Most food intolerance experts now agree that the problem is caused by a damaged gut wall which results in partly digested food molecules passing through into the blood. The gut can become damaged over time, due to continual irritation by poorly digested food matter causing inflammation and toxin accumulation. Food intolerances can develop at any age and are particularly connected with stress. This is why you may suddenly find that you cannot tolerate a particular food even though you have never had a problem in the past. Water retention is often a symptom of food intolerances, for example a bloated feeling in the abdomen especially before menstruation, puffy ankles or swollen joints.
Excess fluid can be a major factor in weight gain.
Sometimes I will see clients who find they spend a great deal of time in the loo during the first weeks of the programme and this is because they are getting rid of excess fluid which they did not know they had and which can help them shed pounds. Saturated fats as found in fried food, cakes, biscuits etc. have many health disadvantages including weight gain and increased likelihood of heart problems. However, polyunsaturated fats are rich in essential fatty acids which are highly beneficial for the skin, immune system and hormone balance. Some nutritional experts now believe that these fats actually stimulate the metabolism too, increasing the rate at which fat is burned. Essential fatty acids are found such as oily fish, nuts and seeds.