New and Struggling

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:34 am

Hi Lauren,

Leaky gut refers to permeability of the small intestine, not the colon (large intestine). The small intestine is where food molecules are absorbed into the body. Leaky gut does seem to go along with MC and is made worse by certain foods, especially those containing lots of lectins, like grains (gluten) and legumes (peanuts, soy, beans). It is a term used mainly in the lay or alternative press.

I don't think there is any scientific basis that the toxins/bacteria can enter the bloodstream in MC and cause an odor from the pores or breath. There can be an odor from the GI tract (the awful smells our gas and diarrhea are capable of!) when foods are not properly metabolized and ferment in the gut, of course. (In my experience, those who carry on about "toxins" in the body are usually trying to sell you some kind of unproved treatment)!

The mucous lining of both the large and small intestine can heal over time. I had a normal biopsy of my colon mucosa after 10 years of restricted diet. And repeat endoscopy in celiacs who avoid gluten can show normal small intestinal mucosa.

One promising area of research is being done by Dr. Fasano at the U.of MD. He has discovered a naturally-occuring peptide in the body that controls the opening/closing of the little "gates" in the small intestine that are responsible for leaky gut. Apparently he has found that too little of this peptide results in the gates not being closed properly. He is now in the clinical trial stage, treating celiacs with this peptide. I have heard through the grapevine that it is going well, with minimal to no adverse effects. I am especially interested in this research since I have a multitude of food sensitivities. If part of my problem is leaky gut, then I would definitely consider trying this treatment in the future.

I know it is difficult to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together at first. Here is a distinction that is often missed: MC refers only to an inflammation of the colon due to an imbalance of its bacteria (col=colon and itis=inflammation). However, we know from experience here (but many docs don't) that the small intestine is often involved with MC. Docs do know that celiacs can have small intestinal damage from gluten, but they don't know that many with negative celiac blood tests (like most MCers) can have small intestinal involvement from gluten and many other foods (dairy, soy, eggs, yeast). Indeed, our food issues our much more extensive than those of celiacs.

Hope this helps.

Love,

Polly

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:36 pm

My experience with Leaky Gut is that when it was at its worse, and i would be feeling poorly, when I attended my acupuncturist he would say that my liver was overworking and that the molecules not processed by the digestion were putting pressure on the liver.

in a wholistic sense and it has been mentioned in other posts about others that have had gall bladder and pancreas issues, therapists (naturopaths acupuncturists ) will say that if your digestion is not working properly it does create stress on other organs

For me, for many years before the MC diagnosis i had issues with my adrenals and it got to the stage if i was in a stressful situation my body could not produce enough cortisol to help my body with the stress.
Based on various discussions here and other research we did, my therapists and i have pondered whether the 15 years or so of so called IBS was really MC and during this time my body was in a mild constant form of stress and compromised digestion. as during this time it was the adrenal issue that we struggled to improve both via acupuncture and natural therapy, no matter what treatments we did we could not get the adrenals stabilised.

what i believe to be the first chronic symptoms of MC (about 4 years ago) was when my adrenals were at their worst.

As we gained this understanding, this is why my MC eating plan and treatments focussed on healing the gut and optimising the effectiveness of my digestion.

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:46 pm

Gabes,
I was thinking of going to see an acupuncturist, did it help you in any way?

irisheyes13 · Post by **irisheyes13** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:54 pm

Polly wrote:
One promising area of research is being done by Dr. Fasano at the U.of MD. He has discovered a naturally-occuring peptide in the body that controls the opening/closing of the little "gates" in the small intestine that are responsible for leaky gut. Apparently he has found that too little of this peptide results in the gates not being closed properly. He is now in the clinical trial stage, treating celiacs with this peptide. I have heard through the grapevine that it is going well, with minimal to no adverse effects. I am especially interested in this research since I have a multitude of food sensitivities. If part of my problem is leaky gut, then I would definitely consider trying this treatment in the future.

This is such great news.

Polly wrote:Indeed, our food issues our much more extensive than those of celiacs.

I never realized that until recently Polly. I noticed many of the posters on the celiac boards are primarily only gluten free and don't seem to have the other sensitivities/intolerances that are consistent with MC'ers.

