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Mar27
Why Leaky Gut Makes You Toxic
Filed under: Detoxification;12 Comments
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This is an important concept that most people with Leaky Gut Syndrome never stop to consider.Your liver is an important part of your digestive system that works to process the toxins in your body so that they can be properly removed. But when you have leaky gut, your entire digestive tract becomes burdened and your liver can easily become backed up. And when this happens, you are unable to eliminate toxins and they build up inside you which can contribute to many of your leaky gut symptoms.
Maybe you think that you live a pretty clean lifestyle so your exposure to toxins is minimal.
Think again!
The truth is that toxins are everywhere and there is no escaping them no matter how hard you try. All you can really do is minimize your exposure and keep your detoxification pathways clear so that your body is able to process and eliminate as many toxins as possible.
2 Common Sources of Toxins
As of 2006, there were over 82,000 synthetic and potentially toxic chemicals documented within the US alone of which 75% (60,150) have never been tested for toxicity. And these chemicals are being used in consumer products every single day. The truth is that there are far more toxic chemicals being introduced every single year than the EPA is able to test so these numbers are only growing.
Of course, I couldn’t even begin to touch the tip of the iceberg of toxins but I would like to share with you two of the more common sources that you are exposed to on a daily basis.
1. Leaky Gut Causing Food Chemicals and Additives (Your Food)
Yep, rest assured that with every single bite you take, you’re ingesting toxins. For example, conventional strawberries are sprayed with 19 different pesticides so you can only imagine what you’re really eating.Or try this on for size. Most conventional cured meats such as bacon and hot dogs are full of the food preservatives such as Nitrates which helps meat keep its color and maintain freshness.
But this toxic substance is also known to cause cancer. So why is it still be used every single day? Because the FDA claims that no suitable alternative has yet to be identified.
Well, I personally love bacon but I opt for the all-natural choice that contains no Nitrates, chemicals, or other preservatives and trust me, it tastes amazing.
Then you have artificial sweeteners (which are not allowed on the Leaky Gut Cure diet). These may be no calorie sweeteners but you have to consider that these are really synthetic chemicals that your body sees as toxic. Aspartame for example is used in more than 6,000 food and beverage products. And while the FDA claims that it is safe, there are numerous studies that have linked it to many diseases such as cancer.
2. Leaky Gut Causing Pharmaceutical Drugs (Your Water)
If you don’t filter your tap water, then you might want to strongly reconsider. Tap water is so full of toxins that the Environmental Working Group found over 140 different contaminants in tap water.
And even more recent studies are finding many different prescription and over the counter drugs in your tap water, most notably: antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, seizure medication, cancer treatment drugs, pain killers, tranquilizers, and cholesterol drugs.
Can you count how many of those contribute to Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Almost every single one does.
What You Can Do About Toxicity
Even though toxins are everywhere, there is a lot that you can do.
First you want to ensure that your detox pathways are clear and eliminating toxins properly. And one of the most important pathways is your digestive tract. So you want to ensure that your liver is functioning properly and your bowels are moving properly. Any disruption in this chain and you’re really just a toxic ticking time bomb.
And once these pathways are clear, you can help support the detox process. There’s a quote I like to use that holds true for your body…
“The Solution to Pollution is Dilution”
Or in other words, one of the best ways to flush toxins out of your body is to drink more high quality water.
But here are some good examples to keep in mind.
1. Eat organic as much as possible.This limits your exposure to pesticides, food additives, and other food chemicals.
2. Use a drinking water filter and shower filter.
Your skin absorbs chemicals when in contact with water too so if you are filtering your drinking water, you should be filtering your shower water too.
But the most important aspect of being able to detoxify properly is restoring your detox pathways. And because toxins can have such a big effect on your leaky gut, I have made this an integral part of the Leaky Gut Cure program.
Eat This, Not That
Eat: Organic versions of the following produce: Strawberries, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Cherries, Peaches, Celery, Apples, Apricots, Cantaloupe, and Green Beans.
