Leaky Gut Syndrome

This is a very common but often overlooked condition that can just create havoc in one's digestive system, causing problems in nearly every area of one's body and brain.  So, today, I'm going to give Leaky Gut a little attention.  I've battled with this condition relentlessly during my 12 year battle with Lyme.  And due to my delicate system, I cannot tolerate glutamine - the main ingredient in all supplemental formulas to help heal a leaky gut.  So, this makes eradicating it bit more difficult.  Also, I'm an avid cyclist.  I recently read that even physical activity is a form of stress on one's body so eating within an hour post-exercising could lead to a Leaky Gut.  Hmmm...no wonder why my belly didn't digest anything after my long rides.  Here's the scoop on LGS-  

Over a lifetime, the average person ingests more than 25 tons of food that provides nutrients each of us need to survive; however, this food may also contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins, which can be damaging to the system.  Leaky Gut Syndrome, sometimes referred to as intestinal permeability, is a major gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when openings develop in the gut wall.  Harmful microorganism are then able to pass through these openings and enter the circulatory system.  As a result, leaky gut syndrome can lead to and is linked to many systemic inflammatory and immune-related symptoms including: rheumatoid arthritis, autism, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, eczema, dermatitis, fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, Raynaud's disease, chronic hives, ulcerative colities and inflammatory bowel disease.

Signs and Symptoms

• Food allergies and sensitivities
• Facial swelling upon exposure to strong smells
• Bloating, gas, and cramps immediately after eating
• Alternating constipation and diarrhea
• Headaches, poor concentration, and irritability
• Insomia
• Anxiety
• Gluten intolerance
• Malnutrition
• Muscle cramps and pains
• Poor exercise tolerance

It has been said Leaky Gut Syndrome affects millions of people worldwide and often goes undiagnosed by the mainstream medical profession despite being a chronic debilitating condition.  The main way to deal with LGS is through nutrition.  It is important to get one's body back to optimum health and avoid the foods or toxins which are causing allergic reactions, so that the damaged villi in the intestine have a chance to heal and so that your liver has the time and energy to detoxify your body.  There is no wonder drug to cure a leaky gut.  Dealing with LGS is about dealing with the causes of the condition.

What causes it?

Inflammation of the gut lining is the root cause of Leaky Gut Syndrome.  Gut inflammation is usually instigated by one of the several of the following:

• Prescription hormones (ie, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy) and prescription corticosteroids (ie, hydrocortisone)
• Processed food as well as foods and beverages contaminated by parasites, fungus, and/or mold
• Increased amounts of refined carbohydrates (ie, candy bars, cookies, soft drinks, and white bread)
• Shortage of important enzymes resulting from increased intake of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as asprin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen
• Increased alcohol and caffeine consumption

Under the concepts of functional medicine, assessment is oriented toward determining what is impeding your body's ability to function normally.  While some of the conventional medical approaches may help in this determination, they may not necessarily apply to a functional approach.  By working with a functional medicine physician, like Dr. Gulla in Colorado Springs, Dr. Mike Pierce in Denver, CO, or Health NOW clinic in SFO, they will help determine which assessment tools will be most helpful in establishing a treatment strategy specifically geared to creating a solution for your body's needs (IE, food sensitivity, candida or parasite testing).

NUTRITION as a SOLUTION

For many people, eating a proper diet lessens the symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome.  This 'diet' most likely will be based upon one's food sensitivities.  But know sugar is definitely an inhibitor to obtaining good health as it suppresses the immune system. Also, large meals can cause cramping and diarrhea in those with LGS so eating smaller meals more often or eating smaller portions may help to ease the pain.  I personally am eating little amounts all day long.  Since food allergies often times are invovled, discovering the foods which are not healthy for you will also reduce symptoms and promote overall gastrointestinal health. There are nutritional supplements which will help your belly heal quicker, too.  Making a paste with Slippery Elm and 1/4c water first thing in the AM will help coat the intestinal lining.  Aloe Vera juice in small amounts is a great natural remedy as are high-quality probiotics.  

Auto-Immune Diseases - Friend or Foe?

