Food Allergies and Weight Gain
There might also be a connection between weight gain and food intolerance or sensitivity. If you experienced unexplainable weight gain or are having a hard time losing weight despite your best efforts, food allergy may be to blame. Food allergies affect approximately three percent of the population, with food sensitivity and/or intolerance being far more common than actual allergies. Food allergies affect the immune system and cause a variety of different symptoms to occur. Therefore, there seem to be a connection between food allergies and weight gain.
Anaphylaxis : Threat to the Body
The immune system sees an allergen as a threat to the body and produces antibodies whenever is consumed. These antibodies are responsible to fight against the allergen. It is this fight, causes the common symptoms of allergies like itching, skin rash, swelling, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a very serious reaction that can be deadly if not treated immediately with an injection of epinephrine. However, the less severe reactions may be treated with antihistamines. But, the first best things to do is find out what food you are allergic to and avoid it at all costs.
Food Allergies that Cause Weight Gain
By storing the offending food rather than burning it off, is one way food allergies may cause weight gain or prevent weight loss. The first step is to see your doctor. He or she can perform a thorough examination and/or refer you to an allergy specialist. There are certain tests such as skin tests, blood tests and stool tests which can detect the presence of food allergies. If there are no allergies detected, you may still be suffering from a sensitivity or intolerance to a certain food or foods. Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint the problem.
Adverse Reactions to Food Allergies
Food allergies and weight gain can be troublesome for many sufferers. The most common foods that cause allergies are milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and nuts To discover the source of the problem, keep a food diary. Write down what you eat, when you eat it and any reactions you experience. You may also want to try eliminating certain foods from your diet to see if there is any improvement. Of course, other foods may also cause allergies, sensitivity or intolerance as well. These foods simply represent the most common culprits. In addition to working with your doctor or allergist, you may also want to work with a nutritionist to devise the best diet plan for your needs.
No related posts.
