Treating Diabetes With HBOT

Diabetes affects more than 12 million people and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. With diabetes primarily affecting the small blood vessels, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been demonstrated to stimulate angiogenesis to help ameliorate compromised blood flow and prevent organ failure. Research has shown that HBOT can lower blood sugar levels by increasing cellular sensitivity to insulin and skeletal muscle reception of glucose. Furthermore, recent reports have provided evidence towards linking HBOT to regenerating pancreatic islets of Langerhans, thus potentially producing more insulin. HBOT is often beneficial in treating osteomyelitis and cellulitis, in addition to preventing systemic toxicity and permanent disability. With chronic diabetes, impaired circulation reduces wound healing capability and promotes ulcerations. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen available to ulcerated areas, leading to increased fibroblast activation.

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for diabetes with the following:

• Improve Blood Chemistry Profile: fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin HbA1C, lipid profiles
• Advance Glycemic Control: increases pancreatic islets of Langerhans, improves insulin sensitivity, increases skeletal muscle reception of glucose
• Decrease Cardiovascular Risk: promotes long-term blood pressure control, attenuates metabolic syndrome, reduces risk of sudden heart attack due to ventricular arrhythmias
• Stimulate Angiogenesis & Reduce Inflammation: improves brain function & reduces risk of stroke, enhances heart function & reduces risk of heart attack, reduces risk of diabetic retinopathy, decreases risk of diabetic neuropathy, minimizes risk of diabetic nephropathy, combats cellulitis
• Enhance Internal/External Healing: proliferates epithelialization, promotes closure of non-healing wounds, decreases risk of infection, ameliorates ulcerations, reduces risk of amputation, remediates osteomyelitis

Study: Amputation Rate Decreased with HBOT

• A study published in 2008 evaluated the efficacy of HBOT with respect to decreasing amputation rates for patients with diabetic foot ulcer. A total of 184 consecutive patients received an average of 39 HBOT sessions (60 to 120 minutes a day, six times a week with patients’ progress evaluated at 3, 6 & 12 months) as an adjunct to standard treatment modalities for diabetic foot ulcer. Following treatment, 115 (62 percent) were completely healed, 31 (17 percent) showed no improvement and 38 (21 percent) underwent amputation. HBOT’s success was illustrated by the attenuation to hypoxic tissue by the mechanisms of angiogenesis, fibroblast replication, collagen synthesis, revascularization, epithelialization and increased leukocyte bactericidal activity. This study confirmed that HBOT can help to reduce major amputation rates in diabetic foot ulcers by repairing tissue.
• This finding is especially noteworthy considering other conventional treatments had failed.

HBOT SHOWS PROMISE

Here’s a little HBOT history for you….

OXYGEN THERAPY SHOWS PROMISE AGAINST A VARIETY OF AILMENTS

 

By Dr. Patrick Massey for the Daily Herald

 

A number of years ago, it was believed that doing surgery in large pressure chambers (hyperbaric chambers) would improve outcomes. To that end, some medical centers began to do surgery in hyperbaric chambers.

Hyperbaric chambers were very expensive and the overall results were not positive enough to justify the expense of doing surgery in them. As a result, over the next 30 years, hyperbaric chambers were rarely used.

However, advances in technology have lowered the cost of hyperbaric chambers to the point where physicians and medical centers are using them again.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is done inside a hyperbaric chamber. The patient is exposed to 100 percent oxygen at pressures slightly higher than normal in order to supersaturate the tissues with oxygen. First developed in the early 1900s by Orville Cunningham, hyperbaric therapy was not really used until the 1940s to treat deep-sea divers with decompression sickness. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was used during heart and lung surgery. Later, it was found to be beneficial to treat carbon monoxide poisoning and other medical conditions.

Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been the subject of controversy because of the lack of well controlled medical studies, there are a number of medical conditions for which there is substantial evidence that it is effective. These include decompression sickness (scuba diving), moderate to severe carbon monoxide poisoning, prevention and treatment of osteoradionecrosis (radiation therapy-induced bone damage), radiation therapy-induced soft-tissue damage, skin graft healing, enhanced healing after plastic surgery and in the treatment of chronic skin ulcers.

There are a number of other medical conditions for which hyperbaric oxygen might be beneficial but good clinical trials are lacking. Among these are autism, stroke, dementia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, diabetic skin ulcers and even chronic fatigue syndrome. How hyperbaric oxygen helps decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning is clearly defined. However, for most chronic medical conditions, how it works is less clear. It is believed higher oxygenation of the blood and tissues stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and nerves. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy might also reduce swelling and help acute brain and spinal cord injuries. There is some evidence that it might also help lymphedema, swelling and impairment from damage to the lymph system.

The side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are often mild and reversible. The most common side effects are claustrophobia and a readily reversible change in vision clarity. The only absolute reason to avoid hyperbaric therapy is a collapsed lung.

A Tip For Parents of Athletes

There has been much controversy lately about sports and injuries, particularly concussion, which can actually have long term affects that most parents aren’t aware of. But there is something that you – as parents of athletes – can do.

As concussions in sports become an increasingly prevalent issue, it is important for parents to know how they can help their child recover from concussions, regardless of its severity. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is one of the lowest-risk treatments available, and a good way to be proactive about helping a child suffering from post-concussion syndrome return to the classroom and playing field.

In a study by Dr. Paul Harch, one of the leading doctors in hyperbaric medicine, fifteen military personnel (all previously diagnosed with traumatic brain injury) were treated with forty hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Each patient made significant improvements in injury symptoms, physical exam results, cognitive measurements, and most importantly, quality of life ratings.

No physical injury can heal without oxygen, and the same applies for the brain. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy allows a patient to breathe 100% oxygen (as opposed to air from the atmosphere, which is 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen) in a pressurized chamber, which creates a higher concentration of oxygen in the bloodstream, which can improve circulation to impaired brain areas.

An article from the Division of Neurosurgery at Linda Loma University Medical Center acknowledges that many brain injuries result in reduced blood supply to affected tissues, which can impair brain function. Increasing the concentration of oxygen in the bloodstream can help repair damaged tissue, and reduce swelling and inflammation.

Typically, the standard approach for treating sports concussions involves a great deal of waiting. Concussed individuals are told to get cognitive rest and not over-stimulate the brain by using the phone and computer. After a concussion, athletes frequently complain of headaches and insomnia, and often privately struggle with anxiety, depression, and poor academic performance due to impaired brain function. Standard treatments may also involve medication, which can produce undesirable side effects.

Thankfully, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is highly effective and has minimal side effects. By comparing the risks of treating versus not treating your child for a concussion, it becomes clear that being proactive is essential. While concussion symptoms may improve through simply resting, they could also worsen. As you think about your athlete’s post-concussion treatment, ask yourself: are you and your child willing to deal with persistent effects of head injury?

While the short term symptoms of concussions such as dizziness and headaches may not seem serious, long term problems such as dementia-like symptoms and advanced aging of brain tissue are not to be taken lightly. Brain injuries that go untreated have also been linked to learning disabilities, social and relationship issues, low self-esteem, depression, and alcoholism. What we see as headaches now could present themselves as problems that are serious and difficult to treat in the future.

Although no healthcare facility can promise a cure for concussion symptoms, hyperbarics can provide help to many people, from athletes with minor head injuries to soldiers involved in IED explosions. Our hope is that in the future, hyperbaric oxygen therapy will come to be seen as a low-risk, effective procedure that can help improve many symptoms of head trauma.

Stop in and see us at Empower Wellness Center to find out how we can help your athlete.

Just how…exactly…does HBOT work?

I get this question often. Sometimes it’s hard to explain, but here is an answer that I believe that everyone can understand.