This was the question I was asking myself while out on my morning bike ride. Today is a perfect fall day and the scenery couldn't have been more beautiful as Pike's Peak received it's first snow of the season yesterday and it was simply majestic. So in between my "Wow! Isn't that just so amazing?! Thank You, God" thoughts, I was actually giving thanks for my health condition as well. I know, kinda crazy, given this past month of tests, frustration, expensive treatment plans, total makeup of diet required, and countless doctor apps. While I don't believe any disease is necessary a friend as their intent is to kill, steal, and destroy; I don't think they have to remain one's enemy, either. I believe that an illness can cause someone to stop and consider just what's important in life. One can reset their priorities, become a giver and an encourager, reflect on how they can change their actions and attitudes so that they can live life without regrets and with peace and joy in their hearts, and even research what was the cause of the illness and find a remedy - ie, learn to eat more nutritiously, stress less, exercise more, pray, read, etc...

To think that even though I was eating an organic 90% grain-free diet and still develop a very severe case of Leaky Gut was quite discouraging. But I learned that another Lymie was eating a 90% raw diet and also became allergic/sensitive to organic fruits and veggies. Hmmm... In a way, I was comforted by her story. Comforting to know that 1. someone else suffers like I do and 2. I do not have to accept the guilt I was placing upon myself for not being vigilant enough. Ya know, the if onlys - if only I had done this or if only I had known to do that.... I so want to be that 'success' story and tell others how they can overcome their illnesses, too. Yet, those who have spent any time with me wonder just what my "special" diet does for me.

Truth is, and I had to be reminded of this today, according to 4 medical physicians, that the only reason I am alive today is due to my vigilance with nutrition. They've said, "Without your nutritional foundation in place, you'd be dead by now." So the success story is today. The here and now. Each day I live, every breath I take - regardless of the status of my health at any given moment - is pure success and a gift from God. And while Lyme continues to make a mess out of me, I will fight back against my enemy; yet will also rise up to meet my obstacles and turn them into opportunities to become a better me. I know if I can do that, anyone can. So my challenge for you is to do the same. Take some time to spend with yourself. List the areas you want to see improvement in and then develop a game plan for making it happen. Most likely, you'll need someone to be your accountability partner to check in on you to see how you're doing and to encourage you to never give up. You are a winner!! Think like a champion and you will get the victory!

NOW - No Opportunity Wasted

This morning as I was trying to "heal the hurt," but finding it way too hard to get over myself - maybe because I was enjoying feeling sorry for myself??- I opened up my Bicycling magazine to re-focus my attention on my passions. As I was thumbing through the pages, I came across an add for NOW energy bars. Because anything Gluten Free captures my attention, I learned that "NOW" stood for "No Opportunity Wasted." I liked that and soon that thought was rolling over and over again in my head. As it did, not only did I begin to realize I was being way too sensitive (OK -high maintenance) and had been hurt only because I had allowed myself to become easily offended for truth be told the offending party would never intentionally hurt me; but I also realized that the obstacles which stood in my path could be turned into opportunities IF I choose to let them.

Hmmm....this meant wiping away the tears, getting out from under the covers, changing my outlook on life, and taking actions to move myself in a positive direction. And maybe, just maybe if I did this and wrote about it, maybe someone else may read about my story and choose now to be the defining moment in their lives to start living with a NOW perspective....turning obstacles into opportunities, sorrows into brighter tomorrows, and tragedy into triumph.

A month ago I saw an immunologist as I was suffering from some sort of environmental allergies. At the same time, my chiropractic neurologist suggested I take another food sensitivity test as something was irritating my belly as well. While the tests the immunologist ran came back as expected -allergies to some weeds, pollen, mold, and mildew - the food allergy/sensitivity results blew me away. It showed I was now allergic to EVERYTHING I was eating. With the combined results, this meant I was developing allergies to everything in the world in which I live. I was now sensitive to everything I ate, breathed, and sometimes touched. WOW! My main question to all the physicians was, Why? As a Lymie, I wanted to know to what extent Lyme was playing into my new diagnoses, how we could stop the reactions, and what can be done to repair the damage that has been done.

Four weeks later, I had yet to receive any type of answer other than "I don't know how to help you. Our typical approach doesn't work for you because you have Lyme. So it's up to you to find a way to help yourself through your own trial and error." And "You need mental help not medical help. I'll get the names of some good therapists for you. Try them on like you do a pair of shoes until you find a good fit. You'll need to like the one you chose for you're going to need their assistance for many years. You must be depressed and/or suffered some abuse as a child which you've suppressed." HUH??? That's it? Case closed. Moriah's dismissed? I found it quite upsetting that those who ordered the testing did not have answers for me other than to tell me I have a problem for which they do not have a solution. While I did greatly appreciate not being told I was a nutcase by my chiro/neuro, I was feeling pretty down and out as I was left to try to sort through the medical mess on my own - once again.

