For 2 ½ years I have suffered from leaky gut. When I was 7 months pregnant with my 4th child, my family and I all got the flu. We quarantined ourselves, it was the worst ever. Eventually we all got better, but my symptoms never went away. I continued to suffer a never ending battle of an upset stomach and chronic diaherra. At my next doctor’s visit instead of gaining weight I was losing. The doctor’s had been worried and put me on bed rest and I went through weekly stress tests. They wanted me to eat and eat anything and everything. I explained to my doctor that we followed a no grain based diet. The doctor’s response was “you made yourself this way. You are sensitive to gluten because you are avoiding gluten.” After Evelyn was born, I worked hard to keep my weight and milk production up. I ate higher calorie foods, started eating protein bars, and drank smoothies; I ate oats, rice and some cheese. My symptoms got worse! I was fed up. I went to visit our local family physician. She ran every test possible. I had nothing obvious; every test came up negative. (I find out later that if you avoid grains your celiac sensitivity test will be negative) Our family doc was stumped. She sent me to a G.I. specialist, the specialist gave me some pills and said, “I think you are over the hump and this will pass.” It was then when I started to take my own health into my own hands, I became my first patient.
I read books; I signed up and watched every functional medicine forum out there. I met with a GAPS practitioner – it was then I realized I was not going crazy and I wasn’t going to die. But I did come to the realization that I most likely had an autoimmune issue and it was going to take a long time to get it under control.
I suspect that I have ALWAYS had leaky gut but never recognized my symptoms. In general, it is not normal to not have a bowel movement on a daily basis. It is not normal to have potty issues after eating a spicy and rich meal. It is not normal to have blotting, gas, and heartburn after eating a meal. Eating a high fiber diet can be worse for some, while others do well on high fiber. Taking a probiotic may be the answer for some, but start slow and work your way up to a tolerable dose. Following an elimination protocol might be the answer. But seek advice, and do your research. Knowledge is power!
It is because of my first patient (me) that I have continued passion for nutrition and functional medicine. This is also when I realized that my Certified Personal Training certification taught me nothing about alternative health, (so I let that expire).
Several books worth reading are Breaking the Vicious Cycle, Gut and Psychology Syndrome, and Nourishing Broth. There are many informative functional medicine practitioners out there to follow. Dr Allison Siebecker, Dr Michale Ruscio, and Chris Kresser just to name a few.
Original Source from the Independent News Paper