Causes Of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The causes of leaky gut syndrome include:
- Dietary: Alcohol, gluten, sugar, processed food, casein, lectin
- Infections: Bacterial overgrowth, yeast overgrowth, parasites, and H. pylori
- Medications: Antibiotics, antacids, corticosteroids
- Hormonal: Decreased thyroid hormones and sex hormones such as estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone
- Autoimmune disease & inflammation: Autoimmune disease and intestinal inflammation are also known contributors
- Bacterial imbalances: Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance between the healthy as well as the pathogenic bacteria in the gut
How To Cure Your Parasite Infection
In conventional medicine, antiparasitic drugs, such as praziquantel and mebendazole, are the first line of defense. The problem is that these drugs can cause many uncomfortable side effects that can be almost as bad as the parasitic infection itself, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight loss, and insomnia. The damage parasites have caused before treatment will determine if you need additional pharmaceutical intervention, but there are many natural herbs that possess powerful anti-parasitic properties. These are great options if you want to take a completely natural approach or want to take something alongside anti-parasitic medications in accordance with your doctors recommendations.
Some of the ones I like to use with my patients include:
Something to be aware of if you are treating a parasitic infection in a way that removes the parasites quickly: the possibility of a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. When you attempt to kill off and rid yourself of parasites, they release toxins as they die off. Without proper liver support during this time, your body may respond to this elevated toxin load with uncomfortable detox symptoms, like headaches or the exacerbation of current symptoms. Basically, your symptoms can get worse before they get better. It is important to remember to start with a low dosage of either pharmaceutical or herbal anti-parasitics, and gradually work your way up to a full dose, to avoid this reaction as much as possible .
Dont Ignore Your Symptoms
In a culture thats hyper-focused on alleviating symptoms rather than finding the root issue, theres a concerning gap in the treatment chain.
Its easy to take a pill and make a symptom go away temporarily. Few stop to ask why the problem happened in the first place. Its a question that deserves an answer. If left untreated, intestinal parasites can cause lasting damage and chronic illness. If youre struggling with a chronic disease that has evaded proper diagnosis and treatment, make sure parasites are considered as a possible trigger.
If youre experiencing symptoms of a parasite infection, to book your initial consultation with us.
At CCFM, we see symptoms as clues, not something that should be covered up or ignored. Were dedicated to uncovering the root cause of your illness and helping you become your healthiest self. Wellness is a journey, but its always within reach.
References:
Don’t Miss: Causes Of Gerd In Young Adults
The 2 Surprising Causes Of Leaky Gut
Amy Myers, MD
Amy Myers, M.D. is a functional medicine physician, trained and certified by The Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Myers earned her Doctor of Medicine at the LSU Health Science Center, and completed her Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Myers retired from her functional medicine clinic, Austin UltraHealth, where she served thousands of patients, to empower those who were failed by conventional medicine. Shes a 2x New York Times bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of the health & lifestyle e-commerce brand, Amy Myers MD®.
Leaky gut syndrome affects millions of people around the world, and many dont even know they have it. Thats because the causes of leaky gut syndrome are in places you might not expect, such as foods you believe to be healthy.
The good news is, by making simple changes to your diet and using my No. 1 tool to maintain a healthy gut lining, you can prevent and reverse leaky gut syndrome and lower your risk for developing autoimmune disease and other issues.
I am about to tell you what steps to take to heal your gut and reveal two foods you may not think can cause leaky gut!
Leaky Gut Fix #: Rebalance Your Gut Flora
The first two steps mentioned above will likely help to reduce gut permeability. However, to ensure that this solution is sustained, you will have to invest time and effort into maintaining a healthy balance of gut flora.
This can be done in numerous ways. The healthy protein and vegetable-rich diet mentioned above is a good first step. But, you can and should do more. Instead of simply taking probiotics when you are on antibiotics, you should add in a daily, high-quality probiotic. Plus, in addition to probiotics, another great addition is fermented foods. There are a host of them to choose from, including sauerkraut and kimchi.
Read Also: Do Pickles Cause Heartburn
How Do We Eradicate An Intestinal Parasite
Successfully eradicating a parasite infection requires a holistic approach focussed on dietary changes, lifestyle factors and targeted supplementation to address the root cause. This means we are going beyond just temporary symptom relief and supporting your body with healing your IBS and other symptoms that come with having a parasite. It also means that once the parasite and any other infections are removed and we have healed your gut from the damage caused, your body will be healthy and strong enough to fight off any attempted reinfection or other opportunistic pathogens in the future.
Because every client and every gut infection is so individual, its impossible to give really specific details in a blog post like this, but Im keen to try to educate you on many of the considerations that go into developing a pathogen eradication protocol.
