Leaky gut disease or leaky gut syndrome is a condition that can
be caused by antibiotics, infections, parasites, toxins, or poor diet.
The significant feature of the condition is alteration or damage to the
bowel lining. As the lining becomes more permeable than normal it allows
microbes, undigested food, waste, toxins, or large macromolecules to
enter. Some researchers believe that these substances have a direct
affect on the body; others think the problem is an immune reaction to
those substances.
Whatever has caused it for you, you probably
just wish the symptoms -- everything from acne and indigestion to
anxiety and fatigue to joint pain and constipation, to name a few -
would go away. Unfortunately, that wish can lead to treating just the
symptoms. If you have Leaky Gut Disease, however, it's important that
you don't just address the symptoms. You need to focus on the root
causes of the condition.
One -- if not the main one -- of these root causes is diet. While practitioners disagree on a lot of things about Leaky Gut Disease (whether it even really exists, for example), the diet primarily recommended for those suffering from it - the anti-inflammatory diet - is generally acknowledged to be a healthy one for almost everyone.
The anti-inflammatory diet isn't really a diet; it's more of an eating plan. And if you do a little research, you'll find that there's not just one anti-inflammatory diet; there are several, each with a different spin. For our purposes here, I've tried to present what is a "generic" version. This version does share with the others the concept that continued and out-of-control inflammation leads to illness and that following an eating plan that avoids inflaming the body promotes health and can help prevent disease.
In general an anti-inflammatory diet includes:
Many who endorse this diet also urge that you avoid refined sugar and products that contain it as well as caffeine and alcohol. And while drugs don't really fall into the diet category, have your doctor review your prescriptions and monitor your own use of OTC drugs, especially NSAIDS.
One word of caution regarding this plan: The effects you experience (i.e., an improvement in your symptoms) will not be as immediate as they would be if you treated yourself with medications. You probably need to give the anti-inflammatory diet at least two weeks versus the hour or two a medicine might take. On the other side, this diet might have a bonus effect not usually found in medications: weight loss!
[Needless to say, this article is for informational purposes only. It is in no way meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any of the symptoms listed here or suspect you might have Leaky Gut Disease, consult your doctor.]
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One -- if not the main one -- of these root causes is diet. While practitioners disagree on a lot of things about Leaky Gut Disease (whether it even really exists, for example), the diet primarily recommended for those suffering from it - the anti-inflammatory diet - is generally acknowledged to be a healthy one for almost everyone.
The anti-inflammatory diet isn't really a diet; it's more of an eating plan. And if you do a little research, you'll find that there's not just one anti-inflammatory diet; there are several, each with a different spin. For our purposes here, I've tried to present what is a "generic" version. This version does share with the others the concept that continued and out-of-control inflammation leads to illness and that following an eating plan that avoids inflaming the body promotes health and can help prevent disease.
In general an anti-inflammatory diet includes:
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Plenty of whole grains (e.g., brown rice, bulgur wheat)
- Lean protein (e.g., chicken, fish)
- Anti-inflammatory spices (e.g., curry, ginger)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (such as those found in fish, fish oil supplements, and walnuts)
- A reduction in
- Refined carbohydrates (e,g., pasta, white rice)
- Red meat and full-fat dairy foods
- Saturated and trans fats
- No refined or processed foods
Many who endorse this diet also urge that you avoid refined sugar and products that contain it as well as caffeine and alcohol. And while drugs don't really fall into the diet category, have your doctor review your prescriptions and monitor your own use of OTC drugs, especially NSAIDS.
One word of caution regarding this plan: The effects you experience (i.e., an improvement in your symptoms) will not be as immediate as they would be if you treated yourself with medications. You probably need to give the anti-inflammatory diet at least two weeks versus the hour or two a medicine might take. On the other side, this diet might have a bonus effect not usually found in medications: weight loss!
[Needless to say, this article is for informational purposes only. It is in no way meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any of the symptoms listed here or suspect you might have Leaky Gut Disease, consult your doctor.]
Read More:
♦ 7 Homemade Detox Drinks for... ♦ 16 Simple Tweaks To Help You Lose Weight