Weight Loss and Belly Slimming: Scientific Fat Reduction Methods Based on Endocrine Regulation and Dietary Habits

Endocrine Disorder Theory The human body has two types of glands: ducted glands, also called exocrine glands, such as digestive glands and sweat glands; and ductless glands, also called endocrine glands, such as the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pancreatic islets, adrenal glands, gonads, and pituitary gland. The secretions of endocrine glands seep directly into the blood and lymphatic system, and are transported to all tissues throughout the body. The chemical substances secreted by endocrine glands are called hormones, which regulate the body's metabolism, growth, development, and reproductive functions. Although the amount of endocrine substances in the human body is extremely small, their effects are significant; some endocrine substances can affect metabolism and lead to weight gain.

(I) High Insulin Theory The pancreatic islets are clusters of cells scattered between the acini of the pancreas, resembling islands, hence their name. The islets are composed of α cells and β cells; the former secrete glucagon, and the latter secrete insulin.

Insulin's functions in the human body can be summarized in three points: 1. Promoting the production of liver glycogen and the breakdown of glucose, as well as the conversion of sugar into fat, thus lowering blood sugar levels; 2. Promoting the storage of body fat and inhibiting the breakdown of stored fat, reducing free fatty acids in the blood and decreasing fatty acid breakdown; 3. Accelerating the entry of amino acids into cells and promoting the synthesis of intracellular proteins. Due to the utilization of sugar and the synthesis of proteins, potassium enters cells, thus lowering blood potassium levels.

Insulin is the only substance in the human body that can lower blood sugar. Increased insulin secretion leads to increased glycogen synthesis and conversely, reduced glycogen breakdown, resulting in a decrease in blood sugar concentration and a feeling of hunger. Therefore, obese people often have a strong appetite. Professor Gatti of New York University has demonstrated that increased insulin secretion accelerates the rate of fat synthesis in the body, thereby increasing the proportion and speed of sugar conversion into fat. According to medical experts, obese people have very high levels of insulin in their blood. Therefore, they believe that hyperinsulinemia is one of the causes of obesity. (II) The Theory of Precocious Puberty in Girls In 1981, a global survey showed that there were 60 million obese women and approximately 50 million obese men worldwide. The higher prevalence of obesity among women is not only due to developmental characteristics but also closely related to the timing of sexual maturation. A study abroad investigated 16,868 women aged 20-24, dividing them into three groups based on their age of menarche: those with precocious puberty under 11 years old; those with intermediate puberty around 12-13 years old; and those with delayed puberty over 14 years old. The study found that those with precocious puberty weighed an average of 5 kg more than those with delayed puberty, and this weight increased with age. By age 30, the obesity rate also differed: over 26% in those with precocious puberty, over 15% in those with intermediate puberty, and less than 15% in those with delayed puberty. The main reason is that those with precocious puberty have higher levels of estrogen and consume less energy, leading to fat accumulation and weight gain.

(III) The Abortion and Childbirth Theory In the mid-1980s, gynecologists at the Lodz Hospital in Poland conducted a follow-up study on women who had undergone induced abortions. They found that women who had one induced abortion gained an average of 5-7 kg, those who had a second induced abortion gained an average of 8-9 kg, and those who had a third induced abortion gained an average of 10-11 kg. Similar studies were conducted in the former Soviet Union, France, and Italy.

Why do women gain weight and lose their former figure after induced abortion and childbirth? There are two main reasons: First, after conception, the function and metabolism of sex hormones in a woman's body undergo significant changes, one of which is increased and accelerated fat synthesis. Second, after induced abortion or childbirth, the endocrine system also undergoes a series of changes, which can lead to increased gastric function. In addition, excessive consumption of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-cholesterol foods, especially excessive consumption of sugar and other sweets, is a major cause of postpartum weight gain. Therefore, postpartum women should eat more lean meat, fish, shrimp, soy products, and fresh vegetables and fruits. These foods can meet the body's needs and prevent weight gain.

(IV) Peptide Hormone Disorder Theory: Peptide hormones are neurotransmitters and neuroregulators. The most potent is a digestive tract micronutrient called cholecystokinin, secreted by the duodenum. According to medical experts' measurements on animals, obese animals have the lowest levels of cholecystokinin in their brains. Disorders of peptide hormones in the human body can also lead to weight gain.

