MichaelXY, I appreciate your feedback, but I think you need to check your facts. In the above email, you criticized me for trying to take matters into my own hands and for relying on the internet to supply me with information and then inferred that ‘leaky gut’ is an alternative medicine and not recognized by real doctors. I found it ironic that you tried to back up this last comment by referring to none other than.. an internet link! Using your link above that you sent, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/leaky_gut_syndrome, I checked the references of the story only to receive confirmation that I may be onto something. Scroll down to the bottom of the story and click on the 5th reference, called, ‘leaky gut syndrome’. This is what it says:

"Leaky gut syndrome develops at times because of the formation of a lesion along the lining of the intestinal walls and this may make the wall very permeable than it normally is to the substances contained within it- in other words it is leaky and hence the name of the disorder, leaky gut syndrome. The spaces between the cells of the gut wall are enlarged to a very great extent and this enlargement allows the entrance of many types of organism such as bacteria, all sorts of pathogenic fungi, all kinds of intestinal parasites, many toxins and undigested protein, fat and waste material into the bloodstream-this will spread the inflammation further out into the body. Normally these substances are disposed off or eliminated in the stools but because of the damaged and now hyper-permeable and very leaky gut they pass easily into the blood and spread about the body.

The presence of many toxic chemicals and swelling because of the resulting inflammation leads to the blockage of many important nutrients into the body and also blocks the absorption of many more important nutrients like the vitamins, most of the essential minerals and many of the essential amino acids. The immune system produces a lot of antibodies to fight of the many large molecules which now pass through the intestinal walls and which are correctly seen as foreign antigens or substances by the immune system. A food allergy can be the result of this immune reaction as the immune system tries to ward off the foreign bodies within the body. An inflammatory reactions is thus triggered when any of these foods is eaten, the antibodies from the immune system get into many different tissues and trigger an inflammatory reaction within the body.

Supplements and herbs

Since the inflammation in the intestinal walls damages many of the carrier proteins found in the gastrointestinal tract, which are necessary for the transport of all sorts of minerals from the intestine into the blood-all kinds of mineral deficiencies begin to affect an individual suffering from the disorder. These conditions include as an example, a deficiency in the magnesium content similar to the symptoms occurring in a condition such as fibromyalgia, this deficiency can develop in a person suffering from a leaky gut syndrome even if a high magnesium intake is maintained through the diet and through the use of mineral supplements on a regular basis. An obvious magnesium deficiency can develop as a result of malabsorption where the symptoms of a leaky gut syndrome leads to damage in the carrier proteins used in the transport of magnesium through the intestinal walls. Spasms and extreme muscle pain often result because of this condition. In addition deficiencies in an important mineral like zinc result in a high blood cholesterol level, which may affect the person adversely. The improper absorption of essential minerals such as calcium, a trace mineral like boron, a mineral like silicon and manganese can lead to many kinds of bone disorders in the person.

The use of supplemental antioxidants can help fight the destruction of tissues brought on by the inflammation which affects all the tissues. Most of the various antioxidant supplements which are effective against the inflammation include all the natural carotenoids, essential nutrients such as the vitamin A, a chemical compound like rutin, the citrus based hesperidins, the compound quercetin, the class of compounds called catechin, seed extracts of the grape, the compound pycnogenol and the bilberry herb. The other essential antioxidants that can be used during treatment also include the vitamins C and E and many of the various sulfur-containing amino acids including cysteine, the form called N-acetyl-cysteine, the amino acid methionine and the reduced L-glutathione compound. Asthma and other allergic reactions triggered by the inflammation can be dealt with supplements of the essential vitamin, the vitamin C, which also protects the blood vessels from damaged sustained from the inflammation.

Leaky gut syndrome is also immensely alleviated by the supplementary use of many types of plant enzymes such as those found in abundant quantities in green food supplements like spirulina, the chlorella plant, in the barley greens, in the green kamut, in substances like bee pollen and in the royal jelly-all of these will prove to be effective and potent additives to the remedial measures taken against the symptoms of leaky gut syndrome.

