Homeopathy medicine for obesity.

Obesity is the nominal form of obese which comes from the Latin obsus,
which means stout, fat, or plump. sus is the past participle of edere (to
eat), with ob added to it.
besity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty
tissues of humans and other mammals, is increased to a point where it is
associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality.
Obesity is both an individual clinical condition and is increasingly viewed as
a serious public health problem. Excessive body weight has been shown to
predispose people to various diseases.
Being obese and being overweight is not exactly the same thing. An obese
person has a large amount of extra body fat, not just a few extra pounds.
People who are obese are very overweight and at risk for serious health
problems.
Metrics
Obesity is typically evaluated by measuring BMI (Body mass index), waist
circumference and risk factor evaluation.
Body mass index is the most simple and useful index to estimate body fat. It
is calculated as follows:
BMI = Weight in Kilograms / Square of height in meters.
So BMI = Kg / square ms.
or BMI = Weight (lbs) * 703 / height (inches)2
BMI is indexed as follows for reference:
BMI
BMI
BMI
BMI
BMI

< 18.5
18.5 24.9
25 29.9
30 39.9
> 40

=
=
=
=
=

Underweight
Normal weight
Overweight
Obese
Severely obese

Calculate your BMI with our Online Calculator

Waist circumference

With day to day advancements and better understanding, it has become

clear that visceral fat or central obesity (male type or apple type obesity) has
a stronger relation with cardio-vascular diseases. BMI does not take into
account the adipose and lean ratios.
The absolute waist circumference ( > 102 cm in men and > 88 in women) or
waist hip ratio (>0.9 for men and >0.85 for women) are a measure of
central obesity.

It is considered that men with more then 25% and women with 30% more
body fat are obese. For the correct assessment, either skin fold thickness
test or under water weighing could be done.
Other measurements could be done by CT or MRI.
Calculate your Body Fat with our Online Calculator

Overeating
When food energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, fat cells (and also to
some extent muscle and liver cells) throughout the body take in the energy
and store it as fat. So when the energy consumption exceeds the
requirement, it causes obesity.

Genetic disorders

Underlying illness (such as hypothyroidism)

Eating disorders (such as Binge eating disorder)

Certain medications (such as anti-psycotics)

Sedentary lifestyle

A high glycemic diet

Insufficient sleep

Stress

Sudden smoking cessation

Weight cycling repeated attempts to do dieting to lose weight

General Discussion
Genetic factors play an important role in determining the traits of obesity.
Some genes play the role to telling the body how to metabolize food and to
use extra calories or stored fat.
Obesity runs in families as generally families eat similar foods, have similar

lifestyle habits and thinking patterns, such as that children should eat more
to become big and healthy.
Certain illnesses like thyroid gland problems or genetic diseases run in
families.
Some eating disorders like Binge eating disorder affect a persons diet as he
eats more and repeatedly often in binges. These people generally lack the
developed eating patterns learned in childhood.
It is also to be remembered that obesity is not the result of momentary
overeating. It is a long term phenomenon because people tend to overeat
over long periods of time.
Emotions can fuel obesity, as people tend to eat more when they are upset,
anxious, sad, stressed or even bored. Afterwards they feel bad about eating
more, and later to relieve this stress, they may eat even more.
Sedentary lifestyle is another important factor as people tend to eat more
when they are doing nothing and just sitting idly watching TV or video
games. Cars dominate our life and we seldom walk or exercise. There is less
time to cook healthy food and we often tend to eat fast foods.
Since the mid-seventies, the prevalence of being overweight and of obesity
in United States have increased sharply for both adults and children. Data
from two NHANES surveys show that among adults aged 2074 years the
prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% (in the 19761980 survey) to
32.9% (in the 20032004 survey). The global average stands at 14.1% with
United States of America, Mexico, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Greece,
Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Luxembourg, Czech Republic standing out
as the most obese nations.
The two surveys also show increase in weight among children and teens. For
children aged 25 years, the prevalence of being overweight increased from
5.0% to 13.9%; for those aged 611 years, prevalence increased from 6.5%
to 18.8%; and for those aged 1219 years, prevalence increased from 5.0%
to 17.4%.
These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for
Americans health. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many
diseases and health conditions, including the following:

