I don’t know about you but my allergies are killing me right now. No matter what I do, nothing helps. I found this article, in a Women’s Health segment called Daily Dose and they talk about “are allergies making you fat?” If my allergies are making me fat then they’ve got to pull some of the load by walking a few miles each night.

Avoiding getting tested for food allergies because you’re afraid of giving up shrimp? Doing it might just help you give up your muffin top: A new study in the Middle East Journal of Family Medicine reports that hidden food allergies can hinder weight-loss efforts. 

When the 27 patients in the study steered clear of foods they tested allergic to, their body fat dropped by 30 percent on average. They also showed an average weight loss of approximately 37 pounds plus an average drop of six points of BMI (body mass index). 

Relieving seasonal allergies may also help, since pollen and fruit have similar allergy fingerprints. The National Health and Nutrition Survey reported that the number of people who suffer from hay fever from airborne allergens has doubled in just 20 years. Since they have a similar “allergy fingerprint” to fruit, developing hay fever and other environmental allergies might cause you to develop allergies to certain fruits, vegetables and nuts. 

Food allergy vs. food intolerance? 

Allergy: The body reacts to food as a bacterial or viral invader and immune system goes on full alert, producing antibodies that travels through the blood to your nose, mouth and throat, and GI tract. There, the antibodies attach to mast cells, which release histamine; that triggers swelling meant to keep the invaders from going any deeper into your body (that “can’t breath” feeling) while your insides act to get rid of the ones already in your system (thus emergency bathroom breaks). 

Intolerance: These foods trigger digestive problems, not immune responses. 

8 most common food allergens: 

The foods most commonly associated with food allergy are: Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy. 

Think you’re allergic? 

The symptoms of allergies to food or ingested products may include:
- wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness from allergic asthma
- itching in the mouth
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- a drop in blood pressure
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea or vomiting
- hives, skin itching or eczema

An allergist can conduct a skin test to determine if you have food intolerance or food allergy. Then you may have to avoid the 8 most common food allergens (above) until your symptoms are gone. They may be reintroduced one at a time over several weeks until you find the edibles causing you distress. 

This is great news my allergies are going to walk 5 miles tonight, so I can work on getting more work done and drinking a glass of wine. Think about it, I’m sitting on the couch and relaxing, while I watch my allergies go walking by . What! They’re talking about food allergies, not pollen based allergies. Damn. Who wants my glass of wine?

MikeZ_maybe my allergies can keep the congestive sleeping too.

Please consult your physician before starting any exercise or weight loss program.
Your physician is your very best resource.