By Paula Jager CSCS as published in Natural Muscle magazine December 2012
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Many people are concerned with their guts—primarily the size and appearance but more importantly we need to take a look inside and see hothe permeability of the intestinal barrier affects our health, well being and ultimately our appearance in numerous ways.
The importance of a healthy gut goes far beyond the outward appearance of six pack abs. Our guts are needed for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the production of neurotransmitters, hormones, proteins and enzymes and immune function. What exactly is a Leaky Gut?
A Leaky Gut is exactly what it sounds like and it is a condition not a disease. It is not generally recognized by conventional medicine but it is a real condition that affects the lining of the intestines. It is also called intestinal permeability and is the result of damage to the intestinal lining. Cells lining the intestinal wall are meant to act as a barrier to only allow fully digested nutrients through and into your bloodstream to be utilized within your body. When Leaky Gut develops, the tightly packed cells begin to lose their structure and gaps form between them allowing undigested food particles, bacteria, yeast, toxins and other harmful substances into your blood stream. In advanced stages they actually leak through the cells. Once in the blood stream these unwanted substances can travel freely anywhere within the body and account for countless chronic symptoms.
What causes Leaky Gut?
Genetic proclivity
Drugs
Antibiotics
NSAIDS –non-steroidal anti inflammatory (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
Birth control pills
Steroid drugs
Chemotherapeutic agents
Antacids
Diet
Gluten and other grains; refined sugar and flour
Processed foods
Chemical food additives (artificial colors/flavors)
Most vegetable oils (not evoo or coconut oil)
Sodas
Alcohol
Caffeine
Micro organisms & Free Radicals
Various parasites, bacteria, mold and mycotoxins
Free radicals
Nutrient Deficiencies
Zinc and vitamin B-6
Vitamin A & D
L glutamine
Low glutathione
Lifestyle
Stress responses and cortisol shifts
What are the symptoms of Leaky Gut and health conditions associated with it?
Symptoms usually begin with:
Bloating
Constipation
Depression
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Intestinal Gas
or can be non existent or vague
Leading to:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Depression
Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Chronic Pain
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Autoimmune disorders
Multiple Food Sensitivities
Chronic Yeast overgrowth syndromes
Brain Fog
Well, none of that sounds very appealing, why hasn’t your doctor told you about Leaky Gut?
There’s a lot of skepticism out there with conventional doctors regarding Leaky Gut Syndrome. Ask about it and you are likely to be told that it’s made up and your symptoms are all in your head.
There has been quite a lot of research conducted on it already proving that it not only exists but that it is linked to a multitude of chronic health symptoms and conditions. And the amount of research is continuing to grow at a faster and faster rate. But you’re allopathic doctor isn’t aware of it or even interested in reading this research. Why is that?
Money. Because at the moment, there’s no pharmaceutical drug available to treat it, therefore there is nothing to prescribe and no money to be made from it. Sad but true.
Today, most doctors are being educated primarily by drug companies which all have the ulterior motive to sell more drugs and make more money. So until there’s a drug developed, they won’t be educating doctors about Leaky Gut even though there have been natural options that have worked for years.
Here’s what you can do about it. . .
Both prevention and treatment of Leaky Gut begins with the plate. In simplistic terms; abstain from gluten, grains in general, sugar, all soy products, vegetable oils (other than evoo and coconut oils), alcohol, caffeine, pasteurized dairy and raw dairy if intolerant. Follow a tailored version of the Paleo, Gaps or Specific Carbohydrate diet modified to suit your individual needs and tolerances. A food elimination/provocation trial is often very helpful.
In addition find a qualified, holistic practitioner to work with and help with supplement recommendations. In addition to the diet you will want to take in nutrients that reduce the inflammation in the gut, regulate the gut immune system and heal the cells. You will want to kill any gut “critters” that are causing infections along with replace healthy bacteria through some form of a probiotic. If you can tolerant raw dairy, kefir made from it is delicious and extremely therapeutic.
Instead of living with uncomfortable symptoms, empower yourself with information about leaky gut and take the first steps to heal your gut naturally. To those used to the standard American diet it can seem limiting at first. You may feel like you can’t go out to dinner or even visit a friend’s house for dinner. But rest assured that once your gut has healed you will be able to reintroduce some of these foods and indulge upon occasion with others should you want to. Gluten however is gone for good. But no “treat” is worth the pleasure a healthy, strong and vibrant body can give.
