leaky gut

[Guest guest]

Carol--GREAT INFO!!! THANKS!!!!! I *will* be printing this (below) out for my

M.D. appointment on Monday!! Again, THANKS!!!

Louise

From: algaelady1 <carol@...>

Subject: Re: Leakey Gut

candidiasis

Date: Friday, March 5, 2010, 7:06 AM

Healing From the Inside Out - The Leaky Gut Syndrome 

•If the gut is not healthy, neither is the rest of the body.  It is the point

of fuel and nutrient entry that runs the body. 

•If healing is at a standstill and you are at an impasse, look at the gut to

see if it is holding you back from getting healthier.  Chemical sensitivity,

fibromyalgia, and escalating food allergies are among the many problems caused

by the leaky gut. 

•If gas, bloating, abdominal pain, indigestion, alternating constipation and

diarrhea are symptoms, you may be headed for the development of new symptoms and

new diseases. 

•If you are taking over-the-counter medications for pain, you may be at high

risk for developing leaky gut syndrome.       

The purpose of the gastrointestinal tract, or gut, is multifold.  Basically, it

1) digests foods, (2) absorbs small food particles to be converted into energy,

(3) carries nutrients like vitamins and minerals attached to carrier proteins

across the gut lining into the bloodstream, (4) contains a major part of the

chemical detoxification system of the body, and 5) contains immunoglobulins or

antibodies that act as the first line of defense against infection.     

The leaky gut syndrome or LGS is a poorly recognized, but extremely common

problem.  It is rarely tested for.  Basically, it represents a hyperpermeable

intestinal lining.  In other words, large spaces develop between the cells of

the gut wall and bacteria, toxins and foods leak in.  This might sound good,

but it is actually a double edged sword.

How does the gut become leaky?  By inflammation. And once the gut lining

becomes inflamed or damaged, - then this impairs the five functions above.  The

spaces open up and allow large food antigens, for example, to be absorbed into

the body.  Normally the body sees only small, tiny food antigens.  When it

sees these new, large ones, they are foreign to the body's defense

system.   So the attack results in the production of antibodies against once

harmless foods.     

Once you have antibodies to foods, they can do many things, like attach to a

joint space, for example.  This then turns on an inflammatory reaction where

you suddenly have arthritis that is induced by ingesting a food that used to be

harmless.  Or if antibodies are in the lungs, suddenly you have asthma and

unsuspected food allergy can be one of the triggers.     

Food allergy can precipitate symptoms in literally any organ at any time, once

the gut develops these large, leaky spaces.  And if that were not enough, these

large spaces allow the absorption of toxins that normally would not penetrate

the protective barrier of the gut.  These toxins then overload the liver so

that chemicals cannot be detoxified.  Now you have food and chemical

sensitivities.     

It might sound good that the gut can become leaky, because it would seem that

the body would be better able to absorb more amino acids, essential fatty acids,

minerals and vitamins.  For the body to absorb a mineral, it does not just

slowly diffuse across the gut membrane.  It must be attached to a carrier

protein.  This protein hooks onto the mineral and actually carries it across

the gut wall into the bloodstream.  But when the bowel lining is damaged

through inflammation, these carrier proteins get damaged as well, so now the

victim is vulnerable for developing mineral and vitamin deficiencies.     

What types of things can cause the inflammation that leads to the leaky gut

syndrome?  Many things that are very common in the 21st century.  Examples

include abnormal flora (bacteria, protozoa, yeasts, like Candida, parasites),

items that irritate the gut (foods, alcohol, food additives), food allergens,

toxins, and genetic enzyme deficiencies (like lactase deficiency, celiac

disease).  For example when we take antibiotics we are at risk of developing an

overgrowth of antibiotic resistant yeasts or fungi, like Candida.  Likewise, it

has been known for a long time in medicine that antibiotics can cause the

overgrowth of Clostridia difficile, an organism which can then go on to cause of

relentless colitis.     

Likewise, a diet high in sweets (sodas, cookies, cakes, pies, candy bars),

alcohol, and caffeine can irritate the gut lining or if a person has a lactase

deficiency and ingests dairy products these can trigger a leaky gut.  If a

person has celiac disease and eats wheat, rye, oats, or barley this can cause an

inflammation of the gut lining.  Some people are sensitive to fermented foods

such as bread, cheese, alcohol, vinegar, catsup, mayonnaise, salad dressings, or

anything that has been aged, pickled, or fermented and contains mold

allergens.  Others are irritated by processed foods and the chemicals that are

contained in them     

Some intestinal linings can be inflamed by the use of prednisone and other

steroids and, of course, the gut can become inflamed because of food or water

poisoning with such organisms as Giardia Iamblia, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, or

Helicobactor.     

