Intestinal health is a big subject. Our intestines are 15 feet long and with their many convolutions would be much longer if you counted every absorptive surface like a shoreline might only be 100 miles beginning to end as the road goes. If you measure all the inlets it becomes more like 200 miles of coastline. In Chinese disciplines such as martial arts, Tai Chi and Chi Kung, the Don Ti-en is the center of the physical body. In terms of emotions we can all relate to “gut feelings”. and we will look at the emotional aspects of the intestines in the next article. You are probably on a spiritual path if you are reading this. We need to attend to the physical as well as the metaphysical aspects of our bodies. Below is an article on “Leaky gut” syndrome by Neffie Richardsom, Short and to the point, I think you’ll enjoy it.
“Leaky gut” is a term that’s grown in popularity the last few years. Some may also refer to this as “SIBO”, small intestinal bowel overgrowth, although that’s not always the case.
Leaky gut is a condition that occurs when intestinal lining is malleable; allowing undigested food and toxins to infiltrate tissues beneath it, causing inflammation in the body and in some cases, creating breeding pools for unhealthy bacteria to grow. This is how SIBO develops, and one usually has a form of leaky gut to have had bad bacteria build up and cause SIBO. It is possible to have leaky gut without SIBO, and if you are diagnosed or suspect SIBO, you probably have leaky gut. Thanks Neffie for putting this together.
Potential causes of leaky gut include diets high in sugar and fats, heavy alcohol use, stress, overuse of antibiotics and over the counter medication, gut dysbiosis, low stomach acid, and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Celiac, or Chron’s disease.
When working with a gastroenterologist, leaky gut is usually diagnosed the same way SIBO is- by an outpatient breath test that measures hydrogen and methane in your gut after fasting and drinking mannitol and lactulose. If you are working with a health coach or other practitioner, leaky gut is approached from a holistic methodology that usually includes diagnosis through a detailed food and mood diet and process of elimination through foods.
Traditional medicine will try to treat this condition with you guessed it, antibiotics! Functional medicine and holistic health guides use antibiotics as a last resort and/or combine them with supplements. Supplements and lifestyle changes can greatly improve, if not heal, leaky gut over time. As all our guts are different, not all of our guts will heal the same or even feel the same after specific protocols. It’s important to work with a practitioner you trust to navigate you through your healing process. It won’t always be easy—but it will always be worth it!
Neffie Richardson is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach who lives in Philadelphia, PA. She is currently accepting clients and you can reach her at neffierichardson@gmail.com.
An article on beer gut syndrome will be published here in a the near future.
