I Have A Leaky What?

I HAVE A LEAKY WHAT?   Digestive complaints are the number one reason people contact me.  Helping my clients get control of and heal these issues is a priority for me as I know that you cannot have overall good health if you do not have healthy digestion.  Many times what seems to be a small digestive issue is just the tip of the iceberg of what is really happening.  This is the case with leaky gut syndrome. First let’s start with a little background on the area in question. The intestine wall has two functions.  It allows nutrients to pass from the small intestines into the bloodstream while blocking the absorption of chemicals, foreign substances, bacteria, and other large molecules found in food.  Some foods we eat, medications we take and conditions that are present in the area, cause the wall to lose its ability to distinguish between nutrients and foreign substances.  When this occurs it leads to increase intestinal permeability, commonly known as leaky gut syndrome.  This condition contributes to skin problems, food sensitivities, osteoarthritis, migraine headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome and a host of other problems. Leaky gut is also associated with many medical problems such as:  allergies, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, HIV, and malabsorption syndrome.  It is also linked to auto-immune diseases such as AIDS, asthma, bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and skin irritations.  It is one of the underlying causes of many degenerative diseases. A leaky gut also puts and extra burden on the liver.  When the liver gets overwhelmed it stores these toxins in fat cells, much the same we that we put boxes in the garage or basement to deal with at a later date.  If the liver is unable to catch up later then these toxins provide a continued source of inflammation to the body.  Increase intestinal permeability has been found to be a factor in liver diseases, such as cirrhosis. So what are some of the causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome? NSAIDS – Tylenol, Motrin, Advil and a few others pain relievers may be gentle on the stomach but cause intestinal irritation.  They cause damage to the lining by blocking prostaglandins, the small chemical messengers that stimulate repair.  They are one of the direct causes of leaky gut. Chronic Stress – Prolonged stress changes the immune system’s ability to respond quickly and affects our ability to heal.  Meditation, guided imagery, relaxation, and a good sense of humor can go a long way to helping you to deal with every day stress. Environmental Contaminants – Daily exposure to hundreds of household and environmental chemicals puts stress on our immune defenses and the body’s ability to repair itself.  This leads to a chronic delay of necessary routine repairs.  Connective tissue begins to break down and we lose trace minerals like calcium, potassium and magnesium.  Environmental chemicals deplete our reserves of buffering minerals causing acidosis in the cells and tissue and cell swelling. Overconsumption of Alcohol Beverages - Alcohol contains few nutrients but takes many nutrients to metabolize.  The most important is the b-complex vitamins.  In fact, alcohol contains substances that are toxic to our cells.  It puts a strain on the liver, which affects digestive competency, and also damages the digestive tract. Poor Food Choices – This contributes to the imbalance of probiotics and pH.  Low fiber diets create chronic constipation and increased transit time, allowing toxic byproducts of digestion to concentrate and irritate the gut mucosa.  Diets that consist of a high amount of processed foods injure your intestinal lining.  These foods promote inflammation of the GI tract. Although milk is an American staple it can be highly irritating to people with lactose intolerance - as is gluten and a host of other common categories of foods. Parasites can cause damage to the intestinal tract which can then lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome. Yeast over growth – A yeast build up can form within the folds of the small intestines.  When it grows undisturbed, the yeast morphs and forms a fungus deep in the folds of the intestines.  The fungus then forms roots called rhizoids that grow through the walls of the intestine. Spinal misalignments in the 5th through the 9th thoracic vertebrae – This area supplies the intestines with its necessary blood supply.  If that area is receiving a reduced amount of  needed blood then the health of the intestinal tract and the immune is compromised. Not all chiropractors agree that these two issues are related so you may need to find someone that knows about this issue. Okay so what are the symptoms that point to the fact that you may want to look at Leaky Gut Syndrome? See the Symptoms box below and check out if any of the problems that you are having may be a sign of Leaky Gut Syndrome. So you suspect that you may have a problem, what should you do next?  You can ask your physician for an intestinal permeability test. This measures the ability of two nonmetabolized sugar molecules, mannitol and lactulose, to permeate the intestinal mucosa.  The test is simple.  You are asked to drink a liquid that have these two sugars in it and the lactulose and mannitol recovered in a six-hour urine sample which you collect at home.  Some medical professionals do not recognize leaky gut as a diagnosis so you may have an issue with that.  Other than that you can educate yourself on the protocols of foods and lifestyle changes you will need to make to get your digestive track back in shape or you can work with a informed professional that can assist you with this process of what we call the four r’s: Remove, Replace, Reinoculate and Repair. Restoring digestive health is a process.  It doesn’t happen overnight. Once you figure out the culprits that are related to your issues then a  few changes may make a huge difference in how you feel.  Here are a few of the ways you can improve your digestive health. Restoring Gut Integrity Changing your eating habits – like chewing your food better, cooking and eating at home, choosing organic, local produce when in season, avoid processed foods that are filled with chemicals, additives and processed sugars and excessive salt.   When you eat foods in their natural state, cooked in your kitchen you are able to see and control what you are putting into your body.  This goes a long way to improving your digestive health. Deal with food allergies and sensitivities by first isolating the cause for the issue then eliminating it from the diet for possible a short period of time and reintroducing (in the intolerance case) or totally eliminating the food when it come to allergies. Replenish your bacterial flora with probiotics. Increase in antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamin E, selenium, zinc and manganese to just name a few. Destroy yeast overgrowth and flush it out of the system.  Olive oil and garlic are great remedies to the build-up of yeast in the intestinal area.  They help restore the natural rhythm of the digestion by acting as a mild laxative. Increase alkaline-forming foods.  Acid-formers are meats, grains and some fruits and vegetables and alkaline-formers are most fruits and vegetables.  You should eat 20% acid-forming foods and 80% alkaline-forming foods. Increase fiber intake so as to eliminate constipation and increase transit time. Good digestive health is the cornerstone of good overall health. If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or someone that you know take action.  You do not need to settle for any less than the best that you can be.  If the food you’re eating can make you feel bad then changing your diet and modifying your lifestyle can make a huge difference in your digestive health and making you feel better.  You need to take charge of your health.  I would love to speak with you. Good Health Is As Close As Your Next Meal!

