Case study: How to effectively deal with weight control and metabolic disorders

Mario Rossi is 46 years old and is a manager of a company in the mechanical sector. He works 50 to 60 hours per week. For about seven years, he has virtually reduced his physical activity to a few hours per month and, inevitably, his weight has increased by 15 pounds. He also says he lacks the time to dedicate to healthy eating, often limiting himself to a quick coffee at breakfast and a sandwich for lunch. Consequently, most of his caloric intake is in the evening, consuming a few snacks with bread and cold cuts before dinner. During the evening meal, he consumes a hearty plate of pasta and a main course, generally meat and vegetables seasoned with extra virgin olive oil, plus a roll. He accompanies all with 1 or 2 glasses of wine.

After a check-up with his doctor – due to the onset of fatigue and headache, and after the routine blood tests – he turns out to suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol (264 mg / dl) and type II diabetes.

His doctor then decides to start him on a treatment of anti-hypertensive medication, statins and oral hypoglycemic agents. Following this diagnosis, and frightened by the idea of starting medical treatment so early and suffering the same fate of his father who died of a heart attack at age 62, Mario decides to spend a period of 7 days at Villa Eden, to follow a weight loss programme.

After a consultation with a doctor regarding his body makeup and an accurate diagnostic, the analysis shows a marked increase in body fat, a BMI (body mass index) of 31.6 indicating obesity type I, blood pressure of 144/90 mmHg and a blood glucose level of 144 mg/dl in the morning before eating. He is advised to undertake an intensive programme with 3 sessions of Electro Bio Detox treatment and 3 algae therapies with hydro massage to purify the body, 5 bio-thermic sessions for the reactivation of the metabolism, 6 biophysical therapy lymph drainage sessions to counter inflammation and a daily body cast treatment to reduce centimeters from his waistline. Furthermore, the programme requires that Mario follow a low- calorie diet regimen with a day of fasting, in which he can consume only fruit extracts and vegetable juices.

In these early days, a number of nutritional supplements are recommended to support the body; supplements that he will continue taking at home. Meanwhile, a personal trainer creates a regime of physical exercises to be performed daily during his stay and at least 2-3 times a week after completion of his stay. Even if his intention is to spend his stay in blissful solitude, from time to time he freely chooses to participate in group activities organized within the Retreat: in particular, Mario appreciates muscle toning walks in the morning and every so often, he joins the afternoon trip organized by the Retreat

At the end of the stay, Mario feels reborn: He has lost 11 pounds, his blood pressure returned to normal (125/85 mmHg) and even his blood sugar returned to normal (94 mg/dl). Finally ready to make a positive change to his daily life, he has adopted a more active lifestyle and a healthy diet, as prescribed by his doctor. He now lives happily with his family, he lost another 7 pounds and has recovered the energy of the past. Magic? No, Villa Eden.