Are you plagued with abdominal bloating, gas and cramps? Do you have aches and pains, chronic fatigue, skin conditions and food sensitivities? If you are suffering with any of these symptoms, it may be leaky gut.
According to Dr. Donald Kirby, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic, “Leaky gut syndrome isn’t a diagnosis taught in medical school. Physicians don’t know enough about the gut, which is our biggest immune system organ.”
Leaky gut is when the intestinal barrier loses its ability to properly regulate what does and doesn’t pass through it. This is something that often develops over time as a consequence of many different stressors.
Once this break-down occurs, things like undigested food particles cross into the blood. These particles are typically foreign to the body and this creates an immune response. When we continue to eat foods that contain those same particles, we get or autoimmune responses that affects the entire body.
Leaky gut encompasses many different challenges, but inflammation leading to the opening of the protective tight junctions in the gut is primary.
Tight junctions function as an intelligent gateway for the intestinal tract. Its job is to keep out toxins, inorganic fiber, chemicals and foreign invaders. Gluten’s gliadin molecules and glyphosate from pesticides (specifically, Roundup and GMO foods) are its biggest enemies and loosen those tight junctions causing intestinal permeability known as leaky gut.
In these instances, the gliadin molecules and/or the glyphosate causes widespread inflammation to the gut lining and the tight junctions remain open. If the tight junctions remain open long term, it can lead to a compromised immune system and/ or autoimmune responses, where the body starts attacking itself.
Leaky Gut affects the whole body and overall health like the Thyroid: Hashimotos/Hypothyroidism/Graves disease; Adrenals: fatigue, brain fog/depression/anxiety; Colon: constipation/diarrhea; Skin: eczema/acne/psoriasis; Sinus and immune: sinus infection/food sensitivities; Chronic Pain: fibromyalgia/joint and muscle pain/headaches.
Factors that contribute to Leaky Gut are:
1. Excessive consumption of Grains and Sugar
2. Long term use of NAISD’s – anti-inflammatory drugs
3. Nutrient deficiencies of vitamins A, D and Zinc
4. Gut Dysbiosis – the balance between good and bad bacteria is not balanced. Overgrowth of bacteria produces toxins that enter the blood stream
5. Stress – impairs production of stomach acid and enzymes which is imperative for proper digestion
Helpful tips for healing Leaky Gut:
1. Bone Broth – contains minerals and amino acids that strengthen the gut lining. It contains collagen and glutamine which are powerful gut healers
2. Intermittent Fasting – start with 12 hours and slowly progress to 17 hours. This lessens the frequency of consuming food and increases healing time. When you consume food, it should be quality and nutrient dense foods.
3. Eat fermented foods containing probiotics that improve gut health like kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha
4. Eat organic foods to avoid Glyphosate. Search for Dirty Dozen/Clean 15 list of foods that are the most and least affected by Glyphosate
Larisa Belote, Health Practitioner & Certified Detox Specialist is a strong believer that your body is a smart machine and can heal itself given a chance with the right set of tools. Call/Txt 732.996.6963 or email: larisa@stepbystep-wellness.com for a free 20 minute consultation.
