Licorice Root as part of treatment regimen for "leaky gut"
"I found out by way of diagnosis with an autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis) that I had intestinal hyperpermeability (i.e. "leaky gut") My holistic physician and a book recommended by my doctor by Dr. Isabella Wentz on Hashimoto's told me that is one of the conditions that is almost always required to be present for autoimmunity to develop, or else it results from the condition. The only GI signs I had were a months history of gradual onset acid reflux (which I had never had before) and what I decided were early onset of low stomach acid and new slight lactose intolerance, so I never would have known otherwise. To treat the reflux which I saw as a symptom of the leaky gut I used prilosec at high doses as a very temporary measure to get a handle on things until I got my leaky gut headed in the right direction. I did this first with high dose probiotics (Hyperbiotics PRO-15 regular strength time-release 5 billion cfu "pearls') three times a day for a month (after a month, I tried to drop down to one "pearl" a day and didn't feel enough support, so I switched to the Advanced Strength, 15 billion cfu time-release tablets, and have been on those one a day ever since - they are awesome), and then added broad spectrum strong digestive enzymes including gluten-digest and dairy-digest also (all NOW brand). Then I added Nature's Way licorice root 1 capsule three times a day with meals and NOW Aloe Vera gel caps (which are not aloe vera gel or juice but concentrated aloe vera "inner filet" gel extract - much more potent) 2 gels three times a day with meals along with L-Glutamine (Jarrow) 2 tablets three times a day to address the leaky gut further, and I noticed after 2-3 weeks of this combination a definite improvement in how my GI tract overall felt, and noticed I was better absorbing my food and my vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.
Another useful hint I used D-limonene (Jarrow) to stop my acid reflux almost completely taking just one soft gel a day and tapered off the prilosec completely within 1-2 weeks. After that the other changes I made to help my intestines, especially the licorice and the aloe, also kept the acid reflux under control. The last thing I got brave enough to try was Betaine Hcl with Pepsin (NOW brand) to correct for low stomach acid, another common cause of acid reflux and maldigestion and malabsorption as well as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which I strongly suspected I had had due to my rapid response to only the high dose probiotics in the beginning. It takes me anywhere from 1-3 capsules of Betaine Hcl to appropriately digest a small to large meal, depending on how much protein there is, but the extra acid definitely helps, believe it or not. Some people after using find that their own body starts producing stomach acid and are able to stop supplements, but this doesn't always happen. But the day I started Betaine Hcl was my last day ever of prilosec!
I do believe the licorice, the Aloe Vera, and the L-glutamine have been an essential part in beginning to heal my leaky gut. I have not changed my diet except to try to eat as healthy as possible. If I have to I will, but given how much better I feel in my GI tract, I find it hard to believe that I have a serious food intolerance problem at least as of yet. I do think the licorice, the Aloe Vera, and L-glutamine have formed the core of my treatment of my intestinal hyperpermeability, even without much diet changes, and they are more integral to my healing than I thought at first. I am still taking all the supplements I have mentioned during this narrative, along with many others, but I just had no idea how essential the direct healing herbals were for my intestines. At first I was going to take those three for a month or two, expected to notice no difference and so then planned to stop, having done my due diligence. Now, although I don't plan to be on them forever, I fully expect it to be a number of months minimum that I am on this regimen, until I feel my "leaky gut" has healed.
I highly recommend this product and some form of this regimen to anyone who is attempting to treat their own situation with intestinal hyperpermeability, or "leaky gut", or anyone who thinks they "just" have GERD or IBS or Celiac or any other intestinal disorder. Be aware that it may run deeper than you think, as it certainly did with me. I was really not expecting the results I got. It was noticing the distinct effects of the L-glutamine especially that to me confirmed the "leaky gut" hypothesis/diagnosis and I was surprised how much it helped, with myself having few overt GI symptoms to start with. L-glutamine is an amino acid that directly nourishes GI enterocytes, the cells lining the intestinal tract, and helps them heal the "tight junctions" they are supposed to have to prevent "leakiness," (where antigens and food and bacterial particles become exposed to the systemic circulation, creating systemic inflammation and sometimes autoimmune disease). I also ended up adding in slippery elm (NOW) to further get a handle on some recurrent reflux issues.
Licorice root will also help with adrenal fatigue, another common underlying problem, and one I suspect I also have, as well as with anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic effects in the GI tract. These effects are also why I chose licorice root to do double duty, although DGL licorice does not have these effects (Nature's Way Licorice Root is not DGL). One warning of a real side effect, non-DGL licorice root can aggravate hypertension if you are prone to this, because of its effects on the adrenals. Finally, if you do have a simple case of intestinal upset and/or acid reflux, licorice (DGL) on its own or in combination with others like the slippery elm (NOW) and marshmallow root (Nature's Way) may be all that you need to take care of the problem, especially mild IBS and GERD, and they do so with little to no side effects. Aloe Vera can do the same thing, either alone or with one or more of the aforementioned supplements. I simply wanted to share all the supplements I have used and my disease process for those without the luck of having a simple problem, so you won't be discouraged if this isn't you. I firmly believe that the core management of any GI symptoms should involve first and foremost good high quality, high potency probiotics (strongly recommend Hyperbiotics brand), and good broad spectrum high potency digestive enzymes (like Doctor's Best or NOW ultimate or platinum digest). Almost any significant GI distress involves dysbiosis, maldigestion and malabsorption, especially those involving low stomach acid including "leaky gut". Even though these may not solve your problem, they create a good foundation for healing and continued health and well-being even after you are "well". Even I didn't know I didn't have a simple problem, so always dig deeper for what may be the root cause of a seemingly simple problem, and take it seriously if you think you have "leaky gut" - it usually takes multiple dietary interventions and months to years to heal. I personally layered on the supplements a few at a time until I felt like I was getting what I needed, and I would recommend others to use a similar approach. I fully intend to take all of the supplements I am on for gut health, at the core the strong high-potency high quality time-released probiotics, broad spectrum strong digestive enzymes, licorice root, slippery elm, Aloe Vera gel caps, and L-glutamine for many months at least. Even though things aren't perfect, I can already see signs of healing taking place, and I will take changing my diet further seriously if I have to, but so far so good. And the Hyperbiotics probiotics and the good digestive enzymes I see myself taking for life, even after my "leaky gut" is healed.
Nature's Way has always been a reliable and top quality brand and the licorice root is no exception. It is essential for so many things, to heal various GI disorders, treat or prevent various GI infections as well as to help deal with adrenal fatigue, I am glad I can easily order it and depend on it for my contributing to my healing. I highly recommend it for whatever your personal needs may be. Note again - I chose this brand because it is NOT DGL licorice so be careful to choose what fits your needs. This licorice is stronger, more potent in its host of other systemic effects and anti-microbial value, but needs to be avoided by people prone to high blood pressure. For those uses, I intend to keep purchasing and using this supplement by this brand for the forseeable future. Highly Recommend with the above caveat."
Keep your bowels healthy & slippery
"I used to chew liquorice sticks when I was younger. Ya, a twig hanging out of the side of my mouth. When you're working with clients, maybe not so good. Perfect alternative, especally if you don't like that powerful taste. Love it, keeps my digestive system happy & toxic free. Good stuff. But sometimes I Crack a couple of caps, drop in steaming water, put a towel over my head & over the cup and have a pore cleansing steam, then either wash my face with the liquorice tea, or drink it. Yummy & cleansing."
