Weight Loss

The Sensible-Alternative Weight Loss Method

We provide an individualised assessment of your metabolic type. To do this, we assess all possible "blocks" to a functioning metabolism.

Assessment is based on the following paramaters:

insulin sensitvity and oxidizer type
leptin status
thyroid status
testosterone
degree of oestrogen dominance
function of the lymphatic system and liver
presence of food sensitivities
presence of inflammatory markers

We rely on medical history, physical exam, and blood or saliva tests to make our assessment.

Treatment consists of an individualised diet and supplement plan. All of our treatment plans comply with the Prana Index Diet (below), which emphasises the use of fresh, nutrient-dense food.

We also urge you to make an appointment with one of our friendly Naturopaths.

(For more answers to your weight loss questions,check out Weight loss article , Sensible News 26, and the NEW Weight Loss Quiz.)

The Prana Index Diet

The Myth of Low Fat and Low GI

It's time for an exciting new look at the way we lose weight. For too long, "Low-fat" and "Low-GI" numbers have convinced us that highly refined biscuits, cereals and snack bars are nutritious. Processed foods are a large part of the modern diet, and according to the World Health Organization, they are soundly to blame for the sharp rise in obesity and chronic disease ⁽¹⁾.

It is time for a health value index for whole foods.

We need new numbers that can tell us how fresh, how vital, how nutritious food is. The "Prana Index" is just that.

"Prana" is the Sanskrit word for energy, or life force. Prana Index for food is a measure of how close food is to something that was once alive itself. High Prana food is the best way to stay healthy and to stay slim.

And, it is much simpler than you think:

Prana 10	9	8	7	6
		Linseed meal	Raw sunflower seeds Homemade muesli	Raw almonds Brown rice Fresh hummus Pumpernickel or spelt bread
Wild berries straight from the bush	Organic blueberries	Non-organic frozen berries Organic apples	Non-organic stone fruit	Non-organic apple
Rocket, spinach, chard, herbs from the garden	Fresh herbs Organic stonefruit Organic rocket, spinach, bok choy	Avocado Non-organic rocket, spinach, bok choy	Cos lettuce Tomato	Pumpkin
Fresh raw fish minutes from the ocean	Sashimi (raw fish)	Organic lamb Organic chicken Free-range eggs	Free-range chicken Unsweetened sheep's milk yoghurt Tinned wild salmon Conventional eggs	Goat cheese Sushi roll Olive oil Rare lamb chops
Wheatgrass, freshly pressed	Organic freshly squeezed vegetable juice	Non-organic freshly squeezed vegetable juice	Fresh orange Juice

Prana 5	4	3	2	1
Basmati rice Oats Potatoes	Honey Quality chocolate	Wholemeal bread Flavoured yoghurt Roasted peanuts Rice noodles Muffins Muesli bars	Pasta Processed peanut butter Homemade biscuits Conventional breakfast cereals	White bread Potato chips Processed sweet biscuits Chocolate bars Cordials Chocolate spread
Dried fruit	Bananas
Frozen peas, corn etc.	Iceberg lettuce
Beef mince Cheese Coconut milk Chicken Tinned tuna Butter	Processed meat Fish and chips Meat pie	Protein bars	Ice cream Frozen dinners Take away pizza
Bottled orange juice		Cappuccino without sugar Wine or naturally brewed beer	Cappuccino with sugar

Negative (zero Prana) foods:

Soft drinks
Lollies
Margarine, vegetable oil spread
Spirits, commercial beers
Cheese-flavoured snacks
Artificial sweeteners

Sample MENU for a "7"

