Jump to content

  • You are not alone. Join Celiac.com for trusted gluten-free answers and forum support.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

If You Have/had Leaky Gut, How Did You Treat It?

emcmaster

By emcmaster
in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut

Recommended Posts

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted

I know probiotics are a big one, but what other supplements, vitamins, etc. did you take to decrease the intestinal permeability?

Thanks!!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

My doctor has me taking VSL#3. From what I've read about it, it really helps with leaky gut. You can get it without a prescription, but they will ask who your doctor is because they recommend having medical supervision. It's a probiotic.

Here's an interesting article about it ... they talk about gluten, but DO NOT claim to heal celiac. Open Original Shared Link

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author
My doctor has me taking VSL#3. From what I've read about it, it really helps with leaky gut. You can get it without a prescription, but they will ask who your doctor is because they recommend having medical supervision. It's a probiotic.

Here's an interesting article about it ... they talk about gluten, but DO NOT claim to heal celiac. Open Original Shared Link

I've taken that before and liked it! Thanks for reminding me - I'll order some now. :)

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
I've taken that before and liked it! Thanks for reminding me - I'll order some now. :)

Glad to get the testimonial, mine just came today!!

I also take Theralac (not Threelac) and another probiotic ... but I'm on a boatload of long-term antibiotics.

I don't know if there's anything better for your gut than probiotics and staying away from allergens.

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author
Glad to get the testimonial, mine just came today!!

I also take Theralac (not Threelac) and another probiotic ... but I'm on a boatload of long-term antibiotics.

I don't know if there's anything better for your gut than probiotics and staying away from allergens.

Do you think it would be harmful for me to take 2 different probiotics, as I'm not on an antibiotics now? Because my A.L.C.A.T. results came back as intolerant to foods I've been eating a lot of, it makes me think that it's leaky gut. I was tested for it about a year ago and didn't have it, but I did have not enough good bacteria in my gut. I wonder if that eventually caused it?

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

I agree that leaky gut can cause lots of food intolerances. I don't see what it would hurt to take more than one ... I'm taking three!

Do you use organic milk products and organic meats? If not, you do get antibiotics in your food. I wonder if that's what contributes to so many people having leaky gut and food intolerances?

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author
I agree that leaky gut can cause lots of food intolerances. I don't see what it would hurt to take more than one ... I'm taking three!

Do you use organic milk products and organic meats? If not, you do get antibiotics in your food. I wonder if that's what contributes to so many people having leaky gut and food intolerances?

I'd never thought of that - no, I don't use organic meat and milk products. I try to buy organic, but it's not exactly easy on the budget!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
I'd never thought of that - no, I don't use organic meat and milk products. I try to buy organic, but it's not exactly easy on the budget!

Yeah, I know! I have six kids, so we eat a lot of natural fed ground beef! It's the cheapest! I also buy the chicken sausages from Wild Oats that don't have the bad stuff. I actually don't buy organic meat all the time, but I do buy the stuff without hormones or antibiotics all the time. Same with milk and eggs.

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author
Yeah, I know! I have six kids, so we eat a lot of natural fed ground beef! It's the cheapest! I also buy the chicken sausages from Wild Oats that don't have the bad stuff. I actually don't buy organic meat all the time, but I do buy the stuff without hormones or antibiotics all the time. Same with milk and eggs.

Hmmm. I will have to start doing that!

As for the VSL#3, did you buy the packets that you mix with liquid or the capsules? I'd bought the packets before, but I don't really want the lemon flavor and the unflavored has corn starch in it...

Also, how much are you taking?

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

I was happy to have the lemon flavor because I love kifir, but can't have the flavored ones because of the sugar ... now my kifir tastes like lemon! I take one per day, but if the meds continue to cause GI problems I'll probably have to take more.

The pills have a lower bacterial count so you need more of them to equal one packet. I take SO MANY pills each day that I just couldn't take a few more! :blink:

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author
I was happy to have the lemon flavor because I love kifir, but can't have the flavored ones because of the sugar ... now my kifir tastes like lemon! I take one per day, but if the meds continue to cause GI problems I'll probably have to take more.

