You’ve tried everything. You cut out carbs and gluten, started running and doing yoga in the morning, and went to bed at a reasonable time at night. You lost a few pounds but are still at a loss as to why you can’t reach your goal and stay there.
We’ve got you covered. Our bodies are complex organisms, and although there is some truth to “calories in, calories out,” there are also other factors such as food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, and medication that can complicate your efforts and stall your progress.
Better health and a more appropriate weight are not achieved with weight loss pills, weight loss drinks, or even weight loss programs; it is only accomplished when you understand how your body absorbs and metabolizes the different substances that you put in it.
To help you make healthier decisions that are best for your unique body and goals, let’s take an in-depth look at aspects of health that are affecting your weight loss.
Food Sensitivities
You may have heard of or experienced lactose intolerance, a condition in which your body is unable to fully digest lactose (sugar) in milk and dairy products. Likewise, you or someone you know may have allergies to certain foods such as nuts, eggs, or fish. Other food sensitivities, however, may not be as obvious and may require special testing for discovery.
Food sensitivity occurs when your immune system responds to certain substances unnecessarily, causing you inflammation and a host of other symptoms including, but not limited to:
- Headache
- Rash and hives
- Changes in the regularity of your bowel movements
- Gastrointestinal inflammation and discomfort
Gastrointestinal inflammation that results from food sensitivity can be a disruptor of weight loss, inflaming your digestive tract and making it harder to maintain intestinal permeability, which can result in leaky gut. With leaky gut, you may actually eat enough calories but still be hungry as your body did not retain the micronutrients from your food.
So, if you’re inadvertently eating or drinking something that contains an ingredient that your body is sensitive to, it can cause you to gain weight rather than lose it. Food sensitivity can impede your goals regardless of the other weight loss measures you may be taking.
The importance of food sensitivity testing cannot be understated. It could be the difference between gaining weight or losing it.
Medication
Americans of all ages and backgrounds use medications to treat a variety of health issues such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Epilepsy
- Birth control
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Chronic or acute inflammation
Without these life-saving medications, many would suffer pain and a lower quality of life. Certain medications, however, can cause weight gain. There may be ingredients like corticosteroids, sulfonylureas, and prednisone that can produce a metabolic response that disrupts cellular function and hinders your efforts to lose weight.
If you are being treated for any of these conditions, you may want to talk to your doctor about your medication and see if it’s contributing to your weight gain. You can also undergo pharmacogenomic testing, a test that tells you how quickly or slowly you metabolize that specific drug, leading to a custom dosage tailored to your unique body.
Cellular Health and Nutrient Deficiencies
An essential part of being able to maintain a healthy weight is having healthy cells and plenty of micronutrients. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that enable your body to metabolize calories into energy, empowering it to perform the functions needed for optimal health, which includes exercising.
Unfortunately, studies have shown that people who are obese are at high risk for having certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Identifying which micronutrients are missing and how much can help medical professionals develop a specific and comprehensive weight loss program just for you.
What is the Best Way to Lose Weight?
ARCpoint Labs provides a variety of tests needed for an accurate picture of your health. We provide a collection of health and wellness panels that give you more insights about how your body may need a different approach when it comes to being healthier or even shedding those post-holiday extra pounds. Panels like our Weight Loss Panel, the Comprehensive Food Sensitivity Panel, and the Micronutrient Test are invaluable in helping you see the whole picture of your health and everything preventing you from achieving your weight loss goals.
Locate an ARCpoint Labs today to find the weight loss panel, food sensitivity, and micronutrient testing near you – and gain better knowledge on how to lose and maintain a healthy weight and cultivate total health and wellness.