The Weight Loss Plateau

Organochlorines are a group of man-made chemicals that were used in the past as pesticides or in the industrial setting. They include chemicals like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Although these chemicals have been banned from use, they still persist in the environment and are found in human adipose (fat) tissue. Weight loss plans and weight loss programs offer strategies to maximize energy expenditure by burning off excess fat, and minimizing caloric input by controlling what is consumed. Weight loss occurs when energy expenditure exceeds caloric intake, but as many dieters know, there sometimes comes a point when the body stops burning fat and weight loss stalls.

The Role of Adaptive Thermogenesis in Weight Loss

Thermogenesis is defined as the process where heat is produced as a result of the body burning fat. Thermogenesis increases as an individual exercises, but when the body perceives a stressful situation it adapts by either increasing or decreasing the normal rate of thermogenesis, hence the term “adaptive thermogenesis.” In a weight loss scenario, adaptive thermogenesis slows down the rate at which body fat is burned. The result is a weight loss plateau (Angelo Tremblay, Geneviève Major, Éric Doucet, Paul Trayhurn, Arne Astrup, Role of Adaptive Thermogenesis in Unsuccessful Weight-Loss Intervention.Future Lipidol. 2007;2(6):651-658).

Organochlorines in Fat Tissue

By virtue of the chemical properties of organochlorines (fat soluble) and the fact that obese and overweight individuals have higher levels adipose tissue, it can be concluded that their organochlorine levels are higher. When the body is put under high energy expenditure and low energy intake (such as following a weight loss plan), the fat tissues release the stored organochlorines. This increases the organochlorine concentration in the blood (Hue O, Marcotte J, Berrigan F et al.: “Increased plasma levels of toxic pollutants accompanying weight loss induced by hypocaloric diet or by bariatric surgery.” Obes. Surg. 16(9), 1145-1154 (2006)). Elevated concentrations of organochlorines have been linked to negative health effects like endocrine disruption and immunosuppression. Organochlorines are also known to create reproductive development changes and nervous system disorders.

Thermogenesis and Weight Loss Success

The weight loss plateau could be a protective mechanism. A definite relationship between reaching the weight loss plateau and the level of organochlorine chemicals in the plasma of dieters exists(Tremblay A, Pelletier C, Doucet E, Imbeault P., Thermogenesis and weight loss in obese individuals: a primary association with organochlorine pollution. Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord. 28(7), 936-939 (2004)). The study found that organochlorine pollution affected thermogenesis, stalling the weight loss rate in people trying to lose weight.

Overcoming the Weight Loss Plateau – The Pros and Cons

To overcome the weight loss plateau dieters are incorporating thermogenic pills containing ephedra and thermogenic foods into their diet plans to cancel the effects of the adaptive thermogenesis. There are mixed results as to the long-term health effects associated with intentional weight loss. The obvious benefits are associated with holding off obesity associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Some studies go as far as to say intentional weight loss is linked to high rate of mortality (Sørensen, TIA; Rissanen, A; Korkeila, M; Kaprio, J. "Intention to lose weight, weight changes, and 18-year mortality in overweight subjects without co-morbidities." PLoS Med. 2005; 2:e171). Some of the mortality rates may be linked to the high levels of organochlorine plasma concentrations released during weight loss. This is not a conclusive statement, there needs to be more studies done to support or disprove this conclusion.