The pills have a lower bacterial count so you need more of them to equal one packet. I take SO MANY pills each day that I just couldn't take a few more! :blink:

I will try the lemon kind then... as the pills are more expensive anyway... not that they both aren't expensive! Sheesh!

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

My rheumy has me on Sulfasalazine which he says treats leaky gut, which is the root cause of my autoimmune arthritis. But I also use coconut milk kefir (homemade) and I think taking Vit. D3 supplements has helped too. Sticking with a low GI diet helps (i.e. avoiding starches and sugars) as does avoiding foods I seem to have problems with (seeds, dairy and all grains).

Guest Greggy
Guest Greggy
Posted

Sorry for my ignorance. Could someone please tell me how you would find out if you had leaky gut sydrome? Is it synonymous with gluten intolerance or celiac? How would you be tested for it if there is a need?

Thanks

Greg

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted
Sorry for my ignorance. Could someone please tell me how you would find out if you had leaky gut sydrome? Is it synonymous with gluten intolerance or celiac? How would you be tested for it if there is a need?

Thanks

Greg

If you've got a gluten intolerance, you've got a leaky gut. One thing gluten does is it jams open the junctions on the gut and allows stuff to cross the intestinal barrier. Google zonulin for more info.

Someone just posted Open Original Shared Link on Braintalk about glutamine and intestinal barrier function.

Guest Greggy
Guest Greggy
Posted

Ok, so can our leaky guts be repaired??

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
Ok, so can our leaky guts be repaired??

Yes, with probiotics, avoiding foods that you have an intolerance to, and avoiding bad stuff (sugar, alcohol, etc.). Eat really "clean" -- meat, veggies, eggs, fruit, brown rice, etc.

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
Ok, so can our leaky guts be repaired??

You would need to find out the cause of the leaky gut in order to repair it. Like most things...if you dont determine the cause and correct it....the problem will not fix itself. If gluten intolerance is the cause the gut should heal with removal of gluten and a clean diet.

If this alone doesnt heal the gut then there is likely another culprit.....usually dysbiosis (too much bad bacteria/not enough good). Other possibilities would include parasitic infection and/or yeast overgrowth.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

I did have a terribly leaky gut, though thankfully now it doesn't appear to be leaking to any real noticeable degree. I guess I just gave it time more than anything else, but all my meals have been prepared by me, and only veggies, whole grains, some fruits, etc. Nothing artificial, no processed sugars, no "junk food". Also lots and lots of water, which for me isn't so much a matter of self-discipline as it is thirst.

Had I known earlier what I know now, I'd have definitely been taking a powdered magnesium supplement. From what I've read, it helps with a lot of things, including the absorption of nutrients. So it seems to me that would be a good thing to have in the case of leaky gut. The more nutrients the body gets, the better able it should be to heal. The reason to select a powder rather than a pill is it should be easier on the digestive system to utilize. Even today I'd never take a solid pill - I know my system can't break it down well enough. That brings me to one other thing I'd have done, which I also do now; putting veggies through a blender so it's easier for the gut to break them down.

Again, I think it may take time perhaps more than anything. Such damage can't be repaired over night.

Guest Greggy
Guest Greggy
Posted

Thanks guys. Ive looked up leaky gut on the net & along with your advice I now have a treatment plan set up. Colostrum is the first natural aid I purchased today!

Greg

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
Thanks guys. Ive looked up leaky gut on the net & along with your advice I now have a treatment plan set up. Colostrum is the first natural aid I purchased today!

Greg

Colostrum is good as long as your not dairy intolerant. I took it for years, but stopped taking it when I got off dairy for six months. I've been thinking about adding it back in ... you may have given me the motivation.

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author
Thanks guys. Ive looked up leaky gut on the net & along with your advice I now have a treatment plan set up. Colostrum is the first natural aid I purchased today!

Greg

Can you post the link where you found the treatment plan? I've been researching but didn't see anything that specific. Also, where did you buy the colostrum? Thanks!

tabasco32 Apprentice
tabasco32
Posted

sometimes I wonder if I have leaky gut. my stool is always grainy and shiny and floats. I always have bubble guts even just drinking water does this. I was on macrobid, cipro, and metronidazole all in less than 2 or 3 months. My digestive system has never been the same since. I wonder if it's gluten at all or just leaky gut. It doesn't go away though I have been on a gluten free diet for 5 months now. I am taking a probiotic by Lame Advertisement. It has 12 billion colonies. I wonder if this is good enough. sigh. will I ever get better and start gaining weight? All I eat is chicken soup as this is the only thing my intestines absorb. I will have to try that magnesium powder though. I have been to so many doctors. I don't know what to do anymore. I started to also get bladder ulcers at the same time. I wonder if it was the beer and me being an alchohalic that did this to me.

