Q: I’ve come across information suggesting that junk food can lead to allergies and ‘leaky gut’. Is this a cause for concern, and how might it be related to my husband’s diarrhoea?
A: Here, I aim to shed light on this issue and provide some guidance on how to encourage a healthier diet.
Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, refers to the gut wall's compromised state, leading to poor nutrient absorption and various health issues, including inflammation. Allergies, often characterised by sneezing, can be linked to such inflammatory reactions. However, when discussing leaky gut, it typically points to food sensitivities or intolerances rather than traditional allergies.
Food intolerance differs from a food allergy, and testing for food intolerances is now available. If your husband experiences abdominal distension, indigestion, nausea, non-specific joint pain, or rapid weight changes, it would be wise for him to consult a medical professional and request allergy, food intolerance and even genetic tests. Here is a link to our page where er recommend practitioner. The password is ‘wings': Practitioner page.
Leaky gut can contribute to allergies, and junk food can exacerbate the issue. To improve gut health, it's crucial to eliminate processed foods, artificial coloring, flavors, partially hydrogenated oils, emulsifiers, additives, sugar, soy, and wheat from the diet.
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed when sugars are cooked with proteins or fats, contributing to inflammation and potential carcinogens. AGEs are often added to foods as flavor and color enhancers, and high AGE content foods include meat.
Supplements can aid in gut health. Curcumin, quercetin, pre- and probiotics, glutamine, butyric acid, amino acids, and antioxidants are all beneficial. However, it's essential to remember that stress is a significant contributor to inflammation.
By adopting a diet free from processed foods and incorporating gut-friendly supplements, your husband can take significant steps toward improved gut health and reduced gastrointestinal distress.
To learn more, consider these articles: Get Gutsy – add fibre to your diet for long-term health, Gut Instincts Guiding You to Health, Irritable Bowel or Gut Imbalance?, Ten Tips for Good Digestion and Inflammation of the bowel.
Sources:
- Why processed foods may promote gut inflammation. (2016, July 5). LiveScience. TechMedia Network.
- Rapin JR, Wiernsperger N. Possible links between intestinal permeability and food processing: A potential therapeutic niche for glutamine. 2010;Clinics. 65(6).
- Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) activate mast cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2010;161(2):442-55.
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