Does ZC / Carnivore cause or heal leaky gut?

#1

I’m getting conflicting information on how ZC may affect leaky gut:

“ZC causes leaky gut” - the plant-eating bacteria species in the gut, not receiving soluble fiber they normally would eat, eats the mucus lining the colon, leading to leaky gut.

“ZC heals leaky gut” - leaky gut is implicated in adverse autoimmune responses. ZC is effective in suppressing these autoimmune disorders, which it does by “healing” leaky gut. (unsure of mechanism – by starving out and reducing the plant-eating species via ZC, there is less to eat the mucus?)

I’m interested to know if I correctly understand both views, and if one is prevailing over the other?

(Full Metal KETO AF) #2

Is this a trick? I’m going with this one! :cowboy_hat_face:

(Carnivore for the win) #3

Keto eating itself healed my leaky gut. I don’t have any studies to back it up though. It took a few months and fasting for 16-24 hours at a time really helped. It really healed up when I adjusted to an 18-6 with a 24 hr fast every couple of weeks. I had read, essentially, that during the fast, the gut and gut biome was focused on healing instead of digestion as well as ridding the counterproductive bacteria that fought healing of the intestinal wall. I don’t have any reference to it though. If I come across it again, I will post it. May have been Jason Fung related information.

(Full Metal KETO AF) #4

Watch Mikhalia Peterson and Amber O’Hearn on YouTube.

https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=mikhaila+peterson+carnivore+diet+

https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=amber+o'hearn

:cowboy_hat_face:

#5

@Elliot-W - can you share the symptoms you had that led you to conclude you had leaky gut?

(I’m not challenging you nor suggesting you did not have leaky gut. The topic is new to me and I’m interested in it because I’m new to ZC and concerned that some of the naysayers point to increased risk of leaky gut)

(Full Metal KETO AF) #6

Haters gonna hate, are these people vegan perhaps? I haven’t ever heard of this position. Leaky gut is caused by lectins and other anti nutrients, food allergies or sensitivities. ZC will help not hurt leaky gut. There’s a lot of forum members who will testify to that. Like I said I have never seen anyone talk about carnivore damaging the gut here or anywhere. Can you post some links to negative articles concerning ZC and increased risk of leaky gut? :cowboy_hat_face:

#7

I’m embarrassed to say that after going back through my viewing and browsing history, I cannot find the negative citations. I thought it was Thomas Delauer, but he’s positive about his experience. I specifically recall the supposed issue was that bacteria will attack the mucus lining when they are deprived of the fiber on which they had previously thrived.

If I find it, I’ll post here; otherwise I’ll have to apologize for suggesting the issue is disputed.

Edit: Here’s one from Joe Rogan and Rhonda Patrick https://youtu.be/thZFIPOAGNQ - I’ve not fully re-listened to confirm it speaks to leaky gut

(Full Metal KETO AF) #8

I’ve seen that a bunch looking at YouTube but haven’t watched it. The only Joe Rogan interview I’ve seen was Shawn Baker. I’ll check that out tomorrow. :cowboy_hat_face:

(mole person) #9

As far as I know only one clinic in the world is curing leaky gut and associated conditions and backing it up with tests and publishing results and they do it entirely with a 100% super high fat, nose to tail animal flesh diet. The group is Paleo-medicina in Hungary.

The elements of the diet are:

  1. 2:1 fat to protein by weight. So over 80% fat.
  2. Very moderate protein. They say even men don’t need more than about 50-60 grams a day.
  3. Organ meat and bone marrow are a must
  4. No dairy at all
  5. No plants if you’re sick. They allow some small amount of plants for people that are only trying to cure obesity and early stage metabolic syndrome.
  6. Very moderate calories. Only eat to satiation. And be very conscious about when you reach that point.
(PJ) #10

I have a long-time friend online who cured her own leaky gut (all typical symptoms for a long time) by drinking aloe vera water (and I think a few other gut supps, typical things like slippery elm, bone broth and powerful pre+probiotics). Or at least, she cured the symptoms, which given the lack of a decent medical system to test or diagnose this is about the best one can do.

I have read on this a lot for a long time since it’s a huge thing in my life. I keep forgetting to take it, but that is one of the reasons I cultivated homemade kefir, which although dairy, is probably the best probiotic possible. Aside from possibly some modern proteins, it seems the dominant theorized-reason for this development is antibiotics, which are ubiquitous in the West in particular. The idea that people are developing leaky gut from lack of fiber seems rather unlikely to me, and the mucus while protective is not the same as the binding cells of the gut. If anybody sees a written not video reference to this alleged cause I’d appreciate a link share.

(mole person) #11

I understand that both Paleo-medicina and a lab in the UK offer mail away services for the appropriate tests.

(PJ) #12

Two labs on earth! If one can afford it (insurance likely won’t cover it). Wow we’re really getting there. :slight_smile: Thanks – I’m glad to hear someone is doing it…

(Bob M) #13

I don’t think you have to be that extreme to cure leaky gut. A keto diet should help if not cure it, and certainly fasting will help. But it’s tricky. I just saw a study (on Twitter, so of course I can’t find it) indicating coconut exacerbated leaky gut. So, the term “leaky gut” is one of those nebulous terms, like “balanced diet”.

(Carnivore for the win) #14

When my health problems started about five years ago, after a head injury, I went to a bunch of doctors and started on lots of medication, but wasn’t getting better. I consulted a naturopath and she diagnosed me with leaky gut.

When I researched it, the symptoms I was experiencing were definitely in line with its description. Dizzy, foggy brain, headaches, bloating, IBS, hypoglycemia, fatigue, acne, eczema, arthritis and sore joints, acid reflux, poor sleep, liver pain, and tingling in my hands and feet.

I had some food sensitivity tests performed and was instructed to complete an elimination diet, and to drink Aloe Vera and l-glutamine. I also took B12 and B6 injections for energy, and to help my nerve tingling, they made me feel better short term, but wore off. There were a few other treatments as well, like a bunch of vitamins and supplements the naturopath tried to peddle at a large markup, but I don’t remember them all as it was a few years ago.

None of those things worked very well though, the only thing that cleared up all of my symptoms were keto and fasting. I don’t know if leaky gut was accurate or not, or even a real thing, could have just been insulin resistance. At the time, I was willing to try anything as I was feeling very sick every day.