What We Treat
Weight Management
A Root-Cause Approach to Sustainable Weight Loss
At KALE Functional Medicine in Houston, we understand that weight management goes far beyond calorie counting or exercise regimens. Our comprehensive, personalized approach addresses the complex underlying factors that contribute to weight challenges, allowing you to achieve sustainable results while improving your overall health.
Understanding the Root Causes of Weight Challenges
Weight management issues rarely stem from a simple imbalance of calories in versus calories out. Functional medicine recognizes that numerous physiological, environmental, and lifestyle factors can significantly impact your body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight.
We help you not only achieve your weight goals but maintain them long-term while enhancing your overall wellness.
Hormonal Imbalances
Various hormones play crucial roles in regulating metabolism, appetite, fat storage, and energy utilization. Imbalances in these key hormones can make weight loss extremely challenging, regardless of diet and exercise efforts:
- Insulin Resistance: When cells become resistant to insulin, blood sugar regulation becomes impaired, leading to increased fat storage, particularly around the abdomen.
- Thyroid Dysfunction: Even mild thyroid imbalances can significantly slow metabolism and cause weight gain or resistance to weight loss. Learn more about our Thyroid Health approach
- Sex Hormone Imbalances: Changes in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can affect fat distribution and metabolic rate, especially during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause.
- Cortisol Dysregulation: Chronic stress can lead to cortisol imbalances that promote abdominal fat storage and disrupt other weight-regulating hormones.
- Leptin Resistance: This “satiety hormone” helps regulate appetite, and resistance to its signals can lead to persistent hunger and overeating.
Gut Health and Microbiome Imbalances
Your digestive system plays a surprisingly significant role in weight regulation through several mechanisms:
- Microbiome Composition: The balance of bacteria in your gut directly influences metabolism, inflammation, and even food cravings.
- Digestive Function: Poor digestion and absorption can lead to nutrient deficiencies that impact metabolism and energy levels.
- Intestinal Permeability: “Leaky gut” can trigger systemic inflammation that disrupts hormonal balance and promotes weight gain.
- Food Sensitivities: Unidentified food reactions can cause inflammation, water retention, and metabolic disruption.
Inflammation and Detoxification Challenges
Chronic, low-grade inflammation and impaired detoxification capacity can significantly impact your body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight:
- Systemic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation can disrupt hormone signaling, impair metabolism, and promote fat storage.
- Toxin Burden: Environmental toxins can act as endocrine disruptors that interfere with weight-regulating hormones and may be stored in fat tissue.
- Liver Function: Suboptimal liver function can impact hormone metabolism, detoxification, and fat utilization.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Even with a seemingly healthy diet, specific nutrient deficiencies can impair metabolism and energy production:
- Vitamin D: Low levels are associated with increased body fat and metabolic syndrome.
- Magnesium: Deficiency can affect insulin sensitivity and energy production.
- B Vitamins: Essential for energy metabolism and stress management.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Important for reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic health.
Lifestyle Factors
Daily habits and environmental influences have profound effects on weight management:
- Sleep Quality: Poor sleep directly impacts hunger hormones, insulin sensitivity, and metabolism.
- Chronic Stress: Stress affects hormonal balance, food choices, and fat storage patterns.
- Physical Activity Patterns: Not just how much, but what type of movement matters for metabolic health.
- Environmental Exposures: Certain chemicals act as “obesogens” that promote weight gain.
Our Natural Weight Management Approach
Our functional medicine approach to weight management begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify your unique obstacles to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. We then develop a personalized protocol that addresses these root causes through natural, sustainable interventions.
Functional Medicine
With our functional medicine practitioners and advanced testing including body composition and analysis, we can analyze the root causes of weight management issues.
Ongoing Support and Coaching
Sustainable weight management requires ongoing support and adjustments as your body changes with health coaching sessions, education and resources and community support.
The KALE Difference in Weight Management
Focus on Root Causes
Rather than simply restricting calories or increasing exercise, we identify and address the underlying physiological imbalances that are unique to your body and situation.
Personalized Approach
We recognize that weight management is highly individual, which is why we develop fully customized protocols based on your specific test results, health history, and goals.
Sustainable Results
By addressing root causes rather than just symptoms, our approach leads to lasting changes in body composition and metabolic health, not just temporary weight loss.
Whole-Person Wellness
Our weight management programs improve not just your weight but your overall health, often resolving other symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, mood issues, and digestive complaints.
Preventative Health Focus
Optimizing metabolic health reduces your risk for numerous chronic diseases, supporting your long-term wellness goals.
Begin Your Sustainable Weight Management Journey
If you’re tired of yo-yo dieting and ready to address the real reasons behind your weight challenges, our functional medicine approach offers a path to sustainable results and improved overall health.
Begin Your Sustainable Weight Management Journey
If you’re tired of yo-yo dieting and ready to address the real reasons behind your weight challenges, our functional medicine approach offers a path to sustainable results and improved overall health.
Patient Success Stories
I was happy to find a female – personal preference – doctor (MD) who could assist with all of my medical needs versus a nurse practitioner or chiropractor who was also doing holistic medicine. Dr. Rowley’s smile and compassion put me at ease immediately…
Donna J.
Member
Dr. Rowley is professional, relatable, and personable. I appreciate that she was a great listener and was patient in answering my questions. What’s more, I LOVE that I can contact her through telemedicine now!! Truly revolutionary experience in a doctor’s office!
Jess
Member
Second visit and I know so much. Melissa is kind, incredibly smart and not overwhelming in her advice. Excited to start my journey towards a healthier life. Front office and her nurse are wonderful as well!
Sally M.
Member