* Hypertension
* Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of
triglycerides)
* Type 2 diabetes
* Coronary heart disease
* Stroke
* Gallbladder disease
* Osteoarthritis
* Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
* Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
American Obesity Rates have reached epidemic proportions.
* 58 Million overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 million morbidly obese.
* Eight out of 10 people over the age of 25 are overweight.
* 78% of Americans not meeting basic activity level recommendations.
* 76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990.
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and
adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or
her age and height.Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the
extra pounds often push children on the path to health problems that were
once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and
depression. One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to
improve the diet and exercise habits of your entire family.
The fat distribution in the body is identified among the two types of
obesity android &gynoid.
Android: - Android type of obesity is likened to the shape of an apple. The
shoulders, face, arms, neck, chest & upper portion of the abdomen are
bloated. The stomach gives a stiff appearance, as well as the arms,
shoulders and breasts. The back seems to be erect but the neck is
compressed and there will be a protruding chest because of the bulk in the
stomach. The lower portion of the body the hips, thighs and legs are
thinner beyond proportion in comparison with the upper part. In these
persons the vital organs affected will be mostly the heart, liver, kidneys &
lungs. Though this type of obesity is found more in males it is common in
females too. Those females, who are under hormone treatment for their
menstrual abnormalities or after childbirth, are more prone to this type of
obesity. It occurs in females around menopause too due to thyroid glands
functional disturbance. In this type, the excess flesh is less likely to reduce

especially in female than males. Android type of

obesity is a major risk for heart damage and heart
disease due to high cholesterol.
Gynoid: - In this type the lower part of the body
has the extra flesh. This type of obesity is also
common to both sexes though females are more
affected. Gynoid type of obesity is similar to pears.
The flesh is somewhat flabby in the abdomen,
thighs, buttocks and legs. The face and neck
mostly give a normal appearance. In some
persons, the cheeks may be drawn too. As these
persons grow old the whole figure assumes a
stooping posture and the spine is never erect due to the heavy hips and
thighs. This vital organs affected mostly are the kidneys, uterus, intestines,
bladder & bowels. But the functions of these organs some times have a
direct effect on the heart. In this type of obesity, exercises or dieting will not
help appreciably in reducing weight.
The third type: Besides android and gynoid, there is one more type of
obesity. Some people do not belong to any of the above type of obesity.
Their whole body from head to toe looks like a barrel. Their gait is
more to rolling rather than walking. The fat tissues in their body hinder the
movement of all the internal organs and consequently affect their brisk
functioning. For them any exercise is difficult due to the enormous size of the
body. So such person should follow a strict diet and do plenty of exercise.
Obesity increases the risk of developing disease. Obese people are more
than twice as likely to develop hypertension. The risk of medical
complications, particularly heart disease, increases when body fat is
distributed around the waist, especially in the abdomen. This type of upper
body fat distribution is more common in men then women.
Obese women are at nearly twice the risk for developing breast cancer,
and all obese people have a 42 percent higher chance of
developing colorectal cancer.
Almost 80 percent of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, also known as
non-insulin -dependent diabetes mellitus, are obese.
Obese people also experience social and psychological problems.
Stereotypes about fat people often translate into discriminatory practices
in education, employment, and social relationships. The consequences of
being obese in a world preoccupied with being thin are especially severe for
women, whose appearances are often judged against an ideal of
exaggerated slenderness.

The presence of risk factors and diseases associated with obesity are also
used to establish a clinical diagnosis .Coronary heart disease, type 2
diabetes mellitus and sleep apnea , are possible life-threatening risk
factors that would indicate clinical treatment of obesity. Smoking,
hypertension, age and family history are other risk factors that may indicate
treatment. Diabetes and heart disease are risk factors used in
epidemiological studies of obesity.
Obesity is bad news for both body and mind. Not only does it make a person
feel tired and uncomfortable, it can wear down joints and put extra stress on
other parts of the body. When a person is carrying extra weight, its harder to
keep up with friends, play sports, or just walk between classes at school. It is
also associated with breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea
and problems with hips and knee joints that may require surgery.
In addition to other potential problems, people who are obese are more likely
to be depressed. That can start a vicious cycle: When people are
overweight, they may feel sad or even angry and eat to make themselves
feel better. Then they feel worse for eating again. And when someone feels
depressed, the person is less likely to go out and exercise.

The best way to avoid these health problems is to maintain a healthy

weight. And the keys to healthy weight are regular exercise and good
eating habits.

To stay active, try to exercise 30 to 60 minutes every day. Your exercise

doesnt have to be hard. Walking, swimming, and stretching are all good
ways to burn calories and can help you stay fit. Try these activities to get
moving:
o
Go outside for a walk.
o
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
o
Walk or bike to places (such as school or a friends house)
instead of driving.
o
If you have to drive somewhere, park farther away than you need
to and walk the extra distance.
o
Tackle those household chores, such as vacuuming, washing the
car, or cleaning the bathroom they all burn calories.
o
Alternate activities so you dont get bored: Try running, biking,
skating.
o
Limit your time watching TV or playing video games; even
reading a book burns more energy.
o
Go dancing it can burn more than 300 calories an hour!

Eating well doesnt mean dieting over and over again to lose a few
pounds. Instead, try to make healthy choices every day.

Soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports drinks are loaded with sugar; drink
fat-free or low-fat milk or water instead.

Eat ample amount of fruit and vegetables every day.

Eat a healthy breakfast every day.

Dont eat meals or snacks while watching TV because youll probably

end up eating more than you intend to.

Pay attention to the portion sizes of what you eat.

If you want a snack, try carrot sticks, a piece of fruit, or a piece of

whole-grain toastinstead of processed foods like chips and crackers,
which can be loaded with fat and calories.

Eat when youre hungry, not when youre bored or because you cant
think of anything else to do.
Fluoxetine, Orsilat and Sibutramine can achieve weight loss over 12 to 50
weeks but the magnitude of loss is moderate and long term health benefits
remain unclear.
For diet / exercise resistant obesity, Orlistat plays a role by inhibiting
pancreatic lipase and reducing intestinal fat absorption. Sibutramine is an
anorectic but its safety factor for health is still uncertain.
Bariatric surgery Weight loss surgery is the use of surgical interventions
in treating obesity by reducing the volume of stomach, producing an earlier
sensation of satiety (by adjustable gastric banding and vertical banded
gastroplasty) or by reducing the length of bowel and so directly reducing
absorption (gastric by pass surgery). Band surgery is reversible but others
are not.
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. This means that homeopathic
treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological
condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing
examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the
patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency
(predisposition/susceptability) is also often taken into account for the
treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the
therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the
treatment of this condition. None of these medicines should be taken
without professional advice.
Repertorial Rubrics

Boericke [Generalities] [Obesity, Adiposis, Corpulence]

Kent [Generalities]

Murphy [Diseases, Children in, Constitution] [Obesity]

CALC-CARB., FERRUM MET., GRAPH., PHYT., THYR., ANT-CRUD.,

FUCUS, PHOS.,Ant-c., Phyt., Thyr., Amm. mur., Calc-ar., Kali-bi., Kali-c.,
Lac-d., Phos., Puls., Sep., Senega.
Calcarea carbonica
A constitutional remedy for reducing fat. The patient is FAT, FAIR
AND FLABBY. Great anti-psoric remedy with increased general and local
perspiration and swelling of glands, scrofulous and rachitic conditions.
Persons who take cold easily, grow fat, are large bellied, with large
heads and pale skin. Craving of eggs is marked with heat as well as
coldness of single parts of body. Obesity in children.
The patient feels worse by exertion, (mental /physical), ascending, cold (in
every form), water, washing, moist air, wet weather, standing. The patient
feels better in dry climate, lying on painful side.
Ferrum metallicum
Obesity with anemia, face puffy, with pitting of flesh. Best adapted to
young, weakly persons, anemic and chlorotic, with pseudo-plethora,
who flush easily and have cold extremities, suffer from weakness even on
speaking or walking though looking strong. Pallor of skin, mucus
membranes and face.
Worse by night, rest, sitting quietly and during menses.
Better by slow motion, walking slowly and in summer.
Ammonium muriaticum
Especially suited to those who are fat and sluggish and whose bodies are
large and fat with large buttocks, fatty tumors and thin legs. All mucus
secretions are increased and retained. Generally suffering from respiratory
troubles and associated affections of liver. Obstinate constipation
accompanied by much flatus. Hard, crumbling stools require great effort in
expulsion; crumble from the verge of anus.
Thyroidinum
It produces anemia, emaciation, muscular weakness, and sweating, tingling
and increased heart rate. It exerts great influence over goiter and excessive
obesity and acts best in females with paleness and uterine fibroids or
mammary tumors.
Antimonium crudum
Obesity in young people with excessive irritability and fretfulness
together with a thickly coated white tongue. All the conditions
aggravate by heat and cold bathing. Tendency to grow fat. For
children and young people inclined to grow fat, for the extremes of life. Old
people with morning diarrhea suddenly become constipated or alternate
diarrhea and constipation, pulse hard and rapid. Sensitive to the cold. < After