Overeating Theory: Research by the renowned American medical doctor Sheldon has shown that obese people have well-developed internal organs, resulting in vigorous function of their stomach, intestines, and other digestive and visceral organs. Under normal circumstances, obese people have a good appetite, eat a lot, and more than 90% of the food they eat can be digested and absorbed. Eating more inevitably leads to the intake of more nutrients from food. Overnutrition is considered one of the important causes of simple obesity. (I) Central Nervous System Dysfunction and Decreased Blood Glucose Concentration: After eating, a series of changes occur in the body. These changes are promptly transmitted to the brain, and the brain's satiety center immediately sends a "stop eating" signal. Therefore, a person experiences a feeling of fullness, feeling satisfied and no longer needing to eat. The brain is extremely sensitive to changes in blood glucose levels. A normal person experiences a feeling of fullness when their blood glucose level is between 120 and 130 mg/100 ml. However, in obese individuals, increased insulin secretion leads to increased glycogen synthesis and decreased glycogen breakdown, resulting in a decreased blood glucose concentration and a feeling of hunger. This is due to central nervous system dysfunction, which not only slows down the response to changes in blood glucose levels but also requires blood glucose levels to remain consistently high, thus leading to overeating.

(II) Amine Metabolism Disorder and Craving for Sweets: Amines related to food in daily life include: adrenaline, adrenaline dopamine, serotonin, and aminobutyric acid. The main cause of amine metabolism disorders in obese patients is the change in serotonin levels in the body. Scientists have determined that animals consuming serotonin experience a significant increase in their intake of high-sugar foods. Obese individuals often crave sweets, which is likely one reason for their elevated serotonin levels.

The view that obesity is solely due to fat is incomplete. The body doesn't obtain fat solely from high-fat foods; it also has the ability to synthesize fat. The direct raw material for fat synthesis is the intermediate metabolite of acetyl-CoA. Anything that can produce this substance can be converted into fat under certain conditions through a series of enzymatic reactions. Oxidative metabolism produces large amounts of acetyl-CoA; therefore, sugar is the primary raw material for fat synthesis in the body. A diet high in sugar or a habitual consumption of sugar leads to excessive glucose levels in the blood. When blood sugar levels exceed 100 mg%, the excess sugar is excreted in urine, leading to glycosuria, which is wasteful and increases the burden on the kidneys. The unused sugar is either converted into glycogen for storage or converted into fat and stored in the body, causing weight gain. Therefore, just as people who overeat fatty foods become obese, those who frequently consume sugar and have a sweet tooth can also become obese due to excessive sugar intake.

(III) Poor Eating Habits

1. Irregular mealtimes can also cause weight gain: An experiment was conducted where animals were divided into two groups. One group received five portions of food daily, fed one portion at a time; the other group was fed only once a day. The results showed that the group fed only once a day became significantly obese. The same method was used on humans, yielding identical results. One characteristic of modern society is the greatly accelerated pace of production and life. People are busy at a fast pace, leading to a relative increase in the number of people missing meals or not eating on time. This is likely one of the reasons for the "weight gain" among urban workers. 2. Eating Too Quickly: A study by renowned Japanese medical expert Choji Nakazata demonstrated that, given the same amount of food, those who eat quickly tend to be more obese than those who eat slowly. Nakazata divided male and female participants into two groups. Group A of men was instructed to finish the prescribed amount of food in 8-10 minutes, while Group B of men was required to finish in 13-18 minutes. Group A of women was required to finish in 11-13 minutes, and Group B of women in 15-18 minutes. After 20 weeks of the experiment for men and 19 weeks for women, Group A of men gained an average of 4 kg, and Group A of women gained an average of 4.5 kg. Group B of men and women showed no significant change in weight compared to before the experiment.

The reason why eating too quickly leads to obesity is that after eating, when blood sugar levels rise to a certain level, the brain's satiety center sends a "stop eating" signal. Obese individuals have a slower response to changes in blood sugar levels, requiring higher blood sugar levels and eating faster. By the time the brain sends the "stop eating" signal, they are often already full, leading to overnutrition and obesity. Chewing slowly and thoroughly has the opposite effect. Slowing down the eating speed inhibits the excitation impulses of the food center, thereby reducing food intake. Reduced food intake also means less nutrient absorption, keeping calorie intake and expenditure balanced, thus reducing the possibility of fat accumulation.

Chewing slowly and thoroughly not only prevents obesity and aids in weight loss but also helps prevent cancer. Years of experiments by renowned Japanese medical expert Nishioka have proven that chewing slowly and thoroughly can prevent cancer. When chewing slowly and thoroughly, the amount of saliva secreted in the mouth increases significantly. Saliva is the first line of defense against germs entering the body. Once food containing carcinogens is ingested, various enzymes in saliva, especially oxidases and peroxidases, can kill carcinogens such as aflatoxin, benzopyrene, and nitrites.