| Prescription drugs Weight gain
is often linked to certain medication, such as HRT, the contraceptive
pill and steroids. Some antidepressants can also cause increased
appetite and weight gain. If you have to take medication, discuss
your weight problem with your doctor and ask if there are alternative
drugs you could take. Never stop taking any drug without the advice
and supervision of your doctor.
Food allergies
Could a food allergy be making it difficult for you to lose weight?
A good clue would be whether you crave a particular food that
you eat frequently. Once a food allergy exists the food becomes
mildly addictive and you can feel compelled to eat it. If you
are allergic to a food, your body can react by storing it away
instead of using it for energy. If you eat a lot of foods to which
you are allergic, there will undoubtedly be weight gain.
There are two types of allergic reactions.
Type A (classic allergy). In this type of allergy, you will experience
a reaction immediately after contact with an allergen (such as
shellfish or peanuts, for example).
Type B (delayed allergy or intolerance). Here the reaction can
take place between one hour or three days after ingesting the
food. Symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, water retention,
fatigue, aching joints and headaches can all be due to a Type
B allergy.
It is now possible to have a blood test that analyses the effects
of 217 different foods and food additives. This test measures
the release of certain chemicals that are responsible for the
symptoms of food intolerance. Once you find out what foods are
causing problems, they can be avoided for a short period of time.
Unlike the foods implicated in Type A allergies, you do not have
to avoid these foods indefinitely. Giving your body a rest from
them, and then ensuring that they don't make up too large a percentage
of your diet will probably do the trick. If you would like to
know more about this test click Allergy Test
Yeast overgrowth
Do you suffer from any of these symptoms?
sugar cravings
cravings for foods such as wine, bread, cheese
migraines or headaches
chronic thrush
inability to lose weight
tired all the time
often feel spaced out
feel drunk on a small amount of alcohol
feel bloated and have flatulence
If these symptoms seem familiar, then you may have a yeast overgrowth
such as candida albicans.
We all have the yeast' candida' in our gut, but is usually controlled
by other bacteria. When the immune system is compromised (because
of illness, for example, or a poor diet), the proportion of 'healthy'
bacteria can be altered, causing candida to grow out of control
This overgrowth can be also be caused by overuse of antibiotics,
the contraceptive pill, HRT, steroids and stress. If you would
like to know more about this test click Stool Test
(If you are experiencing chronic thrush, then you should always
see your doctor as this can be a symptom of diabetes and needs
to be ruled out.)
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