The moderately increased pressure will dramatically increase the amount of oxygen that will be safely delivered to all tissues in the body, even to places that have naturally restricted blood flow (i.e. the body’s white tissues), lower than normal flow or even blockages.

The air that we breathe usually provides enough oxygen for both normal body metabolism and the repair of tissue damage after injury or illness. However, tissue damage or disease also involves the blood vessels within the tissue and this may reduce blood flow. So, just when more oxygen is needed, the supply is reduced and recovery may be limited or even prevented.

By increasing the concentration of oxygen in the blood, more of it can be delivered to damaged tissue to establish normal oxygen values and so allow recovery to take place. Oxygen diffuses under pressure because of the laws of physics in plasma, which supplies all body tissues with oxygen.

In a myriad of documented cases HBOT has produced remarkable and miraculous benefits for a wide variety of serious medical conditions. HBOT has been clinically proven to produce a more efficient immune system, a more rapid regeneration of cells, and is proven to work as a potent anti-aging therapy. Simply stated, significantly increasing the delivery of oxygen to all tissues throughout one’s body results in improved health and vitality. Breathing pressurized oxygen allows every fluid in your body to better absorb the life giving gas.

Once these fluids are “supercharged” with oxygen, there is an increased oxygen supply to all of your body systems and organs. You’ll witness peak wellness, peak energy and peak mental acuity. Healing from virtually every illness and even post-surgery will occur faster and more extensively. You will discover amazing, restful rejuvenating sleep. With continued treatments over a period of time you’ll experience the anti-aging benefits provided by HBOT.

So You’re interested in HyperBarics…Now What

Hyperbaric oxygen is used to treat all conditions which benefit from increased tissue oxygen availability, as well as infections where it can be used for its antibiotic properties, either as the primary therapy, or in conjunction with other drugs. It can also be used cosmetically for anti-aging, acne, and other conditions. HBOT can be used to treat whatever ails you.

Insurance and Medicare consider  the following conditions for HBOT to be covered for payment:

Air or Gas Embolism
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Compartment Syndrome/Crush Injury/Other Traumatic Ischemias
Decompression Sickness (Bends)
Diabetic and Selected Wounds
Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
Gas Gangrene
Intracranial Abscess
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection
Osteoradionecrosis and Radiation Tissue Damage
Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
Skin Grafts and (Compromised) Flaps
Thermal Burns

The following conditions are off-label which may or may not be covered by insurance or Medicare:

Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Lyme Disease
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Near Drowning
Recovery from Plastic Surgery
Sports Injuries
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury

At Empower Wellness Center, we will go above and beyond to be certain that you get the treatment you need.  YOU are why we have done this.  This service is for you and your loved ones.  If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.

For Me and Mine

One day, an old mule accidentally he fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer evaluated the situation and thought to himself, that neither the well nor the old mule was worth the efforts to save them. Therefore he decided to haul in dirt to bury the old mule in the well. 

So the farmer called his neighbors and together they started shoveling dirt into the well. The old mule was terrified and hysterical in the beginning. But soon one hopeful idea came to his mind – every time a shovel of dirt lands on my back, I will shake it off and step up! 

He repeated these words to himself again and again: “Shake it off and step up”. This way he could use the struggle and the panic to encourage himself.

After some time, the mule had stepped over the well‘s wall. Although terribly tired, he was the winner, he had saved his own life. He decided to face his adversity positively and not to give up, and in the end, he was the winner.

 What seemed like would bury him, actually saved him. He had owned his confidence and unresting efforts. 

Like the mule we will face challenges. If we hold on to divine hope long enough, the trials of fire brings forth a rebirth just as the the phoenix that rises up from the ashes. 

For the real development of the soul, it is essential to be truthful to our situation and our true feelings. We must hold on to the higher hope in the divine. Divine hope starts from being honest with ourselves.

