In theory, the slimming cure always starts on Monday or in January, in practice, we lose enthusiasm and motivation to stick to a diet in less than a week. Studies also show that loss of motivation is one of the main reasons why we fail, especially if the results are not forthcoming.
But would a better understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to weight gain and weight loss help us better understand how to lose weight? When we know what and why certain reactions happen in our bodies, we not only understand the consequences of our diets and lifestyles, but we can also turn to the right weight loss solutions for the benefit of our health in the first place. Furthermore, it is not only diet that can cause weight gain, but also factors related to age, stress levels, hormonal or intestinal flora imbalances, etc.
According to a 2012 survey conducted in France by market research agency Ipsos, 82% of French women say they pay attention to the way they look and 32% say they are on a diet. Furthermore, body weight is a stress factor for 401TPTP3T of French women, the second most worrying concern after income (421TPTP3T) and on a par with stress caused by "work life".
Overeating - when the energy we get from the food we eat is more than we need - leads primarily to obesity. Obesity is the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue and is dangerous because it increases the risk of morbidity from conditions such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, apnea and respiratory problems, endometrial, breast, prostate and colon cancers. In fact, excessive weight gain is associated with a higher risk of morbidity from all causes.
Under normal conditions, energy intake (food) is metabolized and used to provide basal metabolism, thermogenesis and our energy needs for any type of physical or mental activity. Excess carbohydrate or protein in the diet is converted into triglycerides and stored in adipose tissue for later use. So to lose weight while maintaining a fat-free body mass, triglycerides in this tissue need to be metabolized.
This is why it is necessary that the food we eat provides only the energy intake we need, which is achieved through balanced nutrition along two main dimensions: energy content and macronutrient composition. General recommendations include increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, starchy and calcium-rich foods and limiting consumption of fats (especially saturated fats), sugar and alcoholic beverages, while increasing physical activity.
This "lifestyle" helps lower triglycerides and total cholesterol (especially LDL*, considered the "bad" cholesterol), increases HDL** (the "good" cholesterol) and improves blood pressure.
A balanced gut microbiota (or flora) also makes a significant contribution to maintaining a healthy body weight. The biological functions controlled by the gut flora may be related to the efficiency with which gut bacteria manage ingested but undigested energy in the body. Body mass control depends on subtly controlled mechanisms that contribute to the growth of adipose tissue over time.
Less than 1% of excess energy intake compared to daily energy expenditure can lead to dramatic weight gain and long-term metabolic complications (years).
Consequently, all the mechanisms that influence the amount of energy from food should contribute to maintaining optimal body weight. And one such mechanism is the gut microflora, whose composition is involved in regulating energy homeostasis, i.e. the process of keeping energy within normal limits. The gut flora is therefore directly linked to energy storage in the body in the form of fat.
First, gut flora increases the body's ability to convert food into energy, then it controls the fate of triacylglycerol (the main component of adipose tissue). Third, gut microbiota increases plasma levels of lipopolysaccharides, which trigger inflammation and promote weight gain.
The temptation to eat sweet and fatty foods is the main difficulty for dieters, because unhealthy eating habits are very hard to change. Studies have shown that gut bacteria are able to 'manipulate' the host organism into consuming foods that the bacteria 'want', even if these foods have a harmful effect on the host's health. How do they do that?
By releasing signal molecules in the digestive tract that influence the host's physiological response and behavior, since the gut is in close connection with our immune, endocrine and nervous systems. There are studies showing that the microbial metabolites in the urine of people who like chocolate are different from the microbial metabolites of people who are 'indifferent' to chocolate, despite similar diets.
The good news is that we can 'manipulate' gut flora with probiotics. Studies show that certain probiotics (cultures of bacteria) can alter the microbial flora by decreasing gut permeability, inflammation and metabolic disorders, creating a gut environment conducive to weight loss.
Probiotics also tend to decrease the amount of food ingested, confirming the hypothesis that a diverse gut flora may limit microbes' control over feeding behavior.
The same Ipsos survey shows that diets have a negative reputation. Nearly half of French women associate dieting with emotions such as fatigue (191TP33T), irritability (14%) or even guilt (10%). Moreover, there is also a sense of disillusionment in this area: seven out of ten women consider diets as "boring", their effectiveness is not immediately visible, and the results also depend a lot on personal motivation to follow the diet.
