How do I know if I have a leaky gut?
Reader question: I keep hearing the term "leaky gut". What does that mean and how do I know if I have one?
Ashley’s answer: Let's start with the basics. Your “gut” (that
is, your digestive tract) is a tube that runs from your mouth to your
anus, and just like any tube, it can develop a leak. Think of a car
tire: a small leak might go undetected for years, and aside from a
little air escaping, it seems like no big deal. But if you hit a bump
the wrong way--bam! A major incident can occur as the tire blows open.
Your gut tube acts the same way. Your gut lining is designed to let
certain things pass in and out (so yes, the analogy has some microscopic
holes in it!) but the shape and size of those particles that can pass
through the gut lining are carefully regulated. Today we know that many
things affect the health of our gut, especially its lining. Stress,
medications, and environmental toxins stand out as the big ones that
impact your gut and can make it more "leaky".
What leaky means here is that the lining separates to allow for
larger particles, like bacteria and proteins, to escape or enter. When
this happens, the body realizes that some things are going where they
aren't allowed. The problem is that your body doesn’t get to them soon
enough, and it leaks its distress through skin rashes, heating up after
eating, bloating, and other seeming “allergic” reactions. Most of the
time, this occurs when you eat foods with animal or plant protein.
How can you tell you have a leaky gut? Your best bet is to work with a
dietitian or a doctor familiar with that diagnosis. There are tests you
can take (though some aren't covered by your insurance) to help the
practitioners diagnose you. Then, you can work with a registered
dietitian like me to develop a nutrient-dense food plan that will help
you not just avoid common triggers but actually heal the gut lining.
Too often patients seek out ways to reduce the symptoms without
plugging the leak, so to speak. Over the last ten years, I have seen so
many more patients with leaky gut; it’s frustrating, but a diet of
mostly organic whole foods can help to prevent it without relying on
medications. Hope this helps!
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/06/27/how-do-know-if-have-leaky-gut/
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