Masters of Health Magazine May 2019 | Page 51

Are you having a hard time losing weight no matter what diet you try?

Whether it’s Keto, Atkins, Whole30, Paleo or a Plant-based diet, the results are more than often just temporary. In fact, 95 percent of dieters regain everything they lose and then some within a year.

Dieting has become synonymous with suffering. No surprise there, considering the word itself is “die” with a “t.” Millions of people either starve themselves or eat things they don’t enjoy, which often requires daily white-knuckled willpower!

While most diets focus on eliminating certain foods, could the answer to the on-going weight epidemic be contributed to what’s inside food, the containers it’s stored in and even the cookware used to prepare it?

Hidden within are obesogens, or “endocrine disruptors”, chemical compounds that increase the fat cells you have, decrease the calories you burn, and alter the way your body manages hunger.

Obesogens also cause the liver to become insulin resistant. When this happens, the body must produce more insulin to store energy, which leads to increased fat storage. It’s a vicious cycle.

Fattening Chemicals Everywhere

The average person is exposed to over 100 obesogens every day! Research from the University of Texas Health Science Center and the U.S. government suggests that many of the most popular supermarket foods—including dairy, meats, condiments, drinks, and pizza—are contaminated with a variety of plastic chemicals called phthalates.

In addition to obesity, these chemicals have been linked to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, type II diabetes, altered reproductive development, and male fertility issues.

While it may seem like you can’t escape the plethora of obesogens surrounding you, it is possible to avoid exposure to many of them. Play detective and do some due diligence.

By looking at how your food is grown, raised, and packaged, you can live a healthier and leaner life.