A lowering in the production of the digestive hydrochloric acid in the stomach accompanies most types of autoimmune disorders and this is also evident during leaky gut syndrome. A lowering of the acid levels in the stomach during the condition results in the condition known as pernicious anemia and this resulting imbalance can only be rectified by regular injections of the vitamin B12 along with the folic acid. Hereditary factors may play a role in lowering the stomach acid levels, and this lowering of the stomach acid levels can also be brought about by the long term use of many over the counter prescription medications such as all kinds of antacids and anti-ulcer medications. The acid levels in the stomach can also be lowered as a result of persistent infection in the gut or due to factors such as food allergies, particularly to foods that are sourced from a dairy and this same allergies can arise from many wheat products. A variety of supplements can be tried in an attempt to correct a lowered stomach acid level that is known to exist purely because of hereditary reasons in the affected individual. Some of these supplements for use in this regard include the amino acid-glutamic acid, the chemical hydrochloride, the compound betaine hydrochloride, the digestive enzyme pepsin, some apple cider vinegar, some lemon juice, stomach bitters, nutrients like the vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and the vitamin C, the organic compound PABA (paraminobenzoic acid) and the vitamin B6, pyridoxine hydrochloride-all of these will prove to be of great supplementary benefit to the affected individual.

The carrier protein that transports magnesium is damaged during disorders like the leaky gut syndrome, this is despite of the very high intake of the essential mineral magnesium through the diet and via regular supplementation-this can result in serious deficiencies of the mineral within the body of the affected individual. Impaired absorption of the mineral magnesium results in a the development of a magnesium deficiency within the body. As a long term result of this deficiency, spasms and muscle pain begin to affect the person and cause a great deal of discomfort besides other symptoms. The deficiency of another essential mineral namely zinc also occurs in a similar manner due to an improper absorption of the mineral form the diet, this results in symptoms such as rapid hair loss or baldness that resembles the type of symptoms which occurs in another condition called alopecia areata. Similarly, identical impaired absorption of the mineral copper can lead to very high blood-cholesterol levels and this can easily complicate things for the individual. Bone problems can also occur as the impaired absorption of important minerals like calcium, boron, silicon and manganese are also evident-all these minerals are important for healthy bones.

The impaired absorption of many vital vitamins and essential amino acids can result due to the inflammation and swelling -edema present in the body of the affected individual along with the presence of many types of noxious chemicals-these create blockages in the transport of vital nutrients into the body and absorptive systems in the body go out of control leading to deficiencies in many vital nutrients. The proper absorption of nutrients is often the first casualty of a leaky gut syndrome. Physical symptoms like abdominal bloating, the production of excess gas and painful muscular cramps begins immediately as a result of these multiple mineral deficiencies. On a gradual manner the person begins to suffer from different systemic complaints such as persistent physical fatigue, the presence of constant headaches, the loss of memory, a very poor ability to concentrate and constant emotional irritability.

The anti-inflammatory compounds such as prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and betamethasone are commonly used and prescribed corticosteroid medications that function in blocking the pro-inflammatory chemical mediators in the body including the compounds such as histamine, some of the prostaglandins and the compounds called leukotrienes. Scientists believe that these compounds are responsible for the pain, the swelling, the redness and the eventual scarring reactions that induce fibrosis like actions within the human body. All of these pro-inflammatory compounds within the body are involved in some way in the autoimmune diseases such as the disorder called lupus, the condition called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP for short, in rheumatoid arthritis, in Crohn’s disease, in the condition known as ulcerative colitis, in multiple sclerosis, in thyroiditis and in vasculitis, therefore the compound called prednisone is used to reduce the impact of the serious effects these pro-inflammatory compound have on the body. These chemical mediators are also involved in the development of allergic conditions such as asthma, during condition like psoriasis and in eczema. These conditions are also often dealt through the corticosteroid pills or topical creams as well and these are normally prescribed to individuals affected by these conditions.

The price paid for the reduction of the inflammation using compounds like prednisone and other steroid medications is huge even though they are very effective in bringing about a reduction in the inflammation affecting the individual. The main adverse affect is that these medications cripple the immune system when they are used over a very long period of time. Unwanted weight gain, the retention of fluid, a tremendous increase in appetite, a heightened risk of infection setting in, problems like depression, elevation of blood pressure or high blood pressure, disorders such as diabetes, the formation of ulcers, the development of acne, fatigue and weak muscles, problems like osteoporosis, persistent insomnia and an increased risk of blood clot formation are all unwanted side effects of long term use of these compounds. The use of different types of antioxidants, the hydrochloric acid, many kinds of enzymes and herbal supplements is the only alternative to the continued use of prednisone and other corticosteroids.

