What does being medically overweight or obese mean?
According to Statistics Canada, approximately two out of three adults in Canada are medically overweight or obese. The 2017 Obesity Update by the OECD also placed Canada among its most overweight countries, with only seven countries in the world performing worse than Canada.
Being medically overweight or obese can be drive by various factors including biological, environmental, psychological and economic reasons, and treating these medical conditions is not an easy task. Our universal healthcare systems in Canada currently do not make significant investments in preventative care, which leaves many overweight or obese individuals at risk for serious metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), stroke, osteoarthritis, several cancers and mental health problems such as depression.
Although many diets and companies have promised consumers successful weight-loss options over recent years, the number of overweight and obese individuals continues to steadily rise in Canada. These programs often promise fast results but fail to create sustainable outcomes for consumers.
What has changed now?
Medical weight loss aims to change the standard of care currently available for effective, sustainable and long-term treatment for being overweight or obese.
Historically, medical options available to patients have been limited to surgical options such as bariatric surgery, but that approach is now evolving. Today, medical weight loss can mean a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment for being overweight or obese, including pharmacotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, and evidence-based medical treatment programs. These multidisciplinary programs are overseen by a licensed clinician such as a Physician or Nurse Practitioner with expertise in treating obese or overweight patients.
What makes Medical Weight-loss programs different?
The guidance of a Clinician is what sets a medical weight loss program apart from dieting, bootcamps and restrictive-eating programs. However, not all medical weight loss programs are created equal. For instance, programs vary in the use of research-driven and evidence-based treatments in an effective and sustainable manner. Many programs only give patients access to medications without giving them additional support and coaching which are critical to long-term success. Some programs also use meal replacement shakes, unproven diets, or restrict your eating habits in a non-sustainable way, which causes weight to return when the extreme intervention is stopped.
Generally, all evidence-based programs should start with baseline bloodwork, clinician prescribed medication and lifestyle changes, and regular follow-ups for several months. The best programs should also be delivered by a medical team which understands the latest research and scientific evidence supporting effective outcomes and the long-term well-being of the patients.
Research shows that the right prescription medication along with lifestyle changes, such as those prioritized by our program, can make a real difference in improving your health. These medications can help reduce cravings, make you feel satiated or full with less food, and improve your blood glucose and insulin sensitivity. Some medications can also reduce fat absorption. If appropriate for you, our Clinicians will prescribe you one or a combination of these medications to help you reach your weight-loss and health goals.
What medications are available for effective weight loss in Canada?
New medication options in the GLP-1 and GIP class of drugs have been approved by Health Canada and FDA in recent years. Many of these may be effectively used for significant weight-loss for patients who would medically benefit from receiving these treatments. Learn more about common GLP-1 and GIP weight-loss medications here.
What makes cloudcure different?
Our approach is rooted in your unique biology, and a treatment plan personalized for you, with lots of support to help you succeed. We recommend a one-year program for all our patients, because lasting change takes time and we work with you to improve your whole health, not just the number on your scale. Over the course of the year, we will work with you to improve your metabolic health including your blood glucose and A1C, cholesterol, blood pressure as inches continue to come off your body. A coach will also support you through your entire journey to help improve our five key pillars to optimizing your health: Nutrition, Movement, Sleep, Hydration and Habits (which include Caffeine and Alcohol management).
Our team also recognizes that each patient, including your health concerns and your journey are unique. Many of our patients may have recently had a health scare or wake-up call, or are trying to achieve a weight-loss goal before an important life event such as a wedding or vacation. Some individuals may also be dealing with a chronic health condition such as PCOS, Type 2 diabetes, or COPD. Chronic health conditions may also result in unique symptoms, health concerns and the type of support required. Our expert medical team is guided by a multidisciplinary group of medical experts who are there to support you through your unique journey, with cutting-edge, proven medical science, and to help address and manage your health concerns. Some patients with conditions like PCOS or Type-2 diabetes may experience a reversal or reduction of their symptoms related to insulin sensitivity or female reproductive health.
How does the cloudcure program work?
The cloudcure Rx Plan begins by completing some bloodwork to measure your current metabolic health markets for baseline, and to inform your treatment approach. Then, at your first appointment with your Clinician, you discuss your family and personal medical history, your lab work results, and treatment approaches.
The Clinician makes recommendations for medications which can support you on your journey, which may include GLP-1 medications, as well as other options (depending on availability in Canada and according to the Clinician’s professional judgement). These medications will help play a key role in resetting your metabolic health, along with lifestyle changes that set the foundation for long-term sustainable success in reaching your health goals.
The cloudcure program does provide reliable and safe access to evidence-based, prescription medications through an expert medical team, but goes far beyond just treatment. The medical team continues to monitor your progress, adjust your medication as required, track your metabolic and overall health with bloodwork, and support with you a curriculum that is evidence-based and influenced by psychological practices and principles. In addition, throughout the program, you have access to a personal health coach who is there to support you and help you succeed.
Over the course of 12 months, our program will continue to provide monitoring, support and accountability to keep you healthy, motivated and progressing at your preferred pace. We never tell you what you can or can’t eat, and there are no good or bad foods. Instead, we focus on giving you the knowledge to make informed choices and decisions and guide you to a healthier lifestyle.
Cloudcure’s Metabolic is not a typical diet or weight loss program. It’s weight care personalized for you by a dedicated team who will be there for you, every step of the way to achieve your weight-loss goals.
