The New Year is finally here, meaning time for those dreaded resolutions. The number one resolution made during this time is to lose weight, which is typically broken within the first week. Why is this resolution so difficult to keep? The answer is not as simple as it may seem. Losing weight is not just about eating healthy and exercise. There are many obstacles leading to resistant weight loss, for one, food intolerances. Food intolerances can cause the body to retain water as well as fat. Once the culprit foods are removed, water weight is loss, typically 5-10 pounds, followed by fat loss. Food intolerances can be determined by a blood test or by an elimination diet.

Another factor related to food intolerances are food cravings. Food intolerances exert a profound effect on the limbic portion of the brain. This part of the brain holds the control centers for memory, emotions, body temperature, sexuality, blood pressure, hunger, sleep, and thirst. When a person comes in contact with an allergenic food, this triggers an increase in the brain opioid, enkephalin. Enkephalin is a narcotic produced by the body, which leads to extreme addiction.

In order to break these cravings, it is important to support our own endogenous neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, to help combat the craving while changing the diet. Other offenders include heavy metals and environmental toxins, which can be safely removed using detoxification methods. For further information of detoxification methods or food allergy testing, please call Dr. Chambers. Dr. Chambers specializes in natural medicine.