An explosion of scientific research worldwide is providing new insights into the importance of the gut as “the gateway to good health” and giving new meaning to the phrase “you are what you eat.” The neglected organ has been subject to increasing scrutiny as technological advances are revealing the health of your gut is the gateway to health.
In fact, the root cause of many seemingly unrelated chronic health complaints may be discovered by simple tests that assess the health of the gastrointestinal tract. This could mean an end to your persistent symptoms, once and for all.
The Problem
Your abdominal pain, aching joints, fatigue, headaches, diarrhea, anxiety, or even depression could equally well reflect one of several conditions such as:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Eczema
- Autoimmune disease in general; and,
- Heart disease just to name a few – which can make diagnosis and treatment recommendations difficult.
When the cause of symptoms is unknown, a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment (e.g., anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, etc.) may bring temporary relief, but before you know it the symptoms return and you are back to square one.
This can put you on a never-ending merry-go-round of medications and procedures that don’t work and without any real promise of a solution or cure…
The Solution
You might think that your aches, pains, itches, tummy troubles, and tiredness are just part of getting older.
You may have grown used to these symptoms as part of your “new normal.” But it is possible to find out what’s beneath certain chronic ailments, as the first step toward lasting relief.
Scientists are discovering that chronic health problems may be related to the balance of bacteria and other micro-organisms living inside your intestines (collectively called the gut “microbiota” or “flora”) and the health of your gut lining.
What is the Gut Microbiota and Why is “Intestinal Permeability” (aka Leaky Gut Syndrome) Important?
The gut is a complex ecosystem containing trillions of micro-organisms (mostly bacteria, and collectively called the “gut microbiota” or “gut flora”) that help regulate the immune system, digest food, make vitamins, and protect us from toxins and pathogens.
The gut lining, or single-cell thick “intestinal mucosa,” forms a barrier that allows nutrients from digest food to enter the bloodstream but keeps bacteria, toxins, and undigested food out.
Gut Inflammation Can Increase Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut Syndrome)
Certain triggers (e.g. poor diet, imbalanced gut flora, or certain medications) can cause inflammation and increased intestinal permeability (“leakiness”) to foreign substances which is an overlooked cause of many chronic diseases such as:
- Autoimmune Disease
Increased intestinal permeability can cause the immune system to overreact to foreign substances or foods that leak through to the bloodstream, creating inflammation in various tissues, e.g., the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), skin (eczema or psoriasis), the thyroid gland (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), and pancreas (type 1 diabetes). - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Uncovering the root cause of chronic abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating, whether it be hypersensitivity to certain foods or inflammation due to a bacterial infection, is the first step toward finding permanent relief. - Anxiety and Depression
The state of our gut flora has a major influence on our state of mind, affecting our ability to handle stress. Stress hormones such as cortisol can in turn cause gut inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic disturbances that may directly affect the nervous system. - Hormone Imbalances, Obesity, & Type 2 Diabetes
Feeling rundown, with weight gain or loss, is often the result of inflammation in the gut. Excess dietary sugar, exposure to toxic chemicals, imbalanced gut flora, and stress may all be contributing factors. Hormones important for regulating thyroid function, energy levels, and blood sugar are all affected by the health of the gut. - Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease
In genetically susceptible individuals, the immune system may overreact to certain triggers in the gut (e.g., bacteria, foods, medications, or stress) leading to periods of severe inflammation and abdominal pain, with increased intestinal permeability and diarrhea.
Finding Relief From Your Symptoms
It is important to get to the root cause of your symptoms by taking a look at what’s going on with a comprehensive gut health assessment. From there, you’ll want to avoid all offending foods and food additives & colorings according to the results of the test, which may or may not be long-term after the completion of a rotation cycle to reintroduce certain foods. The main caveats for testing are making sure the testing methodology is scientifically supported along with an easy-to-follow lab report to help you more effectively tackle the underlying cause of your chronic condition and restore you (and your gut) to a state of optimal health.
We trust and rely on the following comprehensive test panels. Test kits are shipped directly to you for convenience:
ALCAT Food & Chemical Sensitivity Platinum Plus Panel
Taking the initiative to reduce inflammatory foods is helpful. Our thyroid menu plans bundle includes 140+ recipes, shopping lists, weekly menus, and nutrition facts. All the recipes are easy to prepare, delicious, and do not include exotic ingredients…everything you need can easily be found in any grocery store.
Since inflammation is often a contributing factor to nutrient deficiencies, it’s important to replenish the body with nutrients which are known to help repair the lining of the GI tract, along with specific strains of probiotics, and high-quality digestive enzymes.
Gut Facts
10 – 100 Trillion
The number of symbiotic microbial cells harbored by each person, primarily bacteria in the gut, that make up the human microbiota.
2 Pounds
The microorganisms living in your gut make up about 2 pounds of your total body weight.
Immune Cells
The gut is home to most of the body’s immune cells; a healthy gut is, therefore, vital for a healthy body.
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