Stomach bloating and weight gain

[MichaelXY]

MichaelXY, I appreciate your feedback, but I think you need to check your facts. In the above email, you criticized me for trying to take matters into my own hands and for relying on the internet to supply me with information and then inferred that 'leaky gut' is an alternative medicine and not recognized by real doctors. I found it ironic that you tried to back up this last comment by referring to none other than.. an internet link! Using your link above that you sent, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/leaky_gut_syndrome, I checked the references of the story only to receive confirmation that I may be onto something. Scroll down to the bottom of the story and click on the 5th reference, called, 'leaky gut syndrome'. This is what it says:

Exactly what facts should I check?

The wiki article simply cited its reference to what leaky guts is purported to be. This is in no way a validation that leaky gut is a legitimate illness recognized by the medical community.

Consider the source you cited, a Herbal supplement supplier. I have no doubt such a website would make claims that their magic pills will cure all your ailments, big surprise here.
Since food suppliments like those advertised on your cited source are under no regulation, they can print all sorts of claims.

On another note, I spoke with a client today who said she owns a holistic medicine/supplement franchise

Big shock here Hmm, snake oil salesman have not dissappeared, only changed their title.

If someone was suffering from malabsorption (Or this leaky gut thing) they would have all sorts of problems. Vomiting, weight loss (Not gain, don't confuse with bloating), diarrhea, loss of muscle tone, problems with nervous system. In general they would become very ill.

Your cited website leaves one to believe that they can cure a life threatning illness with a simple supplement.

Consider this, if your body is unable to digest minerals, fats, carbs, and protein, then how on earth would the body be able to utilize something ingested in the form of a pill?



You are literally pooping money down the toilet.

[Jennuan]

MichaelXY, I appreciate your concern and advice for me to see a physician, but really, you may be giving them way too much credit. You can say similar things about physicians that you can with a Holistic doc...They prescribe medicine/treatment based on their own guidelines within their own realm of medicine. The difference is that physicians are licensed "practicing" physicians. Note the emphasis on 'practicing.' One could argue that you can sue them if things go terribly wrong, but look at how much paperwork patients have to sign before being seen...much of which is about litigation and responsibility. Doctors and hospitals don't want the responsibility..That's why they make you agree to go to mediation or arbitration instead of being able to try them by jury. You don't sign the paperwork, you don't get seen..paperwork is incomplete. I've done it and have been forced to waive my rights to sue should something go wrong. Then, you look at how much the pharmaceutical companies are tied in with hospitals and clinics. More often than not, there are serious complications linked to manmade drugs than with natural remedies. Our bodies are not well equipped to handle harsh chemicals of any kind. So why is is that doctors can't prescribe herbal medicine? Because they get big bucks from pharmaceutical companies? highly likely. Because herbal medicine has not been approved by the FDA? maybe, and why is this? Because herbal manufacturing companies don't make specific claims - they make general claims like, "improves cardiovascular health" vs "decreases risk of heart attack." Synthetic pharmaceuticals have only been used recently. Our culture is pharma dominant. But 300,000 people die each year from the "proper" use of medicines. No one dies from herbs. They are much safer. And much cheaper. So why doesn't everyone use herbs? On a global level, most people do - there are 5 billion people out there using medicines from plants. We're the weirdos that think mass producing harsh chemicals actually heals people better and faster than herbs. Why don't we use more herbs here in the U.S. when many pharmaceutical drugs were originally made from plants? Because in the U.S. herbs must be sold as supplements. It's all money driven. Pharmaceutical companies can mass produce chemicals a lot faster than creating supplement pills from natural resources. Anyhow, I appreciate your concern, but I've read now most of your posts and have started to think maybe you're related to the medical industry somehow...I don't know what to say other than I'm in desperate need of answers. I'll continue to have my daughter undergo diagnostic testing at the hospital, but I'm becoming more convinced that I'll seek out treatment - naturally.

[Jennuan]

Momofthree, I wish you the best. I'll follow up with you in just a couple weeks. I'm very curious as to what they'll find with regards to your condition. It's an awkward situation to be in. You want to be diagnosed with a problem that you know is there, but at the same time, you hope that if there is something there, that it's easily treatable. Keep pressing on.

[MichaelXY]

Then, you look at how much the pharmaceutical companies are tied in with hospitals and clinics.

Your right, that is wrong, they should be involved with the construction industry.

Our bodies are not well equipped to handle harsh chemicals of any kind. So why is is that doctors can't prescribe herbal medicine?

Ever heard of aspirin? Made from tree bark.
Doctors only approve meds that have been tested through research, not from 'Joes book of Herbal cures'.

they make general claims like, "improves cardiovascular health" vs "decreases risk of heart attack."

Heck, have you tried my pizza sauce? It reduces chances of getting parkinsons disease.

We're the weirdos that think mass producing harsh chemicals actually heals people better and faster than herbs.

Many medications that you claim are harsh chemicals are in fact made from plants. Lab tested is the key here.

No one dies from herbs.

Your evidence for this is??? What evidence is there that it helps? Any case studies you wish to share?

Because herbal manufacturing companies don't make specific claims

Because they do not have any test nor data to support any claims.

Anyhow, I appreciate your concern, but I've read now most of your posts and have started to think maybe you're related to the medical industry somehow...

Funny you say that as I also now think you may be associated with the herbal med industry.

