Inflammation is a natural healing mechanism that kicks in following a health threat, such as infection, injury, exposure to toxic ingredients, and more. It spurs cell repair and recovery and usually lasts a relatively short period – up to several weeks.

While acute inflammation is beneficial, long-lasting exposure to inflammatory processes can lead to chronic inflammation and a host of resulting medical concerns, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. Scientists have also begun research on the effects of inflammation on weight gain.

This article explores the link between inflammation and weight gain and recommends strategies for reducing both.

Can Inflammation Make You Gain Weight?

The relationship between inflammation and weight gain is complex. Inflammation indirectly contributes to weight gain by throwing hormones out of balance and creating conditions that impede weight loss, despite limited calorie intake and increased physical activity.  

Why Does Inflammation Cause Weight Gain?

Chronic inflammation induces prolonged overproduction and disrupted function of certain hormones related to appetite, metabolism, and fat accumulation. Below are the mechanisms of inflammation-induced weight gain.

Increased Cortisol Production

Weight gain is a common symptom of chronic stress. Inflammation triggers elevated cortisol production, further disrupting hormones that regulate glucose levels in the blood, hunger and satiety signals, metabolic rate, and muscle mass – all contributing to increased weight.

Insulin Resistance

Chronic inflammation promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines, proteins that modulate inflammation. Their elevated production impairs cellular glucose uptake, disrupting insulin signaling and promoting insulin resistance. Patients have increased blood glucose, which is transferred to fat cells and the liver and stored as visceral fat – the type of fat that perpetuates systemic inflammation and insulin resistance that hinders weight loss.

Leptin Resistance

Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate hunger and fat storage. Inflammation can cause resistance to leptin, leading to increased appetite and reduced energy expenditure. Together, these factors contribute to fat accumulation.

Note: Learn about the supplements and natural ingredients that help suppress appetite and manage cravings.

Disrupted Thyroid Hormones

Elevated production of inflammatory cytokines hinders the conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3, causing hypothyroidism. This condition affects the metabolism, slowing the rate at which the body converts food into energy (or “burns calories”). The result is increased weight, among other symptoms.

Fat Accumulation

Inflammation-induced hormonal imbalances, particularly elevated cortisol, insulin resistance, and leptin resistance, promote fat storage in the liver and fat cells. Excess fat exacerbates insulin resistance and impedes weight loss, causing further inflammation and weight gain.

How to Get Rid of Inflammation-Induced Excess Weight?

Patients who struggle with excess weight caused by inflammatory processes have several treatment options. Effective weight loss usually requires medical help and incorporating healthier lifestyle habits.

Medical Weight Loss Plan

Our medical professionals at Vibrant Vitality Clinic provide personalized medical weight loss treatments tailored to each patient and their unique health status and needs. The programs involve prescribing medication, weight loss injections, IV therapy, supplements, personalized diets, exercise plans, and psychological support.

Note: Learn more about medical weight loss programs, how they work, and whether they are a suitable solution for you.

Dietary Supplements

Chronic inflammation disrupts the balance of bacteria in our digestive system (gut microbiota), inhibiting nutrient absorption. Essential vitamin and mineral deficiencies further exacerbate hormonal imbalances and inflammation, undermining weight loss efforts.

The following dietary supplements may help regulate bodily processes that affect weight management:

• Vitamin D – Scientists associate vitamin D deficiency with many inflammatory conditions and suggest vitamin D supplementation inhibits their progression. It may help improve the patient’s gut health and metabolic parameters, leading to more effective weight loss.
• Vitamin C – A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrient, it helps improve metabolism, iron absorption, and fat breakdown. Read our article on how to use vitamin C for weight loss.
• Resveratrol – Another powerful antioxidant, resveratrol may help reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, decrease cortisol, and regulate appetite. This blog post on resveratrol for weight loss explains how to use it for the best effects.
• Glutathione – This versatile nutrient provides a host of health benefits. It detoxifies the liver, protects from oxidative damage, and fights inflammation. Glutathione also improves metabolic health, indirectly assisting with fat breakdown and weight regulation.
• Fatty acids – Moderate consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids has beneficial effects on pro-inflammatory parameters and cardiovascular health. These fatty acids help regulate glucose uptake and cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation and indirectly assisting in weight management.
• Probiotics - They strengthen the gut lining, decrease intestinal permeability, and prevent harmful bacteria from proliferating and causing inflammation. This helps increase insulin sensitivity. Probiotics also enhance leptin levels, improving satiety and reducing calorie intake.
• Green tea – Rich in catechins, potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, green tea is often recommended in calorie-restricted diets to boost metabolism and promote weight loss.
• Curcumin – Used for centuries for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering properties, curcumin in turmeric demonstrates promising potential in helping to lower body mass and fight obesity.
• Zinc – An essential mineral, zinc helps regulate lipid and glucose metabolism and decrease oxidative stress and inflammation. Its deficiency is associated with excess weight and obesity.
• Selenium – Low selenium levels are associated with impaired immune function and increased oxidative stress. Supplementation may help improve immunity and lower inflammatory markers.

