Once a leak, always a leak?

by Barb Jarmoska

Can leaky gut be healed and the trigger foods enjoyed once again? Perhaps. There may come a time when organic, unprocessed dairy foods as well as flours and breads made from sprouted grains can be enjoyed. In the early stages, I believe the best way to remove the burden that these foods have placed on the body is by eliminating or drastically reducing their consumption. The fact remains: gluten and casein are difficult-to-digest substances. They have a glue-like impact on everyone’s intestines. For many children and adults, the digestive challenges triggered by wheat and dairy products have already begun to show, often in ways that do not seem connected to digestion. Consuming a diet that derives up to 75 percent of its calories from dairy and wheat-based foods is a poor choice for anyone.

In addition to eliminating the primary trigger foods and/or using digestive enzymes, several other steps are necessary for healing damaged intestinal villi and mucous membranes in those with leaky gut syndrome. Reducing toxic exposure is of primary importance. Refined sugar, alcohol and caffeine should be eliminated. Maintaining good elimination is critical and ample fiber is needed on a daily basis. Partially digested food and harmful bacteria should not stay in contact with the gut lining. Consider a good cleansing program. The Freshlife Wellness Coaches can help you choose a cleanse that is best suited to your needs. Candida (yeast) overgrowth may be present. If so, the colonies of these yeast cells must be killed off and replaced with beneficial bacteria (acidophilus and the other friendly flora). Stress of any kind is an enormous contributor to leaky gut. Stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, neurofeedback and guided imagery are helpful. It is important to avoid the use of aspirin and NSAIDS as well as antibiotics. Each of these prescription and over-the-counter medications aggravates leaky gut to a significant degree.

Supplements can play a significant role in reversing leaky gut syndrome.

• The combination of digestive enzymes known as Gluten-ease, Lacto, Digest and Digest Gold are most beneficial. Please request the handout on “Low and Slow Dosing” for administration of these enzyme formulas.

• Essential fatty acids are needed to reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract. Freshlife’s Enteric Coated Omega 3 is a good choice.

• For children, flavored fish oil is best.

• Probiotics are a must for everyone.

• 10,000 – 20,000 mg daily of L-glutamine along with gamma oryzanol provides the cornerstone of the supplement program for gut restoration. Try Renew Life’s IntestiNew Powder.

Defining the miraculous
Diet changes along with supplements designed to support and heal the digestive lining are claimed by many to be “miraculous cures” for a far-reaching array of health problems. In truth, they aren’t miracle cures at all. When the behaviors that caused a problem are changed, the body’s innate capacity for healing and restoration is allowed to flourish. The laws of nature are constant. In naturopathic medicine, all disease is caused by an overload of unwanted substances or a deficiency of what the body needs. When those imbalances are corrected, health can often be restored …and therein lies the miracle of life.