Category Archives: Leaky Gut

Let’s Talk About Poop

This article has been updated. It was originally posted August 2014.

Do you talk about poop at the dinner table? We did when I was growing up. My Mom, being a Naturopathic Doctor, asked each one of us if we had a good bowel movement that day.

I continued the tradition in my family.

Your poop can tell you a lot about your body. How often you go, how long it takes you, and what it looks like in the toilet are all clues. If your bowel movements are off, you are more likely to get sick – becoming more susceptible to germs and other more chronic conditions. Your stools are also a good indication if you are eating appropriately.

Continue reading →

SIBO. SIMO. SIFO. What’s Happening In the Small Intestine?

Is SIBO the new leaky gut? Until recently, digestive issues were often attributed to “leaky gut” but now everyone seems to be talking about “small intestine bacteria overgrowth” or SIBO.

SIBO is considered a bacteria issue. However, many people do not see lasting results from typical SIBO treatments. Now we are hearing new terms like SIMO (small intestine microorganism overgrowth) and SIFO (small intestine fungal overgrowth). What is really going on?

As we continue to see gastrointestinal (GI) problem occur in greater numbers, we need to step back and look at things differently. In reality, the GI tract starts at the lips and ends at the rectum. It is a continuous “tube” and problems can occur anywhere along the way: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Issues can also occur in the organs that feed into the GI tract.

The fact is SIBO or small intestinal problems in general can occur because of a wide variety of issues. Antibiotic use is a common cause for imbalance. Other regular culprits include unresolved food poisoning, toxic exposures, stress and traumas, and even electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). In fact, I believe our smart phones are a big contributing factor.

Continue reading and I will explain more about this and the many other possible causes and solutions for small intestine problems. Continue reading →

Early Signs of a Leaky Gut and 8 Things You Can Do to Turn It Around

beautiful-blur-063Did you know that a leaky gut is typically the precursor to an autoimmune condition? And, that your body often presents you with early warning signs before a leaky gut actually occurs? It is important for you to recognize these signs in order to maintain optimal health.

A leaky gut, also known as intestinal permeability, causes your immune system to work overtime and can result in your body becoming nutrient deficient. Insufficiencies such as maldigestion and malabsorption then start to occur, which can result in inflammation.

Your gut is a great indicator. When you start to see changes for the worse, take notice. If you can make the necessary changes before your gut becomes truly leaky, you can often prevent other illnesses from occurring.

Some early warning signs of a leaky gut include: Continue reading →

Leaky Gut – Do You Have It?

Escherichia coli (public domain)

Hippocrates, the physician known as the father of western medicine, knew it years ago when he said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Today, having a “leaky gut” is more common than you think. Also known as intestinal permeability, leaky gut occurs when the lining of your intestinal track is compromised and allows toxic food particles, environmental chemicals, and bacterial waste to leak through the gut lining, causing problems in other parts of your body. Below we will look at the common triggers of a leaky gut as well as the many health issues that can result, including autoimmune disease which is closely linked to having a leaky gut. The good news it that a leaky gut can typically be corrected if you are willing to make the necessary changes. Included below are some steps you can start taking today. Continue reading →

Why to go Gluten-Free – Part 1

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             Photo Credit: Kaz1980 via Compfight cc

What is all the hype about gluten? Have you been wondering if you should start eating gluten-free? If you find that you have unexplainable health problems or multiple food sensitivities, you need to read this. More often than not, a person who is gluten-sensitive has seen an endless line of doctors with few results.

This two-part blog post will discuss the why’s and how’s of “going gluten-free.” In this article, I will discuss gluten in detail, explaining the various ways gluten can affect your health and well being. In Part 2, I will explain the steps to take as you remove gluten (and other culprit foods) from your diet. You will learn the many places that gluten can hide and be given suggested food replacements and menu ideas. Most people feel better when they remove gluten from their diet. However, if you are dealing with health issues, eating a gluten-free diet will accelerate the healing process. Removing gluten especially helps with digestive issues, allergies, brain-related issues, and autoimmune diseases, but there is so much more. Continue reading →