Not: Conventional versions as these are the most heavily treated with pesticides.
Bonus Tip
So much focus is put on organic produce but the most important part of your meal that should be all natural, free range, or organic is your meat. This is because meat contains many more nutrients than any plant based food.
And animals are dealing with the same toxic environment that we are so you can bet that they are toxic too. And in the same sense that the healthier we are the better we are able to eliminate toxins, the same holds true for animals.
And there is no doubt that all natural, free range, and organic animals are far healthier and treated with far fewer chemicals and drugs than their conventional counterparts so they pass far less toxins on to you.
Hopefully you now understand the significance of toxins in your struggle with leaky gut and how they play a role in making your chronic symptoms worse. But there is something that you can do about it. And I welcome you to take that step by following the Leaky Gut Cure program.
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12 responses to “Why Leaky Gut Makes You Toxic” 
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thank you for you information. it is always helpful to me. i have gotten a lot from it – some days it actually provides the reason for the issue i am dealing with at that moment.
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Thank you so much for this information. Finally I’ve found a source that not only makes sense, but that also recommends using (or not using as the case maybe) foods to heal the body. I think that you are genuine and you don’t seem hell bent on pushing supplements in lieu of changes to one’s diet. Thank you very much.
I have a question for you. Is coconut water as effective at flushing out toxins as filtered water?
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Thank you for clarifying the discussion about tap water. It is not as safe as locally promoted.
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sandra July 17th, 2013 at 21:51
Thank you, Karen, for the info. I’m practicing all those things you’ve mentioned, although I need to check my shower head again as it’s probably time for a cartridge change. I live in Escambia County, Florida where Environmental Working Group listed our county as having the most toxic drinking water in the nation. They say it’s been cleaned up now, and I hope it’s true. Thanks for your help!
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Do you have a recomendation for detoxing the liver?
Really like the info. you provide. -
Karen Brimeyer September 5th, 2013 at 13:09
I don’t recommend any sort of forceful detoxification. That just puts more strain on your liver. The best approach is just to provide it with everything it needs to function properly.
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Veronica October 13th, 2013 at 16:11
Hi Karen. What type of water filtration system for drinking water do you suggest?
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Karen Brimeyer October 14th, 2013 at 11:43
It depends on your local water supply/source. Oftentimes a good pitcher style filter will work. This website is a good resource: http://www.friendsofwater.com/
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Pamela July 27th, 2015 at 19:45
Though I understand what you are saying and have been eating naturally my entire life, I would love to see some information for vegetarians and vegans. Large meta studies show that these people have much less illness and chronic disease. Regardless, we have complicated exposure to environmental toxins and pharmaceuticals. True believers that will not ever kill animals to eat deserve help in this arena as well. I lived on an organic farm as a child and was witness, part and parcel to the slaughter of animals, “even humanely”, (whatever that means) I cannot, will not, eat meat or meat products. Until we are treated with the respect we treat our fellow creatures, I will view your “cure” as suspect to being a fad. All fads wash out after the cure becomes worse than the malady. Look at the big picture and see that for this kind of diet to become mainstream, huge numbers of our populations would have to die to fulfill the needs of people to eat like this. Our farmland has been decimated for agribusiness and we can’t just grow a cow or chickens in every yard. Please do more research and be a part of the solution. And yes, I vote with my wallet every day.
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So many factors to consider for healing my leaky gut. I guess it’s one day at a time. Thanks Karen for the emails, they are very helpful.
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Thank you for all the good information and tips on leaky gut which I have had for five years following a colonoscopy and too much prep the night before. I have gotten no good advice or help from the medical profession. You are the first to connect my leaky gut to diet. Today is Day 25 and the gut is better, not healed yet. I still have days of all day leaky gut but have gone strictly by the leaky gut diet. I pray this works. My quality of life has not been great for the past five years with little hope until your diet.
Bless you and your work,
C. J.
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suzanne August 23rd, 2011 at 15:48