Obesity continues to be a major health concern for many Americans, accounting for about 30% of the population’s weight classification. There are numerous factors that cause this condition, such as a poor diet, lack of exercise and genetics. Treatment is important, as obesity can lead to health problems and a shortened life span.

One method of treating weight loss is cold laser therapy, as demonstrated by the Zerona Medical Laser available through Erchonia Medical. This innovative treatment involves the removal of body fat without any incisions made in the skin. Instead, low levels of laser light are used to remove fat through detoxification in this non-invasive treatment method. Cold laser therapy is one possible method to combat obesity currently studied and researched. The American Cancer Society states that it is thought to be helpful for certain forms of pain, wound healing and inflammation. There has been some positive evidence that cold laser therapy does work with regard to obesity.

Dieting has been one of the most commonly-used methods of weight loss. Diets are generally divided into four categories: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie and very low-calorie. Very low-calorie diets are usually monitored by a physician, as they consist of a calorie intake of 200 to 800 per day. The other three diets have had substantial results without being as drastic. Low-fat diets have been a popular, well-known choice, but their exact effectiveness has been debated in recent years. In contrast, low-carbohydrate diets have risen in popularity in recent years. This has mostly been to the influence of Dr. Atkins, who first published his famed book on the subject in the 1990s.

Exercise is yet another effective method for treating obesity. Besides assisting in losing weight, physical activity is also effective for improved bone density, joint mobility and muscle strength. However, there are some myths about exercise to be aware of. For instance, some believe that working on a certain body part will reduce body fat in that specific area. Fat reduction in the body is instead achieved in a more overall sense over time. It is impossible to specifically target areas of the body for weight loss, which is why many of us carry excess weight in unsightly areas.

Another myth is the theory that muscle tissue becomes fat tissue if one ceases to exercise. It’s more accurate to say that muscle tissue is replaced by fat tissue, as muscles will atrophy from decreased use and excess glucose will be stored as fat. It’s also important to remember that if you stop exercising, you will need to maintain a stricter diet to maintain the same body image.

For those looking to remove fat more quickly, though not naturally, there is surgery such as liposuction. However, this method poses certain risks and not everybody will be judged eligible by a doctor for the procedure. For instance, those with diabetes or a heart condition are not considered as possible candidates. In addition, the procedure becomes more risky as the amount of fat removed increases. Complications may also arise following the procedure.

Gastric bypass surgery is meant to treat morbid obesity in particular. The procedure not only serves the function of drastically reducing weight, as it has also been shown to relieve hypertension and reverse diabetes, among other benefit to improve the life span. After the surgery, individuals go on a strict diet as the stomach adjusts to the changes. A patient’s appetite and food intake will become significantly smaller following the surgery.

Gastric banding is yet another surgical procedure for obesity, though pain and risks are more likely from this method. The band creates a pouch at the top of the stomach which slows food from passing to the lower stomach. This makes a person feel full more quickly and thus limits their eating intake, which in turn promotes weight loss. Though there is a lower mortality rate than other forms of gastric bypass surgery, certain other complications are possible, sometimes involving malfunctioning of the band itself.

If you are overweight, remember that you do have options and don’t have to simply give up hope. Patience may be a requirement, but it is well-worth considering the decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer. In other words, it’s not simply an improved perception of your body image that you have to look forward to. Future medical technologies are changing the way we function, and cold laser therapy has the potential to combat obesity in a safe and effective manner.