Could Food Poisoning Lead To Weight Gain?

Could food poisoning lead to weight gain?  Over the past three months I’ve gained 14 pounds, plus I’ve noticed increased bloat, tummy pain and constipation.That’s despite the fact that I haven’t changed my diet one bit. This all seems to have started after a bout of food poisoning left me sick for a few days. Is it possible there’s a connection?

Yes, it sounds like you’ve developed small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Food-borne pathogens during a bout of food poisoning can create a low-acid environment in the small intestine. In turn, bacteria that produce bloat- and pain-causing gases thrive. These bacteria also hinder food breakdown, resulting in stagnant waste that amplifies gassiness, causes constipation and even leads to weight gain. To eliminate the problematic microbial overgrowth, eat two or more cloves of raw garlic (which is rich in the antibacterial compound allicin) daily for 8 to 12 weeks. Within a couple weeks, you’ll notice fewer symptoms and a trimmer waistline. Some women lose up to five pounds every week!