Last, but not least, one of the main causes of the leaky gut syndrome is a

classification of medications called " non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs " or

NSAIDs.  This includes a large number of prescription medications which are

used for PMS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and various types of aches and pains. 

There are many over-the-counter non-prescription drugs in this classification as

well.  These include Advil, Motrin, ibuprofin, aspirin, and the new Aleve,

which is the old prescription Naprosyn.  NSAIDs are a direct and major cause of

the leaky gut syndrome, because they inflame the intestinal lining and cause a

widening of the spaces between cells, i.e. the leaky gut syndrome.     

Let's review the five-fold result of this inflammation of the gut.  (1) When

the gut is inflamed it does not absorb nutrients and foods properly and so

fatigue and bloating can occur;  (2) As stated above, when large food particles

are absorbed there is the creation of food allergies and new symptoms with new

target organs like arthritis or fibromyalgia;  (3) When the gut is inflamed, as

stated above, the carrier proteins are damaged so nutrient deficiencies occur

which can also cause any symptom, like magnesium deficiency-induced muscle spasm

or copper-deficiency-induced high cholesterol;  (4) Likewise, when the detox

pathways that line the gut are compromised, chemical sensitivity can arise. 

Furthermore the leakage of toxins overburdens the liver so that the body is less

able to handle everyday chemicals;  (5) When the gut lining is inflamed the

protective coating of IgA is adversely affected and the body is not able to ward

off infection and

becomes more vulnerable to bacteria, protozoa, viruses and yeast like

candida;  (6) When the intestinal lining is inflamed bacteria and yeast, of

which there are hundreds of species in the intestine, are able to translocate. 

In other words, they are able to pass from the gut lumen or cavity, into the

bloodstream and set up infection anywhere else in the body.  But, (7) the very

worst symptom is the formation of auto-antibodies  For sometimes the antigens

that leak across look similar to antigens on our own tissues.  So when an

antibody is made to attack it, it also attacks our own tissues.  This is how

nasty autoimmune diseases get started.  Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple

sclerosis, thyroiditis and many others are members of this ever-growing category

of " incurable " diseases.     

So a common scenario runs something like this:  a person might be very healthy

and then have an antibiotic for a sore throat.  The antibiotic does not go only

to the throat, but goes through the whole system and in doing so it kills off

many good bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines.  When these bacteria

are killed, the normally antibiotic resistant fungi that remain have no

competition and they grow in large numbers and can inflame the intestinal lining

and cause the leaky gut syndrome.  From there the person can develop new food

allergies for example, resulting in arthritis, headaches, asthma, or any

symptom.  They can start having gas, bloating, pain, alternating diarrhea and

constipation which is often labeled " irritable bowel syndrome " or " spastic

colon. " They can have poor absorption of minerals which then leads to fatigue,

inability to concentrate, multiple chemical sensitivities, and many other

symptoms or they can develop further

infection with these fungi and other organisms as the gut lining becomes more

debilitated and then there is absorption of toxins from these organisms.  These

toxins overload the liver detox pathways and suddenly the person is chemically

sensitive.     

So, what does a person do who has headache. arthritis, asthma, irritable bowel,

chronic fatigue, brain fog, chemical sensitivities, and much more?  They

usually go to various doctors, few of whom will do the test for the leaky gut or

hyperpermeable gut.  To diagnose the leaky gut syndrome, one merely needs to

preform the intestinal permeability test.  This is an easily performed urine

test.     

Removing the cause means getting off non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs,

caffeine and alcohol.  Then change the diet so that you are not eating foods

that  you are allergic to.  The rare food diagnostic diet is a tool to help

you identify foods you are sensitive to.  Sometimes the treatment involves

taking anti-fungals or anti-microbials to kill organisms that have overgrown,

infected and inflamed the gut.  These can be diagnosed through a comprehensive

digestive and stool analysis.       

Next, you must improve the function of the gut.  This is done by thorough

chewing of food, increasing fiber, using probiotics such as acidophilus -

http://tinyurl.com/24ajq - and bifidus - http://tinyurl.com/26rur - organisms

which have many beneficial properties in the gut, and by using digestive enzymes

- http://tinyurl.com/mkwo - to help improve the breaking down of food into

smaller, less antigenic particles.     

