Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) is something that affects a large number of people throughout the British Isles and indeed the world as a whole.

Leaky Gut Syndrome is a weakness in the lining of the intestines, which eventually creates holes in the walls of the gut and allows food toxins – usually undigested food – and other toxins to leak into the bloodstream of the sufferer.

As a general rule, LGS is caused by a build up of yeast (Candida albicans), which eventually begins to break down the walls of the intestine and allows these leaks to form.

Signs and Symptoms

Below are some of the symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome:

• Diarrhoea
• Hair Loss
• Liver Dysfunction
• Sluggish Behaviour
• Depression
• Mood Swings
• Migraines
• Insomnia
• Bloating
• Memory Loss (albeit temporary – also contributed to poor memory)

Of course these are just some of the symptoms relating to the problem of LGS, there are many more and they can vary from case to case. If you suffer from any of the aforementioned problems it is worth consulting your doctor as soon as possible and also making a list of the symptoms may be of some help.

Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome

Again there are many different contributing factors that can lead to the onset of Leaky Gut Syndrome and these include:

• Poor diet
• Excess Alcohol Intake
• Stress
• Candidiasis (also known commonly as Thrush)
• Undiagnosed Food Allergies

How to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of LGS

There are many things that we as individuals can do to help prevent or reduce the risk of contracting Leaky Guy Syndrome. The most common way in which to at least reduce the risk of suffering from LGS is to change one’s diet. Avoiding those food groups that are synonymous with allergies such as cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, bread and wheat-based products is always a good place to start.

Although in this day and age it is difficult to avoid a lot of the aforementioned food groups you can cut down on them and certainly help to reduce the chances of LGS by reducing the intake of these food groups.

Highly sugared products and artificial sweeteners are also another factor in the onset of LGS – if you are one of the many people who enjoy sugar in coffee and tea it is worth remembering that this is one of the most common methods of bringing about the illness. White floured products and alcohol are also high risk groups when it comes to contracting LGS so it is worth also reducing the intake of these if you can.

As LGS is caused not only by a build-up of yeast in the body but also by parasitic organisms it is also worth avoiding raw fish or meats that are undercooked. For example, people who enjoy rare or so-called ‘blue meat’ (meat which has simply been introduced to heat for a few minutes) are putting themselves into the high risk category not just for food poisoning but also for contributing to the contracting of LGS.

As with many of these stomach related ailments cigarettes are the devil incarnate and should be avoided at all costs. If you are a smoker – heavy or otherwise – it is worth considering giving up not only for the benefit of reducing this particular illness but also in reducing the risk of other smoking-related illnesses as well.

Where to Seek Advice

If you are suffering from any of the aforementioned symptoms it is wise to consult your doctor as soon as you can. There are a variety of different tests that can be carried out by your doctor to confirm the problem of LGS and if these prove to be positive then your doctor, in conjunction with a dietician, can help you plot out a course of action and a diet that will help combat the problem and reduce its symptoms.

It is also worth remembering that once this problem has been identified it can take anything from four to six months to rectify and longer in extreme cases