Leaky Gut Syndrome and Colon Health
By Dr. Diane Spindler CTN
There are many contributing factors to the health or disease of our colon. Leaky gut syndrome, is at the head of the list for consideration to preventing colon degeneration.
Our intestinal mucosal lining is vulnerable to small tears causing intestinal permeability opening the door to systemic invasion of pathogens and toxins.The lining of our gut needs to be kept healthy to avoid this kind of disease process that can leave us with all kinds of health issues including autoimmune diseases, allergies, infections and inflammations.Leaky gut syndrome is the phrase alternative practitioners use when increased intestinal permeability is present, a condition associated with a long list of health problems and symptoms. Our total digestive tract is approximately 30 feet in length (colon is 5-7ft) and its function is to turn the foods we eat into micronutrients that our cells use for energy, maintenance and repair. The barrier it provides is to protect our immune system from irritants, toxins and pathogens. When the lining of our gut is compromised foreign substances gain entrance into us and can create nearly any sort disease imaginable.
There are many causes of the leaky gut syndrome. Prolonged use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, chronic stress, toxins, chemo/radiation, food allergies, antibiotics, and chronic infections of yeast, bacteria, and parasites are some causes. The term Dysbiosis explains how these triggers begin the process of gut degeneration. We have more bacteria in our digestive tract than we have cells in our bodies and that means trillions. Many of these are good bacteria called healthy flora, some have a neutral effect on us and others are harmful or pathogenic. When these microbes are out of balance we have Dysbiosis, which is the opposite of symbiosis or living in harmony. This is why, for example antibiotics can throw off the balance of our intestinal microbes and opening the door to disease.
There is help for leaky gut and intestinal Dysbiosis. Digestive enzymes are very important to the individual who has a problem with incomplete digestion. There are several kinds of enzymes, some emphasizing protein digestion, some to include emulsification of fats, and some specific for lactose intolerance individuals. Other nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, B complex, Glutamine, Diglycyrrhized Licorice root, Folic acid and Zinc can help to repair the gut lining. Taking probiotics, as a capsule, liquid, in yogurt or buttermilk is key to replenishing the healthy flora. And of course a diet high in fiber, fruits and vegetables and healthy oils will go a long way to cleansing the gut. Check with a qualified health practitioner to evaluate what you may need to improve your intestinal tract and overall health status.
A Doctor’s Comments on Colonoscopy
By Steven Vig M.D.
I am an internist in Tucson, Arizona. I am 56 years old. I have had two colonoscopies so far. I would like to make a few comments about this life-saving procedure.
In general, I recommend that my patients get a screening colonoscopy when they turn 50 years old. However, there are circumstances where I might send my patient for a colonoscopy at an earlier age. For example, if there is a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer, I might recommend that my patient get a colonoscopy at age 40. If one of my patients had a parent with colon cancer at age 45, I might recommend that my patient go for a colonoscopy at age 35 (10 years earlier than age 45). If one of my patients was 42 years old, but noticed some blood in the stool, I would send that patient for a colonoscopy.
Most of my patients have no symptoms related to the colon. I explain that the purpose of the colonoscopy is to look for colon polyps, and remove them with the colonoscope if they are present. Some kinds of polyps called “adenomas” can grow and turn into colon cancer if they are not removed. About 30% of my patients are found to have one or more colon polyps at the time of colonoscopy.
I give my patient a referral to one of the gastroenterologists in Tucson, and tell the patient to call and schedule an appointment to meet the gastroenterologist.
Here is what to expect if you need to see a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. The purpose of the first visit is to meet the gastroenterologist (or his assistant), and to make plans for the colonoscopy. You will be given instructions on the laxatives that must be taken to clean the colon the evening before the colonoscopy. Instructions will also be given if any medicine adjustments need to be made (for example, with diabetes medicines, blood thinners, or antibiotics). Informed consent papers must be signed before the procedure.
The day before the colonoscopy, you will be on a clear liquid diet. A powerful laxative is started late in the afternoon on the day before the colonoscopy. This will cause diarrhea and get the colon cleaned out. For many of my patients, taking the laxative is the hardest part of the procedure. The prep for the colonoscopy is very important. If you have a good prep and the colon is cleaned out, it gives the gastroenterologist the best opportunity to see the entire colon and to look for polyps. It is difficult for the gastroenterologist to see the colon if the prep was poor and if stool is still present in the colon. On the day of the colonoscopy, you should have a friend or relative drive you to and from the procedure. You will receive medication for sedation during the procedure. (An intravenous medicine called Propofol is often used for sedation). During the colonoscopy , a long black tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and passed along the entire length of the colon. The gastroenterologist can see through the colonoscope, and is able to remove polyps using the colonoscope.
The gastroenterologist will let you know what he found during the colonoscopy, and if any polyps were removed. Polyps that were removed during the procedure are sent to the pathology department for analysis. The pathology of a polyp might return as “adenomatous polyp” , or as “hyperplastic polyp”. Adenomatous polyps ( “adenomas”) have a higher risk of turning into cancer than hyperplastic polyps. The gastroenterologist will tell you when the next colonoscopy should be done. For example, if several polyps were removed, the gastroenterologist might have you return in 3 years or 5 years. If the colonoscopy was normal, the gastroenterologist might have you return in 5 years, 7 years, or in 10 years. Some of my patients do not want to wait for 10 years to do another colonoscopy, and they might do the next colonoscopy in 5 years or in 7 years. If you have a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps, and your colonoscopy was normal, you should get a colonoscopy again in 5 years.
A number of famous people have had colon cancer including Ronald Reagan, Vince Lombardi, Ben Hogan, Darryl Strawberry, Audrey Hepburn, Jack Lemmon, Charles Shulz (“Peanuts”), Elizabeth Montgomery (“Bewitched”), and Milton Berle. Katie Couric’s husband Jay Monahan died of colon cancer. Katie Couric went on national television and had a colonoscopy in March of 2000 to increase public awareness of this important screening test.
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death among cancers. Colon cancer in most cases can be prevented by doing periodic colonoscopies and removing the polyps before they can turn into cancer.
Be sure to get you colonoscopy on a schedule according to your doctor’s recommendations. Getting a colonoscopy may save your life!
Note: I would like to thank Kim Adair for her never-ending enthusiasm and energy in helping to battle colon cancer and colon polyps.