Treating parasites can be hard work. Not only are they often difficult to kill, the impact on the rest of your body during the process can be draining. Ever heard of die-off? Its a real thing and it sucks. Basically, when the bugs die, they let off toxins that make us feel terrible. This is why it is really important to support your body, in the form of liver detoxing, rest, etc. while completing a pathogen eradication protocol. So here goes!
Root Cause #: Parasites
You may think that parasites are only present in malnourished third world countries, but this is not the case. Depending on the sources, it has been estimated that 30-70 percent of Americans may be infected with parasites! Current detection methods miss many parasites, and few people ever get tested for them.
That said, parasitic infections are common triggers of Hashimotos.
Some common parasitic infections that Ive found in many of my clients, include:
- Belching
- Diarrhea or constipation
If these symptoms resonate with you, I recommend reading my article on Candida for an in-depth explanation of how it affects Hashimotos, and specific recommendations to address it. I also invite you to read holistic nutritionist Liz Schaus Hashimotos remission story after overcoming Candida.
Action steps for this root cause:
- Test for overgrowth of Candida in the bowels the GI-MAP test is a great option.
- Follow an anti-Candida diet such as the Body Ecology diet.
- Take anti-fungal supplements and/or medications , to address the infection.
Don’t Miss: Can Prenatal Vitamins Give You Diarrhea
How To Find Out For Sure If You Have Leaky Gut
There are several tests that have been developed, and more on the way, that can tell you if you have some degree of leaky gut.
1. There is a urine test that involves first swallowing a carbohydrate that will only make it across your intestinal lining and into your blood and urine if your gut is leaky.
2. It is also possible to identify leaky gut by checking for IgG and IgA antibodies to food in a blood test and this test is often preferable because it gives us two pieces of information:
You can order a food sensitivity test here and complete it at home.
3. A blood test that measures zonulin as well as a substance called actomyosin which is released when intestinal cells are damaged.
4. A breath test which, like the lactulose-mannitol test, involves first swallowing sugar mixed in water, and then breathing into tubes which will identify a gas that is only produced if your gut is healthy.
I can help you with determining which test is best for you: please make an appointment! But if you want more information about how testing for leaky gut, please see Part 2 of my Leaky Gut series.
Note: Leaky gut cannot be found with an endoscopy or colonoscopy, and does not show on standard bloodwork, so it is missed by most practitioners.
Iodamoeba Btschlii And Entamoeba Histolytica
I. bütschlii and E. histolytica are both amoebas.14 The elderly and immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to infection by amoebas. Outbreaks usually happen in nursing homes and other community living facilities.
Infection of E. histolytica is called amoebiasis.14 Early symptoms of amoebiasis include abdominal cramping and diarrhea. If left untreated, these parasites can travel to the liver and form painful abscesses. They also travel to the brain, lungs, and spleen.15
Iodamoeba bütschlii is an amoeba common in pigs and humans. Much like Blastocystis, it was also previously thought to be non-pathogenic, but there have been challenges to that thought in recent years.16 One study published in Oxfords Molecular Biology and Evolution journal reported that high concentrations of Iodamoeba have been linked to episodes of diarrhea and abdominal pain.17 This same study found that Ioadamoeba is an incredibly diverse organism, meaning that different strains may pose a higher risk of causing illness than others.
Considering the unpredictability of Ioadamoeba, we believe the benefit of treating it outweighs the risk of leaving it unchecked.
Recommended Reading: Lactoferrin In Stool Treatment
The Scope Of Microbiome Sequencing
Our 16s rRNA DNA sequencing is performed on machines produced by Illumina, a world-leader in sequencing hardware . This technology produces gigabytes of DNA data and then our interpretation system uses this code to identify DNA sequences belonging to bacteria and archaea.
Fungi, viruses, and parasites belong to a separate branch of the taxonomic tree of life. This means that they have evolved differently, and therefore have different genetic traits that are currently not within the scope of this testing technology .
Leaky Gut Syndrome: 7 Signs You May Have It
May 8, 2018
If youve been around the natural health world very long, youve probably heard of a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. It sounds pretty gross, but its an important enough problem to consider. There are several leaky gut symptoms to be aware of, which is particularly important since leaky gut is associated with dozens of related conditions and diseases.
As more Americans are affected by poor diet choices, chronic stress, toxic overload and bacterial imbalance, it appears that the prevalence of leaky gut has reached epidemic proportions. The medical profession is just now agreeing this condition may even exist, which is especially shocking to me because intestinal permeability has been discussed in the medical literature for over 100 years!
