Have The Right Combinations Of Medicines:
In addition to your healthy diet, you should have the right combination of medication and supplements. Various anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and supplements like probiotics, calcium, vitamin D, and iron may help with leaky gut. It would help if you also had a healthy combination of zinc, l-glutamine, collagen peptides, and probiotics. Zinc is an important element in the metabolism processes, and it is known mainly for its ability to boost and support the immune system. It plays a role in modifying the tight junctions of the linings in the intestine and helping to limit gut permeability.
L-glutamine is an essential amino acid, which also helps repair the intestinal lining in the digestive tract. It can be taken orally as a supplement in small doses to help intestinal permeability, especially after a strenuous exercise. Collagen peptides are available in almost every tissue in the body in the form of protein. They also play an important role in the health of the gut, as they can prevent further breakdown of the intestinal lining. Collagen peptides also have anti-inflammatory properties needed in the gut. We have already mentioned the importance of probiotics. They are well-known for their therapeutic use when it comes to the treatment and management of gastrointestinal issues. Probiotics help improve the guts microbiome, which can positively affect the entire digestive system.
Home Remedies For Back Pain And Shortness Of Breath
Resting your back for one to two days and following your doctors recommendations can help your back pain improve. While youll want to rest your back, doing so for more than two days can lead to stiffness, which can work against the healing process.
Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain.
If youve undergone surgery related to your symptoms, follow your doctors instructions regarding at-home care.
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Chronic Diarrhea Or Constipation
Leaky gut syndrome patients may notice they have chronic diarrhea or constipation. These symptoms can cause significant pain, and they might cause malnutrition and changes in weight. They can also disrupt daily activities, and affected individuals may need to stay home from work or school if symptoms become severe. Chronic diarrhea and constipation can have a variety of minor and more serious causes. Thus, it is especially important for patients experiencing either to see a gastroenterologist for a formal evaluation. The gastroenterologist will ask about the duration and nature of the patient’s symptoms, what remedies the patient has tried, and if anything has led to an improvement.
After taking the patient’s health history, the doctor will examine the patient’s abdomen. They will check for any masses or areas of pain, and it may also be necessary to order imaging studies. Patients may be advised to make changes to the amount of fiber in their diets. In addition, medications can be prescribed to reduce the frequency of both diarrhea and constipation. If constipation is severe, affected individuals may need enemas or surgery to remove impacted feces.
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Leaky Gut: What Is It And What Does It Mean For You
- By , Contributor
Before the medical community had better understanding of the mechanisms that cause disease, doctors believed certain ailments could originate from imbalances in the stomach. This was called hypochondriasis. This concept was rejected as science evolved and, for example, we could look under a microscope and see bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The meaning of the term changed, and for many years doctors used the word “hypochondriac” to describe a person who has a persistent, often inexplicable fear of having a serious medical illness.
But what if this ancient concept of illnesses originating in the gut actually holds some truth? Could some of the chronic diseases our society faces today actually be associated with a dysfunctional gastrointestinal system?
The expression “leaky gut” is getting a lot of attention in medical blogs and social media lately, but dont be surprised if your doctor does not recognize this term. Leaky gut, also called increased intestinal permeability, is somewhat new and most of the research occurs in basic sciences. However, there is growing interest to develop medications that may be used in patients to combat the effects of this problem.
Leaky Gut Signs And Symptoms
Proponents of Leaky Gut Syndrome state that if you suffer from leaky gut, you may experience one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below:
- Bloating
- Thyroid problems
- Skin conditions
However, none of these symptoms is specific, and they can all have alternative causes. In addition, skeptics stress that leaky gut is likely to be only a symptom of some of the conditions listed above and not a valid medical condition in its own right.
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What Is The Leaky Gut Syndrome
The leaky gut syndrome is a rapidly growing condition that people from the world over are experiencing of late. Although problems begin with your digestive system if you have the leaky gut syndrome, it affects other aspects of your health as well.
Your gut is lined by a wall, which is similar to a net with small holes in them. These small holes act as filters and enable the passage of certain substances only. It acts as a shield to keep out the bigger, harmful substances from entering your body.
When someone has a leaky gut, it means that the gut lining is damaged and cannot optimally function as a barrier any longer. The smaller holes become larger and allow harmful substances like gluten, bad bacteria, and undigested food particles to enter your system and cause considerable damage to health.
Use These Leaky Gut Supplements
The next most important thing for healing is using the right leaky gut supplements. If you search around youâll find that thereâs many ideas on what to take to heal the gut. Weâve tried them all over the years and some of them just donât live up to the hype. At the end of the day hereâs the most important first supplements to start using.