Sometimes, unlike the mule, we may hem and haw about our problems unconsciously blaming others or our circumstances for the dirt being thrown unto us.  We might even fall into despair when we keep a stiff upper lip – the temptation of trying to impress others and inflate our importance in order to appear like a superhero without knowing when to call for help.  

Instead of being authentic, we brag about our ability to handle our problems by reframing the truth about the situation. We lose ourselves in adapting too much to the expectations of others and lose touch with our soul and what is truly important to us. When we are truly honest with ourselves…well, that is when we reclaim our inner strength and power.

A new timeline is formed and we gain a new direction to endless possibilities as we see light ahead. That is the moment of divine hope taking place where flow and hope is restored in us. When we are in our flow, we recognize the hope of our problems as the very stepping stones to the next level of achievement.

 

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are  there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” ― Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

 

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – The Book of Revelations

 

 

 

 

Strength Training for Women? It’s Important….Here’s Some Reasons Why

Compared to cardiovascular training, weight training or strength training for women gets little attention. With new understandings in the importance of strength training for women it’s beginning to garner much needed acknowledgement. More and more women are beginning to understand overall health (and not just a low calorie or low fat diets that don’t work in the long term) from different types of training. Keeping body fat to a minimum and improving fitness health is what strength/weight training is geared for among a few other things, one of which is building muscle mass.

Here are just a few reasons why strength training is vitally important for women:

Prevents osteoporosis

Even a person suffering from osteoporosis can benefit from strength training by increasing bone density.  Weight training has been proven to stop the development of osteoporosis.

Better quality of life

Regular strength training allows women to move about their day more easily and effortlessly. Not to mention the calming effect it has on one’s mental health.

Body Strength

The tendons and muscles become incredibly strong giving the body the extra support it needs on a daily basis.

Aids in the anti-aging process

Don’t like sagging skin? (who does) Strength training prevents just that while enhancing your muscle. The aging process is slowed with training.

All strength, no bulk

Often women are concerned that they will begin to bulk up and look like a body builder. Not so with strength training. The body becomes firm and toned, it leans out the muscles.

Energy levels through the roof

 With this type of training you are giving your body, body, and brain the necessary nutrients: oxygen, increased blood flow, and heartbeat during your workouts. You will feel more alive and energize and able to reduce stress not only in your body, but in your life too.

If you wish to start strength training speak with a professional trainer or begin reading up on it. And it’s always important before beginning any training to consult a physician regarding important questions or concerns you might have.

Overcoming Your Fear of Failure

Imagine.

You risk everything on that crazy dream of yours.

Money, time, energy, stability, pride. And you’re not even guaranteed to succeed.

You know that if you do reach success, the doorway to everything you’ve ever wanted will open up. But . . . what if you fail?

What if you don’t have what it takes and all your best-laid plans go awry? What if you lose your steady income, your house and ultimately your friends and family?

You could end up living in a cardboard box, sitting alone on the side of the street, begging people for pocket change.

Nah,says your mind. The risk is too great. I’d better settle for what I have. Compared to the cardboard box alternative, it’s not so bad.

You might tell yourself that the timing isn’t right, or that you’re no risk-taker. But whatever the excuse, deep inside you know the real truth: you’re afraid of failing.

Fear of failure makes you play small in life. It stops you from chasing your dreams -and it needs to be dropped once and for all.

Ready to do just that? Good.

7 Mindsets to Overcome Your Fear of Failure

Your fear only goes as deep as your mind allows it. That means you’re in control. Here are 7 mindsets to help you look at fear of failure from a perspective that will serve you.

Fear Is Your Guidance System

What you fear failing most in life is often what you care most deeply about. It’s a clear message of a true desire. The stakes are higher when it comes to your dreams, so your fears are also naturally amped up. Use your fear as a source of guidance about what to go after.

Life’s Already Dangerous 

Life is inherently risky. Loved ones can leave us, bosses can fire us and the car we drive can hit another and abruptly end it all. But you’ve made it this far. Instead of protecting yourself from the possibility of future pain, wouldn’t you rather enjoy full aliveness and exhilaration now? Stop holding yourself back. Life is full of experiences, opportunities and chances that are yours to claim.

