I Haven’t Changed My Diet—So Why Am I Gaining Weight?
If you’ve been struggling with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: the weight just won’t budge. Some patients even find themselves gaining weight despite eating well, exercising (when able), or even eating less than before.
Friends or doctors may suggest it’s simply “calories in, calories out.” But you know your body—and this weight gain doesn’t feel normal. The truth is, CIRS changes how your body regulates weight at a hormonal and cellular level. And until those root causes are addressed, traditional diet and exercise approaches rarely work.
This article will break down why weight gain is common in CIRS, and more importantly, what you can do about it.
How CIRS Affects Weight Regulation
CIRS isn’t just about fatigue, brain fog, or pain—it’s a condition that disrupts nearly every system in the body. Weight regulation is one of the first to go off track. Here’s why:
1. Leptin Resistance
- Leptin is the hormone that signals your brain when you’re full and helps regulate metabolism.
- In CIRS, chronic inflammation causes leptin resistance: your brain no longer “hears” leptin’s signal.
- Result: increased appetite, slower metabolism, and difficulty losing weight.
2. Low MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone)
- MSH helps regulate appetite, sleep, and fat metabolism.
- In most CIRS patients, MSH is abnormally low.
- Result: disrupted sleep, increased pain, higher inflammation, and impaired fat burning.
3. Insulin and Blood Sugar Dysregulation
- Chronic inflammation raises insulin levels, leading to easier fat storage (especially around the abdomen).
- Patients may notice “carb crashes,” sugar cravings, or hypoglycemic symptoms even with balanced meals.
4. Mitochondrial Dysfunction
- Mitochondria are your body’s energy producers. In CIRS, inflammatory signaling suppresses mitochondrial genes.
- Result: less energy available, slower metabolism, and increased fat storage.
5. Sleep Disruption
- Many CIRS patients struggle with insomnia or non-restorative sleep.
- Poor sleep → increased cortisol and ghrelin → stronger hunger signals and more fat storage.
Why “Eat Less, Exercise More” Doesn’t Work Here
Conventional weight-loss advice often fails for CIRS patients because it ignores the underlying biology:
- Cutting calories further can actually worsen leptin resistance and fatigue.
- Over-exercising backfires, leading to post-exertional malaise and flares.
- The problem isn’t willpower—it’s that the body is stuck in a pro-inflammatory, energy-hoarding state.
Until inflammation is reduced and biotoxin exposure is addressed, weight loss strategies remain frustratingly ineffective.
Steps You Can Take to Address CIRS-Related Weight Gain
1. Address Biotoxin Exposure First
- No supplement or diet plan will help if you’re still being exposed to mold or other biotoxins.
- Testing your home (ERMI or HERTSMI-2) and working with a CIRS-literate provider to assess environment is step one.
2. Begin Phase 1 of the Shoemaker Protocol
- Binders (like cholestyramine or Welchol) remove circulating toxins.
- As the toxic load drops, hormones like leptin and insulin begin to rebalance.
- Many patients notice weight stabilization once Phase 1 is underway.
3. Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
- Choose whole, unprocessed foods that support blood sugar stability.
- Prioritize:
- Lean protein
- Non-starchy vegetables
- Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, omega-3s)
- Avoid:
- Processed carbs and sugars
- Alcohol (often a mold exposure risk itself)
- Foods high in additives/preservatives
4. Support Healthy Sleep
- Sleep is not just rest—it’s hormonal reset.
- Work with your provider on strategies to improve sleep quality (supporting MSH levels, nervous system regulation, optimizing environment).
5. Gentle Movement
- High-intensity workouts often worsen CIRS symptoms.
- Instead, focus on:
- Walking
- Gentle yoga or stretching
- Light resistance training
- The goal is to move without triggering post-exertional crashes.
6. Track Progress Beyond the Scale
Weight is just one measure. In CIRS recovery, improvements often show first in:
- Clearer thinking
- More stable energy
- Improved mood
- Better sleep
As your body heals, weight normalization tends to follow.
The Emotional Side of Weight Gain with CIRS
Weight gain isn’t just physical—it affects confidence, relationships, and mental health. Many patients feel dismissed by doctors who blame them for not “trying hard enough.”
If this is you, know this: your body is not broken beyond repair. The weight gain is not your fault—it’s a signal of underlying inflammation. When you address the root cause with the Shoemaker Protocol, your metabolism can recover.
At Flourish Clinic, we’ve seen countless patients stabilize their weight—not through extreme dieting, but by treating CIRS at its core.
FAQ: CIRS and Weight Gain
Q: Will I lose weight once I finish the Shoemaker Protocol?
Many patients see weight stabilize or reduce as inflammation resolves. It may not be overnight, but weight tends to normalize when hormones and mitochondria recover.
Q: Can medications help with CIRS-related weight gain?
Sometimes. Drugs that target leptin or insulin resistance can support recovery, but they don’t replace environmental control and binders.
Q: Should I follow a specific diet for CIRS?
There’s no single CIRS diet, but anti-inflammatory and low-glycemic approaches tend to work best. Avoiding processed foods and stabilizing blood sugar is key.
Q: Why do some patients lose weight instead of gaining?
CIRS can cause both patterns. Some lose weight rapidly due to gut malabsorption, while others gain due to leptin resistance and inflammation. Both are signals of systemic dysfunction.
Why Am I Gaining Weight With CIRS – A Summary
If you’re gaining weight with CIRS, you’re not alone—and you’re not to blame. The inflammation, hormonal disruption, and mitochondrial dysfunction of CIRS change how your body regulates weight.
By removing exposure, starting treatment with binders, and supporting your body with sleep, gentle nutrition, and movement, you can shift from weight gain and frustration to stabilization and healing.
