Amazing Wellness January/February 2019

albeit in much greater
proportions. So the takeaway
is that the health of your
digestive system is critical to
the health of your body. But
unlike the genesis of Crohn’s
or celiac disease, leaky gut
syndrome primarily results
from bad food choices.
RECOGNITION
Physicians aren’t quick to
diagnose leaky gut syndrome
as an actual disease, but there
are steps you can take to either
stave off its appearance or
help reduce its manifestation
if you’re already enduring this
malady. First, there are certain
symptoms that are clear signs
to recognize. These include
the following:
Recurring bloating or gas
(not just after eating)
Digestive upset after meals
Constipation
Irregularity
Fatigue and malaise
Chronic joint pain
Frequent colds and
sinus issues
Unexplained weight gain
Frequent headaches
Inflammatory skin disorders
such as persistent rashes
Compromised healing and
slow recovery
Even if you’re plagued by some
of these symptoms, it doesn’t
mean you have advanced leaky
gut syndrome. Many factors
affect immune response and
trigger various health issues.
But the more you experience
these issues, the greater the
chance your gut could be
leaking. No matter what, these
are clear signs that you should
take steps to strengthen your
digestive system and improve
your immunity.
PREVENTION
To prevent leaky gut
syndrome from proliferating
or occurring in the first place,
you must avoid certain
foods and food additives that
cause damage to the tight
junctions of the gut, thereby
causing the disease. Research
has shown that certain foods
and food additives can damage
the cellular structures of
the gut, thereby causing all
variety of diseases. Steer clear
of the following:
SUGARS are not only
addictive; they also
promote damage to the
intestines (and other bodily
tissues). Increased sugar
consumption also causes
chronic inflammation.
PROCESSED FATS, OILS, AND
TRANS-FATS are damaging
to the body in multiple
ways, contributing to
cardiovascular disease,
autoimmune disorders,
and chronic inflammation.
GLUTEN is a major allergen
that also triggers permeability
and leakage in
the intestines.
SODIUM, taken in excess,
loosens intestinal cell
junctions and increases
autoimmune disorders.
did you know...
Curcumin inhibits
the enzymes that compromise
stomach health
and boosts secretion of
stomach mucus, the primary
defense against
stomach acid.
MEAT “GLUE” (aka microbial
transglutaminase) is an
enzyme used to hold
proteins together, such as
in “formed” or packaged
meat. It has been shown t
o damage intestinal cells.
EMULSIFIERS are added to
processed foods for texture
and to extend shelf life, but
they throw off microbial
balance in the gut, triggering
chronic inflammation.
ORGANIC ACIDS such as
acetaldehyde are used
as solvents in foods and
beverages, but they impair
junction barriers needed
to prevent leaky gut.
NANOPARTICLES such as
titanium dioxide are
used in packaged foods
to improve taste, color,
and appearance, but have
been linked to DNA and
cell damage.
PASTEURIZED DAIRY PRODUCTS
contain the protein A1
casein, which may increase
inflammation in the gut.
UNSPROUTED GRAINS contain
“nutrient blockers” such as
phytates and lectins. These
attach to the lining of the
digestive tract and cause
inflammation.
The message here is to eat
natural and raw whole foods
whenever possible, and to
look for these food additives
on packages. Avoiding these
leaky gut triggers will help
your gut stay healthy and
reduce or avoid symptoms.
In addition, chronic stress
is thought to be a cause of
leaky gut syndrome, along
with various depressed immune
system maladies. As you
know, stress also adversely
affects heart health and can
lead to an increase in body
fat due to overstimulation
of catabolic hormones.
TREATMENT
Because of the unique interaction
between the intestinal cells
that produce antibodies and
the various bacteria that reside
there, about 70-80 percent of
the immune system is based
in the gut. Treatment of the
symptoms shown earlier has
a strong base in prebiotic and
probiotic supplementation,
AMAZING WELLNESS | WINTER 2019 21