Leaky Gut Syndrome

As discussed over the past week, Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition where there is damage to the intestinal lining and larger particles of food, food that has not been digested entirely, and other toxins, pass through into the body when they shouldn’t. In other words, they “leak” out. When these “invaders” make their way through the intestinal lining, the immune system responds by making antibodies and the body thus reacts with symptoms. Because of the stress Leaky Gut Syndrome puts on the body, there is a huge impact on how one feels both physically and mentally. Often, people are misdiagnosed with another condition, when really, Leaky Gut Syndrome is the culprit.

Treatment of Leaky Gut Syndrome is simple. It is done without the use of drugs or surgery by what is commonly referred to as an “elimination diet.” An elimination diet consists of eliminating all foods that people are commonly sensitive to. This would include foods such as wheat, dairy, eggs, sugar, corn and soy. Fore more information embarking on an elimination diet, see April 9, 2010 Blog Post: Embarking On A Dairy Elimination Diet or our recent article: Discovering and Treating A Dairy Sensitivity By An Elimination Diet.

If you decide to go on an elimination diet, it’s always a good idea to do so under the supervision of a medical professional who can recommend food alternatives and a good supplement regimen.

We highly recommend Gloria Gilbere’s book, “I Was Poisoned By My Body.”  There, you can find a plethora of interesting information about Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Click Here

As discussed yesterday Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition where there is damage to the intestinal lining and larger particles of food, food that has not been digested entirely, and other toxins, pass through into the body when they shouldn’t. In other words, they “leak” out. When these “invaders” make their way through the intestinal lining, the immune system responds by making antibodies and the body thus reacts with symptoms. Because of the stress Leaky Gut Syndrome puts on the body, there is a huge impact on how one feels both physically and mentally. Often, people are misdiagnosed with another condition, when really, Leaky Gut Syndrome is the culprit.

As far as the relation between Leaky Gut Syndrome and a food allergy or food sensitivity, what happens is that when foods permeate the intestinal lining due to Leaky Gut, the body starts to see it as an invader and waalaaah, the birth of a food sensitivity. It is, however, a chicken and egg scenario, because consuming foods that one is sensitive or allergic to can cause break-down of the intestinal wall and can birth new food sensitivities.

One of the best and most fascinating books we’ve come across on this subject is I Was Poisoned By My Body by Gloria Gilbere.

Click Here

Thanks for reading. Still more to come on Leaky Gut Syndrome in the next few days!

Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition where there is damage to the intestinal lining. In a normal, healthy person, the intestinal lining should be impermeable except to allow properly digested food to pass through. In the case of Leaky Gut Syndrome, the intestinal lining becomes more permeable, allowing larger particles of food, food that has not been digested entirely, and other toxins, to pass through into the body or, in other words, “leak” out.

The causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome vary and range from medications such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, to candida, to excess consumption of alcohol and sugar, to stress, to parasites, to overeating, to chronic constipation, to environmental factors such as toxins and pollutants in our everyday lives. Whatever the cause, the result is the same; irritation and inflammation, and specifically, damage to the intestinal lining. After this damage has occurred, the gates are open so to speak and the control over what goes out and what stays in is gone.

When these “invaders” make their way through the intestinal lining when they should not, the immune system responds by making antibodies and the body thus reacts with symptoms. Malnutrition can result from improper absorption of vitamins and minerals. Stess on the liver can also occur, given that the liver is the clearinghouse for toxins and it can become overworked and have a harder time functioning optimally. Other symptoms consistent with food allergies or food sensitivities can occur as well. Because of the stress Leaky Gut Syndrome puts on the body, there is a huge impact on how one feels both physically and mentally.

More to come on Leaky Gut Syndrome and it’s relation to food allergies and food sensitivities in the next couple days!