Q: I’ve heard that food allergies can affect fat loss—is that true? Also, is there a way to determine food allergies without an expensive lab test? I’m on a budget.
A: Food intolerances can cause inflammation in the gut, which in turn can affect metabolism and thus fat loss. One of the most common food intolerances is gluten, which is found in most grains, such as rye, barley and wheat. I’ve found that eliminating gluten from the diet can result in fat loss.
Those who are sensitive to gluten can experience an inflammatory response that can lead to gastric distress—it’s been estimated that as many as 60 percent of those with irritable bowel symptoms have gluten intolerance. To test for gluten intolerance the low-budget way, cut out all sources of gluten for six weeks and then reintroduce gluten into your diet and watch for reactions.
Q: What are your thoughts on all the new coconut oil drinks? Is coconut oil just a fad?
A: It’s certainly not a fad to people who live in tropical cultures and have enjoyed the health benefits of coconut oil for countless generations! It has been used in recent years to support nutritionally patients with HIV, cancer and diabetes. One of its benefits from a bodybuilding perspective is that it kills many types of bacteria that can negatively affect metabolism. Coconut oil also has been extensively researched, so if you are interested in the underlying science, I would start with a search on PubMed.
—Charles Poliquin
www.CharlesPoliquin.com
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