The Hidden Dangers of the Weight Loss Paradox

Losing weight is probably one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. There are tons of documented health benefits to weight loss. There couldn’t possibly be a downside to it, right?

While losing weight is often a net gain for health, there is also the possibility of freeing toxins that have been stored in adipose tissue (that’s the medical word for fat) for years or even decades. That’s why sometimes weight loss can be accompanied by an increase in symptoms tied to environmental pollutants, causing the paradox of weight loss leading to worse health for some.

Weight Loss Paradox – The Safety Question

There’s a lot of evidence that shows that the weight loss paradox can be explained by the release of toxins that occurs during weight loss. Fat is a known reservoir for toxins, and these toxins may have contributed to weight gain in the first place. However, the storage of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fat can prevent its build-up in other organs, therefore protecting those organs against the otherwise toxic effects of POPs.

In a study of 63 participants, researchers collected serum samples before and one year after bariatric surgery. The subjects lost a mean of 70 pounds over a year. The study authors measured levels of POPs in the samples and found that after weight loss, there was a 46.7% to 83.1% increase in serum POP levels. 

There is evidence that not all fat is created equal in releasing toxins. One study found that the most significant release of toxins occurred in people who lost visceral adipose tissue (also known as belly fat, the fat that surrounds your organs) compared to subcutaneous fat (fat just underneath the skin). This effect was only observed in the patients undergoing dieting and not those who lost weight through bariatric surgery.

If releasing those toxins is so dangerous, does that mean it’s safer to keep the weight on? Not at all, as the toxins that are stored in fat tissue are not completely harmless. They can cause inflammation in the adipose tissue and be slowly released into the bloodstream over time. The concern is less about whether they are released, but how rapidly they are released and whether your body has the adequate detox support it needs to process those toxins.

Organic Acid Testing with Environmental Pollutants Panel

The best way to identify the presence of toxins before you undergo weight loss is to get an organic acid profile with an environmental pollutants panel. This quantitative measurement of 14 select metabolites can help define individual toxic burdens. The test detects the presence of POPs such as xylene, toluene, benzene, trimethylbenzene, styrene, and chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and methyl tert-butyl ether. This test, when brought to a clinician, can help them to determine the best way to support and detox your body as you undergo your weight loss journey.

This panel’s organic acid profile component helps identify your body’s ability to utilize proteins and carbohydrates optimally, as well as your ability to process fats, but most importantly in the case of fat stored toxins, it can show the body’s ability to effectively detoxify. These insights can further help you and a clinician or dietitian find the ideal path for you to lose weight in a healthy and safe manner.

Supporting Detox Pathways

Supporting detoxification pathways is critical to preventing you from facing undue effects from toxins being freed as you lose fat. Your clinician can guide you through this process in a personalized way. In these detoxification pathways, fat-soluble toxins are converted into water-soluble substances for easier removal from the body. Identifying the specific toxins present in your body allows your clinician to develop a customized approach to mitigate toxin release with successful weight loss.

The results of your Organic Acids Testing will help your practitioner support your detoxification by showing them where your body needs help in the process. Mitochondria, often called the “powerhouses” of our cells, play a crucial role in keeping our bodies healthy. When they don’t work properly, it’s linked to nearly every disease. That’s why supporting mitochondrial health is so important.

One key to healthy mitochondria is the proper functioning of the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle). This cycle is a series of chemical reactions that helps cells produce energy from the foods we eat, like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It takes place in the mitochondria and is essential for powering the body.

If the citric acid cycle isn’t working properly, it can disrupt the energy supply to the cells, leading to a range of health issues. By ensuring optimal mitochondrial function, you can support overall health and performance, and allow the body to detoxify more efficiently. Don’t worry if this all seems confusing – your health practitioner can help guide you through the process!

Eating the Right Food While Dieting

Russian researchers diagnosed food intolerance to 13 food products in 32.6 to 33.4% of obese patients. According to the researchers, “The changes in immune status in obese patients created conditions for the development of food intolerance. The timely diagnosis of food intolerance allows to personalize the diet therapy.”

You may already be aware of your food allergies, but if you’ve never done food sensitivity testing before, it’s always a good idea to know before you begin dieting about any sensitivities you may have. After all, something that’s good for most people may cause inflammation in you. Food sensitivities are different from allergies, which tend to have an immediate and obvious effect. Sensitivities are more subtle, causing symptoms that build up over time and might be difficult to nail down as the culprit behind inflammatory symptoms.

Food sensitivity testing is only available through a practitioner, and most naturopaths and dietitians can assist you with ordering such testing.

Conclusion

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By taking the time to identify potential stumbling blocks before you begin on your weight loss journey, you can make your path to better health an easier one.

References

Lee DH. Persistent organic pollutants in adipose tissue should be considered in obesity research. Obes Rev. 2017;18(2):129-139.

Hong NS, Kim KS, Lee IK, et al. The association between obesity and mortality in the elderly differs by serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants: a possible explanation for the obesity paradox. Int J Obes (Lond). 2012;36(9):1170-1175.

Jansen A, Polder A, Müller MHB, Skjerve E, Aaseth J, Lyche JL. Increased levels of persistent organic pollutants in serum one year after a great weight loss in humans: Are the levels exceeding health-based guideline values? Sci Total Environ. 2018;622-623:1317-1326.

Dirinck E, Dirtu AC, Jorens PG, Malarvannan G, Covaci A, Van Gaal LF. Pivotal Role for the Visceral Fat Compartment in the Release of Persistent Organic Pollutants During Weight Loss. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(12):4463-4471.

La Merrill M, Emond C, Kim MJ, et al. (February 2013). Toxicological function of adipose tissue: focus on persistent organic pollutants. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2013;121(2):162-169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23221922/

Sentsova TB, Gapparova KM, Grigor’ian ON, Vorozhko IV, Kirillova OO, Chekhonina Iu G. (2012). [The clinical and immunological manifestations of food intolerance in obese patients]. Vopr Pitan. 2012;81(5):83-87.

Cioffi F, Senese R, Lanni A, Goglia F. (2013). Thyroid hormones and mitochondria: with a brief look at derivatives and analogues. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 2013;379(1-2):51-61. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030372071300244X