Q: What is leaky gut?
A: Leaky gut refers to the consequence of gut inflammation. This can occur when there is an imbalance between the “good” bacteria and the “bad” bacteria and yeast. This is seen after exposure to antibiotics and higher levels of estrogens (as with oral contraceptives). The inflammation encourages the “tight junctions,” or loosening of spaces between the cells lining the gut, and they become “leaky.” When we eat, food must be digested completely before it is allowed to be absorbed under normal circumstances. When the gut is “leaky,” larger molecules can be absorbed. Our immune system cells see these molecules as foreign and produce a systemic response. The symptoms of this include chronic fatigue, muscle or joint pain, brain fog, recurrent vaginal or skin yeast infections, diarrhea, constipation and significant abdominal bloating after meals.
There is more research being done to help identify and treat leaky gut. Many practitioners prescribe fish oil and probiotics (good bacteria) to start. In more severe cases, Nystatin has been used (to kill yeast), along with a diet that avoids carbohydrates and foods with yeast, which has produced good results.
Q: I have struggled with rosacea for years. My doctor gives me an anti-bacterial gel that helps suppress the redness in my face, but I have side effects. Is there something natural I can try?
A: Treatment of rocasea, a common skin disorder that affects the face (usually cheeks and nose) and gives it a reddened, bumpy appearance, is chronic. The results achieved with medications are often unsatisfactory. Many patients can develop sensitivity to the topical medications prescribed by their physicians. This causes inflammation and may actually accelerate the progression of the disease. My first step in the treatment of inflammation is to take “pro-inflammatory” foods out of the diet – saturated and trans fats, as well as white sugar and flour. Adding fish oil may help calm inflammation in many skin disorders as well. Herbals have been shown to help with rosacea. These include green tea extract, licorice extract (Eucerin Redness Relief) and oatmeal (Aveeno) products.
Q: Do you know if it is safe to take supplements with Synthroid? I just bought a beauty/energy pill for hair and nails that has biotin, theobromine, taurine, panax ginseng, rhodiola root, collagen, Alpha Lipoic acid, silica and coenzyme Q10. Is this safe to take with Synthroid if I take it several hours after?
A: The absorption of Synthroid is blocked by many things. That is why it is best to take it on an empty stomach and to avoid anything to eat or drink (except water) for at least 45 minutes after taking it. Calcium is a common culprit blocking Synthroid's absorption, and it usually is found in all multivitamin supplements and dairy products.
Of the supplements listed in your beauty/energy pill, I am concerned about the possible interaction between Synthroid and ginseng. Ginseng can cause elevated blood pressure, insomnia and jitteriness. Synthroid increases the metabolic rate, and side effects of ginseng can mimic side effects of elevated Synthroid levels or make Synthroid less tolerated.
Tanya Edwards, M.D., M.Ed., is the Medical Director for the Center for Integrative Medicine and is a staff member in the Department of Family Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. As a Family Practice physician, she sees patients at the Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center, and will begin wellness consultations at the new Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center. For the past seven years, she has been teaching complementary and alternative medicine courses at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Some questions in the “Ask Dr. Edwards” column appear courtesy of NetWellness.org.
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