How To Address Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS)?
Annie Sawyer, PhD
Lately in the Natural Health & Wellness center we are reporting evidence of an increased rate of leaky gut syndrome cases in many clients that we are seeing. Obviously this condition is reaching huge proportions amongst the public and may be the underlying factor behind many of the chronic degenerative diseases or food intolerances that are being reported widely in the literature.
Nowadays when it is becoming very difficult for any holistic practitioner to precise and isolate between various dietary factors, allergies, and toxins, the ones that have brought about the intestinal condition in their client- the need for intestinal detox is becoming quite obvious. There is a plethora of problems reaching from additives, preservatives, heavy metals, oxalates, Candida albicans, Closdtrium difficile and many others. When the integrity of the intestinal walls has been disrupted the absorption of nutrients is chronically affected and many nutrients including toxins (a by-product of our metabolism) can find their way back into the bloodstream.
Leaky Gut Syndrome is a disorder correlated with an innapropriate immune response caused by a seriously compromised intestinal wall that allows indigested foods and toxins to pass into the bloodstream. It is immune reaction when the intestinal lining of the digestive tract becomes easily transferable or leakier than normal due to irritation and consequent inflammation. As we all know the small intestine is designed to let particles of digested nutrients to pass through its walls and into the bloodstream. Less digested particles and mainly toxins as well as other nutrients may be able to pass through the leaky wall and to go into the bloodstream. This is what holistic medicine calls as Leaky Gut Syndrome. This syndrome is highly unrecognized and under diagnosed by the conventional medicine. The body is capable to recognize these particles as foreign and to switch on its immune system to fight them off. In fact this is one of the possible reason and explanation for an autoimmune disease appearance.
The causes of LGS are still under research, but there are conclusions appearing in the nowadays literature that they include heavy metal toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, frequent use of broad spectrum of antibiotics, birth control pills, anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, COX 2 inhibitors, corticosteroids and many other medications.
There is a multitude of various symptoms that can characterize the Leaky Gut Syndrome. They are including abdominal pain, increased flatulence (bloating), constipation, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, heartburn, frequent headaches, reoccurring bladder and vaginal infections, skin rashes, lower immune system, chronic joint pain, frequent cold and flu, muscle pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, bed wetting, aggressive behavior, brain fog and confusion, anxiety, depression, ADD, mood swings, poor memory, nervousness, asthma, shortness of breath.
Without any doubt an immediate repair process is essential for continuing good health. The results of a good cleanse of the GI tract can be amazing. We have seen a renewed vigour, improved mood and digestion, better complexion and some of the many manifestations at the end of one really successful cleanse. Of course to restore a healthy digestive tract requires delicate detoxification, including good bulking agents, right nutritional support, repopulation with probiotics and specific nutrients to encourage growth while combating pathogens. We are sure that in the modern world there are few people who will not benefit at some stage from thorough detoxification of the colon and small intestine.
We have seen in our practice that is a huge mistake starting the detoxifying process with a bulking agent alone. Supplementing the bulking agent with spirulina, chlorella and L Bulgaricum will usually accelerate the detox process while keeping the balance between normal residential bacteria and unwanted bacteria or pathogens and that is the first step of our detox protocol. We have already proved that the length of time for a complete detox should never be less than 2-4 weeks. It depends on the phase. Chronic LGS cases heal longer than 4-6 weeks.
Second main goal in an effective intestinal detox is for the pH levels to return to normal. For this reason it is always good to include Betaine HCL in any course of supplementation. This discourages all the harmful pathogens from repopulating the intestinal lining.
Gradual introduction of probiotics, FOS and other probiotics plus several botanicals will normally follow the detox stage. As we all know no two patients are the same so if there are extreme reactions then modification of the regime must occur and each new stage introduced on a gentler gradient. Last, but not least we need to slowly and gradually reintroduce Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium spp. as the third step of the full detox. Bifidobacteria family aid in the digestion, and are also associated with a lower incidence of allergies and the prevention of some forms of tumor growth. Of course some of them are being used as probiotics. These bacteria have been named with another name Lactobacillus bifidus. One must know that the eventual introduction of Lactobacillus spp. (acidophilus, casei, paracasei, rhamnosus) and Bifidobacterium spp. will not offer overnight results, particularly in chronic cases. In some instances the detox may take over 2 months to complete.
In case if you have LGS- changing your diet and lifestyle will be an absolute must:
· Your main food will be the plain organic unpasteurized yogurt rich in alive bacteria ( L. Bulgaricum, L. Acidoffilus, and L. Casei. L. Rhamosus, L. Paracasei etc.)
· You must select foods with strong antimicrobial properties as onions, garlic, leeks, radishes, chili papers, unsweetened citrus fruits, parsley, deed will, oregano, mustard, and rosemary.
· Good foods are also organic cruciferous as cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels’ sprouts, and broccoli. You can also consume kefir, miso, natto, tempeh, kimchee, olives, sawerkraut, pickles, soy beverages).
· Consume foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as cold water fish, salmon, herring, sardines, tuna or take complementary fish oil and flax seed oil.
· You must restrict simple carbs and to select between the complex carbohydrates that digest slowly that slowly increase your blood sugar levels (apples, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and pumpkin).
· Try to drink as much as purified water throughout the day as possible.
· Avoid foods that contain white flour and white sugar (sugary drinks, fruit juices, soft drinks, foods with fungi, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol, sodium nitrate, MSG, trans fats, and all the preservatives.
· Try to exercise as when you do exercise that helps your body to get rid of many toxins and it keeps you regular. If your condition doesn’t permit you to exercise try to walk each day.
