What is Magnetic Brain Stimulation?
Who among us hasn't at some point in our lives obsessed with our weight? We may have found a new answer for you! Researchers have been testing a non-invasive procedure called Unfathomable Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS). The process helps sufferers of obesity by changing the makeup of intestinal bacteria. That action is believed to decrease cravings and initiate weight loss.
This procedure doesn't call for any implanted electrodes, but rather in this treatment, an electromagnetic coil sends magnetic pulses that stimulate certain profound regions of the brain. The coil is positioned on your scalp, and this methodology is already being used to treat major depression, and it has other potential uses as well.
Let’s look at some test results shared by Dr. Livio Luzi, M.D., who is the principal investigator, a professor, the Head of Endocrinology at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, as well as the University of Milan in Milan, Italy. The study results indicate that obesity may be attributed to a deficient gut microbiota that leads to a lack of balance between both good and bad microorganisms in our digestive tracts. This affliction can change brain signals regarding feeling full after eating.
It's important to note that this was a very small study with only 14 participants over a five-week period. At the conclusion of the five weeks, testers had lost over three percent of their body weight and four percent of body fat. The results were identified via testing stool samples to learn that the test group had significantly inflated the right bacterial species, like those found in strong people. There were also similar improvements in blood sugar and pituitary hormones.
The news release, published by the Endocrine Society, indicated that it might be a bit premature to make such strong claims, stating that the study failed to consider how weight loss, as well as lifestyle changes, might impact microbial compositions. Also, the study neglected to mention costs, side effects, risks, and how the results compared to existing treatments.
The effects of obesity on the human body are well known and the current therapies don't necessarily have a positive long-term impact. Still, the results reported by the Italian researchers is very exciting.
The multifaceted makeup of our bodies, plus metabolic hormones, brain chemicals, and neurotransmitters all respond to different stimulation in diverse ways. If one of these features change, it could ultimately change the makeup of the other items. The study further states that the results are overstated and simplified.\
Table of Contents
How Is Obesity Defined?
Obesity is defined as being overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 36 percent of American adults and about half that percentage of children aged 2 through 19 are obese.
Being obese is not as simple as just eating too much, as it includes genetics, behavior, activities, medications, and other things in each person's life that could impact their weight. Obesity is also associated with inferior quality of life and mental health. It is a contributor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, and is known as the leading cause of death throughout the world.
Consequences of Obesity
Being obese can be emotionally painful and paralyzing to some people, and that is just the one of the obvious implications. Other real health concerns include high blood pressure, cholesterol, stroke and heart disease, type two diabetes, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, breathing issues, osteoarthritis, body pain, and physical functionality.
Some individuals are so self-conscious about their plight that they don’t want to leave their homes, see friends, or even talk on the phone. Obesity also leads to challenges at work with motivation, productivity, and absenteeism.
Prevention
Sadly, it isn't as easy as just telling ourselves and each other to eat less and eat healthier. Everyone is different, and sometimes it's about behavior, like need to quit eating in front of the television.
You should always eat your meals at the kitchen or dining room table, and you should have healthy sized portions for each component of the meal. Or, it could just be eating smaller meals more often during the day, drinking more water, eating fewer snacks, and the list keeps going. A healthy meal should be composed of:
- Grains
- Protein
- Fruits
- Carbohydrates
- Dairy
- Vegetables
It could also be that you need to enhance your physical activity. Walking, biking, weight lifting, dancing, golfing, or just stretching burns calories. Find something you love doing and get busy! You may not have to leave the house if that currently makes you uncomfortable. Gardening, swimming, cleaning the house, and yard work also burns calories.
Treatments
With a goal of getting to a healthy weight and maintaining that weight, there are several available treatments you can try today, while additional research is being done.
- Dietary changes like eating fewer calories, making better food choices, getting to full on less food, eliminating or at least restricting certain foods, or trying meal replacements
- Exercise
- Behavior changes, such as therapy, counseling, or support groups
- Prescription weight-loss medications are available, and we recommend you talk to your physician about options before starting any program
- Weight-loss surgery is of course, the most extreme, and it isn’t necessarily the right answer for everyone. But it is an option to consider and discuss with your doctor. The most common types of surgery include:
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB)
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
- Gastric sleeve
- Vagal nerve
Natural Treatments
If you’re into holistic medicine, then we can offer you the following suggestions:
- Green Coffee Extract which contributes to weight loss
- CLA (6,000mg 2x daily) is good for building muscle mass
- Green Tea Extract (1,500mg daily) improves your ability to burn energy
- Rhodiola (500mg daily) lowers cortisol and helps you burn fat
- Chromium (500 mcg daily) can decrease your desire to those yummy sweets
Magnetic Brain Stimulation for Weight Loss Final Words
The bottom line is doing whatever works for your body. What works for your friends or neighbors may not be a practical answer that will meet your unique needs. Taking off the weight is hard to do and keeping it off could be even more challenging.
Always remember the adage, “anything worth having is worth working for,” never give up, and set small goals for yourself that are non-food related. Things like getting yourself a new outfit, new shoes, or treating you to a manicure or pedicure can be used to treat yourself and help motivate you to keep working hard.
Magnetic brain stimulation may be a viable alternative one day. Today, more research needs to be completed to ensure we fully understand the potential benefits, risks, side effects, and costs.
