Monday, October 31, 2016

Do You Have Leaky Gut Syndrome? (You May Be Surprised)


What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
The gut is naturally permeable to very small molecules in order to absorb these vital nutrients. Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition that involves damage of the lining of the small intestine causing incompletely digested nutrients, toxins, bacteria, and wastes to “leak” through the intestines and flood the blood stream. These foreign substances then entering the blood and cause an autoimmune response in the body including inflammatory and allergic reactions such as respiratory and digestive issues, headaches, joint pain, skin conditions, and more.
Once these tight junctions get broken apart, it is defined as leaky gut. When your gut is leaky, things like toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles can escape from your intestines and travel throughout your body via your bloodstream. Your immune system marks these "foreign invaders" as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response, hence “autoimmunity”, to these invaders can appear in the form of any of the nine signs you have a leaky gut, which are listed below.
Because damaged cells in the intestines may fail to produce the enzymes needed for proper digestion, absorption of essential nutrients is compromised, creating further imbalance throughout the body that can contribute to various issues including hormone imbalance and a weakened immune system.
Thus, substances leak out of the intestines, the liver is then forced to work extra hard to filter them out of the blood stream. The extra burden on the liver can result in the accumulation of fatty liver tissue.  Some toxins may be sent back into the blood stream when the liver’s ability to detoxify fails, where they reach muscles and connective tissues.
Be aware that Leaky Gut Syndrome isn’t typically diagnosed in western medicine; however, it can be affecting your health as it does to many others.  There are several health issues related to Leaky Gut Syndrome which go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or are ignored by traditional medicine. Patients may be left with frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms and no answers.

#1) Are you having any of the listed symptoms?

#2) Have you been testing?

#3) Have you be thoroughly explained the condition?

#4) Do you know where to seek out support?

What causes leaky gut?
The main culprits are foods, infections, and toxins. Gluten is the number one cause of leaky gut.  In sensitive people, gluten can cause the gut cells to release zonulin, a protein that can break apart tight junctions in the intestinal lining.  Other factors such as sugar, excessive alcohol, infections, toxins, stress and age can also cause these tight junctions to break apart.  The most common infectious causes are candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
DID YOU KNOW???
Toxins come in the form of medications, like Motrin, Advil, steroids, antibiotics, and acid-reducing drugs, and environmental toxins like mercury, pesticides and BPA from plastics. Stress and age also contribute to a leaky gut.


Some factors that may contribute to Leaky Gut Syndrome include:

Ø  Inherent weak digestion (All children fall into this category)
Ø  Stress
Ø  Too much refined sugar
Ø  Inadequate dietary fiber
Ø  Excessive alcohol intake
Ø  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Ø  Food sensitivities or allergies
Ø  Radiation and cytotoxic drugs
Ø  Parasitic infections
Ø  Candida (an imbalance of intestinal flora)
Ø  Antibiotics
Ø  The candida connection

WHY Antibiotics? Antibiotics are a common cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome because of the destruction of the beneficial bacteria that are required for healthy metabolic functioning and an adequate immune response.  As a result, antibiotics also support the excessive growth of pathogenic fungi and yeast in the body, such as Candida Albicans.

WHY Candida? Candida contributes to Leaky Gut Syndrome by causing the small intestine’s epithelial cells to shrink.  Spaces are then formed, and intestinal toxins can pass through to the blood. Important immune agents in the epithelial mucus of the small intestine that normally neutralize toxins are overwhelmed by the increased flow, and the immune system is compromised.

Signs You Have a Leaky Gut

1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Seasonal allergies or asthma.

3. Hormonal imbalances such as PMS or PCOS.

4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease.

5. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.

6. Mood and mind issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD.

7. Skin issues such as acne, rosacea, or eczema.

8. Diagnosis of candida overgrowth.

9. Food allergies or food intolerances.

10. Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes or Metabolic Syndrome.


LEAKY GUT SYNDROME QUESTIONNAIRE


0 = Symptom is not present or rarely present
1 = Mild/sometimes
2 = Moderate/often
3 = Sever/almost always

INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY / LEAKY GUT SYNDROME
Constipation and/or diarrhea                                      0              1              2              3
Abdominal pain or bloating                                          0              1              2              3
Mucous or blood in stool                                              0              1              2              3
Joint pain or swelling, arthritis                                    0              1              2              3
Chronic or frequent fatigue or tiredness                 0             1              2              3
Food allergies, sensitivities or intolerance             0              1              2              3
Sinus or nasal congestion                                             0              1              2              3
Chronic or frequent inflammations                          0              1              2              3
Eczema, skin rashes or hives (urticaria)                   0              1              2              3
Asthma, hayfever, or airborne allergies                  0              1              2              3
Confusion, poor memory or mood swings             0              1              2              3
Use of NSAIDS (Aspirin, Tylenol, Motrin)                0              1              2              3
History of antibiotic use                                               0              1              2              3
Alcohol consumption makes you feel sick              0              1              2              3
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s or celiac’s disease        0              1              2              3

YOUR TOTAL: ________________________

Score 1-5: Leaky gut less apt to be present.

Score 6-10: Leaky gut may possibly be present.

Score 7-19: Leaky gut probably present.

Score 20+: Leaky gut almost certainly present. 
IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER PRESENTS WITH SIGNS OF LEAKY GUT...CALL US!!!
WE CAN HELP!
832-913-5022