Leaky Gut Syndrome Herbal Tonic (LGS-Less)

 

Leaky Gut Syndrome and Coeliac Disease

The leaky gut syndrome is a very common health disorder where the basic organic lesion is the intestinal lining that is more permeable than normal. The abnormally large spaces present between the cells of the gut wall allow toxic material to pass into the bloodstream that in normal health is repelled and passed out of the body. The gut becomes leaky in the sense that bacteria, fungi, parasites and their toxins, undigested protein, fat and waste normally not absorbed into the bloodstream in the healthy state, pass through a damaged, hyperpermeable, porous or “leaky” gut. This can be verified by special gut permeability urine tests, microscopic examination of the lining of the intestinal wall as well as the bloodstream with phase contrast or darkfield microscopy of living whole blood.

Secondary Conditions Related to Leaky Gut Syndrome
The leaky gut syndrome is almost always associated with autoimmune disease. To treat this autoimmune disease depends on healing the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Any other treatment is just symptom suppression. An autoimmune disease is defined as one in which the immune system makes antibodies against its own tissues.
Due to the enlarged spaces between the cells of the gut wall, larger than usual protein molecules are absorbed before they have a chance to be completely broken down as occurs when the intestinal lining is healthy. The immune system starts making antibodies against these larger molecules because it recognizes them as foreign, invading substances. The immune system starts treating them as if they had to be destroyed. Antibodies are made against these proteins derived from previously harmless foods.
Human tissues have antigenic sites very similar to those on foods, bacteria, parasites, candida or fungi. The antibodies created by the leaky gut phenomenon against these antigens can get into various tissues and trigger an inflammatory reaction when the corresponding food is consumed or the microbe is encountered. Autoantibodies are thus created and inflammation becomes chronic. If the antibodies end up attacking the lining of the gut itself, the result may be colitis or Crohn’s disease. If it occurs in the lungs, asthma is triggered on a delayed basis every time the individual consumes the food which triggered the production of the antibodies in the first place. It is easy to see that practically any organ or body tissue can become affected by food allergies created by the leaky gut. Symptoms, especially those seen in conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, can be multiple and severely debilitating.
In addition to the creation of food allergies by the leaky gut, the bloodstream is invaded by bacteria, fungi and parasites that, in the healthy state, would not penetrate the protective barrier of the gut. These microbes and their toxins, if present in large enough amounts, can overwhelm the liver’s ability to detoxify. This can result in symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, brain fog or facial swelling when the individual is exposed to a perfume or to cigarette smoke for instance that had no adverse reactions prior to the development of the leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome also creates a long list of mineral deficiencies because the various carrier proteins present in the gastrointestinal tract that are needed to transport minerals from the intestine to the blood are damaged by the inflammation process. For example, magnesium deficiency (low red blood cell magnesium) is quite a common finding in conditions like fibromyalgia despite a high magnesium intake through the diet and supplementation. If the carrier protein for magnesium is damaged, magnesium deficiency develops as a result of malabsorption. Muscle pain and spasms can occur as a result. Similarly, zinc deficiency due to malabsorption can result in hair loss or baldness as occurs in alopecia areata. Copper deficiency can occur in an identical way leading to high blood cholesterol levels and osteoarthritis. Further, bone problems develop as a result of the malabsorption of calcium, boron, silicon and manganese. For this I highly recommend Herbactive’s ABC Daily Herbal NutriPowder, a complete mineral and vitamin cellular support to the system.

The Causes
The leaky gut syndrome is basically caused by inflammation of the gut lining. This inflammation is usually brought about by the following:
• Antibiotics because they lead to the overgrowth of abnormal flora in the gastrointestinal tract (bacteria, parasites, candida, fungi) • Alcohol and caffeine (strong gut irritants).
• Foods & beverages contaminated by parasites eg giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium, blastocystis hominis & others.
• Foods & beverages contaminated by bacteria like helicobacter pylori, klebsiella, citrobacter, pseudomonas & others.
• Chemicals in fermented and processed food (dyes, preservatives, peroxidized fats).
• Enzyme deficiencies (e.g. celiac disease, lactase deficiency causing lactose intolerance).
• NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ASA, ibuprofen, indomethacin.
• Prescription corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone).
• High refined carbohydrate diet (e.g. candy bars, cookies, cake, soft drinks, white bread).
Prescription hormones like the birth control pill Mold and fungal mycotoxins in stored grains, fruit and refined carbohydrates.
The leaky gut syndrome can cause the malabsorption of many important micronutrients. The inflammatory process causes swelling (edema) and the presence of many noxious chemicals all of which can block the absorption of vitamins and essential amino acids. A leaky gut does not absorb nutrients properly. Bloating, gas and cramps occur as do a long list of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Eventually, systemic complaints like fatigue, headaches, memory loss, poor concentration or irritability develop.
Prescription broad spectrum antibiotics, especially when taken for extended periods of time, wipe out all the gut friendly bacteria that provide protection against fungi and amoebic (parasitic) infections, help the body break down complex foods and synthesize vitamins like B12 and biotin. Since this friendly bowel flora is killed off, the body now has no local defence against the parasites or fungi that are normally held in check. This then causes an inflammatory reaction leading to the leaky gut syndrome. Food allergies quickly develop and these may trigger the signs and symptoms of arthritis, eczema, migraines, asthma or other forms of immune dysfunction. Other common symptoms of this bowel flora imbalance and leaky gut syndrome are bloating and gas after meals and alternating constipation with diarrhea. This set of symptoms is usually labelled as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or spastic bowel disease and treated symptomatically by general practitioners and gastroenterologists with antispasmodic drugs, tranquilizers or different types of soluble (psyllium) and insoluble (bran) fiber.