Gabes, I'm interested in your experience with acupuncture as well. It seems to have really helped you. There are quite a few in my area but I don't know where to begin in finding a "good" one. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 6:10 pm

background:
i had hormonal issues and bowel issues my whole life, (my bowel does not have ligaments holding it in place and have had 3 lots of bowel surgery, since about 1997 the bowel is adhered to my right ovary)
after the surgery in 1995 the surgeon had told me that if i had a bad situation again then they would seriously consider removing my bowel as it was very damaged by adhesions i was about 25.

in about 1999 i was working for a vitamin company, they were market leader here in Australia at that time. two workmates that became close friends were naturopaths, one of which now is my next of kin for medical stuff.
thanks to their advice i had adopted a low gluten, low yeast, low lactose diet and the IBS symptoms were improving, we were also doing liquid herb treatments for the hormonal conditions
and having far less IBS symptoms and quite well hormone wise. i was very motivated to repair the adhesions and avoid bowel removal.

in 2002, there was a week that there was niggling pain and then one day i was in unbearable pain, doubled over couldnt walk, i was worried if i went to the doctor and then to a hospital they would take my bowel out. One of the naturopaths suggested acupuncture, they had heard of this guy who was really good with hormone stuff, they drove me there. Two hours later i walked out pain free, that was the start of my relationship with 'Shauno', acupuncturist extraordinaire.

i spent a few months having regular treatments, and then most times would only see shauno when i was a bit run down and 'needed a tune up'.

i think some important basics to understand, Acupuncture may not necessarily cure an illness or a condition, what it does is support the body and the immune system, optimise function of organs, optimise blood flow through the body. Treatments can remove inflammation, it can help your immune system fight virus or bacteria.
it doesnt treat the symptoms per say, it treats the organs or the inflammation or the blood flow that need to be 're tuned' or optimised to help the body cope with what is happening and that helps to alleviate/remove the symptoms.
it is a gradual progression type process, and as Shauno knew i am friends with the naturopaths we have discussed diet and supplement treatments that work best with the treatments he was doing.

acupuncture treatment doesnt have to be needles, my guy treats newborns and toddlers, he can use pressure points with his hands/fingers, cupping techniques, heat techniques. At the end of the session if needed he also has a very small needles and small ball bearings that he will place on points and cover with small amt of tape and you leave the on for a few days and they keep working on the points.

Shauno has studied both chinese and japanese techniques, he uses a mixture of these in his treatments. PP member Joe visited shauno when he was in Australia last August, there is a post on the forum with his feedback about the treatment, and when he returned home Joe sourced an acupuncturist in his area.

Joe being a scientific type and likes to know the science or basis for how things worked, i think Shaun shared some text books with Joe that explained the science.
for me all i know is that it works for me, mentally, physically and emotionally i always feel better after my appointments.
with my private health insurance the appointments cost me $30 for an hour treatment.
To put this in context in Australia a visit to the GP that is 15 minute duration costs me $30, to go and have an hours massage to feel relaxed can cost $100 or more. in my case the cost is very affordable and definately more than worth it.
i have also been lucky that both shauno and my naturopath friends can obtain supplements at cost price for me which has also made this process affordable for me.

I am pretty sure there are others that have seen acupuncturists and there are posts for this in the section that Tex set up for natural therapy.

With my recent move, i have not had a treatment since late December. what we had figured out was that shauns treatments were mostly dealing with the outcomes of the stressful job i had and a few other situations in my life, and if i made changes to reduce the stress triggers then i wouldnt need fortnightly treatments. This has proven to be correct although i am really looking forward to my appointment with him next weekend.

i plan to go down to brisbane (2.5 hour drive) every 8 weeks for acupuncture and supplement restock, hair apt (i have had the same hairdresser for 13 years) and get stocks of my favourite coffee. when there are niggling symptoms i can do some of the pressure point treatments myself,

hope this helps /answers queries etc

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 6:52 pm

Jmayk8 acupuncture does a great job of helping with the overall symptoms of MC and helps the body as a whole deal with these disease mechanisms. As Gabes mentioned I had a chance to try acupuncture for the first time last August while in Brisbane for business, Gabes introduced to to Shauno and since then i have pursued it locally on a weekly basis. I was amazed to find out that you hardly notice the needles at all. It sounds scary but actually the process is quite relaxing. I could not believe how beneficial the process was and still is.

