Visit a physician before starting a diet

Why is it important to see a physician before starting a diet? A diet that may be good for one person often wouldn't be good for another. This is because all people are different from a medical perspective.

It is important to have testing done to see if there are any medical reasons that may be making it hard for you to lose weight, such as an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).

A diet also needs to be customized to the individual. For example, if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or high blood sugar, you would need a customized diet.

People with high blood sugar need a customized diet that has the right types of carbohydrates and the right amounts of protein as well as fat. The wrong types of carbohydrates can raise blood sugar and too much protein may not be good.

People with high cholesterol need a customized diet that is lower in fat. Those with high blood pressure need a diet that is lower in sodium.

In addition to detecting and treating any underlying health issues, a physician who specializes in nutrition can help build the skills you need to reach your weight goals and maintain them.

Dr. David C. Medway is a board certified internist specializing in nutrition. For more information about nutrition and health or weight loss, call (818) 342-0215 or (310) 659-5314.