Weight gain is often blamed on too much sugar and not enough exercise. But if you’re practicing healthy behaviors and still gaining weight, digestive issues may be the culprit. Here’s a look at five digestive disorders that can cause weight gain.
Can Digestive Disorders Really Cause Weight Gain?
Yes, digestive disorders may cause weight gain.
Problems with the digestive system can upset your body’s natural balance including your hormonal balance. They can trigger a wide range of symptoms that lead to temporary or long-term weight gain. These symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Inflammation
- Overeating
- Poor nutrient absorption
Functional medicine doctors are trained to understand the link between digestive issues and weight gain, and can help you address the root causes of both conditions.
5 Digestive Disorders That Cause Weight Gain
Nearly all digestive disorders can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome and potentially cause weight gain. Here are the most common types.
1. Chronic Constipation
Constipation causes waste to build up in the colon. This may lead to bloating, poor nutrient absorption, and slowed metabolism. All these factors can contribute to weight gain.
Does chronic constipation cause weight gain?
Yes, chronic constipation may cause weight gain, as constipation slows the removal of waste from the colon and interferes with your metabolism.
2. Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It is usually triggered by the same bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) that cause stomach ulcers. Nausea, fatigue, and stomach pain are common symptoms of gastritis.
Does gastritis cause weight gain?
Yes, symptoms of gastritis may indirectly lead to weight gain. For instance, chronic fatigue can make people less active, while stomach pain may lead people to choose soothing yet unhealthy foods such as ice cream.
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition that affects all organs in the gastrointestinal tract. Constipation, bloating, and stomach pain are common IBS symptoms that contribute to weight gain.
4. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
SIBO occurs when high amounts of harmful bacteria build up in the small intestine to upset the balance of good bacteria. This can trigger a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms similar to IBS, including fatigue, gas, and bloating.
5. Gastroparesis (Slow Digestion)
Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach muscles can no longer efficiently move food and waste through the digestive system. Nausea and bloating are common symptoms of gastroparesis.
Does slow digestion cause weight gain?
Yes, bloating and belly pain are gastroparesis symptoms that can cause weight gain. Blood sugar changes and hardened food particles in the stomach are other symptoms of slowed digestion that may lead to weight gain.
Signs Your Weight Gain May Be Linked to Digestive Problems
If you continue to gain weight despite practicing healthy behaviors, digestive issues may be at play. Digestive symptoms commonly linked to weight gain include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Gas
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Feeling of heaviness in the stomach
Other signs of weight gain linked to digestive issues:
- Food cravings
- Food sensitivities or intolerances
- Metabolism changes
- Malnutrition
- Fatigue
- Low energy
- Skin changes
Make an appointment with a functional medicine doctor in Charlotte, NC, if you are gaining weight and experiencing one or more of these symptoms.
How to Manage Digestive Disorders That Cause Weight Gain
If digestive issues are truly the root cause of your weight gain, addressing them directly can help you shed the excess weight and start feeling better. Often, you can effectively manage digestive disorders with a few healthy lifestyle changes.
Improve Gut Health
SIBO, gastritis, and constipation can often be resolved by taking steps to improve your gut health. These include:
- Eating more fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and beans
- Eating fermented foods, including kimchi, kefir, and tempeh
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking plenty of water
- Managing stress
- Avoiding alcohol
Over time, these behaviors can help you achieve a healthy gut microbiome.
Eat Smaller Balanced Meals
Large, heavy meals can overload the digestive system and exacerbate symptoms such as nausea and bloating. Eating several small meals throughout the day can help minimize these symptoms and enhance your nutrient absorption. Small, balanced meals can also help you maintain energy throughout the day.
Reduce Inflammatory Foods
Fried foods, greasy foods, ultra-processed foods, and foods high in sugar are examples of inflammatory foods that can contribute to digestive disorders. These foods may also cause weight gain, as they provide little to no nutritional value.
To combat your condition, start eating higher amounts of anti-inflammatory foods. Healthy foods to include in your functional medicine diet may include:
- Berries
- Avocados
- Nuts and seeds
- Broccoli
- Dark leafy greens
- Legumes
- Fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, and mackerel
- Fermented foods
- Whole grains
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Dark chocolate
- Olive oil
- Coffee
- Green tea
Seek Professional Medical Support
Consult with your primary care doctor if you have unexplained weight gain. Or, make an appointment specifically with a functional medicine doctor if you want to address weight gain and digestion at the same time.
Functional medicine doctors focus on treating the root causes of digestive disorders, which can help you lose weight if the two conditions are linked. Functional medicine uses testing methods that can spot imbalances in gut bacteria, hormones, and nutrient absorption.
Your functional medicine doctor can use the results from your tests to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that works best for you.
When to See a Doctor
It’s time to see a doctor if your digestive symptoms are severe or causing serious problems with your general well-being. Dr. Mahtani, our functional medicine specialist in Charlotte, NC, can help you uncover the complex root causes of your digestive issues.
Contact us at 980-414-4600 or at reception@southparkfm.com to learn more about your treatment options.
