Leaky Gut & The Road To Health

• Gluten- is a protein found in wheat, barley & other grains that is  non-digestible because we lack an enzyme to break it down. Gluten is made up of 2 proteins called Glutenin & Gliadin. Gliadin resembles the tissue of the thyroid so when this is absorbed into the blood stream, the immune system begins to attack. Because it resembles thyroid tissues, the immune system also attacks the thyroid. This is an autoimmune response resulting in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Even without a diagnosed gluten allergy or Celiac diagnosis, we can all benefit from cutting out gluten. 

• Dairy- dairy contains the proteins whey and casein. Because pasteurized milk lacks necessary enzymes to break these down, these can pass through the gut wall resulting in inflammation.

• Corn- corn, especially GMO corn, poses a similar response as gluten. It is essential to eliminate corn especially during an elimination diet or in healing the gut.

• Soy- it’s important to know that soy is highly processed. It also interferes with the absorption of selenium which affects the conversation of T4 to T3 for proper thyroid function. It’s important to eliminate soy as well during the healing process.

• Sugar- need I say more?!!! It cannot be said enough how toxic sugar is. Sugar is responsible for many disorders such as leaky gut, fatty liver, cancer, high cholesterol and more. There are healthier options when sweetening recipes so consider things like maple syrup,  date and coconut sugar as well as honey.

• Lectins- Lectins are proteins found in nightshades, legumes, corn and gluten that bind to the intestinal wall and allowing food particles to break through. 

• Eggs- yes eggs….unfortunately egg yolks are high in omega-6 fatty acids which cause inflammation. It’s important to know that most eggs come from chickens that are fed GMO corn which poses a huge threat to our gut. Be sure to buy pasture raised organic eggs but refrain all together while healing the gut.

• Phylates- phylates are salts or acids that interfere with the absorption of essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc and copper. Nuts and seeds contain phylates so it’s important to sprout or soak all seeds and nuts overnight before consuming. 

• Nightshades- for the healing process it’s important for some to cut out nightshades because they contain lectins. They also produces alkaloids which is like a natural insect repellant that if eaten in high amounts can affect our gut.

• FODMAPs- FODMAPs are easily know as sugar alcohols- fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols. These sugar alcohols are responsible for a a fermentation process in the gut that causes bloating and gas. IBS patients do well with cutting out FODMAPs.

These are a handful of foods and proteins that affect leaky gut. So how do we begin the repairing process?