What is a leaky gut?
We hear about a “leaky gut” a little more frequently these days, the same as we do with “gluten free” and “grain brain”. Let’s be honest. There are a lot of digestive buzzwords going around these days. But what does “leaky gut” mean, exactly? And how do we know if we have this condition? Let’s explore and fill in some of the holes around this issue.
In the past year I have experienced a “stress disease” called Stage Three Adrenal Fatigue. A frequent and common side effect of stress in the body impacts the gut, which leads to – you guessed it – a leaky gut. Why does this happen? Our digestion system is a complex system…and a connected one! Think of a well-engineered car. If you run the RPMs too high on a non-stop basis, the engine will eventually seize causing other damage to the infrastructure as well.
So how do you know if you have Leaky Gut Syndrome? If you experience any of the following you just may have some digestive system problems:
- Indigestion
- Food sensitivities and allergies
- Food in your stool or foul smelling stools
- Facial swelling upon exposure to strong smells
- Bloating, gas, and cramps immediately after eating
- Alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
- Headaches, poor concentration, and irritability
- Brain Fog and lack of concentration
Too many of these symptoms could indicate you have a kink in your system or a dysfunctional gut!
For myself, I didn’t have a lot of these symptoms but I did suffer from the occasional bloated belly, food particles in my stool (TMI!), rash on my belly, frequent headaches and dry skin spots. I would also experience sporadic brain fog and suffer from lack of concentration but I just thought it was my personality, my charm!
The article “The Candida and Leaky Gut Syndrome”, explains that Candida is the start of a yeast-like fungi overgrowth growing on the gut lining is what leads to the development of Leaky Gut Syndrome. The Candida, a yeast-like fungus, changes its form and produces rhizoids that damage the intestinal walls. Or rather, invaders (Candida fungi) come into combat with the bodyguards (gut lining) that are guarding the wall.
Food then escapes out of the intestinal wall and through the pinholes created from a damaged gut lining wall. Once the “bodyguard” is pulled of his job, the intestinal wall is vulnerable and the evil bacteria creates holes on the lining. The “holes” that are created on the gut lining causes an escape route … toxins and improperly digested foods (such as proteins and fats) now have an escape route into the bloodstream where the don’t belong (they are now outsiders). The “leaked out food particles” into the bloodstream are then seen as foreign invaders – even if they are healthy, whole foods – where they ultimately wreak havoc to your health. Quite the war waging in your gut!
My last food sensitivity test (LEAP test) showed that my highly reactive foods include black pepper, paprika and corn. Other foods on my “watch” list include common foods such as scallops, coffee (depressing!), cocoa (depressing again), goat milk (love goat cheese), gluten (most everyone!) and even almonds! I tend to eat the same thing every day so the foods I eat frequently seem to become problem food for my gut over time and cause havoc to my digestive and immune system. Thus the useful advice to mix up your diet often. If you can’t get the lab work down, start by eliminating common reactive foods like gluten, dairy, corn, peanuts, and soy.
In summary, your adrenal glands are connected to your immune system. So if you are overworking your adrenals by living a stressful life via the foods you eat, the sleep you lack, the over-worked and over-exercised lifestyle you exist in then your immune system will likely be compromised. More next time…
See more on ….
http://blog.probacto.com/the-candida-and-leaky-gut-link/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tJwmLj8giQ&list=TLeR6VZ4-AHmEf8WUpDfeyCQpi9Uut0uLa
