Overcoming Food Intolerances, Allergies & Sensitivities for Holistic Weight Loss

Men and women who find their weight loss efforts are met with challenges should consider looking into food intolerances, allergies and sensitivities. Many people have such digestive issues, but their symptoms can be quite minor (like temporary bloating) – so they just ignore it. But when your body’s inflammation reaction is repeatedly activated, your metabolism will suffer for it. And if you’re trying to lose weight, even your most heroic exercise and diet efforts will be sabotaged by these digestive issues.

Understanding Different Digestive Issues

Food intolerances and food allergies are frequently lumped into the same category. However, these are two different processes. And there’s a third: food intolerances. It’s important to understand the nuanced differences between these different issues.

Food Allergy

Food allergies occur when the immune system perceives a certain food as a foreign invader and tries to eliminate it. Reactions typically occur in minutes or hours after eating a specific food.

Typical symptoms include:

• Rashes

• Swelling of the lips and tongue

• Itchiness

• Hives

• Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)

Food Intolerance

A food intolerance occurs when the digestive system is unable to adequately process a type of food due to a lack of specific enzymes. For example, people that are lactose intolerant lack the enzyme lactase which would allow them to metabolize dairy products.

Typical Symptoms include:

• Stomach pain

• Gas

• Bloating

• Diarrhea
  

Food Sensitivities

Similar to a food intolerance, food sensitivities occur when the digestive system has an immune reaction to a food it can’t process due to a lack of a certain enzyme. The difference is that there is usually a delayed response; symptoms can occur hours after or even days after eating a specific food.

Symptoms: Similar to those of food intolerance, but typically milder and more systemic. For example, food intolerances can exacerbate:

• Arthritic pains

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Stomach pains

• Brain fog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYN20fVbMk

Food Intolerances & Sensitivities & Weight Issues

People experiencing either food intolerance or sensitivity may experience:

• Inflammation - which decreases the balance of your metabolism

• Noticeable bloating - which looks like extra pounds around the waist

• Lethargy - makes it difficult to exercise as frequently

Common Food Sensitivities & Intolerances

• Gluten

• Dairy

• Eggs

• Shellfish

• Soy

• Mushrooms

• Sulfites: Often found in red wine, beer, and dried foods

• Foods containing MSG (monosodium glutamate)

How Food Sensitivities Affect Weight Loss

Food sensitivities cause inflammation throughout the digestive tract. When the digestive tract is disturbed in any way, it becomes less efficient. While the calories are easily absorbed, the nutrients may be lost before they can be utilized. This means an excessive amount of calories are taken, but the body doesn’t get the nutrition it needs to create energy and maintain a balanced metabolism.Overcome Digestive Issues for Holistic Weight Loss

Food intolerances and food sensitivities are quite widespread. The most common culprits are gluten and dairy. However, each person is unique and any potential food sensitivities or intolerances should be carefully assessed through either laboratory testing or an elimination diet.

Discovering a food intolerance or sensitivity can change the way your whole body feels. Avoiding those foods will reduce the inflammation, bloating, and lethargy and make it much easier to shed those extra pounds. One of our naturopathic doctors at Timeless Health Clinic can guide you through the process of identifying and conquering food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities. This is just one of the services we cover in Holistic Weight Loss program, along with IV Drips for Weight loss -- and much, much more.