check up bloods, bu we would also include your medical history and medications in deciding what we ant to look at.
Bloods would normally include:
- Full Blood Count
- Liver Function Tests
- Kidney Function Tests
- Fasting Cholesterols
- Fasting Blood Sugars
- HbA1c (averaged blood sugars)
- Thyroid Function Tests
- Iron Studies
- B12/Folate
- Vitamin D
I dont usually test for:
- MTHFR gene status
- Insulin levels
- Testosterone levels
Weight Loss Physiology
- At this point we discuss the basic biochemistry and physiology of the hormonal control of weight, and how to essentially “hack” this in order to achieve “nutritional ketosis”, how to stay in that state, and what to do in the event of brief “falling off the wagon”.
Induction to Ketosis
We discuss ways to get into a glycogen depleted state through diet and exercise, the usefulness of methods of monitoring, and how to avoid the dreaded “keto flu”.
We talk about the ideal macros to hit, and what foods to eat to get that nutritional intake, along with pragmatic ways to achieve that in context of a busy lifestyle.
Maintenance of Ketosis
Once youre in ketosis, its a matter of trying to stay in that biochemical state as deeply and as long as possible to get the weight loss outcomes you are trying to achieve.
We talk about how to do that, and what to do in the event of “cheating” or having a high carb meal or day, the benefits of that, and how to get back into ketosis, as part of the normal cycle of overall management.
Videos, To Start
Low Carb from a Doctors Perspective
As a Member of lowcarbdownunder.com.au, I find their resources to be particularly accurate, and provide good detail into the biochemistry, phsyiology and application of Low Carbohydrate nutrition.
This talk from Dr Mason describes pretty much everything you need to understand, to get started.
Intermittent Fasting
The natural extension of Low Carb eating is the concept of “Intermittent Fasting”, which is safe and effective. Used well, it represents under “tool in your locker” to accelerate and maintain your weight loss.
This video is from Dr Jason Fung, who is part of the dietdoctor.com group, which I recommend and use regularly as a resource.
Dr Thomas Perkins
Based in West End, Brisbane.
General Practice and Occupational Medicine.