Food sensitivities occur when your body struggles to digest certain foods. Unlike food allergies, sensitivities involve your gut, causing inflammation, digestive discomfort, fatigue, and other symptoms that can be challenging to pinpoint. 

Unfortunately, food sensitivities often go unaddressed and can sabotage various aspects of your health—including your ability to lose weight. In this article, we’ll explore the link between food sensitivities and weight loss difficulties to help you find a path forward. 

How Do Food Sensitivities Affect Weight Loss?

Food sensitivities can compromise your ability to lose weight in a few key ways, including:

• Increased inflammation

Food sensitivities trigger inflammation in the gut. This can disrupt your body’s ability to absorb crucial nutrients—including essential nutrients for your metabolism. When your metabolism doesn’t work properly, you can’t burn as many calories. 

• Fatigue

Inflammation and diminished nutrient absorption can also lead to fatigue. Fatigue challenges your ability to exercise and eat healthy, making it even more difficult to work toward your weight loss goals. 

• Food cravings

Did you know that your gut produces as much as 90% of your body’s serotonin? Serotonin is a “feel good” neurotransmitter that impacts your mood, sleep, digestion, and appetite. Food sensitivities can interfere with serotonin production, leading to food cravings that may sabotage your weight loss efforts.

Targeting Food Sensitivities to Advance Your Weight Loss Goals

Considering the threefold impact of food sensitivities on weight loss, how can you effectively resolve them? The first step is to undergo comprehensive testing to pinpoint sensitivities and intolerances, then incorporate these insights into a well-rounded, physician-developed weight loss plan. 

At The Center for Natural & Integrative Medicine, we can help you tackle food sensitivities and get on the road to sustainable weight loss. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation!