Realizing you need to change your diet or get help through medical weight loss may not feel great. But it’ll be worth it once you achieve your goals by making healthy lifestyle changes.
The Mediterranean diet is a research-based lifestyle that can potentially help with weight loss, heart health and overall well-being.
Explore what the Mediterranean diet is and how it can be incorporated into weight loss programs.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional foods and cooking styles of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon.
This diet emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds and healthy fats like olive oil and fatty fish. It also includes moderate dairy products, poultry and eggs and limited red meat and sweets. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with numerous health benefits.
What are the benefits of the Mediterranean diet?
In addition to weight loss, the Mediterranean diet has several other health benefits.
1. Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
Harvard University concluded that “Research supports using the Mediterranean diet as a healthy eating pattern for preventing cardiovascular diseases, increasing lifespan and healthy aging. The diet may also support healthy weight loss when used in conjunction with caloric restriction.
2. Improved blood sugar control and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30%.
3. Better sleep quality
Based on the Nutrients journal, “The available studies indicate that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with adequate sleep duration and with several indicators of better sleep quality.”
4. Lowered risk of certain cancers
The Nutrients journal reported, “The Mediterranean diet may contribute to the reduction of cancer onset in the worldwide population since it is characterized by a series of foods that, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are able to prevent and counteract DNA damages and slow down the development of various forms of cancer.”
5. Improved cognitive function and reduced dementia risk
The BMC Medicine established that “Higher adherence to a MedDiet was associated with lower dementia risk, independent of genetic risk, underlining the importance of diet in dementia prevention interventions.”
6. Reduced inflammation in the body:
The Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care journal found that “The Mediterranean diet has a low Dietary Inflammatory Index illustrating its anti-inflammatory potential. This dietary pattern beneficially modulates the gut microbiota and immune system, including emerging evidence for efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.”
What are the components of the Mediterranean diet?
These are the key components:
- Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes
- Consuming moderate amounts of lean protein, such as fish, poultry and dairy
- Using healthy fats, such as olive oil, nuts and seeds, instead of saturated and trans fats
- Limiting red meat and processed foods
- Enjoying meals with family and friends
- Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)
- Staying physically active through regular exercise
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a variety of delicious and nutritious foods while promoting weight loss and overall health.
How does the Mediterranean diet help weight loss?
How does the Mediterranean diet help weight loss?The Mediterranean diet emphasizes plant-based foods that are naturally low in calories and high in fiber, helping you feel full and satisfied. Eating these foods can potentially reduce overall calorie intake, which is essential for weight loss. Additionally, healthy fats like olive oil and fatty fish can help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity, which is important for weight management.
This eating style may limit processed and high-calorie foods like sugary drinks, refined grains and red meat, further reducing calorie intake. People who eat this way are also encouraged to be mindful and enjoy their meals, which may help prevent overeating and promote a healthy relationship with food.
Finally, the Mediterranean diet encourages regular physical activity, essential for maintaining a healthy weight. By combining these factors, the Mediterranean diet can potentially be an effective tool for promoting weight loss and overall health.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that participants on the Mediterranean diet lost more weight than low-fat diet participants.
Can the Mediterranean diet be used along with weight loss injections?
Can the Mediterranean diet be used along with weight loss injections?The Mediterranean diet and prescription weight loss injections like semaglutide can have similar benefits. Both may help control blood sugar and reduce appetite and have been shown to improve heart health. The Mediterranean diet is rich in healthy fats, which may help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, contributing to better body weight management.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, semaglutide minimizes the risk of heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes and can also reduce the risk of developing diabetes in individuals with prediabetes. Complementing this, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that adopting a Mediterranean diet can decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30%.
Using them together can be safe, but you should see a weight loss consultant to learn more about diet and medical weight loss.
Is it safe to participate in medical weight loss programs?
Yes, it is generally safe to participate in medical weight loss programs when they are supervised by qualified healthcare providers. These programs often include comprehensive approaches combining diet, exercise, behavioral therapy, weight management medications or other medical interventions.
However, consulting with healthcare professionals is crucial to ensure that any medical weight loss program you consider is tailored to your health needs, possibly involving prescription medication. They will evaluate your medical history, current health condition, body mass index (BMI) and any potential risks or most common side effects associated with treatments. Doing so ensures that the actual weight loss program is effective and safe for you.
Boost Weight Loss with a Medical Weight Loss Clinic Program
Diet change isn’t the only way to improve your health. KC Wellness Center offers medical weight loss programs that consider your medical circumstances and include lifestyle changes to ensure that you get fast, safe and sustainable results. The initial phase of our weight loss programs includes a combination of weight loss medications, supplements and meal plans customized to fit your needs and weight loss goals.
What are the types of medical weight loss?
What are the types of medical weight loss?Several types of medical weight loss programs are available at KC Wellness Center, each tailored to individual needs and goals. The length of your program depends on factors like your starting weight, health goals and medical history. Some common types of medical weight loss programs include:
Lipotropic Injections
Compounds made of three essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals help the liver metabolize fatty acids quickly, instead of being stored as fat.
Semaglutide Injections
Semaglutide is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved shot for the treatment of obesity. The treatment has a GLP-1 effect, meaning it signals the pancreas to create insulin, which causes the digestive system, particularly the stomach, to empty over a longer period — keeping you fuller longer. The shots also suppress your appetite by using your body’s natural insulin production process and help stabilize blood sugar to avoid crashes.
Prescription Appetite Suppressants
Our physician thoroughly evaluates each patient and prescribes an appropriate appetite suppressant, such as phentermine, when clinically indicated.
Weight Loss Coaching
Our clinicians will help you through your weight loss journey every step of the way. Not only will you receive weekly weight loss progress, counseling and nutrition advice, but we will make ourselves available via phone or email outside of office hours for your convenience.
Nutritional Supplements
The use of nutritional supplements (pharmaceutical grade) helps facilitate rapid weight loss, increases energy and promotes long-term health.
Consult a Medical Weight Loss Center in Kansas
When it comes to complete wellness, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and individualized plans that fit your needs and lifestyle tend to work best. Successfully meeting wellness goals can be challenging for many people without guidance and support from outside resources.
At KC Wellness Center, we offer a holistic approach to help you stay on course and follow a realistic health plan. We focus on lifestyle changes to encourage safe and sustainable results. If you’re ready to see how regenerative medicine options can improve your health and well-being, KC Wellness may be precisely what you seek. Our doctors and staff are always available to answer questions and provide guidance to help you succeed.
Reach out to our care team today to see how we can help you in your health and wellness journey. Call us at 816-214-5276 or contact us here. There’s no reason to wait — let us help you feel your best every day. You can see all of our services HERE.