Leaky gut could be hindering your weight loss

Colin Ayliffe is a certified personal trainer and holistic lifestyle coach with over 10 years’ experience in training clients. He graduated from the University of Surrey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Science and is also a CHEK practitioner, golf biomechanic and is accredited by the
National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Summer is finally here in Bermuda and all want to be looking and feeling great.

So many of us train hard and eat clean but we can never seem to shift those last few pounds!

Is there an exercise you are leaving out? Is there a superfood that you haven’t heard about? Or do you simply have a “leaky gut”?

That’s right. Leaky Gut Syndrome is a phrase not many of us have heard before, let alone know what it is.

A leaky gut is when the intestinal lining in our gut becomes more porous than normal, so abnormally large spaces become present between the cells of the gut wall.

This allows the entry of toxic material into the bloodstream that would normally be repelled. 

In a leaky gut the bacteria, fungi, parasites and their toxins (yes, that means their waste), undigested protein, fat and waste pass through the damaged gut wall.

Over time, this causes chronic inflammation in the body. 

An inflamed body and suppressed immune system make it very hard for you to lose the extra pounds you’re carrying.

The body turns into a stressed state and keeps hold of the fat cells to use for energy in the ‘fight or flight’ situation it’s preparing for.

Obviously, this situation never occurs, leaving you with a layer of stubborn fat.

But it is not only losing fat that can be the problem. Leaky Gut Syndrome can also be the underlying causes of many ailments that seem completely unrelated.

Arthritis, chronic fatigue, migraines, celiac disease, skin conditions, diabetes and lupus may well be linked to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

If you would like to learn more about this condition then refer to One Cause, Many Ailments: Leaky Gut Syndrome. by Dr John O A Pagano.

There are several actionable tips that I can offer which will help you recover from a leaky gut or minimise your chances of developing it.

Avoid processed food, as they are acidic in nature. Try to eat more alkaline foods like fruit and vegetables instead. 

The pH levels in our body need to be around 80 per cent alkaline, 20 per cent acid. Most of us live in an acidic body.

If you choose to drink alcohol and coffee, drink in moderation. They are strong gut irritants.

Medical drugs like antibiotics and prescription drugs can lead to overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut. 

Only take them when it is absolutely necessary. Try and find alternative natural medicines.

Prescription hormones like the birth control pill can inflame the gut so consider other contraceptive methods. 

Colin has designed the only online coaching program for the Bermuda Half Marathon. Colin blogs at www.CoconutFitness.com. Subscribe to “50 Ways to be Fit and Fabulous” for absolutely free. If you want to follow an effective plan to shift the weight this summer then check out his eight-week online training programme at www.BeachBodyCountdown.Net.