More than two thirds of women on diets suffer from the so-called 'yoyo effect', where they feel they will never find the ideal way to lose weight. This feeling is validated by several studies showing that the long duration of the slimming cure is the real challenge for women.
This is why personal motivation can play a fundamental role in changing eating behavior and lifestyle. In addition to motivation, studies show that peer support also has an impact on the success of faster weight loss.
Last but not least, stress contributes to the failure of a slimming cure. Defined as a negative emotional experience that can induce biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes, stress causes insomnia, increased appetite and sweet cravings, and demotivation for physical activity, regardless of age. Stress can also be induced by vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin D, vitamins B3, B6, B6, B9, B12 and omega-3.
Studies have shown correlations between stress, weight gain and abdominal fat, and between stress and emotional eating. Poor lifestyle and high stress are predictors of weight gain, with the risk of massive adipose tissue deposition.
Thus, people suffering from chronic stress are much less likely to lose weight while on a diet - on the contrary. Studies also show that women suffering from emotional imbalances caused by stress are 59% more likely to gain weight than emotionally stable women.
Read more, a stress management program followed in conjunction with dieting leads to greater weight loss than the effects of dieting alone.
The research and development department of the Havea Group, Europe's largest manufacturer of natural food supplements, has created a uniquely formulated natural food supplement exclusively for women that helps both to lose weight and to stay motivated. Manhaē Slimming Expert is a dietary supplement dedicated exclusively to women that contributes to the slimming process thanks to its ingredients specially chosen to address every difficulty, including the motivational one:
The combination of these two ingredients - ashwagandha and Vitamin B6 - helps maintain emotional balance, contributing to a feeling of well-being and supporting motivation during the slimming process;
Manahē Slimming Expert has the extraordinary property of helping to reduce visceral fat, thanks to its content of Lactobacillus gasseri, one of the most important bacteria in the intestinal flora. Visceral fat (the fat that deposits on the internal organs) is considered very dangerous because it stores toxins in the body.
Studies show correlations between taking this lactobacillus and weight loss, reducing abdominal and visceral fat, preventing conditions such as type II diabetes or reducing blood sugar levels.
In turn, studies credit ashwagandha with a number of beneficial properties in the area of maintaining emotional balance and supporting mental functions at all ages. Ashwagandha helps lower cholesterol, improve sleep, support cognitive processing and recovery from stressful events.
The temptation of sweetness induced by various internal imbalances is a major hindrance to weight control, as we have seen above. Especially for this difficulty, in the range of food supplements Manhaē exists Manhaē Coupe Faim, designed to reduce sweet cravings and appetite.
A few key ingredients play their part: chrome- a trace element involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers.) - a plant with multiple benefits in weight control, also referred to as a "natural insulin" [59], due to its ability to regulate glucose absorption. Banaba is credited with benefits in appetite control and reducing sweet cravings, and has been used successfully in dietary supplements for weight control.
Another component of Manhaē Coupe Faim is carob (locust bean) powder, with proven properties in reducing triglycerides and increasing satiety (reducing hunger).
In addition, apple and guarana fiber add to the benefits in controlling triglycerides, reducing cholesterol and increasing lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Apple fiber reduces carbohydrate intake, induces satiety and prevents blood sugar spikes by moderating insulin secretion.
The Amerindian tribes of the Amazon consumed guarana to cope with hunger during times of famine. Because of its high caffeine content (3%-5% of the weight of a bean compared to 1%-2% of the weight of a coffee bean), guarana is a stimulant, diuretic and hypertensive. Guarana reduces carbohydrate deposition, modulates insulin secretion and stimulates cognition, and is also a source of vitamins B1 and B2. Guarana has long been used successfully in weight management products.
Because we've seen the negative impact of stress on attempts to lose weight, in the Manhaē find an excellent natural supplement for managing it, Manhaē Serenity, designed to reduce the negative impact of stress and promote physical and mental resilience.
Range of food supplements Manhaē is specially created for the health and beauty needs of all women and is produced by the French group Havea, a European leader in the production of food supplements.
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*LDL = low-density lipoprotein representing 60-70% of total serum cholesterol, i.e. the largest amount of cholesterol. LDL is responsible for transporting cholesterol particles from the liver to the tissues and mainly to the arterial system. When LDL is in excess it can deposit on the walls of arteries, along with other debris carried by the blood. Over time, this can lead to the formation of atheroma - fatty deposits - and narrowing of the arteries.
**HDL = high-density lipoprotein, which transports cholesterol from the organs to the liver to be filtered.
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