I've recently written about the link between obesity and food sensitivities here in this ezine (see "The Way to Lose Weight Easily and Permanently Without Drugs") Isn't it interesting that individuals with obesity are at higher risk for other illness such high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, arthritis, various forms of cancer etc. Are these problems due to the obesity itself or are they linked in some other way? Well it is clear that obesity can have direct effects on other organ systems i.e. placing a greater strain on the heart, joints etc. There is however another connection which is not so direct. That connection is through what many have termed food sensitivities. Sensitivity to a food is not dis-similar to sensitivity to a toxin. In other words when you are sensitive to a given food, that food is for all practical purposes toxic to you. Like any toxin there is a threshold beyond which it begins to become toxic to your body. Beyond this threshold the body has trouble handling and processing the excess intake of that toxin in the normal way and therefore must handle it as if it is a threat to the vitality of the organism. How does it do that? Well it attempts to store the excess in places like fat, in joints, in muscle tissues, and other tissues that have no use for such toxins. When this happens the normal functioning of these tissues and the organ systems they are associated with begin to break down and malfunction. The malfunction manifests as the illnesses I mentioned earlier. How are these illnesses treated commonly? Well with a multitude of chemicals that in themselves are foreign to the normal structure and function of the body. I will leave it to you to figure out what impact they have on the body's ability to recover from the excess toxicity it is already carrying. My personal experience over 6 years ago struggling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was that by becoming aware of what toxic food substances I was taking into my body and simply eliminating them my energy levels and my health improved considerably. Now food sensitivities are not generally something that many physicians ever address with their clients. I know because while I was in medical school I only received one or two classes on nutrition and food sensitivity was never even mentioned. If you would like to have your own experience with this interesting issue I invite you to do what I did which was as follows: 1. Research food sensitivity testing on the internet under "Electro Dermal Screening" or EDS testing. Please note that you will also find a great deal of negative advertising about EDS from some individuals. Don't allow yourself to be swayed by words alone; always search out your own experience. 2. Have yourself tested. This will cost you anywhere from $100 to $150 depending on where you live and how many foods are tested. 3. Do this under the supervision of a qualified naturopathic doctor who will likely need to supplement your diet with the appropriate vitamins and minerals. 4. Stay on your schedule of appropriate foods for at least 6 months or longer to see the results for yourself. 5. Have yourself retested every couple of years, or sooner depending on the recommendations of your naturopath as food sensitivities can change. I welcome you to send me your experiences to let me know how useful this information was for you. All the best in your adventure back to health! |
