Dr. Nicholas Kaloudis:
eat right and stay young

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Dr. Nicholas C. Kaloudis, an endocrinologist who also deals with weight management, metabolism, aesthetics and anti-aging management (because “our physical appearance is a reflection of what is happening beneath the surface,” he never misses the opportunity to remind us), is so passionate about what he does that he wastes no time before he examines you in barraging you with questions - even if in this case I’m the reporter actually doing the interview!

by Demetrios Rhompotis

After a few minutes of introductory pleasantries and with my overweight problem more than obvious, the conversation shifts to my eating habits, my high blood pressure, the more that occasional late night snacks and drinks, and, of course, my passion for cigars and after-midnight conversation. In his brand-new, spacious, well-furbished and equipped Endo Health MD center in Manhasset, New York, Dr. Kaloudis is in absolute command and doesn’t take no for an answer.

Instead of the expected tour of the facilities, he leads me to a room where a brand-new computerized machine that resembles a weight scale, a gym bicycle and also a time machine, is installed. There, barefoot, I have to stand on it and hold two handles with sensors and wait for a few seconds--and “no talking, please.”

Then, a chart comes out of a printer--and lo and behold--my body’s map is there in numbers, offering a full picture of my bodily composition, shedding light on things I didn’t know until then--like the percentage of liquid, the muscle mass, the way fat is spread throughout and, of course, what my ideal weight should be. The last part was the most painful--as I realized I have to lose about 30 pounds! (In your dreams, Doc)!

According to Dr. Kaloudis, who admits a huge number of people he treats have weight-related issues, equipment such as the one I was tested on, reminds us of the fact that each human being is unique, different and requires special attention. In other words, things that might work for me might not work for somebody else, etc. Bringing care “at the next level,” as his motto goes, starts there.

“I won’t do anything unless I have this chart,” he says, holding my results in his hands. “This way I can work with whoever has come here seeking help and devise a program that will lead to real results without affecting people’s well being and without imposing …starvation as a way to lose weight.”

(He did say, however, no red meat, pasta, potatoes, alcohol and other great stuff, even fruits for dinner, which is equal to…starvation for me!)

“But you can have white meat, fish, green salad and green apples or berries for dessert,” he concedes. “And, please, no tomatoes--they are full of sugar!”

Easy to say, but even if I follow his directions religiously, the season is on and we have events almost every night and there is food and an open bar. My discipline gets utterly defeated in a few minutes of battle with temptation.

“In that case,” he says, “two hours after you are done with your…reporting…take a brisk walk for about 25 minutes. That helps balance the equation.”

Sure …

Working private practice in Endocrinology since 2005, Dr. Kaloudis has an office in Astoria, New York, and lately in Manhasset, Long Island: the suburban …Manhattan.  In addition, he is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine at North Shore University Hospital of Manhasset and an Associate Clinical Professor and Attending Staff Physician of Endocrinology at New York Hospital of Queens. He is also a member of the American College of Physicians, The Endocrine Society, American Diabetes Association, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and Hellenic Medical Society. He has made several national presentations on endocrinology-related subjects at medical conferences.

Endocrinology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the endocrine system, and its specific secretions called hormones.

Going back to excess weight, Dr. Kaloudis is eager to point out that “the key to successful weight loss is a commitment to making permanent changes in your diet and exercise habits.” Also, being overweight is responsible for a number of problems (including high blood pressure, my thing) and for enhancing the consequences of the aging process. It’s not only a question of looking good and sexy: health is number one issue here.

But lets start from the beginning: According to Dr. Kaloudis, “metabolism (from Greek: μεταβολή "metabolē", "change" or Greek: μεταβολισμός metabolismos, "outthrow") is the set of chemical reactions that occur in the cells of humans to sustain life. These processes allow humans to grow and reproduce, maintain their body, and respond to the environment. Your metabolism involves a complex network of hormones and enzymes that not only convert food into fuel but also affect how efficiently you burn that fuel.

Not as efficiently, in my case…And here comes the aging zinger: “One might write off  low energy and fatigue as just part of the natural aging process,” says Dr. Kaloudis. “However, aging itself is only a manifestation of metabolic and hormonal changes your body undergoes as the years pass. Many of these changes can be halted, and sometimes even reversed. The process of metabolism establishes the rate at which we burn our calories and, ultimately, how quickly we gain weight or how easily we lose it. Therefore, metabolic evaluations are important, in order to help achieve a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Now, the number of calories our body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as Basal Metabolic Rate — what one might call metabolism. Several factors determine our individual basal metabolic rate:

  1. Your body size and composition. The bodies of people who are larger or have more muscle burn more calories, even at rest.
  2. Your sex. Men usually have less body fat and more muscle than do women of the same age and weight, burning more calories.
  3. Your age. As you get older, the amount of muscle tends to decrease and fat accounts for more of your weight, slowing down calorie burning.

According to Dr. Kaloudis “energy needs for your body's basic functions stay fairly consistent and aren't easily changed. Your basal metabolic rate accounts for about 60 to 75 percent of the calories you burn every day. In addition to your basal metabolic rate, two other factors determine how many calories your body burns each day:a)   

  1. Food processing (thermogenesis). Digesting, absorbing, transporting and storing the food you consume also takes calories. This accounts for about 10 percent of the calories used each day. For the most part, your body's energy requirement to process food stays relatively steady and isn't easily changed.
  2. Physical activity. Physical activity and exercise — such as playing tennis, walking to the store, chasing after the dog and any other movement — account for the rest of the calories your body burns up each day. Physical activity is by far the most variable of the factors that determine how many calories you burn each day.

“It may be tempting to blame your metabolism for weight gain. But because metabolism is a natural process, your body generally balances it to meet your individual needs,” says Dr. Kaloudis.

That's why if you try so-called starvation diets your body compensates by slowing down these bodily processes and conserving calories for survival. Only in rare cases do you gain excessive weight gain from a medical problem that slows metabolism, such as Cushing's syndrome, or having an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).

However, the plain truth remains that “weight gain is most commonly the result of eating more calories than you burn. To lose weight, then, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories, increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity, or both. Your weight is a balancing act, and calories are part of that equation. Fad diets may promise you that counting carbs or eating a mountain of grapefruit will make the pounds drop off. But when it comes to weight loss, it's calories that count. Weight loss comes down to burning more calories that you take in. You can do that by reducing extra calories from food and beverages and increasing calories burned through physical activity. Once you understand that equation, you're ready to set your weight-loss goals and make a plan for reaching them. Also, plan smart: Anticipate how you'll handle situations that challenge your resolve and the inevitable minor setbacks.”

The last part is the hardest, in my case…

(Dr. Kaloudis is holding a Medical Seminar/Brunch, Dec 1,2012 at the Garden City Hotel where he will elaborate on all this and will be able to answer your questions this time. Check his website http://www.endohealthmd.com/ for more info.)

Along with the chart of my body composition, I left Dr. Kaloudis’ office in Manhasset with a book containing calories and carb lists for most foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis and I was instructed to come back in five months to report progress.

Bear with me until then…
©2012 NEOCORP MEDIA





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