Are Hidden Food Allergies Making You Fat?

Patients unable to achieve goal weight loss just by cutting calories were significantly aided in their attempts when they avoided foods that had been shown by a unique lab test to excite their immune response, according to a new study from Dubai.

The authors, led by Dr. M. Akmal of the Dubai Specialized Medical Centre, pointed out that hidden food allergies, or food sensitivities, are unique to each individual and can cause inflammatory diseases, and an inability to lose weight.

Food sensitivities often provoke delayed and chronic symptoms, like IBS, migraine and arthritis that are not as obvious as the dramatic and immediate onset of "true" food allergies, such as peanut anaphylaxis, but, over the long term, can be just as devastating and are more difficult to detect.

The patients were all tested on a well known system called the ALCAT test which I've written about in "The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth". The ALCAT test shows which foods activate your immune system, even if you're not "technically" allergic. The only "treatment" the patients underwent during the 12 week study was to avoid all foods that showed up in the test as being problematic.

The results were pretty impressive.

By just eliminating the foods to which they were sensitive, the study participants dropped an average of 37 pounds in 12 weeks- a very impressive amount. They also dropped an average of 6 points on their BMI (body mass index) and a reduced their body fat by a stunning 30%.

My friend Fred Pescatore, MD, author of "The Hamptons Diet" (and former Medical Director of the Atkins Center) commented: "I'm not surprised by these results, dramatic as they may appear. I've used the ALCAT test with my difficult patients time and time again, and it always works".

Other studies based on the elimination of food sensitivities had previously been reported. In a Baylor Medical College study 98% of subjects also displayed significant improved body composition and/or scale weight following an ALCAT test-based food elimination diet within four weeks. A matched control group that followed calorie restriction alone actually became fatter.

Roger Deutsch, co-author of the excellent book, "Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat" had this to say: "Now we know that chronic inflammation, caused primarily by exposure to incompatible foods, is at the root of metabolic problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. The immune system chemicals block insulin receptors; so, guess what happens to the sugars we eat? - they get stored as fat. Cut the inflammation, cut the fat storage."

So if nothing's worked for you, perhaps it's time to try some experimentation. A rotation diet or an elimination diet is one low-tech way to see if certain foods are contributing to weight loss resistance (or even to vague symptoms like headaches, fogginess, aches and pains and low energy). I explain how to do it in "The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth".

And if you want to go all the way and actually take the ALCAT test yourself, you can find out more at www.alcat.com.

Give the Gift of Jonny for the Holidays

OK I cringed when writing that headline- my only excuse is that my brilliant webmaster and marketing guru Christopher Loch thought of it, not me. But here's the deal: Amazon is offering a special bundle containing three of my books for just $49.45 (you save $25.48):

• The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth
  
  
  
• The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth
  
  
  
• The Healthiest Meals on Earth
  

A lot of people have told me that they were going to give one or more of my books for holiday presents, so maybe this is a good time! Granted the "together" price is about the same as you would get on Amazon if you bought them separately, but still, it's a great deal because Amazon discounts so deeply (34% on each book). I'd be honored if you'd consider giving people you love the whole collection. Or give them as separate gifts.

If you're familiar with the books, skip this next section, but just in case you're not:

The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth tells you the surprising and unbiased truth about foods- which ones are great and why. It's also got some (I hope) interesting essays and information about grass-fed vs. organic meat, farm vs. wild salmon, and the "truth about soy". I'm thrilled to say it's going into its second year as a best-seller and into its fifth printing.

The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth examines the way natural medicine and nutrition (and sometimes modalities like acupuncture or reflexology) can significantly impact a whole host of illnesses and conditions. I also give you "prescriptions" when appropriate, and tell you what the science says (and what it does not).

The Healthiest Meals on Earth is a great companion to "The 150 Healthiest Foods". It puts together over 40 superb meals based on the "Polymeal" concept of making each meal as dense in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fiber, omegas and anti-inflammatories while tasting unbelievable. The recipes were developed by my associate, the amazing Jeanette Bessinger. The essays on food- and why these meals are so great for you- are by me.

(My really new book- The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy will be out Jan 1st so it's not included, although you can preorder it for $16.49)

Anyway, thanks to Chris for the "Give The Gift of Jonny" idea, and I hope those books give you some inspiration to give those you love the gift of health for this holiday season. After all, there's no greater gift- unless its love- and they kind of go together!