Guest Greggy
Guest Greggy
Posted

Elizabeth,

Sorry - just read your message. ;)

I just read up an awful lot on leaky gut syndrome & worked out what I needed to do i.e.-

Lots of pro-biotics - to add good bacteria to my gut

Magnesium & calcium with Vit B supplemeents (powder form as easier to absorb)

Avoiding infalammatory foods

Avoiding caffeine

Cutting down on alcohol

Im now off dairy after reading about the dangers of the darn stuff (see notmilk.com)

And a lot of time for it to heal which I think it will for most of us in the right conditions

Good luck,

Greg

emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted
  • Author

Thanks, Greg! I'll definitely try that!

elisabet Contributor
elisabet
Posted
Elizabeth,

Sorry - just read your message. ;)

I just read up an awful lot on leaky gut syndrome & worked out what I needed to do i.e.-

Lots of pro-biotics - to add good bacteria to my gut

Magnesium & calcium with Vit B supplemeents (powder form as easier to absorb)

Avoiding infalammatory foods

Avoiding caffeine

Cutting down on alcohol

Im now off dairy after reading about the dangers of the darn stuff (see notmilk.com)

And a lot of time for it to heal which I think it will for most of us in the right conditions

Good luck,

Greg

Hello Greg,

It is a wonderful idead to have vit B in powder form.Where do you buy it?

thanks

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      0

      Breakfast ideas besides oatmeal as Avenin can be gluten?

      I read gluten-free oatmeal Avenin can cause gluten like symptoms. I read Bobs Redmill gluten-free creamy buckwheat cereal and Millet are good alternatives with ultra low heavy metals, mold but it seems it takes longer to prepare the minute oats. What have you changed your breakfast to.
    2. RMJ
      - RMJ replied to Ginger38's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      Ginger38, that sounds very difficult. Each dietary restriction makes it harder to figure out what to eat. Before my celiac diagnosis I already watched out for my cholesterol level and migraine triggers, but those are much easier than diabetes restrictions. One “bad” meal isn’t that much of a problem for cholesterol levels, and my migraines only happened if I ...
    3. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Ginger38's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      5

      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      Reading the original post on this thread made me think of "How To Eat An Elephant". The key point is that a whole, big problem can seem insurmountable but if you break it into bite-sized pieces it is much easier to accomplish. Here is the google description. It's not bad: If you're facing a daunting goal, you can use these steps to "eat your elephant...
    4. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      I don't know the answer to your question any better than a google search, but I am sure someone else will step up and answer. I am popping up to recommend that you keep a careful diary (in case you weren't already). Try to catalog what you are eating and experiencing. Bring a copy to your next visit (and if you have access to the Dr, also send a copy...
    5. Xravith
      - Xravith posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      After few months going gluten free, I decided to reintroduce gluten in my diet so I can do a proper diagnosis for Celiac disease. During the gluten free period I felt incredibly good. I stopped having hypoglycemia symptoms, I gained some muscle (Still, I am considerably underweight) and my anxiety totally disappeared. I felt totally like a new person...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,180
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Nancy sirois
    Newest Member
    Nancy sirois
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      Breakfast ideas besides oatmeal as Avenin can be gluten?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I read gluten-free oatmeal Avenin can cause gluten like symptoms. I read Bobs Redmill gluten-free creamy buckwheat cereal and Millet are good alternatives with ultra low heavy metals, mold but it seems it takes longer to prepare the minute oats. What have you changed your breakfast to.
    • RMJ
      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      By RMJ · Posted

