Leaky Gut: Can Dr Sherlock Holmes resolves this mystery?

Dear Dr Sherlock Holmes,

Today my Gut appears to be in a condition that is far from being tip top! Unlike a washing machine that leaks water all over the floor, I have red spots on my skin instead (thankfully they are mild and under controlled).

Today it lies as a mystery and I've decided to play no guessing game anymore and hence I'd like to have better understanding on what is a leaky gut and what causes it.

I trust your infamous expertise will be able to resolve this Gut Leaky Mystery.

Hopeful one,

Ms. Auto-immune Disorder

***

Dear Ms. Auto-immune Disorder,

The good news is, there is always a solution to a problem – just like there is a solution to the washing machine that starts leaking water all over the floor, we will find some solutions to your leaky gut situation. So don’t panic or be dismayed!

Firstly, what is a leaky gut?

Auto-immune disorder sufferers like you including diabetics tend to have sensitive intestinal wall to foods, allergens, infections, toxin, stress and including aging process that cause the gut cell to release zonulin. Zonulin is a protein that can break apart the lining of the intestinal which causes the leaky gut syndrome. So when your gut is leaky, “foreign invaders’’ like toxins, microbes, undigested food particles, and more can escape from your intestines into your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. Your immune system identifies these "foreign invaders" as pathogens and attacks them. The immune response to these invaders can appear in the form of any of the signs you have a leaky gut. I thought I'd also let you know also some of the signs of someone who suffers from a leaky gut:

• Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Food allergies or intolerances

• Seasonal allergies or asthma

• Hormonal imbalances such as PMS or PCOS

• Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, psoriasis, or celiac disease

• Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia

• Mood and mind issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD or ADHD

• Skin issues such as acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis

• Diagnosis of candida overgrowth

What causes leaky gut?

In my years of dealing with leaky gut, we have identified the culprits to the mystery:

• foods (esp those that fall under inflammatory category. So change your diet - eliminate those ingredients that are inflammatory and include incgredients that are super-packed with anti-inflammatory benefits such as ginger, tumeric, cinnamon, beets, pumkins to name a few..)

• toxins and

• infections.

The number one cause of leaky gut is a culprit aptly known as Gluten. Other inflammatory culprits are:

• dairy

• red meat

• refined sugar

• beans + legumes

• eggs

• alcohol

• nightshades (potatoes, egg-plants, tomatoes, jalapeno, paprika, cayenne, chili pepper to name a few...)

• common infectious causes such as candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

• toxins that come form of medications such as like Motrin, Advil, steroids, antibiotics, and acid-reducing drugs

• toxins that come from environment such as mercury, pesticides and BPA from plastics

• unfortunately, stress, anxiety and age also contribute to a leaky gut.

In healing your condition, ELIMINATION of the culprits is crucial and needs to be implemented in your life without further hessitation. At the same time, you'll need to repair & strengthen the lining of your intestinal - I came to know off a man by the name Paleo and thanks to your lucky stars, Paleo and I will be catching up quite soon over a cup of Kombucha tea which he has been raving about since the first time I met him. My gut feel says this Paleo knows what he is taking about and your gut will be back grand as new!

At this stage, I highly recommend that you also consider to avoid consuming much nuts (except cashews), seeds and grains even though they are gluten free. Try this approach and watch how it affects you. I'd be very happy to hear your feedback on this.

On that note, I further stress on the importance of making daily healthy choices for you. Keep your body and bloodstream in alkaline stage. Green smoothies and juices are recommended - this we will cover more in great length when we cover about alkaline/acid balance for our body at a later stage. Surround yourself with happiness. Never let that culprits stress and sadness be in your circle of friends! They are acidic to your body and acidity incubates diseases.

Here I am.... Dr Sherlock Holmes - the man who shall be down in history as the man who resolves the Gut Leaky Mystery!!!

The first answer to solving this mystery lies in your cupboard! While you are out and about playing in the sun and choosing those beautiful bonsai plants for your indoor garden, I managed to sneak into your apartment (one of the things I do best). My guess of you having the ingredient in your kitchen was confirmed right when I spotted the bottle of organic apple cider vinegar in your kitchen cabinet!

Did you know that it is capable of so much more than adding flavor to a salad?! In fact, I strongly recommend that you move it to the natural remedy cabinet of yours. It belongs in that section rightfully!

Organic apple cider vinegar is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. There are miraculous benefits of consuming it as it aids in much health related issues plus, it’s all natural and inexpensive. Don’t you agree??

I have left this note to you together with a recipe of an Elixir which I have concoctioned for you based on the ingredients I found in your LOVE KITCHEN. I also noticed that you have made the RIGHT choice of Apple Cider Vinegar – with the presence of ‘MOTHER’ (the mysterious veil floating in your vinegar). This is the collection of beneficial microbes that convert apple cider into apple cider vinegar. Continue to buy this type - splendid choice indeed!

My advice is for you to consume this ELIXIR 3 times daily together with your meals.

1 tbsp of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

I tsp of ground cinnamon

250ml of water

Mix the two ingredients in 250ml of water. Make sure that the water is at room temperature and not hot. We do not want heat to de-activate the enzymes!

Apple Cider Vinegar is great to breakdown heavy starches which helps to feed the microorganisms in the gut, giving you a healthy gut.

Finally, I leave you some facts about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for you to ponder upon:

• Lower blood sugar and hence improve insulin sensivity in Diabetes esp when taken as part of meals or taken before bedtime

• Regulate Blood Chemistry in Diabetics

• Regulate Effects of Dietary Cholesterol

• Aids Weight Loss

• Its Chlorogenic Acid May Help with Heart Disease

• Anti-Cancer Effects - but there is not enough evidence to support it. We’ll have to wait for the research to find out.

I think it is time for me to stop here before I exhaust your type-writer. I wish you great recovery. Go on and get yourself a ticket to the movie - "Love, Rosie''. I know what a such old romantic soul you are lady! That movie will certainly be the dessert for your soul. Indulge wholeheartedly.

Till soon, have faith and stay positive.

Best regards,

Dr. Sherlock Holmes – your Leaky Gut mystery solver!

P.S. : I stole a couple of your grain-free cookies. Hope you don't mind. They are amazingly chewy yet soft, not too sweet and not too oily! Perhaps you may consider to add on some desiccated coconut. Have a think about it and have fun experiementing healthy recipes in your LOVE KITCHEN!

#applecidervinegar