![Obesity_001_[1]](https://glutenfreeworks.com/health/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/Obesity_001_1.jpg)
Unexplained weight gain is characterized by increased body mass due to excess fat accumulation that is not desired by the individual.
A body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30 signifies being overweight.
What Is Obesity?Obesity is an inflammatory metabolic disorder that is characterized by body mass index greater than 30% resulting from excessive body fat stored in adipose tissue.
Q: What is body fat?
A: Body fat is part of the body that functions as a reserve of stored energy. It is composed of fat cells, called adipocytes, having thin membranes between these cells. Adipocytes expand to store fat and shrink as fat is released as needed into the bloodstream for other body cells to use for metabolizing energy.
Each adipocyte contains a drop of triglyceride which is a type of lipid (fat). Triglycerides are a normal component in the bloodstream and, as such, are transported wherever needed as a form of energy. Excess triglycerides are the form of fat that is stored.
Initially, fat that is eaten in the diet is changed by digestive enzymes into the triglyceride form which is a molecule composed of three fatty acids and glycerol. Triglycerides are then absorbed through the small intestinal wall to be delivered to the liver. Of note, the liver can make triglycerides from excess protein and carbohydrates eaten in a meal, especially sugar and alcohol. The liver on the other hand makes cholesterol from triglycerides.
Triglyceride levels in the blood generally increase as weight increases. It is thought that an elevated blood triglyceride level hampers the body’s ability to feel full or satisfied with food that is eaten. Elevated triglyceride levels also increase the risk of clot formation because they cause the blood to become thicker. A normal triglyceride blood level is 150 mg/dL.
The causes of obesity are complex and varied. Those related to gluten sensitivity are discussed below.
What Is Hypoglycemia?Hypoglycemia means the level of glucose within cells is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this essential sugar.
Q: What are the metabolic needs for glucose?
A: Glucose is the most important simple sugar in human metabolism mainly because it is the primary source of energy for most cells of the body.
Energy contained in the glucose molecule is obtained by the body from its reaction with oxygen (oxidation). This oxidation reaction occurs in power producing mitochondria structures that are located within cells.1
Hypoglycemia is characterized by alterations in neurologic, metabolic and muscular functions:
Glucose is made available to cells through the regulating action of insulin, a hormone produced by specialized cells located on the surface of the pancreas.
What Is Unexpected Weight Loss?Unexpected weight loss is unintentional loss of body mass composition or inability to gain weight marked by decreased serum proteins and increased stool fat.1
Cachexia is a state of ill health involving deteriorating body composition that is characterized by general malnutrition and loss of lean tissue such as muscle.
Q: What are typical findings in cachexia?
A: Arm muscle triceps (the muscles at the back of the upper arm), skin folds, subscapular skin folds, fat area index, and bone mineral content are significantly lower than normal.
Cachexia may develop in protein-losing enteropathy such as celiac disease, chronic or severe infection such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria, or many chronic diseases such as heart failure and cancer.
Cachexia can develop in persons of any age.
What Is Loss of Vitality?Loss of vitality is a state of diminished power to live or go on living, interfering with normal functioning and survival.
As weakness and fatigue worsen, the affected person increasingly loses interest in surroundings, activites, and the ability to care for self.
Q: Does loss of vitality affect only older individuals?
A: No. Loss of vitality can affect all ages.
What Is Anorexia?Anorexia or loss of appetite is a reduced desire to eat which can cause unintentional weight loss.
Anorexia is a feature of many disorders caused by malutrition such as celiac disease and aging or gastrointestinal problems such as chronic gastroenteritis, and dysgeusia (loss of taste).
Q: Are there other conditions that cause anorexia?
A: Other underlying problem include medication side effects, infection, chronic pain, depression, grief, dehydration, hormonal dysfunction such as thyroid disease, primary hyperparathyroidism, or Addison’s disease, autoimmune mechanisms such as sarcoidosis, and cancer growth.
What Is Increased Appetite?Increased appetite is the increased desire for food.
Q: What causes appetite.
A: Appetite is caused by hunger.
The brain monitors nutritional needs and employs a hunger mechanism to alert us when fresh food is needed. Hunger is mainly caused by the need for protein. Low blood sugar also triggers hunger.
The tempting sight, smell, taste and expectation of food stimulates involuntary sensory nerves. By reflex action, these sensory nerves cause muscle and sensory activity in various digestive organs. Salivary glands in the mouth begin to secrete saliva as stomach glands and muscles become active.1
What Is Hypokalemia?H ypokalemia means the level of potassium in the bloodstream is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this mineral and is characterized by metabolic acidosis, altered nerve conduction and muscle contraction.
Rapid potassium loss can result in life-threatening hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis which is destruction of muscle tissue that results in kidney damage.1
Q: What are metabolic needs of the body for potassium?
A: The metabolic needs of the body for potassium are great because this mineral is crucial for life and especially for normal nerve and muscle function.
Most potassium is intracellular, meaning it is found within cells while sodium, its opposing mineral (both electrolytes), is found in the fluid surrounding cells. In muscle contraction, exchange of potassium and sodium takes place so that potassium moves out of muscle cells and sodium moves into them. With muscle relaxation, potassium moves back into the cells and sodium moves out.