It has been well documented that excess alcohol intake can result in compromised immunity as well as risk of infectious disease. However what is not so well known and understood is alcohol’s role in destroying gut health.
We are beginning to understand that gut health is key to the underpinning of our health or lack of it and foundational to preventing disease.
According to alcoholrehab.com: “Anyone who drinks more than the recommended intake for alcohol is really taking a risk with their health. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition that has recently received a great deal of attention in the media. Those who abuse alcohol may develop this syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome is also referred to as intestinal permeability. It involves damage or alterations to the lining of the bowel. The fact that the bowel is more permeable means that toxins, undigested food, and microbes can leak through the gut wall. These substances can cause a great deal of problems in the body when they escape from the intestine. It is this that leads to the symptoms associated with leaky gut syndrome.”
Do you have any of these common leaky gut symptoms?
* Chronic abdominal pain
* Episodes of diarrhea
* Excessively passes wind (flatulence)
* Problems sleeping at night
* Feelings of being bloated
* Pain in a number of muscle joints
* Chronic depression
* Chronic fatigue
* Skin problems
* Feeling hungry much of the time
* Muscle cramps
* Low tolerance for exercise
* Episodes of shortness of breath
* Fevers for no obvious reason
* Hemorrhoids or anal irritation
* Liver dysfunction
* Allergic reactions to food
* Frequent bladder infections
* Memory problems or mental fogginess
* Swollen lymph glands
* Feelings of having an infection even though the medical professionals are unable to find an infection.
Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The cause of leaky gut syndrome is an increased permeability in the gut wall caused by:
* Alcohol abuse
* Reactions to pharmaceutical drugs
* Excessive stress
* Parasitic infections
* Eating an unbalanced diet
* Celiac disease causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.
* Hypochlorhydria is a condition that leads to low production of stomach acid.
* Dysbiosis involves microbial imbalances in the body.
* Candidiasis (thrush) is a fungal infection.
Alcohol and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Did you know that alcohol is viewed as one of the main causes of leaky gut syndrome? Because alcohol suppresses the production of prostaglandins, a hormonal substances needed to moderate inflammation, this is how it can cause leaky gut. When prostaglandins are not plentiful, then inflammation can result creating more damage inside the gut. Another mechanism by which alcohol exacerbates leaky gut syndrome is that it prevents some important nutrients from being transported from the intestine into the blood.
Treatment of Leaky Gut Syndrome
What you can do to help end leaky gut:
* Giving up alcohol for a month to see if this causes the symptoms to disappear. If the condition improves then abstinence from alcohol might be worth considering.
* Get stool tested to check for the presence of any parasites. If this test proves positive then it should be possible to eradicate the parasite using medications.
* Certain drugs and especially Aspirin may cause this condition. If this drug has been prescribed by a physician be sure to speak with your doctor first before discontinuing.
* The most common treatments for leaky gut syndrome is taking probiotics to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
* It is believed that substances such as glutamine can repair damage inside the intestine.
* Dietary changes help improve the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome including reducing sugar intake, avoiding caffeine, and eating more whole foods rather than processed foods. Including feremented foods such as raw saurkraut is a great addition to your diet.
* Proper food combining (not eating fruit with vegetables and proteins) can be one of the most unknown yet helpful factors.
* Avoid sodas
How to Avoid Leaky Gut Syndrome
In order to avoid leaky gut syndrome completely people can:
* Only drink sensible amounts of alcohol (no binge drinking and maximum 2 drinks a couple times a week).
* Eat a balanced diet and avoid junk food
* Be cautious when taking medications – especially those medications that have not been prescribed.
* Taking probiotics regularly