Leaky Gut and IBD

There have been times when I have been to the doctor and while they are talking I am thinking to myself, "what did you say??". When you are improving greatly and actually feel pretty normal and the surgeon mentions you might be getting to a point where you need to just have your colon removed. I am pretty sure my eyes about bugged out!! This was just late last summer. It was our first meeting and it felt like he was throwing in the towel for me and ready to start removing parts or all of my colon. I was terrified. I left crying my eyes out and went straight to meet Toby. I could not get to him fast enough!! I calmed down, did lots or praying and moved forward quickly. I honestly realize that a time may come in my life when all or part of my colon has to come out. I am not naive enough or stupid enough to leave that out of the equation. However, based on what I have learned from other doctors, including a very good colorectal surgeon in Dallas, having my colon removed is the VERY LAST OPTION, and not an option when I am steadily improving!!! I have seriously fought too hard and too long to give up. "I ain't doin it" LOL!!

The next appt after this one was a routine visit with my IBD doctor, who tells me all of my GI problems are from my leaky gut caused by my innate immune system. This was her current research, btw. I just looked right at her and told her I had never heard that before, and I am pretty sure my mouth was dropped open. My doctor of nutrition has talked to me about my immune system and needing to feed it and she has told me a lot about inflammation, but I don't remember ever actually hearing the term "leaky gut" to describe what I had, esp from a GI doctor. She (the IBD dr) said this to me like it was something we had talked about or I should know. Again, NEVER HEARD THIS from her!!

I had very few symptoms at this point, but still she suggested I add an additional medicine, methotrexate. I asked what was causing one of the symptoms I was experiencing at that time and she told me she did not know. WHAT?? She didn't know, but she wanted me to take this other medication. She said, "I want you to be perfect". It was then that I really felt like a guinea pig!! In my mind I heard...... I don't know what is causing that symptom, but let's just see if this medicine will clear it up anyway. I have had this disease long enough to know that it will not be perfect. It will always be my weak spot. It will go into remission but never go away. I was just not willing to start another medication with possibly serious side effects to clear up symptoms that we didn't even know what was causing them.

Soon after the appt I talked to my doctor of nutrition. She confirms what the IBD doctor says as far as leaky gut. Apparently this is not new information, so I start doing the homework. First of all, I have to find out what leaky gut is. It sounds disgusting to start off with. I can just imagine my gut leaking waste all into my body. Well, basically it is tiny holes in the lining of your intestine and your gut leaks stuff into your bloodstream. There are all kinds of health issues associated with leaky gut. Go ahead, stop reading this and google it. I know you want to. Just come back to me later.

In a nutshell, what really stuck out in my mind about leaky gut was that I needed more omega-3 fatty acids and that L-glutamine helps heal the intestinal lining. If you are like me you have to google that too. What in the world is L-glutamine? Maybe I should know this, but I will be honest and say I did not. So, it is actually one of 20 natrually occurring amino acids in dietary protein, according to a website I found, draxe.com. It is found in several foods, but the one that stuck out to me is Spirulina. I actually mentioned Spirulina in one of my previous post. Spirulina is an amazing food. Here is a little info about it from Dr Dees, my doctor of nutrition.

Scientific Name: Spirulina platensis

Spirulina is a species of edible micro algae. In bulk, it has a mild taste common to fresh water algae and has a long history of human consumption.

The iron in blue-green algae has been found to be easily absorbed by the digestive system, unlike the iron found in spinach and various other plant sources. Spirulina is composed largely of protein and is noted for its essential and non-essential amino acids. It also contains Pro-vitamin A, which is converted to Vitamin A by the body.

I have tried the algea they sell at the store and I will tell you now I thought it was NASTY!!! OH MY WORD!! If you can even get past the smell, you are doing well.

I get my Spirulina from Sunrider, and on their website they actually say, "it's a protein, it's an algae, it's a superfood". They also say it is widely known as "the original superfood". It provides vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. It's rich in beta-carotene (which is a precursor to vitamin A) and vitamin K.

It is a protein, so it will rebuild the pockets that are inflamed in my colon. It gives me energy and helps with fatigue. It feeds my red blood cells, and on a side note it also can help strengthen my nails and help make my hair thicker.

I began consuming about 4-6 of these capsules a day, and I saw improvements very quickly. I had previously posted about Spirulina before with Evergreen because it goes along with it. I use them both, but because Spirulina is the less expensive of the two I try to always keep it stocked and at times use it more than evergreen.

I definitely think it has helped and my leaky gut is improving. I am amazed at how much better I have been and as an added bonus I have much more energy; maybe from the Spirulina or from the healthier colon/body, or maybe both. I'll take it either way!!

If you are interested in more info about Spirulina, please send me an email. ksublett@hotmail.com