Change Your Perception, Change Your Life! The EVOX  biofeedback experience opens you to new ways of seeing things, it's call Perception Reframing.  Old perceptions that may be stuck and damaging are released and you become free to choose better ways. When you speak, your voice carries the energy of how you perceive or see the topic you are speaking about.  The EVOX records your voice energy, plots it, deterrmines  the frequency signatures that are most useful to you.  It then sends the signatures to a special Hand Cradle as you listen to relaxing music and think about the topic. The following areas can be positively impacted : Physical healthy as health conditions involve perception and reframing on health issues can improve the way you feel. Interpersonal relationships - A better relationship with your spouse, dealing with a problem child or enjoying your time with coworkers. Personal Performance-Improve your sports performance, increase your ability to focus or become a faster learner at school or at work. Perception reframing increases your ability to choose, it moves you to a position of choice rather than reaction. To schedule an appointment contact: The Center for Balance & Harmony, LLC 1 Danbury Road (Route 7) Wilton, CT  06987 Susan Freeland, EVOX Facilitator, 203-546-0053   Kale, Green Beans, Carrots and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Veggies 1 1/2 cups onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 1/2 cups carrots cut into matchsticks 1 1/2 cups green beans, diagonally sliced 1/4 cup water 3 cups kale, chopped 1 batch Shoyu Lemon Tahini Sauce 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted Sauce 1/8 cup shoyu 1/2 cup water 1 lemon 1/2 cup tahini 1/4 cup scallions 1/4 cup water Sauté onions and garlic in oil until translucent Add carrots and green beans and sauté 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup water. Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer covered, 6 minutes. Add kale and continue to cook until kale is limp but still bright green, about 5 minutes.  Add more water if needed. Pour Shoyu Lemon Tahini Sauce on vegetables and mix.  Sprinkle with roasted pumpkins seeds. Shoyu Sauce: Heat 1/8 cup shoyu and 1/2 cup of water for 2 minutes.  Cool.  Add juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 cup tahini and 1/4 cup scallions and puree.

Symptoms Associated   With Leaky Gut Syndrome Abdominal Pain Diarrhea Asthma Chronic Joint Pain Chronic Muscle Pain Mysterious Fevers Confusion Poor Memory Brain Fog Gas Constipation Indigestion Bloating Mood Swings Aggression Nervousness Anxiety Cirrhosis Poor Immunity Skin Rashes Fatigue Food Intolerances Abdominal Distension Poor Exercise Tolerance Events! Fairfield County Women's Expo  April 30-May 1, 2011 Stamford Plaza Hotel Sponsored by Stamford Hospital, Foxwoods and Lord And Taylor Come see 175 vendors with a wide variety of products and services for women! We will be at booth 158 Network Plus  - New Haven April 8, 2011 2-4 pm at The Loft Eating to Promote Good Health for You and The Planet Be a guest at this great networking group. Please call 203-210-7462 if you are interested in registering to attend. Calcium without the Cow Cooking demonstration and seminar. March 21, 2011 - 6:30 PM Harrison, New York I will be cooking and doing a seminar on how to get enough calcium without eating dairy products.  All participants will get food samples as well as recipes.  This should be a fun and informative event. This seminar is in cooperation with Colleen Banks, financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial Inc.  Please let me know if you are interested in attending.  Attendance limit to 20. 203-210-7462 If you belong to a group that is interested in a wellness seminar or group cooking class please let me know.  Most seminars are free and group cooking classes are reasonably priced.  Have a great day! PROGRAMS OFFERED Just The Basics Includes individual coaching sessions, course material, giveaways and health food store tour. Basics and Teach Me to Cook! Just The Basics plus 2 cooking classes and one relaxation therapy session of your choosing (massage, meditation, acupuncture or yoga). The Works Just The Basics plus 6 cooking classes and one relaxation therapy session of your choosing (massage,meditation, acupuncture or yoga). Group Wellness Seminars These seminars address the factors that contribute to our lack of energy and focus, digestive problems, weight issues and stress. Seminars provide everyday measures that can be taken to improve health, happiness and reduce loss of productivity. Best done in small groups of no more than 25 per seminar. Includes material, food recommendations and giveaways. Individual or Small Group Cooking Classes Want to cook for yourself or your family but not sure how to prepare healthy food? I will customize a cooking class for you. It will include general techniques and foods that will make cooking healthymeals easier and more delicious. Great idea for a fun and healthy party with your friends and family! Natural Foods Personal Chef Have your healthy meals prepared in your home by a personal chef. Plans are personalized to your health and wellness goals and meal plan desired. I specialize in meals that utilize organic, healthy, locally grown foods. A great plan for the busy professional, aging parent or new mom. WANT TO LEARN MORE: CONTACT ME AT 203-210-7462 Mindy@ChewYourRope.com