Basic Nutritional Supplements: The conditions that lead to leaky gut can also cause malabsorption and improper digestion, both of which are going to leave you with nutritional deficiencies. First and foremost, supplementing with a good multivitamin, large amounts of vitamin D, and Zinc will help the intestinal lining return to normal .
Essential fish oils have also been shown to really help improve the condition of the intestinal mucosal lining . Start with these basics before getting fancier.
Digestive Enzymes: Digestive enzymes are critical to properly breaking down the foods we eat. Hereâs why they are so important for leaky gut, first enzymes break down food into very small particles, preventing large undigested molecules from irritating the intestinal lining and increasing nutritional uptake. They also work through your intestines acting as garbage collectors by removing toxins, bacteria, and damaged cells of the mucosal lining.
We donât start with recommending those because many people react to them, dosing is confusing and the options for each one are endless.
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How Does Leaky Gut Occur
The walls of our intestines are built to allow water and nutrients to pass through to our bloodstream. However, at the same time, bacteria and toxins enter the bloodstream, where they can be harmful. It is also worth noting that even though people usually talk about guts or intestines in general terms when discussing leaky gut syndrome, the loosening of our guts lining largely happens in the small intestine.
This Condition Is Not Typically Diagnosed But Could Be Affecting The Health Of Many People
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My body never completely bounced back after I had my first child15 years ago. I’ve told myself that my symptoms were part of being a busy mom: fatigue, digestive problems, joint pain, insomnia, low libido, even mild-grade depression. Many moms I know suffer the same ailments, or worse. They’ll subside at some point, I told myself. My health care provider tested me over the years for various medical conditionsfrom anemia and thyroid disorders to mononucleosis and Lyme disease. The tests always came out negative. “You just need to sleep more and manage your stress better,” he told me.
I found an answer four months ago when I went to see Willie Victor, a nutritionist in Mill Valley, California, whose practice is based on the healing properties of food. She asked me to keep a food diary and take a blood test for food allergies and sensitivities.
The results were shocking. It turns out I was “highly sensitive” to a number of foods that had been a regular part of my daily dietdairy, soy, sugar, caffeine and gluten.
10 signs you have a leaky gut:
According to Dr. Leo Galland, director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, the following symptoms might be signs of leaky gut:
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How Can You Heal A Leaky Gut
Doctors are still working on finding the best way to treat the condition, so if you suspect you have it, it’s important to work with a skilled physician who understands the gut. To combat your gut issues naturally, Christie recommends some lifestyle changes. I start people with sleep and stress, she says. When you are getting good quality and quantity of sleep, and your stress is mitigated, not only are you actively healing your body, you are also setting the stage for more challenging lifestyle behavior modification.
Once youve lowered your baseline of stress, you can work on rebuilding the good gut bacteria to support damaged tissue repairs. Christie advises clients to eat a wide variety of plant foods in their diet. Shifting the food you are consuming away from processed and damaging foods to more organic, whole, plant foods is always beneficial, she says. She typically suggests cutting out gluten, dairy, and eggs to begin the healing process, and instead opting for fresh fruits and vegetables. Supplements are also a key lifestyle change. Taking a daily probiotic will introduce good bacteria back into your digestive system and support the healing process.*
Check For Food Intolerances
If you have symptoms such as cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rashes, nausea, fatigue, and acid reflux, you may be suffering from a food intolerance. You can try eliminating common trigger foods to see if your symptoms improve. If you are able to identify a food or foods that are contributing to your symptoms, you may see a positive change in your digestive health by changing your eating habits.
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Lower Your Stress Levels
Chronic high levels of stress are hard on your whole body, including your gut. Some ways to lower stress may include meditation, walking, getting a massage, spending time with friends or family, diffusing essential oils, decreasing caffeine intake, laughing, yoga, or having a pet. Here are 10 ways to reduce feeling stressed.
Leaky Gut Fix #: Reduce Inflammation
Leaky gut syndrome is often driven by and accompanied by significant amounts of inflammation. Therefore, it is important to remove any elements from your diet that can be triggering inflammation. These trigger foods vary from person to person so a personalized approach is necessary here. We recommend working with a qualified practitioner who can help you figure out which foods and dietary choices are causing inflammation for you.
Additionally, with stool testing, individuals may find that they have certain strains of opportunistic bacteria, yeast, fungi, or parasites present. To cut inflammation, these issues must be addressed. Generally, we recommend herbs and botanicals to help eradicate these pests causing inflammation. However, this cant be overlooked as it is pinnacle in any treatment plan.
