Most people are not aware that they are having leaky gut syndrome symptoms since this condition is not commonly known under conventional medicine. However, it is important to know about it, according to naturopathic doctors. It can be the root cause of many of your chronic symptoms such as pain, digestive disorders, frequent infections, and skin disorders. Naturopathic doctors often say that conventional drug methods of treatments only treating the symptoms without discovering the underlying condition.
Leaky gut syndrome simply refers to a "leaky gut". It is the increased permeability of the intestinal lining which has become damaged. What has caused the lining to become inflamed and damaged is possibly due to an overuse of antibiotics, dietary problems, toxins, or infection. The result of an increased permeability means that the lining does not absorb nutrients selectively, but material can leak through the wall. Hence, materials such as toxins, undigested food, waste, or other matter to pass through the intestinal lining. This can cause inflammation and will ultimately affect the functionality of the digestive tract.
Leaky gut syndrome symptoms can include the following signs:
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Poor immune system
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Chronic pain in joints and/or muscles
- Foggy thinking, anxiety, mood issues, and/or memory problems
- Fatigue
- Respiratory problems such as asthma or wheezing
- Skin disorders
Leaky gut syndrome symptoms are common, no doubt, but fortunately, there is a way to test for increased permeability of your intestinal lining. There are two chemicals that are both soluble in water and unused by the body. Mannitol is easily absorbed by a healthy intestinal lining. Lactulose is a large molecule and can only be slightly absorbed by healthy intestines. The test is done by drinking a solution containing both and collecting urine for six hours. The amount of each chemical in the urine is used to determine the amount absorbed by the person's body. The function of the intestines is determined by how much of each substance was absorbed. A healthy test shows high levels of mannitol and low levels of lactulose. If high levels of both molecules are found, it indicates a leaky gut condition. If low levels of both molecules are found in the urine, it is a sign of a general malabsorption of all nutrients.
While it would be hard to repair a gut that is already leaky, ways to help improve digestive health is important:
- Removing any infections and parasites
Many sources agree that leaky gut syndrome is caused by candida yeast infections. There are several natural treatments available to control candida including acidophilus, fresh garlic cloves, and dietary changes.
- Adopting a healthy diet
You should take a high fiber diet, in addition to eliminating foods that are high in starch and sugar. It is also important to limit fungal foods such as mushrooms and cheese. Also avoid foods with yeast such as bread, alcohol, soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Consuming helpful nutritional supplements to improve digestion
There are many supplements that aid in digestive health. For example, essential oils like fish oil and flax seed oil may help a great deal and may be taken safely over time.
- Using probiotics
Every healthy digestive system contains 'helpful' bacteria that are necessary to the digestive process. It is important that you maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your body; that is to keep the 'unfriendly' bacteria from getting out of balance with the good bacteria. Probiotics are supplements that can provide necessary support for the proper balance of bacteria in your system.
You will find that as your digestive health improves, the many leaky gut syndrome symptoms that you have been experiencing for years gradually reducing. Hence, it is important that you do not just live with your leaky gut syndrome symptoms. You should find ways to heal the source of the problem, so that you can improve on the quality of your health.
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