Lastly, the gut must be healed and there are many entities which are useful for

this.  Fructo-oligo saccharides, better known as FOS, are a special class of

sugars which do not foster yeast growth but which the intestinal lining can

preferentially use to heal.  Likewise, an amino acid L-glutamine is important

in healing the gut wall.  Short chain fatty acids, aloe vera gel, flax teas,

permeability factors, anti-oxidants, kudzu, bioflavonoids, pycnogenol, detox

herbs, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and many more things are beneficial. 

And often, just like anything that is sick or ailing, sometimes the best thing

to do is just rest the gut or fast.  A major step, however, in the right

direction is first to even know that you have the leaky gut syndrome.  For

without understanding that it exists, there is no chance in healing it and

keeping it healed.     

In summary, the leaky gut syndrome is prevalent because of the 21st century

lifestyle.  And it can lead to the development of any number of symptoms and

diseases.  Unfortunately it is rarely looked for.  So if you are at an impasse

with any symptom and cannot seem to rally, you may find you need to heal from

the inside out.

>

> Now that I got off the cystine, my leaky gut symptom of itchy fingers has

returned. Is there another way that I can address the leaky gut? Thanks Doug

>

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I'm thinking about sending it to a few M.D.'s anonymously...the non-believers!

Beth Fish

Re: Leakey Gut

candidiasis

Date: Friday, March 5, 2010, 7:06 AM

Healing From the Inside Out - The Leaky Gut Syndrome

•If the gut is not healthy, neither is the rest of the body. It is the

point of fuel and nutrient entry that runs the body.

•If healing is at a standstill and you are at an impasse, look at the gut to

see if it is holding you back from getting healthier. Chemical sensitivity,

fibromyalgia, and escalating food allergies are among the many problems caused

by the leaky gut.

•If gas, bloating, abdominal pain, indigestion, alternating constipation and

diarrhea are symptoms, you may be headed for the development of new symptoms and

new diseases.

•If you are taking over-the-counter medications for pain, you may be at high

risk for developing leaky gut syndrome.

The purpose of the gastrointestinal tract, or gut, is multifold. Basically,

it 1) digests foods, (2) absorbs small food particles to be converted into

energy, (3) carries nutrients like vitamins and minerals attached to carrier

proteins across the gut lining into the bloodstream, (4) contains a major part

of the chemical detoxification system of the body, and 5) contains

immunoglobulins or antibodies that act as the first line of defense against

infection.

The leaky gut syndrome or LGS is a poorly recognized, but extremely common

problem. It is rarely tested for. Basically, it represents a hyperpermeable

intestinal lining. In other words, large spaces develop between the cells of

the gut wall and bacteria, toxins and foods leak in. This might sound good, but

it is actually a double edged sword.

How does the gut become leaky? By inflammation. And once the gut lining

becomes inflamed or damaged, - then this impairs the five functions above. The

spaces open up and allow large food antigens, for example, to be absorbed into

the body. Normally the body sees only small, tiny food antigens. When it sees

these new, large ones, they are foreign to the body's defense system. So the

attack results in the production of antibodies against once harmless foods.

Once you have antibodies to foods, they can do many things, like attach to a

joint space, for example. This then turns on an inflammatory reaction where you

suddenly have arthritis that is induced by ingesting a food that used to be

harmless. Or if antibodies are in the lungs, suddenly you have asthma and

unsuspected food allergy can be one of the triggers.

Food allergy can precipitate symptoms in literally any organ at any time, once

the gut develops these large, leaky spaces. And if that were not enough, these

large spaces allow the absorption of toxins that normally would not penetrate

the protective barrier of the gut. These toxins then overload the liver so that

chemicals cannot be detoxified. Now you have food and chemical sensitivities.

It might sound good that the gut can become leaky, because it would seem that

the body would be better able to absorb more amino acids, essential fatty acids,

minerals and vitamins. For the body to absorb a mineral, it does not just

slowly diffuse across the gut membrane. It must be attached to a carrier

protein. This protein hooks onto the mineral and actually carries it across the

gut wall into the bloodstream. But when the bowel lining is damaged through

inflammation, these carrier proteins get damaged as well, so now the victim is

vulnerable for developing mineral and vitamin deficiencies.

