Leaky Gut

by Margaret Durst

Leaky Gut is one of those "natural health" conditions that we all hope we never get. The truth is that many of us have it to some degree and our symptoms vary widely. So – What is "leaky gut"? It is a condition in which the gut lining leaks.

You might ask "Is this bad?" Yes it is bad. I will paint a more graphic image. Some years back, I visited a natural M.D. to see what I could learn. He viewed live blood under a microscope and projected the images on the screen. One particular sample looked strange – when I asked what it was, he said that it was poop in the blood. Yuck! That’s disgusting, but it is a very effective image of what leaky gut is.

The intestinal lining is meant to be permeable – in a healthy state, only certain nutrients and water will pass through the gut wall. However, in an unhealthy state, the intestinal lining is inflamed and excessively permeable and waste products that should be carried out of the body will pass into the blood stream.

This condition of excess permeability is caused by food sensitivities, yeast / fungus, parasites, certain drugs – particularly NSAID’s, alcohol, caffeine, liver dysfunction, and food additives and preservatives.

Symptoms of leaky gut are varied, but they include: gastrointestinal discomfort such as gas and bloating, diarrhea or constipation, asthma, allergies, headaches, fatigue, anxiety or moodiness, poor concentration or memory loss, and autoimmune disease.

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June 12, 2010

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