Playing It Safe Is the Real Danger

Playing it safe is settling for mediocrity. It means making decisions based on fear and thereby not living up to your full potential. By not following your dreams, you are robbing yourself and the rest of the world of your unique greatness.

Failure Is One Step Closer to Success

Failing at something gets you one step closer to what you want. By taking action, you differentiate yourself from the majority of people. You also gain insight and clarity that can bring you closer to your dream.

Each mistake teaches us something. Before finally succeeding with the light bulb, Thomas A. Edison said, I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

Failure Never Makes YOU a Failure

Failing at something doesn’t mean that you are a failure. It means that what you tried didn’t work. Who you are and what you do are two different things. Never confuse the two. Failing is a practical matter; don’t let it become an emotional one.

Fears Are a Figment of Your Imagination

The job of the mind is to protect you. Anything unknown (including success) is scary to it. To keep you “safe,” it will do just about anything to make you listen to it, including projecting a parade of fears in front of you.

But reality is rarely as bad as you imagine it will be. The majority of all fears exist only in one place: your imagination.

Regret is the Biggest Failure of All

Regret is an ugly emotion. It doesn’t show up like other emotions, as a direct response to something that has happened. Instead regret creeps up slowly, in response to what hasn’t happened. Years can go by before it reveals itself to us, but when it does, we know it’s there as a reminder of something we didn’t do.

Fear Often Disguises Itself

These mindsets will help you keep the fear of failure at bay. They’ll help protect you, but you’re not scot-free just yet.

Even if you use them to prepare yourself mentally, the fear of failing can still arise. Like an unwanted guest, it can come knocking on your door unexpectedly – and in disguise.

This disguise might look a lot like reason. It could also resemble blame or excuses.

At a first glance, it might look smart and even sensible. Reason is so logical, it’s hard to argue with. Blame says it’s not your fault. And our excuses can seem valid as to why we aren’t taking action toward our dream. Other people will even validate them for us.

It’s easy to point the finger. Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe you don’t have enough time, money, experience, support or skills. Maybe it’s too late or too risky. It’s easy to come up with excuses or reasons and say, See? This is why I can’t pursue my dream.

But when you look deeper, behind the thoughts telling you not to pursue something, ask yourself what the dominant emotion is.

Could it be fear in disguise?

3 Ways to Not Let Fear Guide Your Choices 

Making fear-based decisions never takes you in a desired direction. Sometimes, however, it’s difficult to distinguish when fear is guiding you. Here are 3 ways to avoid that:

Tell Your Story in Advance

Imagine telling your children or grandchildren your life story. You start with the sentence: “ had a dream, and then I . . “

What is the story you would like to tell? Did you go for it, or were you too afraid? Will it be a story worth telling? Make it so, and tell it to yourself now. Frequently.

Stop Analyzing What Can Happen

Failure is something we project that might happen in the future. But the future is out of our control, so placing our focus there often leaves us feeling stressed, worried and powerless.

Instead of directing your attention toward what you can’t change or control, focus on what you can. The present moment is where your power lies; this is where your attention should be.

Ask Your 90-Year-Old Self

Imagine being 90 years old and guiding the younger version of yourself.

What advice would you give, knowing what you know now? How would you want your life to be and what do you want to look back on?

Now, listen to this older and wiser version of yourself.

Rising Above Your Fear

Let’s face it. Stepping into the unknown and risking the chance of failing is scary. But remember, it’s this way for everyone.

Taking action toward your dream doesn’t mean you won’t experience the fear of failure; it means you rise above it. You overcome the fear of failure once and for all when you realize that you are bigger than your fear.

Imagine waking up every morning full of empowerment, determination and clarity. Nothing and no one can stop you.You know that you’re moving in the direction of how you want your life to be. Now that’s a pretty nice feeling to wake up to, isn’t it?

