I have often talked about creating a balanced microbiome and many of you understand that gut health is the key to overall health. However, most people don’t seem to connect the dots when they complain about their own health issues. Many people suffer from mild or occasional constipation, gas, bloating, and diarrhea but are not aware, or don’t connect these to symptoms to Intestinal Permeability, or “Leaky Gut” . Other common symptoms people deal with on a regular basis, such as chronic migraine, seasonal allergies, asthma, PMS or PCOS, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, acne, rosacea, eczema, candida overgrowth, food allergies, food sensitivities or food intolerances, and joint pain may also be associated with leaky gut.Many people think that leaky gut is only associated with people who have digestive disease. However, leaky gut can lead to different symptoms in different people, and they are not always obvious. You can even find leaky gut in people who “look” healthy. Many experts say that if you are struggling with these chronic health conditions, you are at risk for leaky gut.
People with MTHFR mutations like me (see my previous post) are more likely to experience leaky gut in its more severe form according to Dr. Donielle Wilson, a naturopathic doctor. That is because methylation is low (if you have MTHFR mutation) which leads to histamine levels tend to be high. Histamine is linked to inflammation, a contributing factor to leaky gut as well as allergies.
I know you can’t imagine that the lining of your digestive tract can have holes large enough for toxins, microbes, and bits of food pass through into your bloodstream because you can’t feel it. However, if you are finding it harder to recover from a cold, or have less energy, or more food allergies/sensitivities/intolerances, it is time to check your diet and lifestyle. You don’t want to end up having any of those serious health conditions:
Infertility
Type 1 diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Vitiligo
Narcolepsy
Schizophrenia
Autism
Depression
Huntington’s
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Hypothyroidism
Porphyria
Of course there is a way to get tested, but as far as I know, most of the insurance don’t cover it. Also, many labs that provide this specific test are restricted from providing their service depending on what State you live in. Since testing can be expensive and unavailable, and if you are suspicious about your condition/symptoms, you may choose to change at least to clean eating, which means no processed foods, no refined sugar and carbohydrates, and limit on alcohol consumption. Some people might say, “I have been eating very clean, but my symptoms don’t go away!” Then you need to change to a more specific diet such as SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet), GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome), Paleo, Autoimmune Paleo, or WAPF. Also, you will need to take certain supplements and change your lifestyle (more sleep, more exercise, less stress, replacing all personal care/cleaning products with non-toxic one). Yes, you really need to work very strictly and seriously to heal. I can tell you that no conventional treatments heal your conditions.
There are a number of websites that talk about Leaky Gut healing protocol. I personally can not suggest anything particular protocol, but for an informational purpose, I give you some websites that might be resourceful to you.
Source:
https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/high-histamine-and-methylation-mthfr-defects/
https://doctordoni.com/2017/10/leaky-gut-mthfr-and-how-to-fix-it/
https://ndnr.com/gastrointestinal/leaky-gut-is-there-a-test-for-that/
Your Body, Your Health, Your Life 