What is this leaky gut I keep hearing about?

[ackitchhurts]

Heya~

    I keep hearing about this leaky gut thing, and I wonder what it is. Is it some malabsorption type of thing?

~ACK

[mnm mom]

Hello ackitchhurts,
I don't know but it does not sound good.
good luck finding out.
try: www.webmd.com  you might find something there.
mnm
ps. I just look on webmd and they do have some material on this. and yes it is a malabsorption problem with the digestive tract. if it is inflamed due to a number of reason illness, poor living conditions, allergies...... it can break down the lining and let large molicules into your blood causing all sorts of trouble.
good luck

[Sky Doctor]

Hi ACK

In a nutshell 'leaky gut' is a theory (for lack of a better word) which I think gives a good explanation to chronic inflamitory diseases. Basically some people lack the proper amounts of beneficial bacteria in their guts to digest food properly. This could be caused by a number of factors, one being antibiotics (kills all bacteria). Without the ability to fully digest food, undigested food particles 'leak' through the intestinal walls and into the blood stream. With food particles floating around where they shouldn't be, our body's antibodies will recognize them as foreign and attack them causing any number of reactions, one being skin reactions. The more food that leaks into our blood stream, the more antibodies are released to fight them, the more sensitive we become to allergens and the more sesceptible we become to new allergies. Kinda a vicious cycle.

Sound far fetched? I saw a medical allergist last year and to my suprise he supported the leaky gut claim and cited several articles that had proven the theory.

Sky Doctor

[Lozicle]

It is an interesting idea

[BigOrangeMonkey]

You got my attention, life has been very busy as of late, diet has slipped, had quite a few antibiotics, what do they suggest to help the situation? ProBiotic?

[LOX]

Leaky Gut. Some people turn up their noses at the funky name. To me, it's just a name.

Whatever label you want to put on it, it is scientific fact that the large molecules from poorly digested protein can cross the intestinal walls, enter the bloodstream and create problems in the immune system.

There are enzymes in food that help to break down all the fats, protein, fiber, carbohydrates and milk-sugars in food for proper digestion. But - and this is important -Cooking destroys enzymes in food.

That's why I say that if you find that you are not eating enough <<<<RAW>>> (emphasis on RAW), fruits and vegetables, then start taking a good quality enzyme supplement. Get one that wil break down all of those 5 elements listed above. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend one if you want to start taking them.

Here is one of many sites (do a Google search for more) that talks extensively about this.
http://www.herbldoc.com/ENZCANALR.htm

[ackitchhurts]

I do really like raw things, I suppose I will have to introduce more of them into my diet. Unfortunately, I find produce to be quite expensive. Oh well, I got lots of tomatoes in the back yard, and I LOVE tomatoes.

[chicky]

Here is some good information about it

http://www.vitamintrader.com/articles/2001_01_leakygut.html

Cheers chicky

[Aquababe241]

Hiya,

You got bad skin and you eat tomatoes?!

That's exactly what you shouldn't eat!!

Also nothing from the nightshade family, potatoes, aubergines etc...

I used to eat tomatoes a lot, and have switched to large bell peppers instead at my nutritionists advice - (Jill Swyers from Fresh network.com - Famous raw food chef.

Skin's a lot better now

YAY

Aquababe

[Marge]

How weird Aqua - I also don't eat the nightshades but was also advised by my naturopath to never eat any type of capsicum - peppers at all!!! Strange how different people give you different advice!
Great alternatives this time of year are sweet potatoes, all types of squashes and pumpkin - yum yum.  Made a batch of roasted pumpkin and butternut squash soup today which is gorgeous.  I roast the veg with some organic olive oil and chopped sage then blending with a tablespoon of tamari soy to give it flavour. very comforting when its cold.
Marge