If one is affected by the leaky gut syndrome, then this article helps with some information about it, its symptoms and the diet to follow for the same.
Ishani Chatterjee Shukla
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition of the lower alimentary canal in which the bowel lining gets compromised when the biological barriers that separate pathways between the epithelial cells of the intestine (that line the digestive tract), get disrupted, causing the intestinal walls to become hyperpermeable.
Such a condition may be a result of various other acute, as well as chronic digestive system conditions and bowel problems such as Type 1 Diabetes, allergies, inflammatory response syndrome, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and autism.
This condition can also occur as a reaction to parasitic infestation, ingestion of toxins, reaction to medication, and poor diet. Here are the various symptoms, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and chalk out a proper diet plan.
Symptoms
The physical signs and symptoms that indicate towards a leaky gut necessarily includes stomach problems like excessive bloating, abdominal pain, and gluten intolerance (may or may not occur initially). Besides these, any combination of the following symptoms may also occur simultaneously:
Insomnia
Anxiety Disorder
Difficulty in breathing
Frequent fever, for no apparent reason
Hemorrhoids
Heartburn
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Muscle cramps
Malnutrition
Diarrhea or constipation
Anal irritations
Lowered immune defenses
Fatigue
Flatulence
Sluggishness
Appetite Loss
Hair Loss
Brittle Nails
Dull skin
Frequent infections of the bladder and urinary tract
Abdominal spasms
Mood Swings
Depression Symptoms
Difficulty in remembering and recalling information
Anaphylactoid reactions
A combination of the compulsory and other possible symptoms enlisted above definitely indicate towards this condition. Leaky gut syndrome is not an independent disease or disorder. Rather, this condition is brought about as a side effect and is a symptom of any of the following underlying diseases or physical conditions:-
Autism
HIV/AIDS
Food Allergies
Malnutrition
Giardiasis
Cystic Fibrosis
Celiac Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Asthma
Crohn's Disease
Colon Cancer
Ulcerative Colitis
Alcoholism
Liver dysfunction
People who undergo chemotherapy or any treatment involving harsh medications, may also develop this condition.
Diet
Since, this is a stomach condition and it renders the digestive system weak, one should be very careful about what to eat in order to avoid aggravating the situation further. Besides being gentle on the weakened digestive system, a proper treatment diet also helps naturally, and gradually starts the gut healing process.
Such a diet includes those food items that have a simple nutritional composition which makes them easy to digest, as well as those food items which have microbicidal properties and excludes complex and heavy food items that may further aggravate the intestinal lining.
Here is a list of food and edible items that serve as beneficial inclusions in such a diet, followed by another list of foods and food items that should be avoided at all costs, at least till the condition persists.
What to Eat
Onions
Leeks
Mustard
Garlic
Hot Chillies
Fresh leafy vegetables like cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower
Fresh unprocessed meat (preferably lean cuts)
Limited whole grains and complex carbohydrates (avoid wheat and wheat-based foods if one has gluten intolerance)
Nuts and seeds
Fresh fruits
Poultry
Plain low-fat yogurt
Skim milk
Fatty fish like salmon and natural fish oil supplements
To elaborate a little on the preceding list, the detoxifying effect of fresh leafy vegetables help wash out the toxins from the stomach and the microbicidal properties of onions, garlic, leeks, and chili, kill the harmful bacteria and microbes of the intestines.
Meat, poultry, and fish are recommended so that the animal proteins along with omega-3 essential fatty acids help accelerate the healing process. Whole grains may be included if one is not gluten intolerant. Drinking lots of water, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices also help a lot.
What Not to Eat
Cheese
Wines or any alcoholic beverage
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG, ajinomoto)
Mushrooms or any other fungi
Processed meat
Refined carbohydrates like white bread, refined sugar, white pasta, junk food, etc.
Shellfish
Trans fatty foods
Pickles and pickled foods
Caffeine-based food or beverages
Fermented foods such as cheese and alcoholic beverages increase the bacteria in the stomach, which the weakened gut may not be able to handle. Caffeine intake increases the stomach acid level which will worsen heartburn conditions.
It is advisable to completely avoid refined carbohydrates and trans fats from this diet as the digestive system is ill-equipped to break these down properly.
Following the aforementioned diet-plan, might prove beneficial. It is always better to consult the concerned doctor and follow the prescribed treatment.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.