A number of studies have now shown that certain viruses (adenoviruses such as Ad-36 and SMAM-1) can cause obesity in humans. This is not new to Chinese Medicine and, in fact, they have herbs that can kill adenoviruses (e.g., Ocimum basilicum). Therefore, if you are overweight and trying everything to lose weight (unsuccessfully), then it could be that a viral infection is part of your problem, and unless you address the infection it may be very difficult to manage. In our practice, Steve Gomberg has a lot of experience treating obesity. He is an herbal medicine specialist and a certified clinical nutritionist.
 
Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2009 Mar;53(2):159-64.
Mayo Clin Proc. 2007 Oct;82(10):1192-8.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2005 Oct;32(10):811-6.