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A Path Toward A Healthier Gut
Although it is unusual to hear the term “increased intestinal permeability” in most doctors’ offices, alternative and integrative medicine practitioners have worked on gut healing as an initial step to treat chronic diseases for decades. Other cultures around the world often recommend specific diets to make people feel better. Even in the United States, it is common to see people changing their diets after getting sick. A common initial step some practitioners take is to remove foods that can be inflammatory and could promote changes in the gut flora. Among the most common are alcohol, processed foods, certain medications, and any foods that may cause allergies or sensitivities. In my practice, I often see patients improve significantly when they start eating a healthier diet.
Controversy still exists on whether leaky gut causes the development of diseases outside the gastrointestinal tract in humans. However, it is always a good idea to eat a nutritious, unprocessed diet that includes foods that help quell inflammation , which may, at least in theory, help to rebuild the gut lining and bring more balance to the gut flora. This recipe could make you feel better, without any side effects. It is definitely worth a try.
What To Do Once You Know You Have Leaky Gut
Avoid the foods most likely to perpetuate leaky gutgluten and your food sensitivitieswhile also decreasing your exposure to toxins, as well as to sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Instead youll choose foods that help your body heal and maybe even add supplements* that have been shown to heal leaky gut.
The top three supplements to consider are pancreatic enzymes to support digestion of food, L-glutamine, an amino acid that is imperative to the health of your small intestinal cells, and a high quality probiotic*, to start optimizing your gut flora. You may find that youd like to add in herbs such as slippery elm and marshmallow root, as well as quercetin and MSM, all of which have been shown to assist with healing leaky gut.
My book, The Stress Remedy, is a great resource that has a comprehensive plan for helping you heal leaky gut, including supplement recommendations and a diet plan.
You could also choose to start with The Stress Remedy Programs, which are designed to support the healing of leaky gut. When you are on The Stress Remedy Programs, you will avoid the foods most likely to perpetuate leaky gutgluten, dairy, eggs, and soywhile also decreasing your exposure to toxins such as sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Instead youll choose foods that help your body heal and maybe even add supplements that have been shown to heal leaky gut.
Find out more about the leaky gut healing products here. You can also buy them in an all-in-one package here.
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Is It Gas Pain Or A Heart Problem
Its perfectly normal to pass gas between 10 and 20 times a day. At the same time, its understandable to be worried if you feel chest pain after eating a meal. After all, if its gas, arent you supposed to feel it in your gut, not near your heart?
While you may be simply feeling the sensation of gas pain in your chest, this pain could also indicate a serious heart issue. Learn how to determine if you or a loved one needs to seek medical attention.
Please note, if you are still unsure if you are experiencing gas pain or a heart problem after reading this article, play it safe and go to the nearest emergency room to receive care.
What Is A Leaky Gut
Leaky gut, also known as intestinal hyperpermeability, is a GI problem. It is caused by many foods that youll find in the Standard American Diet , which cause damage to the intestinal lining and poor gut health.
Your digestive tract is lined with tissue that has several tiny holes that allow only specific substances to pass through. This lining serves as a protective barrier, filtering out larger particles that can cause damage to your body.
When someone has a increased intestinal permeability, it means that the barrier has been damaged, resulting in bigger holes that dont filter as effectively as a healthy gut lining. The things that pass through, such as gluten, bad bacteria and undigested food particles, can be toxic, and when leaked into your bloodstream can cause an immune reaction in your body.
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What The Medical Community Has To Say About Leaky Gut Syndrome
Do most conventional doctors support the idea that leaky gut is real?
WebMD refers to leaky gut as something of a medical mystery. This isnt surprising, since its not a diagnosis that most doctors have been taught in medical school. From an MDs standpoint, its a very gray area, says gastroenterologist Donald Kirby, MD Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic. In his opinion, Physicians dont know enough about the gut, which is our biggest immune system organ.
To make matters worse, government agencies have also contributed to the confusion. According to the United Kingdoms National Health Service , There is currently little evidence to support the theory that a porous bowel is the direct cause of any significant, widespread problems.
Yet, not everyone agrees. A roundtable review quotes the researchers at seven different European universities in 2014 agreeing upon the following:
Alteration of the gut barrier seems to have multiple consequences facilitating the onset of a variety of diseases depending on other hits and on genetic or epigenetic constellations, respectively. The growing significance of the gut barrier and bacterial translocation raises the questions of how we can improve gut barrier functions and gut microbiota.
So while its encouraging that science is coming around to leaky gut syndrome being a real problem, we are by no means at a point where there are standard diagnostic tools for testing and treating leaky gut.