In my search for a solution, a remedy for relief, I read two very helpful books "The Gluten Effect" by Drs. Petersen and "The Lyme Diet" by Dr. Nicola McFadzean. I learned about Leaky Gut and it's devastating effects on one's body and am reading everything I can find on the internet concerning it. Additionally, I had two phone consults with Dr. Rick and Vikki Petersen concerning may case. While they provided some very helpful information, they weren't sure of how exactly to proceed because - to quote - "your immune system is failing but because you have a very complicated and complex case of Lyme we aren't sure how effective any treatment will be." That was my breaking point. The point at which I crawled under my covers and cried. What was I do to? Everything I was eating was poison to me, yet I couldn't not eat. And no one knew how to help me for sure other than me spending a few more thousand dollars on testing and/or weeks of my own experiments- journaling everything I ate, how much of it I ate, in combination with other foods I ate it, and the time of day in which it was eaten - then eliminating the things I had the most reactions to. With nearly 100 foods to experiment with - this could take months. I don't have time to waste and that approach alone just didn't seem too realisic. As a Lymie - I cannot remember much of anything past a few hours and cannot read my own handwriting most of the time. As a mother of five - well, I find it hard to find the time to sit down and eat for most meals/snacks let alone write about it.

So, there I was feeling sorry for myself and simply 'smad' - sad and mad at the same time. Then I saw the NOW ad and my entire focus changed. I will Not waste this opportunity. I will sit down and do the research. I will find ways to help my health improve - physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. I will become a better me because of of my circumstances. I will rise up and meet the challenges to the best of my ability (still thinking meticulous journaling will not happen but will give it a try). There's too much at risk not to. If I chose to allow myself to stay defeated, I will continue to be a collector of chronic illnesses. I will not live life to its fullest. I will live the rest of my days in pain and sorrow. I will most likely become bitter and a person no one wants to be around for I wouldn't be serving any positive purpose in their lives. I will become a miserable whiner and complainer. And I will miss out on all the blessings God has in store for me and becoming all He created me to be.

IF, however, I chose NOW - I chose life. I choose a better quality of life. I choose to get back the momentum that's been stolen from me. I choose to get back what was lost. I choose to get my life, and the way I think, back in balance. I chose to live life to the fullest. I will be a blessing to others and will add value to their lives. I will be a 'multiplier' not a 'subtractor.' The choice was mine to make in that moment, and I chose NOW.

So what do I do from here? I've come up with a plan - a solution as I am a solution-oriented person. I can handle knowing what the problem is. I cannot handle not knowing how to correct or resolve it. This creates frustration and stress and neither lead to anything good. Back to the plan -

1. I'm making a list of the supplements I will need to repair and recover based on all the research I've done myself concerning Leaky Gut and my crazy, messed up immune system (this includes treating parasite infections and Candida - an overgrowth of yeast).

2. I'll make another list for the supplements I will need to help treat Lyme as soon as my gut has been repaired. Since 70-80% of one's immune system resides in the gut, my gut has to be well before attempting to kill the Lyme. If it's not, my system will be overloaded and the treatment will fail. This is most likely why treatments haven't been effective, or remain effective.

3. Not really sure what to do with the diet. Think, by process of journaling, I'll see if my belly is cross-reacting with rice. I have a feeling it is and treating rice as if it were gluten. It's done this with quinoa and I know it's doing it again to something else I'm eating. Rice is my first bet....but it may be the coconut flour. Or even both. As for everything else, well, I think eliminating the main aggrevator(s) will be very helpful and then we'll just have to have a longer recovery process as I need to keep eating. With hypoglycemia, not having proper nutrition opens up a whole different set of problems, which has happened before and caused me to lose my driver's license for 6months after passing out on a sidewalk and taking a trip to the ER via an ambulance.

4. Search the internet for GF/CF/everything free :) recipes for me and my family. As the entire Cameron Crew carries the gene for Celiac we all must cut gluten out immediately. Plus, cooking for 8 (we have an 'extra' coming to live with us next week) requires some sort of planning. While I like to be organized and have everything in its place, planning is no longer a quality my Lymie brain is very good at anymore. BUT will stretch myself and make my brain think in a somewhat organized manner. (Ask my family how conversations with me go....) HA!

5. After printing out recipes and creating my own cookbook - and possibly buying a few real ones off Amazon - I will create a weekly menu plan AND grocery list. I'll save these on my computer so as time goes on, it'll be easy to rotate them and simply print off a list each week.

