Alert: the term “obesity” has been stolen.

I have had a pit in my stomach when I consider how the American Medical Association (AMA), in June of 2013, claimed obesity a “disease”, with a code, procedures and reimbursement algorithm already in the works. Isn’t that great? We finally an industry that will take responsibility for obesity—it’s their problem to provide bariatric surgery and drugs to manage it.

I fear that the myths surrounding the underlying causes of weight gain will only be galvanized with such a misguided, authority. The AMA is a professional trade organization that looks out for the commercial interests of its collective membership. Pharmaceutical companies are right there—two controversial weight loss drugs were approved the same summer after a ten year “dry-period” in this diagnosis category. Morbidly complicated drugs and surgical procedures are flagrant solutions.

Individuals need to be guided toward a diet and fitness lifestyle that works for their unique genetic expression. Metabolic blood test results, as described in The Blood Code, help people discover their carb tolerance and exercise needs. There needs to be an alternative to the AMA that support people’s empowered change. How about, The American Dietary Empowerment and Fitness Association, “ADEFA”.  (I claim no ownership of said name and authorize anyone who wants to start this organization to do so.)

Every article regarding obesity has the same fundamental error; the claim that obesity causes diabetes, high blood pressure and so on. Obesity is merely another symptom from a more primal imbalance. Over 40% of Americans carry traits and express insulin resistance. If you are in the 40%, and you are sedentary (or even if you do gentle aerobic exercise) and eat a grain-based, low-fat diet (the American Heart Association still recommends this way of eating), the resultant discord between your diet, lifestyle and genetics is the cause of the high blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity. If your Blood Code shows high insulin or insulin resistance, this primal strength needs to be tamed with a diet that keeps insulin lower—a high fat and low carb diet works. Step Three of The Blood Code decodes how low carb you need to eat and whether your exercise needs to be more strenuous.

Chronic lifestyle conditions like obesity are not something you “have”; they are something that is happening. Your perfectly adapted genetic traits brought you to this moment: Live in accordance with it.  Until the AMA can show that they are willing to teach and empower people toward meaningful lifestyle change, they have no right stealing obesity from the domain of individual responsibility.

Why am I so interested? I’m an empowered former pre-diabetic, born of an empowered former diabetic mother. I founded TheBloodCode.com as a resource for the de-medicalized use of blood test results to guide meaningful lifestyle changes for the courageous individual.