10 Effects of a Leaky Gut

Do you have a leaky gut? 

It's the buzz word of the decade in case you missed it.  It's not always a concrete thing to diagnose, it's based on a collection of symptoms.  A leaky gut means your intestines have some permeability to them; undigested food particles and toxins can leak through these microscopic openings and into your blood stream.  Current studies suggest that this is thought to be one of the main reasons for autoimmune disease.

Here is a list of the top 10 symptoms of leaky gut.

1. Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea. 
2. Food sensitivities and intolerance
3. Fatigue
4. Brain fog, confusion
5. Headaches/migraines
6. Skin problems
7. Widespread inflammation
8. Joint pain
9. Nutritional deficiences
10. Autoimmune disease

If you suspect you have a leaky gut, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall health but it's not going to be easy.  Many of our bad habits with food are addictions that are hard to break, such as sugar, alcohol and caffeinated beverages.  In order to win this fight, you have to have a plan.  

One of the best places to start is with an elimination diet.  Simply, begin to eliminate the known culprits that disrupt our gut microbiome.  Those main offenders are-

• Gluten
• Sugar or sugar substitutes
• Alcohol
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Processed and fast food

Some sources cite that an elimination diet needs to last at least 90 days in order for your gut to heal.  Others say that in little as 23 days, you will begin to see improved health if you are 100% compliant.  It takes 21 days for the antibodies in our immune system to 'turn over', hence 23 days may be a good number to start with.  Everyone is different and if you notice the symptoms return after just 23 days, you may want to give yourself a little more time for your gut to heal. 

So, what can you eat now that we have eliminated all the joy out of life?

• Choose healthy fats- olive, coconut, avocado oils
• Choose clean, organic, grass fed meats.  Steer clear of fish with high levels of mercury
• Choose organic vegetables, nuts and seeds.  70% of your calories should come from good fruits and vegetables and 30% from protein while in an elimination diet. 
• Choose to prepare your own food.  Even so called, healthy pre-packaged foods are hidden sources of salt, fats and even sugars.  The less a food is processed, the better it will be. 

As you begin to introduce foods back into your diet, go slow and only introduce one food at a time for a week at a time. Pay attention to how you feel with each introduction.  At the first sign of symptoms returning, give yourself some more time to rest before you try again.   You can also try adding in probiotics to help in healing your gut.  

Even though there isn't a single test to diagnose a leaky gut, it makes sense to visit your health care provider to rule out any other underlying conditions that may be causing your health issues.  Never just self diagnose and hope for the best.  The providers at Madison Women's Clinic would love to share in your healthful journey and be a supportive member of your healthcare team.  

Don't Eat Bat Soup and Other Good Ideas

This probably goes without saying...but...

Don't eat bat soup!

It's not clear if the Coronavirus out of China, started because of bat soup, but it's a theory/myth circulating out in the World Wide Web.  Bats do in fact carry the deadly virus that can be passed on to humans.  In some parts of the world, bats are well used, as food, even considered a delicacy, to using their dung as fertilizer.  It's not just about bats, if you think about it, viruses are everywhere and to get caught up in which animal of the many, Coronavirus was initiated from is merely a distraction and fuels our fears and upsets our sense of safety.

We want to provide you with facts, the things we know.  There are many things we don't know and will not be dwelling on those details in this article.   So, here is a run down of what we do know as reported by the CDC for this country.

• There are several common strains of Coronavirus that many people, even in the US get every year and probably don't even know they have it.  It acts much like the common cold. 
• There is a new strain of Coronavirus; it is the SARS-CoV-2. The disease it causes is referred to as COVID-19
• Initially, officials assumed it was spread from animal to human, though, now we are seeing human to human transmission.
• As of February 25, 2020, the virus is not spreading in the community of the United States.
• When there is sustained spreading of a virus in a community, it means that people are getting it who have no idea how they came in contact with the disease. 
• The threat of a pandemic is high but individual risk is dependent on exposure. 
• If you are a typical American who just goes about living a regular life, your risk of getting COVID 19 are very low.  If you are an international traveler or caregiver in the healthcare industry, your risk may be slightly higher. 

In the future, if it becomes a true pandemic, then these risk loads would change dramatically. What are the symptoms of Coronavirus 19 and how does it spread?

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In severe cases, pneumonia and other complications are seen.
• Exposure is 2-14 days
• It is spread through respiratory droplets from someone within 6' of you. It could possibly be spread through infected surfaces, though this does not seem to be the case.
• It is contagious at the first sign of symptoms
• It spreads easily and is sustainable

What is the best treatment?  There is not a 'treatment' yet, though the CDC and other entities are working on that. The absolute best treatment is prevention.  We say it again and again, yet, as we see with Influenza, few people make much of an effort to contain their germs when they are sick.  We insist on going to work, grocery shopping and even hang out at the movies or other activities when we have a sore throat, a cough and even an upset stomach or fever.  We send our sick kids to school in hopes that nobody notices. We need to stop doing this!   

All of our attention is on the Coronavirus but Influenza is still in full swing and claims many more lives than the Coronavirus has yet.

Let's run through the list of preventative measures you can take today to protect yourself and your family, even our community from any virus. 

• Stay home if you are sick...with anything, even minor things.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  Discard the tissue in the trash. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Disinfect touched objects in your home frequently
• Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds
• Use an alcohol based sanitizer if  hand washing isn't available.  Make sure it contains more than 60% alcohol.  
• If you must leave your home, including to go to a doctor's appointment, wear a mask.  Many doctor's offices offer you one at no charge when you walk in.  It's FREE!  Who doesn't love free things? 
• Be careful treating yourself with natural things such as oils.  Some oils and herbs can actually cause a virus to replicate itself so make sure you know what you're doing before indulging in alternative medicine. 
• Contact your provider at Madison Women's Clinic...we can help you get back to good health. 

One final word, if you are sick, if nothing else, respect those around you who may not have a strong immune system.  This includes our senior population, infants, and those with a compromised immune system.