6. With the new supplement/treatment plan, I'll also have to have a chart as to when I need to take what - with food, not with food, so many hours after a different supplement or another meal, etc... And not eat certain things I love - like all fruit other than cranberries, POM juice, and granny smith apples.

That's it. It's time for NOW. That's my story. And in the posts to come, you'll be learning what I'm learning and able to cook what I'm cooking as I'll post the recipes as well (and if they were 'kid-tested AND approved' or not). Enjoy your day NOW.

Leaky Gut

As promised, I have some news for you on Leaky Gut. I couldn't say this better myself, so please click here to see what Two Sisters Gluten Free had to say. Great stuff! The only thing I would add is that when the intestinal lining is compromised the yeast, parasites, food particles, etc.. that are leaking through will cause pain, bloating, inflammation, and a variety of other symptoms (more later). Chronic inflammation leads to illnesses such as IBS, Fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes, and so on. Getting to the cause of your symptoms is essential as well as healing the lining of the gut if it's been compromised. It's been said your belly is your second brain and I couldn't agree more as so much of one's health and wellness depend on it functioning properly! And, interesting enough, g-free living is the best way to live free :)

My Story

Due to popular demand, Ok, thanks to Emma's mom for your request :) I have returned to blogging. It's been quite some time since I've really gotten into this and I apologize. My computer crashed (but that was expected since I dropped it. Oops!), my oldest son returned home to live (YAY!), summer was very busy with kids and company, my health took a nose-dive, blah, blah, blah. But I want you to know that now that I'm back, I'm back with a passion - with a fire in my belly, with a desire to educate and inform others on the importance of taking control of their own health and making wise decisions on what they eat as it is so true, "you are what you eat." I want others to learn what I've learned - and am continuing to learn - so that perhaps we all can live life to our fullest potential. A life full of health and happiness. My desire is to help prevent disease so that one doesn't have to live the after-affects of its damage and destruction. I have seen the devastation, which most likely led to death in this case, because one was not diagnosed with Celiac- a very controllable illness with simply a proper diet. Something so simple, yet so overlooked in the medical world.

I know this to be true for my own appointments with an immunologist this summer. Upon showing the immuno my results from the IgG NeuroScience Food Sensitivity Test ordered by my chiropractic neurologist (Dr. Gulla at n8 Wellness in Colorado Springs) which showed I was sensitive to 90 foods - everything I was eating - she said, "Those types of tests mean nothing. It's our testing that shows what's important. I wouldn't worry about these results and wouldn't change a thing in your diet, expect maybe reduce your intake of the foods which are high on the list."

While I liked what she had to say for it was a "WooHoo!! I can eat whatever I want to!" I knew in my crazy belly that she was wrong. There was a reason why I was reacting to everything I was eating and that reason couldn't be a good one. In my quest to learn more, I discovered just how far from the truth she was. Dr. Gulla informed me that with results like mine, I had to have Leaky Gut..again, or most likely, still. With Lyme disease, nothing ever stays the same, most conditions remain an unsolvable mystery and just plain complicated, and one will always have issues with their belly. Those darn bugs - and parasites - love to live in one's belly and make a mess of everything they come into contact with. And with leaky gut, this means they can squiggle their way out of one's gut and into the rest of one's body creating even more havoc. To make matters worse, some Lymies - like me - cannot tolerate the tradition treatment (glutamine and aloe) for leaky gut. So, what's one to do? I have yet to find the answer but I'm working on it and promise I will let you know as soon as I find out.

What's the big deal with Leaky Gut you may be wondering? Oh, it's a very, very big deal. Google it and be amazed at what you learn (I'll be posting a lot more on this subject in the near future). Since 70-80% of one's immune system resides in one's belly, it's imperative to one's overall health both today and all tomorrows that one's belly is well. If there's damage to it and it's not able to function properly one can contract not just colds and the flu, but auto-immune diseases of all kinds - including cancer. This is never a good thing. And to have an immunologist look at my report and totally dismiss it is just plain wrong! To think if I listened to her and not Dr. Gulla, I could continue collecting chronic illnesses (I have nearly 20 diagnosis as a result of Lyme), continue to feel sick and tired and be so tired of feeling sick and tired, and may even contract an illness which would take my life away - not just my lifestyle like most the ones to date have done.

So it's out of this my heart is filled with a passion to educate and inform. To provide possible answers and solutions (remember I don't have a medical degree, just am a 'professional patient'), recipes and how-to's, and point people like you in the right direction so that you may recover what you've lost, regain your 'balance' in life, and be restored, renewed, and revived to live your life to the fullest each day.