EXCESS WEIGHT AND OBESITY,
DEPRESSION AND OTHER MENTAL DISORDERS

It used to be a common belief that overweight and obese people were all either compulsive eaters or anxious, depressed, under stress or trying to compensate for deficiencies in their lives like low self-esteem. But, as obesity reaches epidemic levels in the U.S. and other affluent societies, experts are dismissing the idea that weight gain is due purely to personal emotional problems. It's true that many obese people are depressed but they may be trapped in a vicious cycle whereby they eat a poor diet and fail to get regular exercise in the first place, making them overweight which, in turn, makes them even more depressed. The American Psychiatric Association has never regarded overeating or excess weight as a psychiatric disorder and most obese people do not qualify for a negative psychiatric diagnosis. However, while previous research presented conflicting results as to the link between obesity and mental illness, including depression, a new study suggests that there is an association. "The study of more than 9,000 adults found that mood and anxiety disorders including depression were about 25 percent more common in the obese people studied than in the non-obese," according to an article in the July 2006 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry (1). Many cases of excess weight gain and obesity have a reversible physical disorder called Insulin Resistance as an underlying cause. High levels of glucose and insulin in the blood stream are classic symptoms of Insulin Resistance, which lowers the number of insulin receptor sites on the cell walls and prevents the efficient conversion of glucose into energy. "Emotional eating is eating for reasons other than hunger. Instead of the physical symptom of hunger initiating the eating, an emotion triggers the eating." -  Jane Jakubczak, Registered Dietician, University of Maryland, Web MD Unable to enter the cell wall, glucose is carried in the blood stream to the liver from where it is redistributed as fat throughout the body. If left unchecked, excess glucose and insulin in the body may lead to weight gain and obesity. Insulin Resistance can result in the onset of a number of potentially dangerous disorders. Depressed people who seek comfort in carbohydrate-rich food may be especially vulnerable to developing the cluster of cardiovascular risk factors called Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X), especially when their extra weight is concentrated around the waist. In men, this means a 40-inch waist or larger and in women it is 35 inches or larger. Excess weight and obesity may also lead to the onset of the hormonal imbalance known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of female infertility, as well as skin conditions, excess body and facial hair and male pattern baldness in women. Additionally, Insulin Resistance can also be a root cause of reversible Pre-Diabetes which, if neglected, may lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Managing this latter irreversible condition can require daily insulin injections for the rest of one's life; it also significantly increases the risk for blindness, amputation and kidney disease. All Insulin Resistance-related disorders increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Lethargy is often a key component of depression, which results in victims losing out on both the psychological and physiological benefits of regular exercise. If people feel rejected, unattractive or suffer social discrimination, the emotional strain may cause further weight gain. The problem can become even worse if they fail to lose weight and are then blamed by other people (or blame themselves) for lack of self-control. One of the mechanisms by which depression is linked to obesity is a low serotonin level amongst depressed individuals. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that influences our feelings of well being, calmness and a sense of euphoria; a lack of serotonin causes depressed feelings. Because carbohydrates cause an increase in serotonin levels, it is often difficult for someone who is depressed to avoid eating too many carbohydrates - and the reason why they may crave them. There is no single product that reverses weight gain and obesity, which clearly need to be controlled and reduced in the case of many people suffering from depression as well as attendant disorders like Metabolic Syndrome, PCOS and Pre-Diabetes. What is required is a complete system, including nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs and minerals that are disease-specific), a realistic exercise program, nutritional guidance and a support network that will help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices. Click here to learn about the new breakthrough called the Insulite System for Excess Weight and Obesity, which is scientifically-designed to restore the balance of circulating blood sugar and insulin levels – key factors in stabilizing and then reducing weight gain caused by depression and other mental disorders. Weight loss often provides a great psychological boost and helps create a sense of well being. One of the system's formulations, called Meta-Omega X, features omega-3 fatty acids that, research shows, can have a positive effect on mood. You may be interested in some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Insulite System for Excess Weight and Obesity. My Doctor has prescribed an anti-depressant for me. Is it safe to take this medication with your product? Can I take glucophage (Metformin) while using the Insulite System? Why does the Insulite System recommend a regular exercise program? (1) Association Between Obesity and Psychiatric Disorders in the US Adult Population - Gregory E. Simon; Michael Von Korff; Kathleen Saunders; Diana L. Miglioretti; Paul K. Crane; Gerald van Belle; Ronald C. Kessler, Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63:824-830. Click here to read about What Causes Insulin Resistance Return to Home Page