Make a slight shift in your mindset, and your perception of failure can change dramatically. And if you ever feel your fears get the better of you again, just get your 90-year-old self to set you straight or use any of the other techniques you just learned.

Don’t play small in life. Don’t end up somewhere you didn’t want to be just because you didn’t want to take risks. Don’t be afraid of failing; be afraid of not giving your dream a chance to be born.

It will be worth it. Promise.

Why Sugar is the Enemy

Why Sugar is the Enemy…..

You already know sugar is bad. I’ve found that learning about the intimate details of sugar, such as why it’s addictive and where it hides in your daily food that you think is healthy—those specific details might help you make better choices and stay free of the addiction. Knowledge is one of my signature strengths according to the tenets of positive psychology, and more knowledge may help you escape the vise too.

What happens when you eat a cupcake or your kid drinks a glass of chocolate milk? When the few teaspoons of sugar land on the tongue, they trigger sugar receptors in the taste buds to send a message to the brain that yells: “MORE!” That’s because the sugar receptors tell your body you’ve eaten something sweet, which activates the reward centers of the brain and produces dopamine, the brain chemical of pleasure and satisfaction. Most of life is about managing dopamine—how to make more of it and how to not become a slave to it.

When dopamine is released, you feel happy and any tension is temporarily eased. That’s why so many women eat sugar to change their emotional state. The problem, of course, is that the benefit is short-lived, and the pattern can become addictive. Feeling happy in response to sugar makes you want more sugar so you can keep feeling good. As the sugar moves through your gastrointestinal system, the way it holds your brain hostage continues: sugar receptors in the stomach and intestines send more feel-good signals to the brain.

 The result is that sugar hooks young children and adults into eating more in order to keep feeling good. Corporate food companies take advantage of our wiring to create foods with a certain “mouth feel” that keeps us wanting more.

Artificial sweeteners fare no better. Recent data shows that diet sodas and other fake sugars may be even worse for the metabolism, the rate at which you burn calories, and the microbiome, the set of microbe in the gut and their aggregate DNA.

 

Leaky Gut Syndrome: What You Should Know

Many of you have recently asked me about leaky gut syndrome…what is it? How did I get it? How do I treat it? So I did what I do and invested some time in a little research. It’s quite possible that this conditions affects more people than we realized. If this post relates to you, get with me and we’ll get started in healing you gut and getting you back to YOU.

Leaky gut syndrome is a rapidly growing condition that millions of people are struggling with and don’t even know it.  From the sound of it, you might think leaky gut syndrome only affects the digestive system but in reality it can lead to many other health conditions.

According to research, leaky gut could be the cause of your food allergies, low energy, joint pain, thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions and slow metabolism.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Think of the lining of your digestive tract like a net with extremely small holes in it that only allow specific substances to pass through.  Your gut lining works as a barrier keeping out bigger particles that can damage your system.

When someone has leaky gut (often referred to as increased intestinal permeability) the “net” in your digestive tract gets damaged, which causes even bigger holes to develop in your net, so things that normally can’t pass through, are now be able to.

Some of the things that can now pass through include proteins like gluten, bad bacteria and undigested foods particles. Toxic waste can also leak from the inside of your intestinal wall into your blood stream causing an immune reaction.¹

Leaky Gut Symptoms and Progression

This leads to inflammation throughout your system and can cause symptoms, such as:

• Bloating
• Food sensitivities
• Thyroid conditions
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Headaches
• Skin issues like rosacea and acne
• Digestive problems
• Weight gain
• Syndrome X

One of the biggest warning signs that you may have leaky gut can be that you’re experiencing multiple food sensitivities. Partially digested protein and fat can seep through your intestinal lining making their way into your bloodstream which will cause an allergic response.