What types of things can cause the inflammation that leads to the leaky gut

syndrome? Many things that are very common in the 21st century. Examples

include abnormal flora (bacteria, protozoa, yeasts, like Candida, parasites),

items that irritate the gut (foods, alcohol, food additives), food allergens,

toxins, and genetic enzyme deficiencies (like lactase deficiency, celiac

disease). For example when we take antibiotics we are at risk of developing an

overgrowth of antibiotic resistant yeasts or fungi, like Candida. Likewise, it

has been known for a long time in medicine that antibiotics can cause the

overgrowth of Clostridia difficile, an organism which can then go on to cause of

relentless colitis.

Likewise, a diet high in sweets (sodas, cookies, cakes, pies, candy bars),

alcohol, and caffeine can irritate the gut lining or if a person has a lactase

deficiency and ingests dairy products these can trigger a leaky gut. If a

person has celiac disease and eats wheat, rye, oats, or barley this can cause an

inflammation of the gut lining. Some people are sensitive to fermented foods

such as bread, cheese, alcohol, vinegar, catsup, mayonnaise, salad dressings, or

anything that has been aged, pickled, or fermented and contains mold allergens.

Others are irritated by processed foods and the chemicals that are contained in

them

Some intestinal linings can be inflamed by the use of prednisone and other

steroids and, of course, the gut can become inflamed because of food or water

poisoning with such organisms as Giardia Iamblia, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, or

Helicobactor.

Last, but not least, one of the main causes of the leaky gut syndrome is a

classification of medications called " non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs " or

NSAIDs. This includes a large number of prescription medications which are used

for PMS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and various types of aches and pains. There

are many over-the-counter non-prescription drugs in this classification as well.

These include Advil, Motrin, ibuprofin, aspirin, and the new Aleve, which is the

old prescription Naprosyn. NSAIDs are a direct and major cause of the leaky gut

syndrome, because they inflame the intestinal lining and cause a widening of the

spaces between cells, i.e. the leaky gut syndrome.

Let's review the five-fold result of this inflammation of the gut. (1) When

the gut is inflamed it does not absorb nutrients and foods properly and so

fatigue and bloating can occur; (2) As stated above, when large food particles

are absorbed there is the creation of food allergies and new symptoms with new

target organs like arthritis or fibromyalgia; (3) When the gut is inflamed, as

stated above, the carrier proteins are damaged so nutrient deficiencies occur

which can also cause any symptom, like magnesium deficiency-induced muscle spasm

or copper-deficiency-induced high cholesterol; (4) Likewise, when the detox

pathways that line the gut are compromised, chemical sensitivity can arise.

Furthermore the leakage of toxins overburdens the liver so that the body is less

able to handle everyday chemicals; (5) When the gut lining is inflamed the

protective coating of IgA is adversely affected and the body is not able to ward

off infection and

becomes more vulnerable to bacteria, protozoa, viruses and yeast like candida;

(6) When the intestinal lining is inflamed bacteria and yeast, of which there

are hundreds of species in the intestine, are able to translocate. In other

words, they are able to pass from the gut lumen or cavity, into the bloodstream

and set up infection anywhere else in the body. But, (7) the very worst symptom

is the formation of auto-antibodies For sometimes the antigens that leak across

look similar to antigens on our own tissues. So when an antibody is made to

attack it, it also attacks our own tissues. This is how nasty autoimmune

diseases get started. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis,

thyroiditis and many others are members of this ever-growing category of

" incurable " diseases.

So a common scenario runs something like this: a person might be very healthy

and then have an antibiotic for a sore throat. The antibiotic does not go only

to the throat, but goes through the whole system and in doing so it kills off

many good bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines. When these bacteria

are killed, the normally antibiotic resistant fungi that remain have no

competition and they grow in large numbers and can inflame the intestinal lining

and cause the leaky gut syndrome. From there the person can develop new food

allergies for example, resulting in arthritis, headaches, asthma, or any

symptom. They can start having gas, bloating, pain, alternating diarrhea and

constipation which is often labeled " irritable bowel syndrome " or " spastic

colon. " They can have poor absorption of minerals which then leads to fatigue,

inability to concentrate, multiple chemical sensitivities, and many other

symptoms or they can develop further

infection with these fungi and other organisms as the gut lining becomes more

debilitated and then there is absorption of toxins from these organisms. These

toxins overload the liver detox pathways and suddenly the person is chemically

sensitive.