[Momofthree]

Hi. I am not sure how your guys's arguing back and forth is actually helping things here. I understand both your positions. But everyone is allowed to do things their way. So let's just leave it at that.
I am having abdominal pain again. the bloating is always there but now I am starting to get pain. I am hoping it is just from my surgery sites. But just another thing to worry about. I am counting down the days until my test results are back. Should be before Nov.15th. I'll just take it one step at a time.

[MrMistery]

Science Policy

We acknowledge that while science does not have all the answers, it is a guiding philosophy of this forum. Members should be aware of this while posting in the General Biology sections.

Please, read the forum rules before posting. While we do generally allow pretty much any backed up challenge to mainstream theories (after all, that is how science moves forward), and this includes debating of alternative methods to curing disease, we do not allow conspiracy theories nor will any claims be left unchallenged (like Michael just did quite nicely actually). Any members wishing to present controversial arguments should be able to back up their claims with peer reviewed results, not theories about how some want to make money or whatnot. This is a biology forum.

[igiveup]

So (since my last post) all my blood tests came back normal...as well as my ultrasound for Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome (i have the bloating, constipation, weight gain, etc and my periods have ceased)
...i guess i should b happy, but at the same time i wish something had come back wrong so it could get fixed. so *looooooong sigh* now i have to wait to see another specialist...my gp thinks it could even be depression, and i have read that stress and depression aggravates IBS...who knows....im starting to stress even more now which is affecting my personality (well lack of now...)...frig.

oh, btw Jennuan, regarding ur daughter's negative result for lactose intolerance on the hydrogen test - that happened to me earlier this year too - even though i was diagnosed years ago with lactose intolerance, and i had the symptoms hours later...they told me that i wasn't a Hydrogen Gas producer, and that i was most likely a Methane Gas producer...maybe ask if u can get her tested using a Methane breathe tester machine? I didnt bother because the doctor said that the fact i got the symptoms hours later meant i was definitely lactose intolerant (though nothing came up during the test).

best of luck...

[sjlazo]

Well, i can finally breath easy! I found this site by google-ing while at work... needless to say a sigh of relief struck me. I am 23 yrs old. I had a Hysterectomy in April 08', but have noticed that i gained weight rapidly from January 07-April 07. At first i was a size 3-5 now im a size 11. Pleople just see the weight gain, but dont know what im going through. I feel the bloating and fatigue mainly in the early afternoon.::ok ok.. let me get my thoughts straight.. they keep racing with excitement that someone else knows what im going through:::
I thought the weight gain was from some kind of depression my body was going through since i had moved to Iowa from Texas April 07'. Then it continued to persist. I went to see a great Chiropractor when i was in Iowa He was a dietician as well.
(IF any one is in the area of Fremont, NE look him up::
Beach Chiropractic
300 W 23rd St
Fremont, NE 68025
402 721-1190)
I moved back home to texas in Aug this year. He did wonders for me. Unfortunatly i moved back and havent been able to see him.
He ran a allergy test and many different types of blood work. He really helped while i was seeing him. He put me on "fermented cod-liver oil". A spoonful in the morning and in the afternoon. That seemed to help me alot. Although the taste is aweful... and it left a ugly taste in my mouth, but i would take a bite of wheat bread to take it away.
He advised me that my sympthoms may be caused by the hormone change, but i have felt this way before my hysterectomy.

I am exercising again. I had stopped in April due to the surgery, but i have began to keep a log and started three weeks ago. I work out Mon- Fri. and walk alot on Sat & Sun. No matter what i do the bloating seems to hit me in the early afternoons. My bowel symptoms have contined to slow down as well. My father keeps telling me to take a laxative from Mexico called "Vermox". He says i might have worms in my stomach,.. i dont know what to think anymore and was beging to give up hope.

Hopefully being a part of this site and continuing to keep contact with the people that are feeling the same way, my hopes continue to grow. I will keep trying and advising you all if something i try works. As well as reading if anyone else has a success story.

Hopefull and joyful,
SJLAZO

[am1az1]

I have been reading all the postings....I have had the same problem for the last ten years. My Dr. said it could be my blood type...my blood type is "A"...what are all of you?

[Momofthree]

Hi. I am an A blood type too. What does that have to do with our symptoms? I am really curious. This is a new avenue I haven't heard of before. I would love to see what you know.
Still have all the bloating and pain. Am trying to lose weight but still gaining. Still waiting for the biopsy results as well. I'll write as soon as I have them.

[MichaelXY]

Hi. I am an A blood type too. What does that have to do with our symptoms?

Probably nothing considering 30 to 40% of the population has type A blood.

http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu/about_b ... types.html

[am1az1]

Hi. I am an A blood type too. What does that have to do with our symptoms? I am really curious. This is a new avenue I haven't heard of before. I would love to see what you know.
Still have all the bloating and pain. Am trying to lose weight but still gaining. Still waiting for the biopsy results as well. I'll write as soon as I have them.

There are books published abuot eating for your blood type. My Dr. referred me to it. It has been a real help to our family in regards to losing weight and just over all feeling good. My husband is "B" and my son and I are "A". In the book is discusses that A blood tends to bloat and was wondering if there was truly a correlation between the two. I thought it would be educational for me to find out what the majority of people blogging on this site were to see if it has any validity.