This allergic response doesn’t mean you’ll break out in a rash all over your body, but it can lead to one of the symptoms I’ve mentioned above.  And, if left un-repaired can lead to more severe health issues like inflammatory bowel disease, IBS, arthritis, eczema,² psoriasis,³ depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, muscle pain and chronic fatigue.

According to the Journal of Diabetes there is a strong body of evidence pointing to leaky gut as a major cause of autoimmune diseases including Type 1 Diabetes.⁴ 

Another problem with leaky gut is that it can cause malabsorption of vital minerals and nutrients including zinc, iron and vitamin B12.

What Causes Leaky Gut?

There are 4 main causes of leaky gut which include:

• Poor diet
• Chronic stress
• Toxin overload
• Bacterial imbalance.⁵

We’re about to cover some in-depth nutrition here.  Read carefully, and in a few sections I will outline the top 5 Foods and Supplements to heal your leaky gut…

The most common components of food that can damage your intestinal lining are the proteins found in un-sprouted grains, sugar, GMO’s, and conventional dairy.

The problem with unsprouted grains is they contain large amounts of nutrient blockers called phytates and lectins. Lectins are sugar-binding proteins that act as a natural defense system for plants that protect them from outside invaders like mold and parasites.

This is good news for plants but bad news for your body.

Your digestive lining is covered with sugar containing cells that help break down your food.  Lectins gravitate toward this area and when they attach to your digestive lining it damages your gut, causing inflammation.

Lectins and Foods that Cause Leaky Gut

Lectins are found in many foods, not just grains, and consumed in smaller amounts your body will do just fine with them. But foods that have large amounts of lectins like wheat, rice, spelt, and soy are more problematic.

Sprouting and fermenting grains reduces phytates and lectins, and makes these foods easier to digest.

GMO and hybridized foods tend to be the highest in lectins since they have been modified to fight off bugs.

Also, gluten containing grains will damage your intestinal lining causing leaky gut.  So while you are working to heal your system stay away from all grains especially ones that contain gluten like wheat.  Once your gut is healthy you can add back in grains that have been fermented and sprouted to eat occasionally.

Conventional cows milk is another food that can cause leaky gut. The component of dairy that will harm your gut is the protein A1 Casein.  Also, the pasteurization process will destroy vital enzymes making sugars like lactose very difficult to digest. For this reason, I only recommend buying dairy that is raw and from: A2 cows, goat’s, sheep, or buffalo.

Sugar is another substance that will wreak havoc on your digestive system.   Sugar will feed the growth of yeast, candida, and bad bacteria which will further damage your gut. Bad bacteria actually creates toxins called exotoxins that damage healthy cells and can eat a hole into your intestinal wall.

Other Factors that Cause Leaky Gut

Chronic stress weakens your immune system over time which cripples your ability to fight off foreign invaders like bad bacteria and viruses leading to inflammation and leaky gut.  To reduce stress I recommend getting more sleep, schedule fun into your week, rest one day a week, meditate, and hang out with positive uplifting people.

Toxins. We come into contact with over 80,000 chemicals and toxins every single year but the worst offenders for causing leaky gut include antibiotics, pesticides, tap water, aspirin, and NSAIDS.  Consider buying a high quality water filter to eliminate chlorine and fluoride and look to natural plant based herbs to reduce inflammation in your body.

Dysbiosis. Finally, one of the leading causes of leaky gut is a condition called dysbiosis, which means an imbalance between beneficial and harmful species of bacteria in your gut. For many, this imbalance can begin at birth because of a C-section or because the mother didn’t have a healthy gut herself. The overuse of prescription antibiotic drugs, tap water with chlorine and fluoride, and the lack of probiotic rich foods contribute to this imbalance of good and bad bacteria.

Leaky Gut and the Brain

Another topic I want to quickly discuss is how leaky gut can affect the brain.  If you’ve ever seen a child with autism experience a mood swing, this can be caused by intestinal permeability. Gluten and Casein-Free Diet’s have proven effective for many children with autism because these proteins can leak through the gut and then recirculate and act on the brain similarly to an opioid drug.

