How can Allergies and Food Intolerances Affect Your Weight?
How can Allergies and Food Intolerances Affect Your Weight?
"Hidden or delayed food allergies (and their associated malnutrition) may be the single most common factor in binge eating, overeating, depressed metabolic rate, and obesity."
(Dr Braly)
Allergens and food intolerances can affect our weight because they can lead us to crave the culprit (food you may be sensitive too), which can lead to a type of addiction syndrome that can cause overeating.
This "addiction syndrome" develops initially as a protective response from the body. Allergens often cause inflammation, malnutrition, a heightened overactive immune system, digestive discomfort and tissue damage. In reaction to an "invader" (food allergen) the immune cells bind defensively to the foreign particles. The body may also release substances (natural painkillers) to ease the discomfort of this stress response. Consequently, we may misleadingly start to associate eating the foods with pain relief or even pleasure (produced by this release of endorphin and "opiate like" substances).
By avoiding foods my clients are sensitive or intolerant to, they have often shifted up to 4 kgs in a week (this is mainly because of inflammation caused by food sensitivities). The biggest challenge occurs when it’s the foods you love that may be causing the problems. But remember that there are always alternatives and ways to still enjoy yummy food without the side effects!
Symptoms you might look for: itchy or runny nose, postnasal drip, headaches, bloating, diarrhea, sneezing, eczema, rash, swelling, ringing in the ears, aches, pains, cravings, poor weight management (failure to gain weight and failure to lose weight).