When you join our New Way weight loss program, we utilize the ALCAT test to help tailor your dietary plan. Unlike traditional methods such as IgG testing, which measures antibodies and may reflect exposure and tolerance to our foods rather than intolerance or sensitivity, the ALCAT test identifies food that provoke an inflammatory response from your innate immune cells. This cellular response is key to managing and reducing chronic inflammation which can be associated with various symptoms and conditions, including difficulty losing weight.
The ALCAT test is not the same as an IgG test; it’s a leukocyte activation test that analyzes how your white blood cells react to over 450 different substances including foods, chemicals, and herbs. If these cells show a reaction, it could indicate that the particular substance tested is contributing to inflammatory processes in your body.
Inflammation can play a significant role in hindering weight loss. It’s been linked to metabolic disturbances that can make losing weight challenging and can also affect your overall well-being. By identifying and eliminating the specific triggers of inflammation, as indicated by the ALCAT test, you can potentially improve gastrointestinal health, energy levels, and metabolic function—all of which can contribute to more effective weight loss.
She came to see me after years of yo-yo weight loss, and then suddenly not being able to lose any weight despite being committed to eating well throughout the week. She wasn’t exercising as much as she liked but Kim was frustrated at why when she was eating well and not as much as she used to, she wasn’t able to take off any weight.
As Kim sat across from me in my office, we talked about other symptoms that she was dealing with at the time. She talked about fatigue; gut issues and her moods weren’t always where she wanted them to be.
We decided to focus on the food sensitivity testing so we could see if any of the healthy foods she was eating were actually causing her body to have an increased inflammatory effect, putting more stress on her system and becoming a roadblock to her weight loss.
After starting our gut cleanse while waiting for the ALCAT results, Kim started to feel better, her gut symptoms improved somewhat and in the first month she lost approximately 5 pounds.
After applying what she learned in our consultation, over the next 3 months, Kim lost 27 pounds! I was shocked. And over the course of another few months, she lost 48 pounds. Kim has kept it off for more than a year and she sticks to the changes she made from the ALCAT. She is actually eating MORE now than she was before while she was struggling to lose weight.
I hear you saying…
“That’s all well and good, but doesn’t it have any research behind it?”
At New You Health and Wellness we ALWAYS vet everything we bring into the clinic or offer our patients to make sure it has evidence and experience behind it.
The ALCAT test results have been backed by research and clinical studies. The test has shown improvements in symptoms and conditions related to food sensitivity and chronic inflammation, helping individuals tailor their diets for better health outcomes. Research conducted at Yale School of Medicine also supports the use of the ALCAT test in identifying foods and compounds that trigger inflammatory reactions associated with food sensitivity. However, while some studies support the efficacy of the ALCAT test in clinical improvement for conditions like IBS, it is important to note that there is also criticism regarding the reliability of food sensitivity tests in general so the ALCAT still can come under fire, when it’s lumped into the broad category of food sensitivity tests. But we see the results from applying the ALCAT results in every patient who follows the recommendations.
By understanding your unique food sensitivities, you can personalize your diet to avoid triggers, support your body’s natural immune function, reduce inflammation, and create an environment conducive to healthy weight loss.