Four areas 98% of my “weight-challenged” clients have never had a proper assessment of are: 1, 2) the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, 3) the endocrine system – where important metabolic systems like the adrenals and thyroid are located and 4) the detoxification system. All 4 of these are connected and affect each other, and are VERY related to metabolism and thus healthy body composition and weight.
When I address even one of these areas – the individual starts to feel better and lose weight with success that they have never experienced.
Let’s look at one – the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Imbalance in the GI many times is created from food sensitivities which cause a lot of inflammation. When I have eliminated foods in patients that cause sensitivity &/or allergies, the inflammation goes down, the energy goes up and the weight comes off. If I go further and provide good bacteria in the GI, which is very low in these client, and detox them for a few weeks, their health and energy are even more improved.
Lets look at a study from Europe, where the health care field and researchers are open-minded to looking beyond what we look at in the U.S. It shows the links between inflammation and weight gain, and explain their implications for treating obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Two groups of children were studied. The first group was overweight and the second was normal weight. (i) The researchers measured three key factors connected to inflammation and thus metabolism.
1- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker that shows the general level of inflammation in the body.
2- Plaque or thickening in the carotid arteries (the main arteries that supply the brain) with an ultrasound.
3- Blood tests for IgG, or delayed food allergies
The overweight kids had a 3-fold higher level of CRP and a 2.5-fold higher level of IgG antibodies to foods. This is VERY significant, since in most medical studies a difference of 20 – 30 % is considered significant. And in this case, the differences were 300 and 250 percent, respectively.
The overweight children had much thicker carotid arteries, which are a sign of early atherosclerosis and an indicator of heart disease. The study suggests that food allergies are a CAUSE of the inflammation and obesity.
The study shows damage to the GI can lead to a leaky gut, allowing food particles to be exposed to the gut’s immune system. This then triggers a system-wide immune response, leading to inflammation all over the body and promoting obesity by increasing insulin resistance.
Inflammation from any cause – bacteria, food, a high-sugar, high-fat diet -will produce insulin resistance, leading to higher insulin levels. And since insulin is a fat storage hormone, you store more fat, mostly around the belly.
The authors of the study suggest that the elimination of IgG food allergens should be included in treating obesity and preventing heart disease. This does not mean one must limit calories, but to eliminate allergic foods that cause inflammation.
This study draws a remarkable link that has received little attention by conventional medicine.
References
(i) Wilders-Truschnig M, Mangge H, Lieners C, et al. IgG Antibodies Against Food Antigens are Correlated with Inflammation and Intima Media Thickness in Obese Juveniles. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2007 Dec 10
If your interested in achieving a healthy Body Composition and Weight by not dieting but by “cleaning up your diet” , and/or learning about hormones and detox to help achieve life long healthy weight, come attend the 6 week class at the Saratoga State Park Starting the week of March 29th, late comers can join the first week of April. Please call 518.257.6530 for more information.