The Leaky Gut and IBS
The mainstream thinking on IBS is that it is caused by stress. Irritable bowel syndrome is the number one reason for general practitioner referrals to specialists. In well over 80% of the cases, tests like the intestinal permeability test (a special urine test involving the determination of absorption rates of two sugars called lactulose and mannitol), CDSA or livecell darkfield microscopy reveal the presence of an overgrowth of fungi, parasites or pathogenic bacteria. The one-celled parasite, blastocystis hominis and different species of candida are the most common microbes seen in IBS. The only stress associated with IBS is that which is generated by infection and the leaky gut syndrome. If allowed to persist without the correct treatment, IBS can progress into more serious disorders like the candidiasis syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, many autoimmune diseases and even cancer. If treated medically, IBS is rarely cured. To treat it correctly, natural treatments work best and must include the removal of the cause, improvement of gastrointestinal function and healing the lining of the gut.

How to Reverse Leaky Gut Syndrome
Short-term cover-up treatments with corticosteroids, prescription antibiotics and immuno suppressive drugs may be temporarily life-saving for acute episodes of pain, bleeding or severe inflammation as occurs in lupus or colitis. In the long run, however, none of these treatments do anything to heal the leaky gut problem. To reverse the leaky gut syndrome the diet must be completely changed to one which is as hypoallergenic as possible. Sugar, white flour products, all gluten-containing grains (especially wheat, barley, oats and rye), milk and dairy products, high fat foods, caffeine products, alcohol and hidden food allergies determined by testing must all be eliminated for long periods of time (several years in the most severe cases). Replace your sugar with Herbactive’s alcohol-free Stevia.
Treatment might also include the use of herbal antibiotics (ie echinacea, garlic – see our InflammationLess Tonic), herbal antiparasitics (ie cloves, wormwood, black walnut and other important herbs – see WormLess Tonic) and herbal antifungals (ie taheebo and other important herbs – see FungalLess Tonic) depending on the type of infection which shows up on objective tests. It is rare that victims require prescription drugs for these infections and they should be discouraged.

What You Can Do
Leaky gut syndrome patients can help themselves by:
– chewing your food more thoroughly
– eating frequent small meals rather than three large ones
– taking more time over your meals.
Gastrointestinal function can be improved with a juice fast or request the Herbactive Green Smoothie sheet with your order, or a hypoallergenic diet and supplements like lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus as well as FOS (fructooligosacchar-ides) derived from burdock root (included in LGS-Less Tonic).

Beneficial Supplements for Leaky Gut Syndrome
Natural digestive enzymes – from plant (e,g, bromelain, papain) or pancreatic animal tissues (porcine, bovine, lamb) and aloe vera juice with a high MPS concentration (Herbactive Herbalist has a good brand of aloe) stomach acidity enhancing supplements – betaine and pepsin, glutamic acid, stomach bitters, apple cider vinegar amino acids – L-glutamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) essential fatty acids – milled flax, flax seed oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, olive oil, fish oils, black currant seed oil soluble fiber – psyllium seed husks and powder, apple or citrus pectin, the rice derived gamma oryzanol, antioxidants – carotenoids, B complex, vitamin C, E, zinc, selenium, germanium, Coenzyme Q10, bioflavonoids, especially quercetin, catechin, hesperidin, rutin and proanthocyanidins (pycnogenols, grape seed extract, pine bark extract, bilberry) herbs and plant extracts – kudzu, various high chlorophyll containing green drinks like spirulina, chlorella and blue green algae, burdock, slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb, sheep sorrel, licorice root, ginger root, goldenseal, bismuth and bentonite. Spirulina. The best way to get most of these in one supplement is to take ABC Daily Herbal NutriPowder from Herbactive Health Clinic.
Acknowledgements about LGS to Zoltan P. Rona MD, MSc
http://www.afpafitness.com/articles/LEAKGUT4.HTM

Drinking smoothies will also help your condition – find out more about smoothies

To order LGS-Less Tonic click here

Coeliac Disease

This is a gluten sensitive disease. The person is allergic to gluten which disturbs the lining of the small intestinethereby obstructing the absorption of food nutrients. This condition is a form of Leaky Gut Syndrome. The symptoms are diarrhoes, abdominal swelling and pain, weight loss, neuritis, uclers can be found in the mouth and on the tongue, low blood pressure, debility. Breast-feeding has been found to prevent or cure coeliac disease. The patient should avoid all gluten – wheat grain, oats grain, barley grain and rye grain (NB usually eating wheatgrass and barley grass has no effect on gluten sensitivity). Rice. Unpasteurised yoghurt. Buttermilk. Raw carrot juice. Bananas mashed with slippery elm powder, carob bean powder and soya milk. Papaya. Aloe Vera Juice.

Herbactive Herbal Treatment of Coeliac Disease:

Herbs to include in your treatment: tincture mixture of sarsaparilla, wild yam, stone root and other herbs for symptoms (ask for CD-Less Tonic).
Powders: Slippery Elm and Marshmallow; ABC Daily 50 Powder. Aloe Vera Fresh Organic Juice.
To order the CD-Less Tonic

Drinking smoothies will also help your condition – find out more about smoothies

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Find out about herbal medicine for treatment of these conditions

See also related herbal tonics:
IBS-Less Tonic
HelicobacterPylori Tonic
Inflammation Tonic – for mycoplasma bacterial infections
WormLess antiparasitic
FungalLess for fungal infections
TireLess Tonic for ME and FMS
ABC Daily Herbal NutriPowder
HerbShield – powerful immune booster
HeartBurnLess for hyperacidity
Adrenal Tonic
WorryLess Tonic for stress