3. Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Gluten intolerance and celiac disease (a more severe form of gluten intolerance) are on the rise, primarily due to the significant changes made to wheat over the past 50 years, as well as our high consumption of grain products. Many people with gluten sensitivity complain of bloating, with or without flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea.
Buy vitamins and dietary supplements.
There are tests for gluten intolerance and celiac disease, but they are ineffective in most cases. Even though many people test negative, they feel better without gluten. Another indicator of gluten intolerance is a low vitamin B12 level in someone who is neither vegan nor vegetarian.
If you suspect a gluten intolerance, start by getting blood tests to confirm it, or follow a strict gluten-free diet for 5 weeks. After these 5 weeks, it’s important to gradually reintroduce gluten into your diet to identify your reaction. There are many healthy gluten-free alternatives: rice, quinoa, millet, squash, and sweet potato, to name just a few.
4. Insulin resistance.
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to glucose (sugar) in the blood. Its level peaks after a meal. In a person with normal insulin resistance (a healthy individual), insulin stimulates the body’s cells to use glucose and lipids from the blood. Insulin resistance occurs when cells do not respond, or respond weakly, to the insulin signal. This results in increased insulin secretion by the body, and ultimately hyperglycemia (excessively high blood glucose levels).
Common symptoms of insulin resistance include: weight gain (often rapid over a period of 2 to 3 years); intense cravings for carbohydrates and sweets; increased appetite; and a feeling of tiredness and bloating after meals.
If you experience these symptoms, and especially if you have a family history of diabetes, you may have insulin resistance. Blood tests can confirm this diagnosis. The good news is that this condition is treatable and reversible through dietary changes and physical activity. The key is to reduce your consumption of sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods, while prioritizing vegetables, protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and to start exercising regularly.