Why should leaky gut syndrome concern you? Recently leaky gut has been called a danger signal for autoimmune disease. If youre wondering if you may be experiencing leaky gut, the first thing to do is access your symptoms. Keep in mind that its very common for people on a Standard American Diet to struggle with poor gut function and high levels of inflammation but just because digestive issues and autoimmune conditions are common doesnt make them normal!
You May Like: Lexapro And Probiotics
Complementary And Alternative Therapies
Conventional medical treatments can get rid parasites more quickly and with fewer side effects than most alternative treatments. Alternative treatments may be helpful along with conventional medications. However, your doctor must find out what kind of organism is causing your problems before you start treatment. The following nutritional guidelines may help keep parasites from growing.
Heres How I Incorporate Coconut Products Into My Daily Life
- I use 1 tablespoon of non-hydrogenated organic coconut oil in my daily shake/juice. Tastes insanely good and as weird as this sounds, gives a lovely mouth feel to the shake. Just make sure you get quality coconut oil that is not rancid and not filled with all kinds of crazy chemicals.
- Now and then I will have half a can of coconut milk in my shake instead of the oil . Probably 2 times a week. This is the taste of island holidays in food form!
- Since my gut is now in good health and able to handle oats these days, I will cook up some gluten-free oats with coconut milk on gym days. Of course, theres a lot of energy in this sort of concoction, so best to pair with commensurate training.
- Coconut oil is my go to cooking oil for many dishes, eg a mild Thai-style chicken & broccoli stir fry.
- You might even enjoy coconut kefir91 fermented coconut milk/yogurt.
IDEA #23
You May Like: Constipation Headache Dizziness
Also Check: Stomach Upsets During Pregnancy
How Do You Get Parasite Infections
Parasite infections are more common than you think. According to a 2014 cooperative study published in Hindawi, about 85 percent of the population is infected with parasites . According to data from UNICEF, about 1.5 billion people in the world have roundworms making it the worlds most common infection . Additionally, 1.3 billion people have hookworm infections and 265 million have schistosome parasite infections .
While the risk of parasitic infections is certainly higher in areas of the world with contaminated, non-drinkable water and with less sanitary conditions, parasite infections are very prevalent in the Western world, including the US as well. According to the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention , about 300,000 people are living with Tripanosoma Cruzi.
According to the CDC and a 2014 study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, neglected parasitic infections are a problem in the United States . While they may be more prevalent among those living in poverty, they can affect anyone regardless of race or economic status.
What Is Leaky Gut And How Can You Treat It With Dr Elizabeth Boham
Tap the subscribe button and new shows will be added to your library.
If youre using a different device, our show is available on the following platforms.
Most of us do not recognize or know that digestive problems wreak havoc in the entire body, leading to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, rashes, acne, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, autism, dementia, cancer, and more. So having a healthy gut means more than simply being free of annoyances like bloating or heartburn. It is absolutely central to your health. It is connected to everything that happens in your body. That is why Functional Medicine almost always starts helping people treat chronic health problems by fixing their gut.
In this mini-episode, Dr. Hyman is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Boham to review two patient cases focused on treating the gut.
In this episode, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Boham discuss:
For more information visit drhyman.com/uwc
I hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I did. Wishing you health and happiness,
Read Also: Align Probiotic Gluten Free
Dosage During The Protocol
- Mimosa Pudica Seed: Take 4 capsules twice daily away from meals.
- Formula 1: Take 4 capsules twice daily away from meals.
- BioActive Carbon BioTox: Take 2 capsules three times daily with or without food.
To make these parasite supplements more affordable, I recommend our Full Moon Parasite Pack to save $15 for the same supplements.
Is Leaky Gut A Cause Or Symptom Of Disease
There is still a lot that science and doctors need to learn and understand about leaky gut. This includes whether leaky gut is the cause or symptom of certain diseases. While there is still much research to be done, there is some evidence that leaky gut is at least a precursor, if not a cause, to certain diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and type 1 diabetes.
There is also evidence of the importance of gut health for maintaining health in other areas of the body besides the digestive tract. When the balance of bacteria in the gut is disrupted, it can lead to increased intestinal permeability which can release substances into the bloodstream which travel throughout the body. Again, the specific cause is not known, but some risk factors like autoimmune disorders, stress, poor nutrition, and excess consumption of alcohol have been identified.
Another fascinating area of research is the connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This is called the gut-brain axis. While much more research still needs to take place, some research indicates that leaky gut may contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This has the potential to create a new understanding of mental health issues, and revolutionary approaches to treatment.
You May Like: What Can You Take For Diarrhea While Pregnant
Don’t Miss: Glutagenics For Leaky Gut