by J. Bradley Myers ,CNT, CC: a graduate of SWIHA's Holistic Nutrition pragram.

The most widely accepted theory in weight loss is the Energy Balance Theory. This theory states that if you burn more calories than you are taking in; the result will be weight loss. Most all weight loss programs are built around this theory.

From Weight Watchers point system to Jenny Craig’s, LA Weight loss’s and Nutri System’s food programs; the Energy Balance theory is the central idea.

The majority of my experience with weight loss has been with clients who have been there and done that.  It is not unusual for my clients to state that they are exercising all of the time and eating six small meals daily just like the popular fitness magazine states or their trainers are telling them to do. They state that at first they had some success but now they actually feel like they are gaining weight. Some are even trying to starve themselves and yet they still gain weight.

I believe that the solution for stubborn weight loss is found in the intestines.  How we process our foods dictates our weight management, energy levels and in many ways our sleep cycles.

When discussing intestinal health we are basically talking about digestion.  The main components in digestion are the enzymes produced in our bodies that breakdown the food. These digestive enzymes are powerful but selective. They each work on specific macro nutrients. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are broken down with specific enzymes secreted in the saliva, stomach, intestines. This breakdown does not happen in an efficient manner if there is not a sufficient amount of enzymes present.

When we do not adequately breakdown our foods, we do not receive the complete nutritional benefit from that food.  Without that nutrition our body does not get the fuel it needs to maintain its vital functions nor can it meet our energy requirements. This is similar to not getting good gas mileage in your car. Your body is running but in a less than efficient way. The fatigue that can be a result of deficient nutrition can effect every aspect of our lives including our sleep and exercise cycles. 

The other problems that can arise when we do not breakdown our foods due to a lack of the appropriate enzymes are intestinal challenges such bloating, chronic fatigue, Fibromyalgia, irritable bowel, migraine headaches, acid reflux and diarrhea.

We can actually hold an extra 20 pounds in our intestines if we have a blockage or other challenges.  Remember that there is between 17 to 35 feet of intestine in the human body.  You do not need to think about that very long to realize that if your food is not broken down sufficiently before it reaches the intestine it will cause a blockage.  Food that is stuck in the intestines is exposed to 98.6 degrees with 100% humidity. It doesn’t take long before that food ferments (spoils) and combusts. When this happens toxins are released and the body has an entirely new battle to fight thus sapping our energy even more.