This is also why leaky gut has been linked to other psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. So, in many cases, if you can heal the gut you can heal the brain.

The 4-Step Plan to Heal Leaky Gut

The good news is there’s a solution to healing leaky gut. There is a four step process that includes:

1. REMOVE foods and factors that damage the gut
2. REPLACE with healing foods
3. REPAIR with specific supplements
4. REBALANCE with probiotics

Remember, the top foods to remove that cause leaky gut are sugar, grains, conventional meat, conventional dairy and GMO foods.  The top toxic exposures to eliminate are tap water, pesticides, NSAIDS, and antibiotics but remember to always consult with your physician if he has prescribed these for you.

The Leaky Gut Diet and 5 Healing Foods

#1 Bone Broth – broth contains collagen and the amino acids proline and glycine that can help heal your damaged cell walls. Many people successfullyu do a bone broth fast for 3 days to help rapidly repair leaky gut.

#2 Raw Cultured Dairy – contains both probiotics and SCFA’s that can help heal the gut.  Pastured kefir, yogurt, amasai, butter, and raw cheese are some of the best. If you’re having trouble finding raw dairy, get with me; I can help with this.

#3 Fermented Vegetables – contain organic acids that balance intestinal pH and probiotics to support the gut.  Sauerkraut, Kimchi, and Kvass are excellent sources.

#4 Coconut Products – all coconut products are especially good for your gut.  The MCFA’s in coconut are easier to digest than other fats so better for leaky gut.  Also, coconut kefir contains probiotics that support your digestive system.

#5 Sprouted seeds – chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds that have been sprouted are great sources of fiber that can help support the growth of beneficial bacteria. But if you have severe leaky gut, you may need to start out getting your fiber from steamed vegetables and fruit.

Also, consuming foods that have anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fats are beneficial such as grass-fed beef, lamb, and wild caught fish like salmon.

Top 5 Supplements for Healing Leaky Gut

There are many supplements that support your digestive health but I believe the most beneficial are: L-Glutamine, Probiotics, Digestive Enzymes, Aloe Vera Juice, Quercetin, NAG and Licorice Root.

#1 Probiotics are the most important supplement to take because it helps replenish good bacteria and crowds out bad bacteria.  I recommend getting probiotics in both food and supplement form. I see people all the time only follow part of the protocol in healing their gut by removing the damaging irritants. But the part they often leave out is re-inoculating their gut with beneficial bacteria that will keep bad bacteria at bay.

So load up on BOTH probiotic rich foods and take AT LEAST 50 billion units of probiotics daily from a high quality brand.

#2 Digestive enzymes (one or two capsules at the beginning of each meal) ensure that foods are fully digested, decreasing the chance that partially digested foods particles and proteins from damaging your gut wall.

#3 L-Glutamine is critical for any program designed to heal leaky gut.  Glutamine is an essential amino acid that is anti-inflammatory and necessary for the growth and repair of your intestinal lining.  L-glutamine acts a protector and coats your cell walls, acting as a repellent to irritants. Take 2-5 grams 2x daily.⁶

#4 Licorice Root (DGL) is an adaptogenic herb that helps balance cortisol levels and improves acid production in the stomach. DGL supports the body’s natural processes for maintaining the mucosal lining of the stomach and duodenum. This herb is especially beneficial if someone’s leaky gut is being caused by emotional stress. Take 500mg 2x daily.

#5 Quercetin has also been shown to improve gut barrier function by sealing the gut because it supports creation of tight junction proteins.  It also stabilizes mast cells and reduces the release of histamine which is common in food intolerance.  New studies have also shown it’s effectiveness in healing ulcerative colitis.  Take 500mg 3x daily with meals.

#6 Bitters are a compound that utilizes the above 5 supplements into one high potency liquid, which is quickly absorbed into the digestive tract.