FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND YOUR WEIGHT

Could you be sensitive to a food you frequently eat and not even know it? Could that sensitivities play a role in your weight problems?

The answer to both is YES.

Food sensitivity, not allergy

We’re not talking about food allergies – like the well-known peanut allergy – that can lead to acute reactions like breathing difficulty. These include food sensitivities that are much more subtle and related to a part of the immune system we don’t fully understand. Gluten sensitivity is a very common example.

With food sensitivities, the body reacts to certain foods with inflammation when the food enters the digestive system. Symptoms can vary but can include digestive distress, headaches, and fatigue. Increased inflammation also creates challenges to successful weight loss. But because we eat on average more than 20 different kinds of foods every day, determining exactly which one(s) may be causing the problem can be difficult on your own.

How to diagnose and address food sensitivity

The good news is that a simple blood test can reveal specific food sensitivities that may complicate weight loss. It works by looking for an inflammatory response among dozens of common foods and ingredients. It also reveals an extensive list of “safe foods” that don’t cause a reaction. This test helps medical providers develop a nutritional plan to circumvent food sensitivities and aid in weight loss.

A common pattern of food sensitivities blood tests shows foods that are frequently eaten by patients, including healthy foods.

Will eliminating inflammatory foods from a dietary plan lead directly to weight loss on its own? We wish the answer were yes, but that’s not how it works! This strategy must be included as a tool in your multi-component personalized medical weight loss plan.

A food sensitivities example: grapes

A male patient following the CMWL program complained of abdominal pain and challenges in getting his body fat percentage under 20 percent. He diligently followed his medical weight loss plan consisting of high-protein foods and regular exercise. Yet the body fat percentage would not budge.

His medical provider ordered a food sensitivities blood test. The results showed an inflammatory response to grapes. Unsurprisingly, the patient frequently consumed grapes as part of his diet. This included wine.

To determine if sensitivity to grapes posed challenges to his body fat reduction efforts, he chose to eliminate them from his diet. That appeared to be the right move. In a matter of months, he was able to reduce his body fat percentage to 15 percent. His abdominal pain also abated.

Are food sensitivities for life?

Interestingly, both research and experience reveal that food sensitivities do not last in the long term after a period of abstention. Patients may return to eating those foods gradually. However, new food sensitivities can develop. Patients may find it beneficial to include periodic testing as part of their medical weight loss plan.

In addition to improving overall health, food sensitivity tests help to raise overall awareness of the types of ingredients you’re including in your dietary plan. Increased awareness often leads to positive action.

So if you’ve been struggling with abdominal pain, fatigue, migraines, or other symptoms, a simple food sensitivity test may be the missing link in getting you back on track.