What is leaky gut and can it be a root to all of our health woes? Dr. Josh Axe said that there is more to our stomach than just filling it.
His book, Eat Dirt shared that the gut contains 70 percent of the immune system!
This is a part of the body we rarely think about, now it is time to change course, especially you are suffering with leaky gut.
We can do this by removing the chemicals from the body through diet, refraining from antibiotics when possible, and reducing the use of hand-sanitizers. Over time these toxins like food particles, and collects in the intestine wall and inflammation and disease shortly follows.
Axe wrote it starts as gut inflammation and food intolerances, immune system issues, and then autoimmunity. First what is leaky gut? Leaky gut causes gas, cramps, bloating, aches and pains.
It is closely related to Celiac Disease, an autoimmune condition and: inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, acne, autism, and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. There is a link of people suffering with Crohn’s disease and leaky gut.
Axe shared on his website that for some people leaky gut is more profound. For example take Crohn’s disease:
“Crohn’s disease patients, leaky guy is prevalent in a majority cases and even up to 10 percent – 20 percent of their “clinically healthy relatives,” which suggests a potential genetic component. Zinc supplementation has been found to be quite effective at tightening up the intestinal tight junctions in these cases.”
But doctors are baffled by this as Web MD explained:
“Leaky gut symptoms aren't unique.
They're shared by other problems, too. And tests often fail to uncover a definite cause of the problem. That can leave people without a diagnosis and, therefore, untreated.”
There are other facts on leaky gut.
Stress can lead to leaky gut. Reduce stress and cut back on caffeine and sugar. Go for green tea and eat more greens like Swiss chard and spinach, as this helps with stress. A stressed out gut can’t handle a lot of sugar—eat more fruit and cut back on processed foods/fried foods. Avoid eating or drinking anything too cold as this makes the body and system work harder. Make a list of the foods that irate your tummy like peppers, milk, gluten, or acidic foods like, tomatoes, oranges, and alcohol.
Eat more organic meats, fish, and vegetables like carrots, clear broths, and cut back on grains. If stress is an issue ongoing, pay attention to the environment and take action to change lifestyle. Try yoga and getting ridding of toxic people.
Find ways to be more mindful and do what you love to do to relax. Dr. Ax also noted that leaky gut impacts cognitive abilities and moods.
"If you’ve ever seen a child with autism experience a mood swing, this can be caused by intestinal permeability. Gluten-free and casein-free diets have proven effective for many children with autism because these proteins can leak through the gut and then recirculate and act on the brain similarly to an opioid drug.”
Read more on Dr. Josh Axe and findings on leaky gut.
