Leaky Gut Syndrome

If the small intestine becomes more permeable than it is supposed to be (leaky), it allows abnormally large food molecules to enter the bloodstream. These incompletely digested molecules may stimulate allergic / immune responses both in the intestinal wall and elsewhere in the body.

When the small intestine suffers impaired permeably, it both absorbs what it should not and does not absorb what it should. A leaky gut allows not only oversize protein molecules to enter the bloodstream but also bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. When this happens the body reacts with alarm.

Symptoms of a leaky gut include:

• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Indigestion or flatulence
• Mucus of blood in stools
• Chronic joint or muscle pains
• Frequent fatigue, tiredness
• Fuzzy thinking
• Confusion, poor memory
• Mood swings
• Poor exercise tolerance
• Weak immunity
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rashes, hives, eczema
• Asthma, bronchitis, respiratory infections
• Food allergies / intolerances

A leaky gut may be caused by a gluten intolerance, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol, intestinal parasites, food sensitivities, or candidiasis.

Foods to Avoid
In order to heal the leaky gut it is necessary to eliminate ALL of the following:

• Milk products (butter, buttermilk, cheese, cottage cheese, ice cream, ice milk, milk, yogurt)
• Grains (barley, buckwheat, bulgur, corn, kamut, millet, oaks rice, rye, wheat, wild rice)
• Legumes (peas, bean, lentil,. chickpeas, soy/tofu)
• Starchy vegetable (beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin. squash, sweet potatoes. turnips)
• High glycemic fruits (banana, dried fruits, fruit juices)
• Sugars (brown sugar, can juice, corn syrup, dextrose, glucose, icing sugar, maltose, maple sugar, molasses, raw sugar
• Alcoholic beverages