      Ginger38, that sounds very difficult.  Each dietary restriction makes it harder to figure out what to eat. Before my celiac diagnosis I already watched out for my cholesterol level and migraine triggers, but those are much easier than diabetes restrictions. One “bad” meal isn’t that much of a problem for cholesterol levels, and my migraines only happened if I consistently ate the triggers. After many years I’ve figured out how to bake gluten free but I think many recipes have more starch which wouldn’t work for diabetes. If you go with the elephant eating analogy, I think the first portion to work on would be the diabetes, since the immediate consequences of not being careful (passing out from low blood sugar, or diabetic coma from high blood sugar) are so severe. The next portion would be celiac. The serious consequences aren’t as immediate, but if you have celiac disease, I think of eating gluten like a booster shot - revving up the immune system, but to attack yourself leading to long term damage. It sounds like you are experiencing this damage now. I did a google search on “gluten free food for diabetics” and a number of sites with advice came up.  If your insurance will cover it and you can find one, a registered dietician who knows about both diabetes and celiac disease might help you figure out what to eat safely. Hopefully my post will both scare and encourage you, as requested, with a big dose of compassion because this sounds very difficult and you are clearly suffering.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      The Struggle Has Overtaken Me

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Reading the original post on this thread made me think of "How To Eat An Elephant". The key point is that a whole, big problem can seem insurmountable but if you break it into bite-sized pieces it is much easier to accomplish. Here is the google description. It's not bad: If you're facing a daunting goal, you can use these steps to "eat your elephant": Identify the Elephant: Clearly define the large project or goal that feels overwhelming. Break it Down: Divide the major task into smaller "bite-sized" pieces. If a piece still feels too big, break it down further. Prioritize: Decide which "bite" to take first based on necessity or impact. Focus on the Now: Instead of worrying about the whole animal, focus only on the single step you are taking right now. Maintain Consistency: Progress comes from taking the "next right step" every day until the task is complete. Celebrate Small Wins If I understood Ginger38's post correctly, you are facing the prospect of a gluten challenge, but you are already eating gluten on an intermittent basis. It also sounds like many of the symptoms you attribute to gluten consumption are in full expression. Step back and take a deep breath. Get a notebook and start a gluten-related diary. Don't try to make it perfect; just record what you can about food intake and what you experience as you go along. Talk to your Dr's office (nurse, Dr, whomever) about the challenge. The most rigorous challenge is for someone who has already gone truly gluten free but now needs a clear diagnosis. Someone who is already eating gluten should not need as much "challenge". Even at that, google describes an example challenge as 1-2 slice of bread or 1/2 cup of pasta a day. If that describes your existing diet you are already there. For the moment, try to focus on getting past the challenge and test. Once you have the results, start planning accordingly.
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I don't know the answer to your question any better than a google search, but I am sure someone else will step up and answer. I am popping up to recommend that you keep a careful diary (in case you weren't already). Try to catalog what you are eating and experiencing. Bring a copy to your next visit (and if you have access to the Dr, also send a copy a couple days in advance). Don't assume that they will read it. They might, but they also might be under tremendous time pressure and not get to it. Two other suggestions: if your healthcare provider has a web portal, sign on and search for "gluten challenge". They may have a standard page and Dr assumed you would find it on your own. If that doesn't work, call the Dr's office and ask the office for their official advice. You probably wouldn't need to speak to the Dr directly. There should be some nurse or staff member who could answer that
    • Xravith
      Gluten challenge - Need some guidance

      By Xravith · Posted

      After few months going gluten free, I decided to reintroduce gluten in my diet so I can do a proper diagnosis for Celiac disease. During the gluten free period I felt incredibly good. I stopped having hypoglycemia symptoms, I gained some muscle (Still, I am considerably underweight) and my anxiety totally disappeared. I felt totally like a new person. Now, I almost reached the second week of gluten challenge and all my symptoms are progressively coming back. The first days I was ok, just a bit of acid reflux I could control with medicines. However, after the first week I started to feel real stomach pain and tiredness, my face is growing acne and sometimes (specially when I walk) i feel painful migraines.  I am afraid If I am eating too much gluten or not enough, the "4 slices of bread" indication confuses me. I am actually eating 20 g of bread, 3 biscuits and 40 g of croissant each day. My doctor was not very specific when he gave me the medical order for the gluten challenge, so I invented my own daily gluten menu. Do you have any suggestions? 4 weeks will be enough to do the blood test with my current gluten intake?  Thank you
×
×
  • Create New...