WHAT WE TREAT
Obesity is a symptom of internal imbalances. It has absolutely nothing to do with willpower. By tackling these underlying issues, our world-renowned specialists can help you lose excess weight and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that puts your health in danger. These risks include high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, mental health issues, osteoarthritis and many more. In over 60% of cases, obesity is caused by (or causes) metabolic syndrome.
Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal care, we are proud to be the only clinic in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every possible root-cause of obesity and metabolic syndrome. In doing so, we can help you recover in a matter of weeks, rather than years or months.
While obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the world, it remains one of the most stigmatised and misunderstood mental health conditions. The pervasive narrative around obesity is that it is caused by eating too much and moving too little. This narrative is reductive and unhelpful because, in most cases, obesity is the result of internal imbalances. These can be emotional, psychological, cellular, hormonal, environmental, dietary, and/or genetic. For example, hormonal imbalances like insulin resistance or leptin deficiency can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate hunger and satiety, while emotional factors such as chronic stress or past trauma may lead to overeating as a coping mechanism.
Metabolic syndrome is highly related to obesity, inactivity and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that when you consume food, sugar cannot enter the cells easily. This makes your blood sugar levels rise even as your body produces an excessive amount of insulin to try and lower your blood sugar levels. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together and increase your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The symptom of obesity is having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. BMI is one of the most widespread tools used to measure body composition and predict how it will impact a person’s health.
A person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if they have three or more of the following symptoms:
- High blood sugar, which may have similar symptoms to diabetes, such as fatigue, blurred vision and increased urination.
- High blood pressure.
- High levels of triglycerides.
- Low levels of HDL cholesterol (so-called good cholesterol).
- Large waist size.
What are the risks?
What are the physical risks of obesity and metabolic syndrome?
- Cardiovascular diseases: Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
- Type 2 diabetes: Obesity and metabolic syndrome significantly heighten the likelihood of insulin resistance and diabetes.
- Joint problems: Excess weight places strain on joints, leading to issues such as osteoarthritis.
- Sleep apnea: Fat deposits around the neck can obstruct airways, causing breathing difficulties during sleep.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Fat buildup in the liver can progress to inflammation or scarring.
- Certain cancers: Higher risk of cancers such as colorectal, breast (post-menopausal), and endometrial cancer.
- Reduced immunity: Chronic inflammation associated with obesity can impair immune function.
What are the emotional risks of obesity and metabolic syndrome?
- Body image dissatisfaction: Persistent feelings of unhappiness with physical appearance can erode mental well-being.
- Low self-esteem: Weight stigma and societal pressures can contribute to feelings of inadequacy.
- Anxiety and depression: Chronic stress about weight or health can lead to mental health challenges.
- Social isolation: Individuals may withdraw from social situations due to embarrassment or discrimination.
- Emotional eating cycles: Using food as a coping mechanism for stress or sadness can perpetuate a negative cycle.
bespoke treatment
How we treat obesity & metabolic syndromes
At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand that obesity and metabolic syndromes are complex conditions influenced by a variety of factors beyond just willpower or lifestyle choices. That’s why we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Each individual who comes to us receives a bespoke treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. Your four-week stay will be thoughtfully structured, incorporating a range of therapeutic elements designed to support your recovery.
Our treatments work together to address the underlying causes of obesity and metabolic syndromes, including emotional, psychological, and physical factors. We focus on restoring balance to your body, addressing metabolic imbalances, and providing the psychological support needed to help you overcome emotional triggers. See below for more detail.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
At Paracelsus Recovery, our 360-degree treatment approach is centred on restoring balance to both your mind and body. We combine advanced biochemical restoration, intensive psychotherapy, and therapies designed to strengthen the mind-body connection. To ensure that we address every aspect of your condition, you will undergo an in-depth testing process, identifying the root causes of your metabolic imbalances and any physical symptoms you may be experiencing, such as inflammation or hormonal disruptions.
We also assess any co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or stress, which may be contributing to or exacerbating your metabolic issues. By understanding the full picture, we can design a treatment programme that targets not only your metabolic health but also any underlying emotional or psychological factors that may be affecting your overall well-being.
Based on these results, we create a personalised treatment programme designed to target all underlying factors contributing to your obesity or metabolic syndrome. Our medical interventions, including treatments to reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and support metabolic health, are carefully tailored to your unique needs. Alongside this, our psychotherapeutic approaches will support emotional and psychological healing, empowering you to regain control of your health and achieve long-term well-being.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
Throughout your treatment programme, there is a dedicated team of more than 15 world-renowned doctors, therapists and obesity specialists, including a Nobel Prize-winning board member. Your team, consisting of medical doctors, nurses, clinical coordinators, a psychologist, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, a live-in therapist, a client relations team and an in-house hospitality team will provide around-the-clock, unparalleled support to get you on the road to recovery.
Treatment programmes as unique as you are
Guided by our core principles of empathy and pragmatism, we shape an entirely bespoke healing experience. We can provide treatment for obesity and any co-occurring mental health conditions at our discrete eating disorders clinic in Zurich.
We typically recommend a minimum four-week residential programme for obesity and metabolic syndrome so that you have enough time to address each of your internal imbalances.
FURTHER READING