Note: Like anything else there are good and bad practitioners so its important to find a well respected and knowledgeable one in your area.

While I have found a good one in my area, it would be great to visit with Shauno again as he was very very good.

Good luck with this.

--Joe

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 2:55 pm

Jmayk8 here is the link Gabes mentioned which is to a post I wrote while in Brisbane last summer.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... c&start=45

Gabes is certainly fortunate to have such a knowledgeable and talented practitioner as Shauno around.

I hope you will be able to try this this type of treatment out Jmayk8

--Joe

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:09 pm

HI Joe,
Thanks for sending the link..
You mentioned that you were going to look for someone in the Boston area, did you ever find one? I'm just North of Boston and going to try and search for one this week.
Thanks again,
Jenny

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:46 pm

Jenny check out:

http://www.plumblossomclinic.com/ More of downtown Boston (Ask for Julie)

http://winchesternaturalhealth.com/ In Winchester right near Woburn off of 128 / 95 (ask for Dr. Shiva Barton or Dr. Lori DeBacco)

--Joe

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:43 am

Thanks Joe,
I have a natural food store up the street from me and they have monthly speakers, I just got this emailed to me..

Sung Kim, M.Ac,Lic.Ac.,Dipl. Ch.
Thursday, February 10

7 PM
Currently, conventional medicine has several methods for diagnosing allergies which include the intradermal test, patch test, scratch test, and various blood tests such as the RAST test. The standard treatment is drug therapy using either antihistamines or steroids to control allergic symptoms. Unfortunately, this does not correct the underlying problem and often the allergy sufferer experiences serious long-term side effects. Nampudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique is an innovative solution for allergies that is completely natural, painless and non-invasive. This revolutionary method can be used safely on anyone, even newborn infants, the elderly and pets and can usually stop the allergy in one day.
Sung Kim is licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. He received his graduate degree, a Masters of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, from the New England School of Acupuncture. The masters program is a intense four years of study and clinical rotation in both contemporary as well as oriental medicine. Sung is certified nationally by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. For more information see
www.acuharmonyacupuncture.com

Maybe I will ck him out? I will call the Winchester place you mentioned too, they are close to me

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:04 pm

similar to doctors and the like, make sure you like the practioner and enjoy the session.

During my appointments we will discuss some of the things that are mentioned on the site, mostly the research articles and symptoms others have that i dont etc. MC was a learning curve for him as well, and how a compromised digestion system ws affecting the other organs.

my practioner is the same age as me, he is an anglo saxon aussie guy that grey up in the country, on weekends he goes surfing.
some appointments we will discuss movies and various other topics and i end up laughing more than relaxing! some days he will use sound effects as he places the needles. a friend of mine interstate goes to acupuncture and her treatments are quiet and meditative.

he tells me what is going on with the organs and what areas are struggling or not working properly and we discuss how this is causing the symptoms, if you are someone who wants to know what is going on make sure you have a practioner who will discuss it with you

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:17 pm

Gabes,

Several years ago on vacation I had the opportunity to try an interesting treatment. It was done by a qualified acupuncturist, but instead of needles he placed tuning forks (each vibrating at different frequencies) onto the various pressure points. It was extremely relaxing, but what I remember most is how I felt immediately afterwards. As I walked out, it felt as if huge waves of energy were circling my body - from my toes up to my head and then over my head and back down my back to the ankles - continuously. I know this isn't a very good description.....I guess it was the chi moving? It lasted for about 20 min., although the overall feeling of well being lasted the rest of the day. Have you ever heard of this? It had a name which I forget.

Hugs,

Polly

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:26 pm

i havent heard of using forks for treatments. and given the feeling you had it sounds definately like it was the chi and getting your blood flowing with the oxygen in it. I will ask shaun about it this saturday

when i first lay down and shaun checks my puleses and does his 'assessment' he will say, your knees have been sore and you have been waking up at 1am, or you have been feeling tired about 6pm each night - 90% of the time he will get it totally right....

After my treatments I always feel, lighter (joints are not as heavy), my mind is awake and alert and absorbing details.