Dr. Pacholec'S Guide for Treatment of Leaky Gut Syndrome

Your “Gut Health” plays a significant role in many health conditions such as:

• Chronic Fatigue
• Obesity/Stubborn Weight Loss
• Skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and acne
• Joint pain
• Thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto’s
• Auto-Immune disease
• Chronic Inflammation

In a healthy gastrointestinal system, the intestinal lining is semi-permeable, allowing small nutrients and beneficial organisms to pass from the bloodstream to the other organ systems of the body.
In patients with leaky gut syndrome, the permeability of the intestinal lining is increased, forming larger “holes” which allow for large proteins like gluten, chemical waste and harmful bacteria to pass into the bloodstream, therapy eliciting inflammation; foreign body reactions and many chronic health issues.

Some physical signs that you may have leaky gut syndrome are:

1. Bloating or gas after meals
2. Intolerance to variety of foods
3. Constipation or diarrhea
4. Chronic headaches
5. Chronic skin rashes on hands, face or extremities
6. Acne
7. Stubborn weight loss
8. General feeling of fatigue, exhaustion or sluggishness
9. Chronic Inflammation, such as arthritis

Some causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome are:

1. Poor diet: Gluten, refined or processed sugars; GMO’s and conventional pasteurized dairy products. Some people may require a gluten-free diet or dairy free diet to improve their symptoms.
2. Chronic stress: Lack of sleep and hectic lifestyle can lead to long term stress which significantly decreases your immune system and your body’s ability to fight off infection.
3. Exposure to toxins: In today’s society, we are exposed to over 80,000 different toxins. The ones most responsible for leaky gut include antibiotics, pesticides, tap water, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory meds like Motrin. *Buying a high-quality water filter can be very helpful *
4. Imbalance of beneficial bacteria:  The term: Dysbiosis equates to an imbalance between harmful and beneficial bacteria species in the gut. Lack of high-quality proteins, overuse of antibiotics and exposure to unfiltered tap water contribute to a state of dysbiosis. Taking a high-quality probiotic can help replace the necessary good bacteria in the gut.

Treatments for Leaky Gut
L-Glutamine is an amino acid which has an affinity for the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. This is one of the most effective treatments you can use to treat and prevent leaky gut syndrome. This amino acid supports intestinal mucosal health by encouraging optimal nutrient absorption and by repairing the intestinal barrier between the mucosal lining and the bloodstream. Repairing this barrier helps to prevent “holes” or gaps from forming in the intestinal lining, which decreases the likelihood of bacteria or their byproducts from entering the bloodstream. As an additional perk, it is also beneficial for losing weight quickly, burning fat and building muscle! Because of these properties, L-Glutamine has been used for decades by body builders and gym enthusiasts. L-Glutamine can be purchased on its own, or it can be found in products like OptiCleanse, GlutaShield or GI-Revive. These products use L-glutamine along with other beneficial nutrients to offer more comprehensive support for the whole GI system. Dr. Josh Axe offers an in-depth overview of L-Glutamine on his website, which can be found here: https://draxe.com/l-glutamine-benefits-side-effects-dosage/.

The second most important supplement Dr. Pacholec recommends for treatment and prevention of leaky gut syndrome is a high quality and diverse strain of probiotic containing between 25-50 billion CFU. This will help to strengthen the integrity of the intestinal lining, nourish the cells that create the mucosal lining and decrease inflammation. Dr. Pacholec highly recommends the Ther-Biotic Complete formula from Klaire Labs which contains 25 billion CFU of 12 strains of beneficial bacteria.

Dr. Pacholec’s 3-month protocol to repair: Leaky Gut Syndrome:
Click on the links to learn more about each product!

1. OptiCleanse GHI: 2 scoops in 8-10oz of water or almond milk once a day
   
2. Klaire Labs Probiotics: 25 billion colonies/capsule: 1-2 capsules per day with breakfast and dinner.
   
3. Digestive Enzymes: Take one with each meal if you experience a lot of bloating and gas
   
4. Glutashield, L-Glutamine, OR GI Revive: Dosages vary and are listed on the nutrition labels. These products are extremely helpful to patients with irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, or chronic diarrhea. These products all differ slightly and certain products may be better for specific patients. Call the Lutz or St Petersburg office to discuss which option is best for you with Dr. Pacholec.
   

Dr. Pacholec can provide a full gastrointestinal wellness check-up when you make an appointment at either of her Lutz or St Petersburg offices. During this visit, she can provide laboratory testing to assess food allergies or intolerances, parameters of inflammation, and gut bacterial health. She will use the information gathered from this assessment along with the patient's symptoms and medical health history to create a customized treatment plan. Treating chronic illness, such as leaky gut syndrome, can help a patient burn stubborn fat and contribute to medical weight loss. It may also help regulate hormone imbalances and create an overall sense of increased well-being. So what are you waiting for? Call either the Lutz or St Petersburg office to schedule your next appointment today!