Day 38- Leaky Gut

Leaky gut, a fairly common condition, otherwise know as increased intestinal permeability is characterized by an erosion of the gut membrane. When the gut membrane becomes damaged, its ability to filter nutrients is diminished. The membrane then becomes more prone to allowing undigested particles of foods, bacteria, fungus, parasites, and pathogens to "leak" into the blood stream.

Once these particles enter the blood stream it triggers the immune system to become activated which then sets out to attack the foreign invaders. This "attack" on the foreign invaders can cause inflammation in the body, malabsorption, depletion of nutrients, and an even more increased immune activity. Symptoms may be: abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, etc.

If this condition is left untreated for a extended amount of time, other health concerns may occur. Conditions such as: GERD, IBS, allergies, neurological disease, chronic fatigue, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, etc.

So how does leaky gut start?

There are several things that can cause a leaky gut; I've listed a few for you:

• Overuse of alcohol
• Antibiotics
• Chemotherapy
• Processed foods
• Infections
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• Stress- over a long period of time
• Soda
• Excessive sugar intake
• Unresolved food
• Vaccinations
• Crohn's disease (autoimmune)
• Celiac disease (autoimmune)

How to we fix a leaky gut?

Avoiding the list above will definitely help you fix or prevent a leaky gut, but since a leaky gut usually creates food intolerances, these will have to be addressed as well. It may be difficult to notice if you have a food intolerance to a certain food, since reactions can either be immediate or they can take up to 72 hours after ingestion. When you have a food intolerance, the body begins to see certain foods as an enemy; the most common foods that are seen as the enemy are gluten and dairy. The best way to figure out which foods are an issue is to try an elimination diet.

What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet requires you to remove all allergic foods from your diet, including gluten, soy, dairy, and nightshades. For at least three weeks your goal is to only consume vegetables, low-glycemic fruits, and protein. Once you have removed these foods successfully from your diet for three weeks you will then start to reintroduce items back in, one at a time. Waiting 3 days before the next food is reintroduced. If you notice any reaction when reintroducing that food, stop eating it and wait for the reaction to go away before adding the next item.

For an example: if cheese was what you missed the most for those three weeks, add cheese back in, if no reaction occurs after 3 days then add the next item back into your diet.

Reactions may be subtle or severe. You may notice gas, bloating, brain fog, bowel discomfort, aches, skin rashes, etc. Foods that you notice a reaction to must be eliminated from your diet; at least for awhile longer. After about 30 days from when you tried to reintroduce them back into your diet you can try again. If you still notice a reaction, it is then best to continue avoiding that food.

The elimination diet will help to rebuild your gut membrane so that it will become less porous; as well as to pinpoint those troublesome foods.

If symptoms are not resolved after an elimination diet, it might be important to check for things such as parasites, bacteria or fungal over-growth, as well as adding supplements to strengthen and support your GI health.

Pura Vida!

Alica Ryan, NTP