Tissue damage is often the long term result of the inflammatory response which creates a lot of oxidative damage to the tissues, the careful use of all types of antioxidants will help prevent tissue damage-which can lead to permanent dysfunction in the vital tissues if occurring over a long period of time. Various vitamins such as the natural carotenoids – the class of compounds known as carotenes, lycopenes etc, the vitamin A, the plant based natural compounds called bioflavonoids such as rutin, citrus based hesperidins, the compound quercetin, catechin and the proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract, the pine bark extract, the bilberry herb and others grouped into the term pycnogenols, the vitamins C and E, and all the sulfur containing amino acids such as cysteine, the N-acetyl-cysteine form of cysteine, the amino acid methionine and the reduced L-glutathione are all excellent and effective antioxidants for use as an alternative to the corticosteroids. The coenzyme Q10, all the B complex vitamins, particularly the folic acid and the vitamin B12, along with the essential mineral selenium, the essential mineral zinc and the hormones like DHEA and melatonin can also play effective roles as antioxidants-all of them can be used in supplementary form to prevent tissue damage caused by oxidative reactions. Super foods like the green plant supplements such as spirulina, chlorella, the barley green and the kamut are excellent in phytochemicals and contain important plant enzymes, used along with bee pollen and royal jelly and with various herbs they will prove to be very potent antioxidants and are great in supplementary support of the affected individual.

Many enzymes such as the enzyme pancreatin which is an animal derived pancreatic digestive enzymes, many plant enzymes such as bromelain derived from pineapples aid the digestion of proteins in the gastrointestinal tract. These enzymes have also shown an ability as anti-inflammatory chemical mediators similar in action to some of the prostaglandins and leukotrienes found naturally in the human body-these enzymes can be used as effective supplements to alleviate the condition in the affected individuals.

Deficient production of the hydrochloric acid in the stomach is the usual symptom associated with most types of autoimmune disorders in the human body. A lot of nutrient deficiencies can result due to the two forms of deficient stomach acid, these are achlorhydria-or no acid production and hypochlohydria or a low acid production, the presence of one of these conditions is enough to induce many types of nutrient deficiency in the affected individual. As most high protein foods require the presence of sufficient acid for their digestion-the presence of one of these conditions in the body will create numerous problems for the person. Poor absorption of vital amino acids, essential vitamins and minerals result when the acid levels are absent or very low in the stomach. The deficiency of the vitamin B12 is the most usually and easily recognized nutrient deficiency brought on by low or little stomach acid production. Problems such as pernicious anemia is often the first result of such a absorption rate and this situation can often only be rectified by the regular supplementation of vitamin B12 through injections."

Did you get the part on digestive enzymes and HCl levels? And did you get the part about Prednisone and other prescriptive drugs that are commonly presribed?

I’m all for utilizing our medical professionals first. However, we trusted our pediatrician for 3 years who said she might have a wheat allergy and to switch to rice products as an alternative. Well, it came back, years later, that it is RICE that she’s allergic to. (BTW, this is the same pediatrician who told me there was absolutely no link between the MMR vaccination and Autism. The verdict is still out,) but the point is, physicians are tainted by the money they make from their insurance providers. Some medical groups actually get bonused for not prescribing treatments or taking the initiative to diagnose illnesses. The place we go now is CHOC. The Children’s Hospital of Orange County is a reputable hospital, so one would think they have reputable doctors. My pediatrician was not from CHOC. Nonetheless, my concern is that chronic conditions that have generic symptoms often go unnoticed and either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Noone knows their kids better than their parents, and I know something is wrong. The trouble is that there is a lack of urgency from medical professionals.

On another note, I spoke with a client today who said she owns a holistic medicine/supplement franchise and that she and one of her children had bad food allergies/intolerances until she avoided the foods and started to introduce other foods. She also mentioned that she was not breast fed, nor did she breast feed her daughter because of the lack of milk that came in and went straight to formulas and quickly to cow’s milk and Stage1 food. She said that my daughter may have a weak intestinal tract and digestive system because it was compromised at an early age (I had done the same thing…milk didn’t come, so I went to formula.) She said the excess food permeates from the intestine into the blood system, and that’s where symptoms like bloating, distention, GERD, etc may have started. Look, I don’t pretend to know the answers…I’m just desperately trying to find them. I don’t get follow up calls from the docs, either. By blogging on forums like this, I’m trying to relay my story. I’ve read everyone else’s entry. Am I saying doctor’s aren’t worthy of respecting, not entirely…Am I saying that I have all the answers and should play doctor instead, no. But sometimes doing nothing at all and taking the doctors generic guesses at something just doesn’t suffice. I will, however, talk to a dietician about the supplements and make sure they are okay to give to my daughter with the conditions she has.