I've been telling people about Leaky Gut Syndrome and all of the problems associated with the gut/digestive/Immune System link in the body for years. Almost without fail, the person I'm talking to gets this glazed over look in their eyes. Why?
I've often wondered, but my best guess is that they don't have enough information to relate to what I'm saying. They don't understand the unequivocal and vital importance of what it means to maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Certainly many of us with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have had digestive upsets (sometimes to the point of making us totally dysfunctional!), but what happens when it goes beyond just a stomach upset?
I invite you to click the link to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's, Leaky Gut Documented in Fibromyalgia, article in his newletter.
If you have any of the following, check out Leaky Gut Syndrome:
- GERD, Gastro-Intestinal Reflux Disorder (burping, burning, gas, stomach acid backing up the esophagus into the throat
- A disrupted GI (Gastro-Intestinal) tract function because you took broad spectrum antibiotics when you had an infection
- IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (diarrhea, constipation, gas or pain)
- Lacto-Intolerance (or specific food intolerance)
If nothing else, look into taking a high quality Acidophilus compound to replenish the good bacteria in your gut. You can purchase the best (in my opinion) acidophilus or prodophilus compounds from a health food store.
Your colon cannot function properly without good bacteria and the most economical way to introduce them into your system is with a pure, highly concentrated supplement.
(If you doubt what I'm saying, look at the yogurt industry and how many companies are adding acidophilus compounds to their products. Each carton may or may not have a daily dose of acidophilus in it, but there are thousands and thousands of these products flying off the shelf because people find that they work to improve their digestion!)
Be pro-active and improve your digestive health.
Inviting you to comment and participate in this discussion about digestive health,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show
Comments (4)
My stomach has gotten so bad that I can't eat very much. It hurts all the time and I always have a heating pad (non electric) on it. The only meds I take are ibuprofin. I don't drink alcohol at all and have never smoked. And I try to take ibuprofin only when the Fibromyalgia body pain and fatigue are at their worst. Because, unfortunately, it makes the stomach problems much worse. Not to mention what it may be doing to my liver. Anyway, I am checking out the article mentioned above. Thank you for bringing awareness.
Posted by Wendy | July 30, 2008 4:01 PM
Posted on July 30, 2008 16:01
Bifidobacteria are possibly even more important than acidophilus in CFS/ME, because people with this illness have been found deficient in them. And bifidobacteria supplementation does seem to help. Different probiotics do different things and different people may have different deficiencies in their intestinal flora.
Misoprostol is a medication that can be quite useful in treating increased intestinal permeability.
Posted by Maija Haavisto | July 30, 2008 4:20 PM
Posted on July 30, 2008 16:20
Maiija,
I agree there are a many compounds in this family that people can investigate and use. I use the term "acidophilus" in general terms so that when someone goes in a health food store, they can be educated on the spot by someone there who can talk to them about what they have available. I actually like Bifidus-type.
I think the main thing that people need to remember is to "always" replace the good bacteria in your body after you've taken a broad spectrum antibiotic... always. The benefits of having a healthy gut flora are almost too numerous to mention.
And these products also help when people are under "life stress." When have you ever known someone who's been sick a long time who doesn't suffer from stress? And usually more than one kind! (A poor diet, lack of sleep, prescription drugs, corticosteroids, etc. etc. all can depress a healthy gut flora, too.)
Once again, thanks for your input. You really have some great information to add to the conversation.
Cinda
Cinda
Posted by Cinda Crawford
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August 2, 2008 3:30 PM
Posted on August 2, 2008 15:30
Dear Wendy,
I understand where you're coming from. I really suffered with a bad stomach for years. I couldn't eat anything without being in pain. I hope you consider taking acidophilus-type compounds to see if they help. You also may want to read the information Maiija added and my other comment.
Plus, to get some immediate relief when I was in this fix, I took digestive enzymes. They really helped me. (I no longer take anything, but that's just me. I took them once and I was really glad to have something to help.)
The principle behind digestive enzymes is to put the very enzymes in your stomach that are necessary to digest food. Sometimes and for some reasons, people don't have enough natural digestive enzymes. I suspect that may be where some of your pain is coming from because your stomach is struggling, having trouble digesting food and letting it pass on to the next phase in the digestive tract. If that makes sense to you and your doctor doesn't object, it might be worth a try.
PS- If you do feel better after taking digestive enzymes, that is another powerful reason to consider taking an acidophilus compound. Acidophilus (and similar products) help the body to naturally create these natural digestive enzymes that anyone needs for proper digestion. And after you're digesting your food better, you should get a boost to your overall health. If your body is struggling and not getting good nutrition, it is fighting an uphill battle.
Happy searching. I hope this helps.
Cinda
Posted by Cinda Crawford
|
August 2, 2008 3:44 PM
Posted on August 2, 2008 15:44