Obesity FAQ
- What can be contributing to Obesity?
The most common causes of obesity are excess caloric intake, being sedentary, toxicity, stress (emotional and environmental), inflammation caused by different sources, oxidation and mitochondrial damage. - Why is it important to control Obesity?
We know that Obesity can be a contributing factor towards the development of heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other serious health issues. We could consider obesity or being overweight like a definite sign that there is an imbalance in your life that needs to be changed to prevent further degeneration and damage and the appearance of a more serious condition. - How much weight can I expect to loose while at Sanoviv?
While we know that this is the main goal for most people with Obesity, we do not think that this is a useful indicator of success in the beginning stages of treatment. People can loose water weight, inflammatory weight while here. Our ultimate goal is to support your long term success by finding the underlying causes of your weight retention and teach you the tools to reach your healthy body weight. For more information on our program for reaching your healthy weight, click here (2.2.6 Hyperlink to Lighten Up Program) - What are the different options you have to treat obesity?
Our strategy for treatments will aim at finding the best meal timing, meal composition, glycemic load and phytonutrients of your food. We will work in partnership with you to reduce inflammation in your body, optimize digestion and excretion, balance the autonomic function by reducing stress, improve sleep habits and duration and provide treatment that will enhance mitochondrial function and detoxification, especially in treatment-resistant patientsOur treatment options are far more varied, longer lasting and less invasive than what you can find in your average bariatric clinic. To find out more please go to our Lighten Up program page.
- Is there a relationship between Obesity and toxicity?
Yes, environmental toxins interfere with metabolism, overload hepatic detoxification system, promotes insulin resistance, disrupt central weight-control system, alter circadian rhythms, activate the stress response, interfere with thyroid function, increase inflammation, damage mitochondria and lead to obesity. In conclusion, toxins promote fat accumulation.On top of that, fat is a storage depot for fat soluble toxins. A review published in 2003 in Obesity Reviews, concluded that pesticides and PCBs released from the fat tissues, where they are typically stored, during weight loss lower the metabolic rate, making it harder to continue loosing weight. Releasing fat without a proper detoxification protocol can be detrimental for your overall health. Detoxification is a central component in long-term effective weight management and creating healthy metabolism.
- Is there a relationship between Obesity and hormonal imbalances?
Yes. For example, fat cells through the action of the aromatase enzymes will increase the level of estrogens in the body which can trigger hormonal imbalances. On another level, hormonal imbalances can not only be the result of obesity but can also cause it. As an example, a sluggish thyroid function will lower the metabolism and create a weight gain. - What do you mean when you say you practice “Functional Medicine”?
Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.Sanoviv is the only hospital in the world to be certified in the Functional Medicine approach. To learn more about Functional Medicine, click here.
- What is the importance of the integrative team approach?
The importance of this approach is that you are assessed and treated as a whole human being. Many of the health issues that we faced today are multi-faceted; there is no one definitive cause and no one cure. When a whole team of health professionals come together and make sense of the information, it is easier to see what are the underlying factors that weave together to create your unique symptoms. Once we have this clarity, dealing with it effectively is much easier. - I just saw the dentist recently, why do I have to see one again at Sanoviv?
In our integrated approach the assessment by all the health professionals is very important. Even though all our professionals are certified and licensed by their specific profession’s Board, we go above and beyond what allopathic care practices. In regards to dental care, here we practice Biological Dentistry. This form of dentistry takes into consideration many things that traditional dentistry would not. These different paradigms and assessment tool are what sets apart from traditional care. - I have a wide range of issues and feel overwhelmed, what can you offer me?
We will help you organize your health priorities in the order of what will have the most profound impact on getting you healthy again. We will properly assess and treat the underlying causes through the use of specialized tools and prioritize those areas where we can have the most impact. You will leave Sanoviv with a detailed plan on how to approach healing in a functional way. Think of it as your personal owner’s manual - How soon will I feel better?
It all depends on the duration and severity of your health issues. We would ideally love to cure everyone that we treat, and we know that this is not always possible. What is possible is to determine the right path to wellness through an integrative assessment and treatment plan that will combine the best of allopathic and alternative medicine. We will work together to facilitate you being an active participant in your health and healing. With our support, you can be the hero of your healing journey. - Are you offering a cure?
It all depends on your capacity to comply and take responsibility for your health. The degree of change towards health is proportional to your willingness to make healthier choices. This will be the real cure. Everybody is different and has his or her own biochemical individuality. One guest can respond really positively to an approach which might not work for his neighbor. We can therefore not guarantee or claim curing a disease. But we can offer two things, first to assess you as the biochemically individual person that you are, and second, help you to go in the right direction for reversing these health challenges. - Can I bring someone to help me out at Sanoviv?
Yes, you can bring a companion to support your stay. Especially since our program is based on applying lifestyle changes to support your ongoing health, bringing your spouse or significant other can be helpful as both of you can learn firsthand about these recommended changes. We require you bring a companion for support if you are very compromised and cannot get from appointment to appointment without assistance. - What type of IVs do you use?
We use different types of IV therapy protocols depending on the type of health issues and the biochemical individuality of each guest. For a more detailed explanation of this please refer to our IV Therapy page. Our main goal with IV therapies is to provide vital nutrients to the guest, bypassing the digestive system to allow a greater absorption by the body. - What does a typical day at Sanoviv look like?
Even though we have a set of daily activities, each schedule is different from guest to guest. We really hand tailor your treatment to best accommodate what you need to be well. Usually our days start with an hour of relaxation practices, like meditation and energy medicine class. Then a light stretching class after which you have breakfast. Afterwards, most of the therapies and consultations take place. Usually there is some time for a snack break before lunch. After lunch we have some of our afternoon classes or more therapies and sessions until dinner. After dinner we have the main class in our auditorium to end the day. - Do I need to comeback after the end of my treatments?
Usually it takes years of detrimental lifestyle choices and habits to start showing symptoms of imbalances in the body. Regaining your health is a process and we can not expect to reverse all imbalances within a couple of weeks. What we can do is help you get on the road to recovery. For this reason, it’s ideal to come back after having applied all recommendations suggested by our team so we can reevaluate your current state of health and help you continue on the path to optimal health. Of course, this is not mandatory but strongly suggested. - Do you do surgeries at Sanoviv?
Yes. Even though our approach is based on finding the most natural and least invasive course of treatment, we know that sometimes surgery is unavoidable and is a necessary step in your recovery. We offer a wide range of surgeries that can be combined with our innovative therapies and treatments to speed your recovery. Please check our Surgeries at Sanoviv page for more information. - I have special dietary needs. Can Sanoviv accommodate these?
Yes. We are experts at accommodating special dietary needs as we know the importance of having the right food for your specific needs can be to get well again. Our nutritionists and kitchen staff are highly proficient in adapting our meals to serve you in the best way. Nutrition and eating properly for your biochemical individuality is one of the cornerstones of our treatments. - Am I going to be eating twigs and leaves all of my life?
The diet at Sanoviv is a whole-food, cleansing diet that eliminates many of the common food allergens along with processed foods, sugar and damaged oils. Although you eat many vegetables (both cooked and raw) here, your nutritionist will provide you with a diet to follow at home based on your health condition, your access to certain foods, your ancestral heritage, and your desire to make positive health changes. Our goal is to provide you with a diet that will nourish you and improve your health, but also one that is realistic and works with your lifestyle. You may not be eating “leaves and twigs” all your life, but you will have been introduced to many new and different foods during your stay here as well as how certain foods are used as medicine