Our medical professionals recommend Vibrant Biome, a combination of nutrients that regulate gut microbiota. It helps reduce inflammation and supports a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

IV Therapy

IV therapy is a medical procedure that intravenously delivers the nutrients that are lacking. It guarantees quick and high nutrient absorption, helping to alleviate various conditions – from mood-related health problems to cosmetic concerns. IV therapy with a cocktail of immunity-enhancing ingredients, such as vitamin C, glutathione, magnesium, and B vitamins, can help reduce inflammation and promote weight loss.

Note: Learn how IV therapy for weight loss works and what to expect.

Diet Modification

Diet modification is the first step in treating inflammation because most inflammatory processes start or are exacerbated by inadequate nutrition. An anti-inflammatory diet that yields results involves consuming the following:

• No processed foods, sugars, refined oils, chemicals, additives, coloring, and other toxic ingredients.
• No sugary beverages and alcohol; drinking only water and green tea.
• More antioxidant-rich foods, including leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, berries, nuts, seeds, healthy oils, and fatty fish.
• Fermented foods that improve gut microbiota – yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, etc.
• Anti-inflammatory spices – curcumin, ginger, cinnamon, garlic, black pepper, etc.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern involving a relatively long period – at least eight hours – without any food intake. More effective results are seen with a longer fasting period between meals. A popular cycle is eight hours of normal eating and 16 hours of fasting. Allowing the digestive system to rest and reset between meals helps reduce inflammation and may promote weight loss.

Regular Exercise

Health professionals recommend exercise for overall health, with studies showing regular physical activity alleviates most chronic diseases. Exercise helps lower blood sugar levels, balances hormones, builds stronger muscles, reduces fat accumulation, improves gut health, and has other positive effects on the body. These combined effects contribute to lower inflammation and can lead to weight reduction.

Healthy Sleep

A lack of sleep is associated with increased cortisol production, leading to other hormonal disruptions and weight gain. A healthy sleep pattern – at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep at night – benefits various health parameters, including hormone regulation, decreased appetite, lower inflammation, and weight loss.

Stress Relief

Since chronically elevated cortisol increases inflammation and can lead to many health concerns, it is essential to reduce stress. Some ways to naturally lower cortisol levels and relieve stress include:

• Yoga, pilates, and other light exercises
• Spending time in nature
• Meditation and breathing exercises
• Massage
• Relaxing hobbies
• Spending time with friends

Quitting Smoking

Smoking activates immune cells in the oral and respiratory airways, stimulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors. It creates a state of chronic injury in the body, leading to chronic inflammation. The only way to mitigate these harmful effects is to quit smoking.

Reduced Exposure to Pollutants

Chemicals and toxins in food, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, and environmental pollutants contain free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and lead to inflammation. While exposure to toxins and pollutants is inevitable, try to reduce it. Where possible, replace household products containing chemicals with natural ingredients, limit or avoid pesticides, quit smoking, and stay away from secondhand smoke.

Can Inflammation Make It Hard to Lose Weight?

Inflammation negatively affects hormones and processes that regulate weight. People who pay attention to their caloric intake and regularly exercise may have difficulty shedding extra pounds due to inflammation. In such cases, it helps to consult a medical professional and start taking adequate medications and supplements.

How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight Caused by Inflammation?

The amount of time necessary to alleviate inflammation and lose weight depends on the severity of the patient’s health problem and how much weight they want to lose. It’s a process that may take from a few months to a year or more.

Unhealthy fad diets may help shed pounds quickly, but they don’t cure inflammation and the results are usually short-lived. The only proper way to treat inflammation and excess weight is to implement life-long healthy habits and potentially seek medical help.

Can Weight Gain Cause Inflammation?

Scientific evidence is not conclusive about what comes first: weight gain or inflammation. Chronic inflammation can indirectly lead to weight gain, and excess weight worsens inflammatory conditions.

The visceral fat in most overweight patients releases pro-inflammatory cytokines, disrupts metabolism, promotes insulin resistance, and stresses the immune system. This leads to a constant low-grade inflammatory state that increases the risk of more severe diseases.

Conclusion

Inflammation can result from poor diet, lack of sleep, stress, pollution, and other factors. It creates a hormonal imbalance that often leads to weight gain. Patients who struggle to lose weight may want to learn if inflammation is blocking their efforts.

Our medical professionals at Vibrant Vitality Clinic have vast experience treating inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and other conditions inhibiting weight loss. Contact us to help you find the best way to improve your health.