Q: I just wanted to let you know that I have been following your Fat Around The Middle plan and have already lost weight and inches off my belly.  I am 41 years old and have had an early menopause at the age of 29 and was feeling large and uncomfortable at 11 stone.

But I can’t seem to shift any more weight and have been stuck at 10 stone for some weeks now.  I’m not doing anything differently and haven’t had any sneaky drinks or food that I shouldn’t have.

I know your book recommends ditching the scales but I can’t help having a weekly weigh-in session as it does encourage me to see those pounds going down!

 

A: You are now at the point where it is important to know what that 10 stone is made up from

i.e. what percentage is fat.  If you are 10 stone and your percentage of body fat is within the normal range then that is an acceptable weight for you.  But if you are 10 stone and your body fat is too high then you need to lose some more fat (this is the difference between having fat to lose rather than just weight to lose). 

 

To make fat loss faster, increase the amount of weight training rather than aerobic exercise.  You will then put on more muscle, which is metabolically active, which burns fat faster.  But muscle weighs more than fat, so when you get on the scales you could still weigh 10 stone but you have lost fat.  Also muscle takes up less room than fat so although you might weigh the same you would look thinner and your clothes would fit better.

 

You can buy scales, which also measure body fat, and they just look like a pair of bathroom scales.  It is really important to think in terms of losing fat rather than just losing weight.

Q: I have heard that rosehip may be helpful for joints (similar to glucosamine) and that added with GOPO (Glycoside of mono and diglycerol) it may have an impact on joints. Is this true? Would this be an alternative to glucosamine?

A: It is thought that the rose hip has both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.  As far I can understand it GOPO is actually the ingredient in rose hips that is thought to be the active ingredient.  You are probably referring to research which was a meta-analysis (combination of results from a number of studies) that compared rosehip with a placebo and found that it reduced pain and discomfort by 40%.  As the research was only comparing rosehip against a placebo it is difficult to know how it would compare against either glucosamine and/or fish oil. 

I have always had good results with patients using a combination of MSM together with glucosamine plus fish oil and also some anti-inflammatory herbs like boswellia and turmeric.  MSM is a sulphur containing compound which helps to maintain healthy connective tissue, keeping the joints flexible and reducing pain and glucosamine stimulates the production of substances needed for the joints to mend and move more easily. 

As we are all different, it will be a case of trial and error to see what combinations of products work best for you.

Q: My gums get very sensitive and sore and I wondered if there is anything I can do to prevent this?

A: Inflamed gums can begin when bacteria in the mouth form plaque, a sticky substance that builds up on the teeth, especially between the teeth and gums.  As your gums are very sensitive it is important that you check with your dentist that you do not have any underlying gum disease and that you are brushing and flossing correctly.  You can also do a lot with your diet and by taking certain supplements.

 

Reduce or eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates which can provide a breeding ground for bacteria.  Add in vitamin C with bioflavonoids at 1000mg as the antioxidant effect of these nutrients can help reduce the inflammation and also boost the immune system to combat the bacteria. 

 

Co-enzyme Q10 is also another important nutrient with respect to gums.  It is a powerful antioxidant and studies have shown that it can help with gum disease and healing. Take 60-100mg of Q10 per day.  While your gums are healing you can use vitamin E a couple of times a week to reduce the sensitivity and inflammation.  Get a vitamin E capsule, pierce it and rub the vitamin E oil into the gums last thing at night.  A source of excellent quality supplements is The Natural Health Practice  on 0845 8800915.