Phytotherapy in Obesity: Is It Necessary to Have Surgery?

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity, which is defined by the World Health Organization as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body that impairs health, is increasing day by day. In addition to behavioral therapy aimed at changing the individual\"s lifestyle based on the strategies developed against the disease, diet therapy, exercise, medical nutrition therapy, pharmacological and, as a last resort, surgical treatment are recommended. The effect of methods other than surgical treatment on weight loss is slow. For this reason, many obese patients prefer obesity surgery to lose weight quickly, but these methods have many complications such as weight regain, tachycardia, fistula, bleeding, herniation, anastomotic stenosis, gastric erosion, small bowel obstructions, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Post-surgical weight regain and complications have recently led to new searches, and the use of medical nutrition and phytotherapy products has again come to the fore as hope. Phytotherapy products can also be used alone or in combination with other methods. Natural anti-obesity products have functional ingredients such as phytochemicals, polyphenols, flavonoids and phytosterols. There are many natural products used in this field and therefore there are different classifications. Phytotherapeutics are classified according to their effectiveness as those that increase fat burning and stimulate metabolism, suppress appetite, create a feeling of satiety, control blood sugar and insulin, inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates and fats, and inhibit inflammation. However, more clinical research is needed to elucidate the antiobesity effectiveness and mechanism of action of natural products. The risks and side effects of the method to be chosen in obesity treatment should be discussed with the patient. Recommendations to the patient should be given after a multidisciplinary evaluation. Treatment should be started with the most appropriate and least risky method for the patient\"s current condition. It should be explained to the patient that it is most likely that he/she will lose weight with one of these methods, but that the important thing is to maintain his/her weight through behavioral changes.