Weekday 1	Weekday 2	Weekend
Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
Oat muesli w. raw seeds = 7 Plain sheep�s milk yoghurt = 7 Spring water = 7	Porridge = 7 Linseed powder = 8 Honey = 4 Herbal tea = 7	2 Free-range eggs = 7 Bacon = 4 Pumpernickel bread = 6 Butter = 5 Large fresh organic vegetable juice = 10 (x2)
Mid AM	Mid AM
Cappuccino, no sugar = 3	Organic peach = 9
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
2 Sushi rolls = 6 (x2) Spring water = 7	Wholemeal bread = 3 Tinned tuna = 5 Organic rocket = 10	Large serving organic baby spinach = 10 (x2) Sprouts = 9 Free range chicken breast = 7 Avocado = 8 Olive oil and apple cider vinegar- 6
Mid PM	Mid PM
Fresh vegetable juice = 9	Organic blueberries = 10 Raw almonds = 6 Spring water = 7	Coffee = 3 Spring water = 7
Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
Organic lamb chops = 8 Brown rice = 6 Steamed organic broccoli = 9 Butter = 5 Diluted fruit juice = 7	Coconut milk curry = 5 Free- range chicken = 7 Organic bok choy = 10 Organic carrots = 8 Rice noodles = 3 Wine = 3	2 Fresh fish = 8 (x2) Fresh herbs = 9 Potatoes = 5 Cos lettuce- 7 Goat cheese = 6 Tomato = 7
Dessert
Fresh blueberries = 9 Coconut milk = 5	Herbal tea = 7	Quality chocolate = 4 Mineral water with fresh lemon = 8
Average = 6.8	Average = 6.6	Average = 7.2

Why it works:

Prana is greatest in food that is naturally brightly coloured, nutrient-dense, and derived from plants and animals that were healthy, and that were recently alive. The best foods are raw or lightly cooked garden vegetables and fresh meat.

The farther the food is from its source, the less Prana it will contain. If it is very heavily processed and high in sugar, food will steal the body's nutrients and deplete Prana.

The Prana Index ranks foods on a scale of 1 to 10. Aim for a Prana average of 7. This is possible even for those of us with busy schedules. And remember, if it has a label, it probably has low Prana! Whole foods are, by definition, not packaged.

The index is based on the following criteria:

Nutrient dense

The RDI levels of basic vitamins and mineral is not enough. "Nutrient-dense" means that there are adequate vitamins and minerals for every gram of food energy present. Don't make your body use up valuable nutrient stores just to metabolise your excessive carbohydrates.

Accessory nutrients

It is not just about vitamins and minerals anymore. There are thousands of essential nutrients in nature including enzymes, sulphur compounds, and antioxidants.

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals are a special class of accessory nutrient. They are the pigments responsible for the natural colour of fruit and vegetables. Phytochemicals protect against heart disease, degenerative disease, and damage by ageing. They act as antioxidants and improve immunity.

Probiotics

Fermented foods such as natural yoghurt, miso and pickles contain bacteria that are beneficial for digestion and the immune system.

Fats and oils

As long as they are not processed or heated vegetable oils, fatty foods are high Prana foods. Natural oils from unprocessed meat, fish, eggs, avocado, dairy, nuts and seeds provide important nutrition for cell membranes, the nervous system and hormone balance.

Fibre

Soluble fibre such as inulin from root vegetables and lignan from flax meal are healthier options than grains.

Protein

Protein builds muscle, skin, organs and immune cells.

Humane conditions

Animal products contain stress hormones if the animals were raised in inhumane conditions. There is more beneficial Prana from meat, eggs, and dairy grown in healthy, humane environments.

Fresh

Produce and meat lost nutritional value if it is left to sit.

Raw

Prana is highest in raw foods. Many foods such as fruit, vegetables and even some fish and meat, can be consumed raw or very lightly cooked. Raw foods contain more enzymes and accessory nutrients

Organic

Because it is grown in rich soil, organic produce contains higher levels of many nutrients, including trace minerals. Organic food is also free of harmful pesticide and antibiotic residues.

Water

The energy value of pure water speaks for itself. We are 70% water! Herbal teas and diluted juices also contain the benefits of pure water. Caffeine and alcohol deplete it.

References:

(1) BBC News World Edition, 3 March, 2003.