So, what does a person do who has headache. arthritis, asthma, irritable

bowel, chronic fatigue, brain fog, chemical sensitivities, and much more? They

usually go to various doctors, few of whom will do the test for the leaky gut or

hyperpermeable gut. To diagnose the leaky gut syndrome, one merely needs to

preform the intestinal permeability test. This is an easily performed urine

test.

Removing the cause means getting off non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs,

caffeine and alcohol. Then change the diet so that you are not eating foods

that you are allergic to. The rare food diagnostic diet is a tool to help you

identify foods you are sensitive to. Sometimes the treatment involves taking

anti-fungals or anti-microbials to kill organisms that have overgrown, infected

and inflamed the gut. These can be diagnosed through a comprehensive digestive

and stool analysis.

Next, you must improve the function of the gut. This is done by thorough

chewing of food, increasing fiber, using probiotics such as acidophilus -

http://tinyurl.com/24ajq - and bifidus - http://tinyurl.com/26rur - organisms

which have many beneficial properties in the gut, and by using digestive enzymes

- http://tinyurl.com/mkwo - to help improve the breaking down of food into

smaller, less antigenic particles.

Lastly, the gut must be healed and there are many entities which are useful

for this. Fructo-oligo saccharides, better known as FOS, are a special class of

sugars which do not foster yeast growth but which the intestinal lining can

preferentially use to heal. Likewise, an amino acid L-glutamine is important in

healing the gut wall. Short chain fatty acids, aloe vera gel, flax teas,

permeability factors, anti-oxidants, kudzu, bioflavonoids, pycnogenol, detox

herbs, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and many more things are beneficial.

And often, just like anything that is sick or ailing, sometimes the best thing

to do is just rest the gut or fast. A major step, however, in the right

direction is first to even know that you have the leaky gut syndrome. For

without understanding that it exists, there is no chance in healing it and

keeping it healed.

In summary, the leaky gut syndrome is prevalent because of the 21st century

lifestyle. And it can lead to the development of any number of symptoms and

diseases. Unfortunately it is rarely looked for. So if you are at an impasse

with any symptom and cannot seem to rally, you may find you need to heal from

the inside out.

>

> Now that I got off the cystine, my leaky gut symptom of itchy fingers has

returned. Is there another way that I can address the leaky gut? Thanks Doug

>

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Beth - that's funny - but it would probably end up in their circular file. Most

MD's couldn't be bothered with learning about natural ways of treating.

Carol

>

> I'm thinking about sending it to a few M.D.'s anonymously...the non-believers!

>

> Beth Fish

[Guest guest]

This liver function chapter (excerpted from the 7-day detox, written by one of

the Great Smokies' Labs founders) will put the liver toxins and liver function

in perspective:

http://members.shaw.ca/duncancrow/liver-function.html

all good,

Duncan

>

> Hi All,

>

> I just read an article on Leaky Gut Syndrome at the web site for Great

> Smokeys Diagnostic Laboratory: www.gsdl.com There is an excellent

> article there.

[Guest guest]

Hi I may be wrong here, but isn't Leaky Gut just another name for Candida? If you've been treated with Anti-biotics, you could well have a Fungal overgrowth.You can treat Candida really cheaply with Fluconazole. Current UK protocol is 150mg once per week, for 3 weeks. There are experts in USA who are prescribing up to 400mg per DAY for Months.DO NOT TAKE MY WORD, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, but I hear ladies here swearing that the UK protocol works & yet they live their life in fear of alchohol or a custard cream! That's not cured in my book, that's denial.I can tell you, I followed a US protocol & I continue to drink lager & eat what I want, without any issues.You can buy Flucanozole in the UK from http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/thrush-oral-capsule-containing-fluconazole_1_10278.html although the control freaks (sorry Law) dictate you can only buy One at a time, so it costs £5.37 each.Or, you can buy as much as you like here, for a fraction of the pricehttp://www.alldaychemist.com/search.php?search_query=fluconazole Only drawdack is $25 delivery, so only worth it if you're stocking up on stuff.I can tell you that you can place orders over £100 with them & they don't get stopped. The HC is really cheap.http://www.alldaychemist.com/search.php?search_query=hydrocortisone Good luck!Ian>> Is there a not too expensive test I can do to find out if I still have the problem. > I also had Yersinia & Klebsilla bacteria but was treated with antiobiotics for 10 days and supporting the gut at the same time> > Really would like to hear from someone who can either give me some tips or recommend a good leaky gut book so I can try to educate myself.> > Many thanks> Regards,> >