taking cold. Child is fretful, peevish, cannot bear to be touched or looked at,
sulky, and does not wish to speak or be spoken to, angry at every little
attention. Great sadness, with weeping. Longing for acids and pickles.
Gastric and intestinal affections: from bread and pastry; acids, especially
vinegar; sour or bad wine; after cold bathing; over-heating; hot weather.
Worse After eating; cold baths, acids or sour wine; after heat of sun or fire;
extremes of cold or heat.
Better In the open air; during rest; after a warm bath.
Graphites
Tendency to obesity in females with delayed menstruation. The patients
are stout, of fair complexion and tendency to skin affections and
constipation, fat, chilly and costive.Take cold easily. Tendency to obesity
and swollen genitals with indurations of tissues.
Phytollaca
An important remedy for obesity. Reduces fat and false growths. It is
pre-eminently a glandular remedy with glandular swellings heat
and inflammations. Helps to reduce fat and thus reduce weight. It is useful
in rheumatism of syphilitic origin where the pains are wandering, shifting and
shooting. Burning in throat as from coal fire and cannot swallow hot liquids.
General soreness, lameness, bruised feeling over whole body causes
the patient to groan. Intense prostration, sitting upright makes him faint and
dizzy.
Mother tincture is used for weight reduction.
Fucus
A good remedy for obesity and non-toxic goiter (also exophthalmic).
Digestion is improved and flatulence diminished. Obstinate
constipation. Thyroid enlargement in obese people.
Calcarea arsenicum
Complaints in fat women around climacteric or women
approaching climaxis. The females tend to become fleshy and obese
around menopause. Chilliness with dropsicalaffections. Cancer of uterus,
affections of spleen and mesenteric glands are often found associated. Great
mental depression. The slightest emotion causes palpitation of heart
Capsicum
Suits nicely those people who are of lax fibers, weak, diminished vital heat,
fat/obese, indolent and have no vital heat or no reactive force.
General uncleanliness of body and opposed to physical exertion. Burning
pains and general chilliness with marked tendency to suppuration in every
inflammatory process are found.

Phosphorus
Persons of waxy, translucent skin, half anemic, young people growing too
rapidly, fair, blondes, quick and hemorrhagic diathesis. It affects the nutrition
and function of every tissue of body. It causes pseudo-hypertrophy of
muscles. Adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair
skin, delicate eyelashes, find blond or red hair, quick perceptions, and very
sensitive nature. Young people, who grow too rapidly, are inclined to stoop
who are chlorotic or anemic; old people, with morning diarrhea. Hemorrhagic
diathesis; small wounds bleed profusely from every mucous outlet.
Longs for: cold food and drink; juicy, refreshing things; ice cream > gastric
pains.
As soon as water becomes warm in stomach it is thrown up.
Worse Evening, before midnight, lying on left or painful side; during a
thunderstorm; weather changes, either hot or cold.
Cold air relieves the head and face symptoms but aggravates those of chest,
throat and neck.
Better In the dark; lying on right side; from being rubbed or mesmerized;
from cold food, cold water, until it gets warm.
Lac defloratum
Useful in obesity and where diseases are associated with faulty
nutrition. Sick headaches with intense throbbing, nausea and vomiting,
prostration and all complaints aggravated during menses.
Kali bichromicum
It is specially indicated for fleshy, fat, light haired complexioned people with
scrofulous or syphilitic history. Symptoms tend to increase in the morning
and all pains migrate quickly with rheumatic and gastric symptoms
alternating. Catarrhal stage of all mucus membranes.
Pulsatilla
It is pre-eminently a female remedy with tendency to obesity in mild,
gentle, yielding females who are sad, cry easily and weeps when
talking. The symptoms are changeable and contradictory. The patient seeks
the open air and feels better in it.Thirstlessness and chilliness in fat
females. Aversion to fatty foods, still grows obese. Adapted to persons
of indecisive, slow, phlegmatic temperament; sandy hair, blue eyes, pale
face, easily moved to laughter or tears; affectionate, mild, gentle, timid,
yielding disposition the womans remedy.
Weeps easily: almost impossible to detail her ailments without weeping.
Especially, in diseases of women and children.
Women inclined to be fleshy, with scanty and protracted

menstruation.
Worse In a warm close room; evening, at twilight; on beginning to move;
lying on the left, or on the painless side; very rich, fat, indigestible food;
pressure on the well side if it be made toward the diseased side; warm
applications; heat.
Better In the open air; lying on painful side, cold air or cool room; eating or
drinking cold things; cold applications.
Sepia
Obesity in females with weakness, yellow complexion and bearing down
sensations. Pains extend down to back and patient chills easily. Obesity in
menopausal females with hot flushes and perspirations.
Particularly sensitive to cold air, chills so easily; lack of vital heat,
especially in chronic diseases.
Anxiety: with fear, flushes of heat over face and head; about real or
imaginary friends; with uterine troubles.
Great sadness and weeping. Dread of being alone; of men; of meeting
friends; with uterine troubles.
Indifferent: even to ones family; to ones occupation, to those
whom she loves best.
Greedy, miserly.
Worse In afternoon or evening; from cold air or dry east wind; sexual
excesses; at rest; sultry moist weather; before a thunderstorm.
Better Warmth of bed, hot applications; violent exercise.
Senega
Especially suited for persons of lax fibers who tend to become obese and
also to children who are chubby in appearance. These children usually
suffer from repeated respiratory catarrhal affections where rattling
cough and profuse mucus but difficult raising are characteristics.