Leaky Gut!
Is it a real thing or is it just a trendy new term?
What is a leaky gut exactly?
Leaky gut. Poor gut health. Or the medical term “Increased Intestinal Permeability”. Whichever term you use, put simply, your intestinal lining becomes damaged and develops cracks and holes.
This then allows undigested food particles and toxins to pass through. Waste products and bacteria “leak” or penetrate through your intestinal walls allowing absorption into your bloodstream. The damaged cells in your intestines can’t produce the required enzymes for proper digestion. So your body struggles to absorb its essential nutrients.
Possible causes
- Food intolerances
- Food allergies
- Medications
- Alcohol
- Infection
- Diet
- Stress
- Regular use of Aspirin or Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Disordered Eating
Do I have it?
To varying degrees, yes, we all do. Our gut lining is not 100% impenetrable. Some of us have a genetic predisposition. Most us will have various factors that may be contributing to the syndrome.
Leaky gut symptoms
- Multiple joint pain
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Chronic skin condition
- General feeling of being unwell (Malaise )
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic Diarrhea
Don’t underestimate the damage you can do to your own gut.
For me, there had been decades of disordered eating and “diet drugs”. This had resulted in a very damaged and unhealthy gut. I developed stomach and bowel diseases and then an auto-immune disease. Eventually I did connected the dots but after months and months of prodding from my very persistent friend and trainer. I finally listened.
Once I finally got it, I then began to repair my overall gut health. My general health and energy levels soon increased. No more nanny naps and yes, I finally started to loose my body fat. About two years later I came off all my auto immune disease medication. I have now been in remission for a number of years. Although I make that sound easy I can assure you it wasn’t. I had to change years of self-destructive behaviours and very unhealthy relationships with food to even strike a blow. But that’s a whole new blog for another day.
What should you do next?
- See an integrative medical practitioner if your symptoms are severe or even a great Naturopath. We send lots of clients to Daniela @ livewellnaturalhealth.com.au
- Promote changes in your gut flora, nutrient dense wholefoods
- Remove foods that can be inflammatory (alcohol, added sugar, processed foods, refined carbohydrates)
- Take a good Probiotic
- Reduce stress levels
- Quit smoking
So is leaky gut the cause or is leaky gut the symptom of the disease? This is the big question and it really has become somewhat of a contentious and ongoing argument. It is completely true that both sides do have valid and scientifically backed research and both sides are able to support their theories. But does it really matter ? What is important is to agree that repairing and getting your gut healthy will have beneficial effects on your overall health and wellness and will lower your risk of disease.
Remember, there is no fast fix! You can decrease your own risk of disease and illness…..look after your gut!
“It all starts in the gut”
http://www.mdheal.org/leakygut.htm
